Recovering from a caesarean

Pain after a caesarean can last several weeks for some people, according to the NHS. Ask for help with everyday tasks, and make sure you know who to contact about the wound or pain relief.

A simple wound-care routine

Your midwife or surgical team can explain how to care for your wound. NHS advice is to clean and dry it gently each day and wear loose, comfortable clothing and cotton underwear. Ask which instructions apply to your dressing and the way the skin was closed.

MedlinePlus advises against scrubbing the wound. Wait for your clinician to say it is safe before soaking in a bath, using a hot tub or swimming. Do not try to wash away wound glue or adhesive strips.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about suitable pain relief, including if you are breastfeeding. Keep the discharge instructions available when you ask. Tell the clinician about pain that is severe or increasing so they can assess it.

Moving without rushing the recovery

Gentle walking is part of recovery. The NHS recommends staying mobile to reduce blood-clot risk, while avoiding overexertion. MedlinePlus also suggests short walks and slowly increasing how much you do. A walk can be short enough to fit the help and energy you have available.

You may be able to hold and carry your baby when you get home, but heavier lifting and more strenuous activities need time. Ask someone else to handle tasks that exceed the restrictions your team has given you.

Lifting and driving: the guidance differs

The NHS lists driving, exercise, carrying anything heavier than your baby and sex among activities you may not be able to resume straight away. Its advice is to return when you feel able and they are not uncomfortable, which may not be for 6 weeks or so. Ask your midwife if you are unsure.

US MedlinePlus gives different timings: avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby for 6 to 8 weeks, and do not drive for at least 2 weeks. It also says not to drive while taking narcotic pain medicine, or if you feel weak or unsafe driving. You may still need longer before you are ready to drive.

Ask your care team which restrictions apply to your operation and what would delay returning to an activity. Check who will review your progress, and keep the answers with your discharge information.

Bleeding and follow-up still matter

Vaginal bleeding can happen after a caesarean too. Use period pads rather than tampons. Get emergency medical assessment now for sudden or very heavy vaginal bleeding, even if you do not feel faint. Call 999 (UK), 911 (US), or your local emergency number if you cannot get to emergency care safely. Do not wait to see whether another pad fills. In the US, ACOG recommends contact within the first 3 weeks postpartum and a comprehensive visit no later than 12 weeks after birth, with ongoing care as needed.

Get help for wound changes or clot symptoms

Contact your midwife or GP now in the UK, your obstetric clinician in the US, or your local doctor or midwife if the wound opens, becomes more red, swollen or painful, or produces pus or foul-smelling fluid. Call now for fever or feeling increasingly unwell, even without visible wound changes, or for severe pain, painful peeing or swelling and pain in a leg.

A clot in a deep vein is called DVT. It can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening. Call 999 now (UK), 911 (US), or your local emergency number for new chest pain or severe breathing difficulty, even without leg symptoms. Call emergency services too if leg pain or swelling comes with breathlessness. Get urgent medical assessment now for new breathlessness through your maternity service or NHS 111 (UK), obstetric clinician (US), or local urgent service.

Call 999 now (UK), 911 (US), or your local emergency number for confusion, very fast breathing or blue, pale or blotchy skin.

Get urgent medical assessment now for a severe persistent headache, vision changes or pain below the ribs. Contact your maternity service or NHS 111 (UK), your obstetric clinician (US), or your local urgent service.