In normal circumstances, gynaecologists say that hospital stays for caesarean births without problems are usually three to five days. They explain that once the baby is born, a woman’s body will change both physically and emotionally throughout the next year.
Dr Theodomir Sebazungu, a gynaecologist at University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), says many of these changes happen in the first six weeks, called postpartum.
Generally, he says that people should keep in mind that postpartum isn’t a time of illness, but a time of healthy change, and that some changes restore the body to its non-pregnant state while other changes allow one to provide food, care, and love for the new-born.
That said, if a woman had a caesarean delivery, commonly referred to as a C-section, they will automatically need more time to recover than those who had a normal delivery.
Dr Iba Mayale, a gynaecologist at Galien Clinic in Gasabo District, says a caesarean delivery is major surgery, and just like it is with any surgery, the body needs time to heal afterwards.
Six to eight weeks are recommended for one to heal after they have had a C-section.
What to consider
While at home after a C-section, experts say that it’s essential for one to continue focusing on healthy nutrition.
Good nutrition, Private Kamanzi, a nutritionist in Kigali, says is just as important in the months after one delivers as it was while pregnant.
"If you’re breastfeeding, the mother is still the baby’s primary source of nutrition, for this reason, eating a balanced diet will keep the baby healthy and help the mother to get stronger,” he says.
Studies show that eating fruits and vegetables while breastfeeding imparts flavours in breast milk that increase the baby’s enjoyment and consumption of those foods as they grow.
Also, Kamanzi says it’s essential to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, as one needs extra fluids to boost their milk supply and to avoid constipation as well.
Other things to consider, Dr Mayale says, include keeping the incision open to air to keep it clean and dry.
"Some people’s incision is covered by abdominal skin and fat. If your incision is unable to dry well because of this, it’s recommended to lay flat on the back for a while and lift the fold of skin up for a while to get fresh air to the incision,” Dr Mayale says.
Dr Sebazungu says one should as well look at their incision, or have someone else look at it, to monitor drainage, bleeding, or increased bruising or redness.
Slowly increase your activity over six weeks, at 6-8 weeks you may be able to resume activities that were normal for you prior to your C-section. If the activities you are doing cause you pain or increase bleeding, stop and rest.
Treat your C-section incision with care
According to Mayo Clinic, during the C-section recovery process, discomfort and fatigue are common. To promote healing:
Take it easy. Rest when possible. Try to keep everything that you and your baby might need within reach. For the first couple of weeks, avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby.
Seek pain relief. To soothe incision soreness, your health care provider might recommend ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other medications to relieve pain. Most pain relief medications are safe for breastfeeding women.
Look for signs of infection
Check your C-section incision for signs of infection. Contact your health care provider if your incision is red, swollen or leaking discharge.
Experiment with breastfeeding positions
You can begin breastfeeding almost immediately after the C-section. Breastfeeding positions that work well during C-section recovery include:
Football hold. For comfort, put a pillow along your side and use a chair with broad, low arms. Hold your baby at your side, with your elbow bent. With your open hand, support your baby’s head and face him or her toward your breast. Your baby’s back will rest on the pillow and your forearm. Support your breast in a C-shaped hold with your other hand.
Side-lying hold. Lie on your side and place your baby on his or her side, facing your breast. Support your baby with one hand. With the other hand, grasp your breast and touch your nipple to your baby’s lips. Once your baby latches on to breastfeed, use one arm to support your own head and the other to help support the baby, Mayo Clinic suggests.