A C-section is a major operation. Therefore, you may remain in the hospital for longer than someone who had a vaginal delivery. While in the hospital, don’t hesitate to ask questions related to any concerns you might have about your health and recovery.
Urinary catheter
Right before your C-section, a nurse will place a urinary catheter on you, which will not be removed immediately after the operation, even if you feel fine and are ready to walk to the toilet yourself. During surgery, blood loss and, consequently, dehydration are more significant than during regular childbirth, so the mother will be compensated for the loss of fluid within a few hours with the help of IVs. At the same time, the nurses will monitor how much urine you release (diuresis), which is more easily done with a catheter [1].
But it's not just about the convenience of nurses. After an epidural or general anesthesia, you will not feel the need to pee for a while [2], so a catheter is necessary. It’s usually removed about 12 hours after delivery [1].
Pain when urinating
Once the catheter is removed, you may feel pain while urinating. The catheter likely stretched your urethra, but it will heal, and the pain will cease within a day or two.
Constipation
You also won’t feel the urge to empty your bowels. If you have a planned C-section and you do not eat during the previous eight to twelve hours [1], you simply won’t feel the need to go right away.
Liquid foods (broths, juices, or special foods for recovery after surgery) are usually allowed six hours after the C-section. You will likely be allowed to have solid foods within 24 hours. You may have to take mild laxatives to help things move along after surgery.
Bloating and flatulence
Once the effects of the anesthesia are over and you start eating, your intestines will come back to life. An accumulation of gas is natural. However, studies have shown that bloating and flatulence go away faster in women who start having liquids immediately after surgery, consuming a liquid diet after six hours, and solid foods within a day. Those who abstained from any food for 24 hours after the C-section and received fluids only intravenously had more problems with gas [3].
Pain when coughing and laughing
After a cesarean, laughing, coughing, or sneezing can be painful and scary. Even slight movements can make the incision hurt!
To ease the pain of coughing or sneezing, place your hand or pillow over your lower abdomen and lean forward slightly, applying gentle pressure.
Pain in the incision area is usually less of a concern in those who sit up and walk within the first six hours after surgery. You may want to stay in bed, but the likelihood of adhesions increases with every hour you spend lying down. So it’s good to start moving gently as soon as your doctor allows you to.
Bloody discharge
Just because your baby didn’t arrive through the birth canal doesn’t mean you will skip other parts of the post-delivery process. As the uterus shrinks, the muscles and blood vessels tighten, and the point of attachment of the placenta bleeds. Your body has to get rid of blood and tissue, and it does so in the most natural way; through the vagina [3]. Since a C-section is a more traumatic process than natural childbirth, the discharge may be slightly more abundant. During the first few days, you may produce clots, so always use pads instead of tampons. You can take a shower from the first day after delivering via C-section, but baths are a no-no because you want to avoid getting your incision and the dressing wet.
