Ok, I’m back, the storms have passed for the moment and I’m picking up where I would have left off. So, here we go.
Recovery for a C – Section typically goes like this. After the completion of your surgery in the OR, you’ll be moved to the recovery room. You shouldn’t be able to move the lower half of your body yet, so we will move you ourselves.
In recovery the nurse closely monitors vital signs, oxygen saturation of the blood and EKG status. Usually recovery is 1-2 hrs. depending on your hospital. The nurse also checks your uterus, your bandage and your vaginal bleeding frequently. After the recovery room we move you to your postpartum room. You can probably move your legs good enough to help us get you to your bed, as your spinal has wore off. You will be on bedrest for about 6-12 hrs. after surgery, then the nurse gently helps you to sit at your bedside, then stand and take a few steps to the bathroom. You’ll be started on pain Meds as soon as you start to feel discomfort.
You’ll keep your catheter in your bladder until you can walk to the bathroom without problems. You’ll keep your IV longer, in most hospitals it’s kept in until 24 hrs. after surgery, but if you have no nausea and are up walking and drinking fluids, the nurses may saline lock your IV, or cap it off for ease of movement.
You’ll be on liquids only, jello popsicles juice and water and broth until your intestines fully wake up, and we know that is happening when you are able to pass gas. After that, you may have solid foods.
For a vaginal birth, most insurances cover up to 2 days after before discharge. For a C – Section usually it’s 3 days after, some cover 4 days, check with your insurance carrier to be sure when you need to be discharged.
Thats about it, in my next entry I’m going to cover new baby information that I’m sure all you new mothers and fathers, will find valuable. As always, I hope you found this information handy and feel free to input any response you feel adequate.
God bless always,
Meredith – RNC
2 comments
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July 3, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Apple
Limiting food post op has not been shown to improve recovery. Neither has allowing food post op been proven to cause problems. Denying new Mom’s food after surgery is…cruel, and probably damaging to her recovery, milk supply, and ability to heal properly.
There are people out there (me included) who don’t have a lot of gassyness. And if a woman has been denied food during a long labor and subsequently had a c-section the likelyhood that she will be making “good” bowel sounds is reduced. I ate some Mac and Cheese the Monday my labor started, had a c-section Wed. Night and was denied food until Friday morning when it became clear that I was not going to be making bowel sounds until I got something more than chicken broth and freezer pops. What do you know 2hours after having some scrambled eggs and toast I had bowel sounds!
Also A woman who has a c-section is LEGALLY entitled to 5days in the hospital following the surgery. But that isn’t profitable for the hospital (get em in get em out) or for the insurance company so most hospitals try to get surgical moms out in the shortest time possible…
July 3, 2008 at 8:58 pm
labornurse
Apple,
I work at a hospital and this is the policy they and most other hospitals follow. For what ever reason, not that I necessarily agree with every policy they follow. However, this entry and a few of the others I have written recently are only to inform soon to be mothers of the procedures that MOST hospitals follow. Right or wrong, it’s what they do. Although a woman may be legally entitled to 5 days in the hospital, if her insurance company isn’t going to pay for it, who is ? She can stay for a fourth or fifth day, but more than likely she’s going to be picking up the bill. Either way, I’m only offering information to help mothers know what to expect, and I hope it helps. Thank you for your comments, I’m sure everyone appreciates it !
God bless,
Meredith – RNC