Healthy Postpartum Recovery
After the woman is all stitched up, she is transported (referred to as towed in the Navy) to the recovery room for about an hour. There her vital signs are monitored to make sure there are no significant complications from surgery that might require her to go back to the OR. If your baby is doing fine, she may see the baby at this point, or she may need to wait until she goes to her room. Sometimes, it’s hard for family members to visit inside the recovery room due to privacy problems with other patients, so don’t expect a lot of visitors.
Typically, your OB will sit down and explain how the surgery went and answer questions. Afterwards, the patient is transferred to a recovery room or a postpartum room, where she will stay until she’s discharged, which will probably be in two or three days, barring complications.
The Day of the Surgery
The day of the surgery, should you be the patient, you will feel pretty tired and still have some pain issues. You may be required to rest a lot. The catheter will continue to be in place so that you don’t have to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. Pain medicines is going to be administered through an IV. You’ll not be allowed to eat at first, although fluids are given. Mostly, you’ll just want to rest (and find out your baby, of course).
The First Day Post-Op
By the first day after surgery????????o?the physician will evaluate you to ensure you’re stable. The bandage will likely be removed so the doctor can look with the incision, and then it will be left uncovered. The Foley catheter is taken off. The patient is asked to begin walking, if she hasn’t already complied.
Walking will be a little bit challenging in the beginning, but with effort, the majority of women find they could walk pretty well by the end of the first day. A doctor always asks patients to sit up for a few minutes first to be sure they aren’t dizzy, and then remain true with a hand close to the bed to provide themselves another minute before they walk throughout the room.
You will still have an IV with fluid flowing. You must sit in a chair if you’re tired but don’t feel like sleeping. If you’re tired, use the bed to fall asleep, but if you’re not tired, doctors prefer that you try to use the chair. Sitting and walking not merely restores confidence, but also helps in avoiding clots from forming in the legs. You’ll be asked to increase your walking daily. It’s time for food, if you feel like eating. The very first meal you will eat might be a soft diet of easily chewed foods. If those are tolerated well, you’ll advance to eating regular foods.
The Second Day Post-Op
On the second day, a healthcare facility staff and your doctor will evaluate how well you’re progressing and take a blood test to successfully haven’t lost too much blood. You’ll carry on and walk the hallways, obviously a lot more than the day before. In some instances, patients may recover so well that they may be discharged at the end of the morning, but this is usually reserved for post-op Day 3.
The Third Day Post-Op
On post-op Day 3, you may be examined, the staples will be removed if necessary, and you’ll be given instructions on the way to take care of yourself at home. Items to watch out for include fevers, increased vaginal bleeding (more than a period), and pain that is not responding to pain meds that may indicate complications from surgery. A doctor will recommend that you don’t lift anything heavier than your child.
Home Care
Don’t forget to come up with a follow-up appointment with the OB who delivered your baby. Make the appointment within 4 to 6 weeks after the delivery. For those who have any questions regarding your recovery, however, always call your physician ASAP. As far as wound care goes, you’ll be able to take a shower, but don’t rub the incision while showering. Permit the water run over it and have a bar of antibacterial soap, create a dollop of suds in your hands and apply it gently to the incision, let the suds sit for a minute, and then rinse them off. Work with a clean towel and pat the incision dry, don’t rub it. In order to use Bacitracin or Neosporin ointment and rub it on, it might reduce scarring. Having a shower is acceptable once your bleeding has decreased significantly. Be careful not to slip while getting out of the tub. For the first couple of weeks, a shower is preferable.
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