After a c-section, you should most likely take it very easy for at least six weeks or more depending on what your doctor tells you to do. Most doctors advise c-section patients not to lift anything heavier than their babies for a certain period of time following the surgery. In addition to reducing your activity level while your incision heals, you should also take proper care of your incision area. Your dressing should be changed as needed, and for the first few days to a week you may need to avoid getting your bandages and stitches wet. It is also important to take whatever medication your doctor prescribed for you while you heal.
One of the most important things you need to do after a c-section is rest. It takes your body some time to recover from surgery, and you might benefit from being careful not to put too much stress on your abdominal area. While getting up and walking around may be helpful, you should probably not lift anything much heavier than your child for six weeks or more following your c-section. It is important to get outside help during this time if you can with chores around the house and also to help you with your baby while you heal.
Your c-section incision most likely has the best chance of healing properly if you take good care of it. You will probably have either staples or stitches across your abdomen where the incision was made, and these will likely be removed within a week after the c-section was done. While the stitches are in place, you should clean them thoroughly with antibiotic ointment, peroxide, and anything else that your doctor recommends. It's also best to avoid getting your stitches saturated with water, which means a shower is likely a better option than a bath while you are still healing.
Some of the drugs your doctor will probably prescribe after a c-section include antibiotics, pain relievers, and stool softeners. You should take all of these medicines as directed while you are healing. The antibiotics should help prevent infection at the site of the incision, and the pain relievers will likely be helpful for managing any pain you experience while you heal. Many women have problems with bowel movements after a c-section because they fear that the straining will rip their stitches, and for this reason your doctor might give you stool softeners to make it easier for you to have a bowel movement.
