By Maui R. Drilon for Yahoo! Southeast Asia
Nowadays, more and more mothers are opting to get scheduled caesarean or C-sections over vaginal births, for a number of reasons. Some mums would rather do away with the suspense involved in waiting for when their baby will arrive. Others love the idea that they get to pick their baby's birthday. And then there are those who schedule it around certain events (Posh Spice scheduled her C-sections around her hubby David Beckham's football schedule).
However, most people don't seem to realize that a caesarean section is a major form of surgery. And with any major surgery, there are many risks involved.
But just in case you have to go under the knife to deliver your child for health reasons (e.g. if you're carrying multiples, you have problems with your placenta or blood pressure, or if your baby is breech), it's good to keep in mind that you'll be needing extra special care after your delivery.
At the hospital
Unlike a vaginal birth, C-sections take longer to heal, so expect to stay about three to four days at the hospital. You'll be closely monitored for the first 24 hours, and will be asked to walk within a few hours after the surgery to relieve any gas build-up in your abdomen.
You might not be allowed to eat anything for the first few hours after — instead, expect to be given fluids through your IV.
You'll most likely be given morphine for the first 24 to 48 hours. Expect to be groggy and nauseated at this time. Despite all this, if you plan to breastfeed, you'll have to muster up all your strength to nurse your baby every two hours or so. After about two days, you'll be taken off the morphine and be given oral painkillers, such as acetaminophen. If you feel you need stronger pain killers, alert your doctor. Everyone's threshold for pain is different; so don't feel bad if you think you need some help with pain relief.
Heading home
Just because the doctor gives you the go-signal to head home doesn't mean you're fully healed. C-section incisions take about 4 to 6 weeks to heal — and some women claim it took them about 2 to 3 months before they started feeling "normal." Either way, avoid strenuous activities for the first six weeks. These include aerobic exercise and heavy weight lifting. Driving might not be a good idea, at least until your doctor gives you the go-signal to get back behind the wheel.
Your incision, which is kept shut by staples or stitches, will be checked a few days after you're discharged from the hospital. At this time, your doctor may remove the staples or stitches — but the wound still needs time to heal. Don't remove any steri-strips placed on the incision — let them fall off on their own. Baths may not be a good idea right now, but you can take showers. Wash the area with warm, soapy water, and pat dry (rubbing is obviously not a good idea). Cover the area with gauze if it rubs against clothing, but try to make it breathe when possible.
It may be hard to do, but try to walk a bit each day, increasing your walking time every day. Walking helps blood flow and prevents blood clots.
As for your diet, it might be a good idea to stick to bland, low-fat foods if you find your stomach is still a bit wonky from the procedure. Your bowel movement might not be as regular as it was pre-surgery, which is common. Just try to avoid getting constipated by eating high-fiber foods or taking a fiber supplement; your doctor might prescribe a mild laxative in case you really need it.
Most importantly, get as much rest as you can. Having a baby is overwhelming enough, and coupled with having to recover from a major surgery can easily drive anyone up the wall.
This is not the time to fret over whether the laundry has been taken cared of or if dinner has been cooked — make your husband, partner, a parent, or friend help you with the household chores for the first few weeks. Sleep whenever you can, and don't feel bad about missing out on doing errands around the house. Your priority right now is to take care of yourself and your baby. Everything else can wait.
Mula2 aku ingat nak buh gambo c-sect, pegi la gugel. Sekali semua gambo yang aku tengok mengerikan la pulak... Padahal semua aku dah lalui dulu... Takpe takyah gambo, tak sanggup nak tengok.
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