Typically your baby is the main focus when you have a cesarean section. Often women don’t consider what a c-section involves for them and how they’ll feel afterward. The Baby Nurse Bible has more information about c-section preparation and typical procedural information.
Bonding with Baby
The surgery takes about 30 t0 45 minutes after your baby is delivered. As long as everything checks out with your baby, you can all begin bonding right away. Your partner can hold the baby while sitting next to you. After the surgery is finished you will be taken to a recovery area for a few hours to be monitored. Then you will be transported to a postpartum room. Your baby is likely to be with you the entire time. At some point he may be taken to the nursery for an initial newborn assessment. Partners are usually welcome to accompany the baby to the nursery area.
C-Section Recovery
What will you physically feel like after having a c-section? You’ll be tired and groggy immediately after the surgery from the anesthesia. You may even sleep for a few hours in the recovery room until you are stable and transported via stretcher to your postpartum room. You will receive pain medications during the first 24 to 48 hours to keep you comfortable. A nurse will come in frequently to check your vital signs as well as your abdomen and incision. Your IV and Foley Catheter (to drain urine) will be left in for about 24 hours, but a nurse will show you how to move about in bed comfortably.
Get Moving to Promote Recovery
You should walk within 8 to 24 hours after your surgery when your nurse recommends it. This will promote a faster recovery. You will probably not want to walk so soon after surgery but the sooner you do, the quicker you’ll feel like yourself again. Walking helps to speed up the process of moving gas through the intestines. If you do a bit of moving around on the first day after surgery, by day two you will feel more comfortable doing so. You will probably stay in the hospital for three or four days depending on your insurance coverage. Your ability to get up and move around will get better each day. It takes between two and six weeks for a full recovery.
Emotions
Keep in mind, in addition to the physicality of a c-section, you may feel emotional afterward and should seek the support of care providers or family. At Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny we support new moms as they recover and navigate motherhood. We provide newborn care services to families and online courses for new parents and caregivers.
Boston Baby Nurse & Nanny Services
Night wakings can be exhausting for parents and lack of sleep can leave parents feeling scattered and foggy. An overnight newborn care expert provides care so sleep deprived parents can get a good night of sleep. Your baby needs sleep and so do you.
Daytime Newborn Care
Your Newborn Care Expert will care for your infant and create a stimulating environment that will help foster your baby’s development.
In-Home Consultant Visits
Our trained professionals can teach you how to best care for your baby. Many parents have questions about how to bathe their babies, how to swaddle, or a host of other questions. We also offer a variety of breastfeeding support and lactation services designed to help support and maximize your breastfeeding experience.
Baby Sleep Coaching
One in four children under the age of five has a sleep issue. Most children’s sleep issues are behavioral and not medical. If your child is struggling with sleep issues, you are not alone!
Nanny Placements
The care of your children is our highest priority. Connecting families with warm, responsible, and trustworthy caregivers is what we do best. Our team will meet with your family, identify qualified caregivers, and hand-select the best candidates for you to meet with.
