Discharge Instructions for Cesarean Section (C-Section)

You had a cesarean section, also called a C-section. During the C-section, your baby was delivered through an incision in your stomach and uterus. Full recovery after a C-section can take time. It’s important to take care of yourself — for your own sake and because your new baby needs you. Here are some guidelines to follow at home.

Incision care

Here's how to take care of your incision:

• Shower as needed. Pat your incision dry.

• Watch your incision for signs of infection, such as more redness or drainage.

• Hold a pillow against the incision when you laugh or cough and when you get up from a lying or sitting position.

• Remember, it can take as long as  6 weeks for your incision to heal.

Activity

Here are some suggestions:

• Don’t try to take care of anyone other than your baby and yourself.

• Remember, the more active you are, the more likely you are to have an increase in your bleeding.

• Get lots of rest. Take naps in the afternoon.

• Increase your activities bit by bit.

• Plan your activities so that you don’t have to go up or down stairs more than needed.

• Do postsurgical deep breathing and coughing exercises. Ask your healthcare provider for instructions.

• Don’t lift anything heavier than your baby until your healthcare provider tells you it’s OK.

• Don’t drive until your healthcare provider says it’s OK.

• Don’t have sex until after you’ve had a checkup with your healthcare provider and you have decided on a birth control method.

• Let others do things for you. Don't hesitate to ask for help.

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these:

• Fever of  100.4° F ( 38°C) or higher

• Redness, pain, or drainage at your incision site

• Bleeding that needs a new sanitary pad every hour. Heavy vaginal bleeding may be a sign of postpartum hemorrhage. It needs medical care right away.

• Severe belly pain

• Pain or urgency with urination

• Foul odor from vaginal discharge

• Trouble urinating or emptying your bladder

• No bowel movement within 1 week after the birth of your baby

• Swollen, red, painful area in the leg

• Appearance of rash or hives

• Sore, red, painful area on the breasts that may come with flu-like symptoms

• Feelings of anxiety, panic, or depression