Recovery & Comparison Between Caesarean & Vaginal Birth.
Things one must expect after a cesarian delivery
One takes a lot of time to fully recover after having a c section delivery. The experience is very different from a normal delivery. After a c section delivery, one is taken to the recovery room, where one is kept under strict observation for at least an hour. This is done to ensure that you do not develop any complications after the surgery.
Patient is given pain medication to relieve her from the soreness that may be their in the abdomen. After twenty four hours the patient is advised to start walking. Walking is encouraged to lessen the chances of blood clotting that may occur in one's legs. It also improves the recovery rate. Walking is also helpful in preventing the building up of gas in the stomach. The patient may feel uncomfortable while walking for the first few days. But gradually the pain lessens. One may use a pillow to provide support to the stomach.
If you have had a c section delivery, prepare to stay in the hospital for a few days. Do not worry as you will be allowed to feed and take care of your new born child.
Comparison of C section delivery with vaginal delivery
The incision made during a c section delivery takes four weeks and sometimes even more to completely heal. Most of the women have reported that the area around the incision remain tender for days after the surgery.
Bleeding occurs for some weeks after your delivery, just like it happens in the case of vaginal delivery. One also experiences labor pains in both the types of delivery. This happens because the uterus contracts to shrink back to the same size as it was before pregnancy.
Extra help is needed for a few weeks by the women who have undergone a C section delivery. In such cases one must avoid lifting anything heavier than their baby. Some physicians also advice one to avoid climbing stairs or drive for at least a few weeks just after the delivery.
The patient herself is the best person to judge about her discomforts and pain. So if you experience any of these, then make sure that you take medical advice.
When to ask for help?
In some cases, complications arise after a few days of the delivery. In such circumstances, one must immediately call the physician before it can result into something more severe or fatal. Some of these cases are discussed below.
- Some people may experience heavy bleeding, for which you may require to change your sanitary napkin after every four or five hours.
- Sometimes the vaginal bleeding may become heavier rather than getting lighter.
- If the bleeding consists of blood clots of large size.
- If you are suffering from fever.
- If the drainage from your incision increases or if there is bleeding from the incision.
- If you see swelling or redness on your calves. This may result from clotting of blood.
- If you experience hallucination, feeling of despair or any other dangerous feelings, you may be suffering from postpartum depression.
Gradually the scar that is left by the incision fades away and you will start looking and feeling like before. After six weeks one must get a check done so that your physician can allow you to exercise normally and start having intercourse.
Since everybody's body mechanism is different, the time taken to heal or recover is also different. So each woman takes her time to return to normalcy. So do not compare with others. Instead enjoy with your new found joy.
With your little one you will not realize when time will pass by and you will feel like your normal self again.
Every women has a different experience while recovering from a c section delivery. Some find it easier than vaginal birth, some find it more difficult.
For women who have had a c section delivery the first time can have difficulty in having a vaginal delivery the next time. If you still want to go for a vaginal delivery the next time then you must consult your physician about it.