Here you can read about the days following a cesarean section and what you should be aware of during this time.

You have given birth by cesarean section. Here you can read about the days following a cesarean section and what you should be aware of during this time.

24 hours after the cesarean section, you can take a shower, and subsequently, you or the staff can remove the bandage. When the bandage is removed, there will still be strips in place holding the skin together. These strips should be removed approximately 1 week after your cesarean section if they haven't fallen off by themselves.

Chew gum after the operation
When you've had abdominal surgery, your intestines may become inactive, leading to nausea and abdominal pain because it can be difficult to pass gas and stool. Chewing gum may help stimulate the intestines. We recommend that you chew gum three times a day for a total of one hour after the operation. You should continue until your intestines are functioning normally again.

Getting the bowels moving again
To stimulate bowel function after anesthesia, you'll also be given laxative drops until you have a bowel movement. Afterward, you should stop taking them. Exercise is important to get your abdomen moving again, so you should take daily walks. You should also drink plenty of fluids.

Blood-thinning medication
If you're bedridden for an extended period after surgery, the risk of blood clots increases. Therefore, you may need blood-thinning medication as a preventive measure. The staff will assess whether you need blood-thinning medication until you can move around normally. This is also a very important reason to get out of bed quickly after your cesarean section.

Food and drink
You may eat and drink as you like, although you may experience some nausea.

Pain management
After the cesarean section, you'll experience pain at the incision site and uterine contractions, known as afterpains, which often occur during breastfeeding. During your hospital stay, you'll be provided with pain medication at regular intervals. This medication does not affect the baby through the breast milk. In some cases, this medication may not be sufficient. Therefore, please inform us if you need more pain relief. We will also be attentive to ask you about this.

Itching after spinal anesthesia
Some patients experience itching from the medication used in spinal anesthesia. It's rarely bothersome enough to require treatment. It usually disappears within a few hours, but it may take up to 24 hours.

Headache
Approximately 1% of patients experience severe headaches after spinal blockade. It's a headache that disappears when you lie flat and returns when you sit up. Inform the staff if this applies to you.

Postpartum consultation
You can have a consultation with a midwife or doctor about your delivery if you've had an emergency cesarean section. Inform the staff if you wish to have this.

Medical examination of mother and baby
You will be examined by a doctor after the cesarean section, before discharge, during which information will be provided, including how to proceed in case of a subsequent pregnancy. If necessary, your baby will be examined by a pediatrician before discharge. After discharge, you can have your baby examined by your general practitioner.

Discharge
If you and the baby are doing well, you will be discharged after two nights, as a rule, unless otherwise agreed. Before you leave, we offer a joint information session, along with other parents who are also leaving. The information session is called 'family hour' and takes place in ward 5034.

Back home, Protecting the abdominal muscles
We recommend that you avoid lifting anything heavier than about 10 kg (22 lbs) for the first six weeks. This is equivalent to your baby and a carrier.

How to get out of bed most easily (see illustration)

1. Roll onto your side.
2. Prop yourself up with the elbow you're lying on and assist with the opposite arm while swinging your legs over the edge of the bed.
3. From a side-lying position, you can then sit up on the edge of the bed.

NOTE! The technique is reversed when getting back into bed.

Discomfort around the incision site
It's normal:

• To have swelling around the incision in the first few weeks.
• To have bruises around the incision that may be tender.
• For the skin around the incision to feel numb. It's due to small nerves being cut during the surgery. This is not concerning, and in most cases, normal sensation will return to the skin within a few weeks or months.

Urination discomfort
Some may experience pain when emptying the bladder towards the end of urination. This is because the bladder may have been manipulated during the operation. It's harmless and typically resolves within a few weeks. If you're unsure whether you have a urinary tract infection, you should contact your general practitioner.

Pain relief medication at home
We recommend taking pain relief medication regularly for the first 5 days:

• Paracetamol (e.g., Pinex, Panadol, Pamol) 2 tablets = 1 g up to four times a day.
• Ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin) 1-2 tablets = 200-400 mg up to four times a day.

You should read the package leaflets of the medicine and only use this type of medication if you can tolerate it. The medication will not affect your baby when breastfeeding. It's important to take your pain relief medication so you can move freely.
If you take both types of medicine, it's best to take the tablets together. It takes about 30-45 minutes to take effect. After 5 days, you should stop taking Ibuprofen. Some may need pain relief medication for up to 14 days. Preferably, this should be paracetamol. If the pain persists or worsens, you should contact your general practitioner.

Shoulder pain
After a cesarean section, some experience pain in the right shoulder. This is harmless and usually resolves on its own. Many find relief using heating pads for this.

Pelvic floor exercises
Even though you've had a cesarean section, it's crucial to rehabilitate your pelvic floor. You can start this on the same day you've given birth. On gynzone.dk, you can find pelvic floor exercises and training programs for how to perform this rehabilitation.

Impact on future pregnancy and childbirth
Even though you've given birth by cesarean section this time, it's not certain that you'll need to deliver by cesarean section next time. It depends on the reason for your cesarean section in this pregnancy. If the same conditions are present in the next pregnancy, we would recommend a cesarean section. If not, we can plan for a vaginal birth together next time.

To reduce the risk of complications in a subsequent pregnancy and childbirth, we recommend waiting at least 9 months after the cesarean section before getting pregnant again.

During your next pregnancy, you'll have a discussion with an obstetrician about how to proceed with delivery.

Contact us (within the first 7 days)

• If you have a fever.
• If the wound becomes red and tender.
• If fluid is leaking from the wound.
• If you have foul-smelling discharge.

If any of these occur after the first week following the cesarean section, you should contact your general practitioner or the Emergency Medical Hotline at 1813.