Most women recover in the hospital for 3 to 4 days. When you get home, try to give yourself a break.

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Transcript:

So, you’re pregnant and wondering about C-sections. Here’s what you need to know about the procedure and the recovery.
What to Expect When: Your Baby is Born by C-section
Before
32 percent of babies are delivered via C-section in the United States. Some are planned, while others aren’t. Possible reasons for a scheduled C-section: You’re having multiples, your baby is breech or you develop preeclampsia or eclampsia.
Possible reasons for an unplanned C-section: Labor doesn’t start, labor stalls, exhaustion or fetal distress.
During
You’ll have an IV and anesthesia. The doctor will make two incisions, one in your lower abdomen and one on your uterus. You won’t see anything. Most women stay awake. The procedure lasts about 10 minutes, plus 30 minutes or so to stitch you back up.
You should be able to see and hear baby right away. You’ll probably be able to hold her, too.
After
Most women recover in the hospital for three to four days. When you’re discharged, the doctor will ask you to take it easy for a few more weeks.
You may feel: fatigue, uterine contractions, lochia, breast engorgement or incision pain.
At home, try to give yourself a break. Whenever possible, have someone else bring your baby to you and don’t carry anything besides the baby. Let your partner, family and friends prepare meals and do laundry.
To care for your incision: Keep it clean, wear loose tops and pants, expose your scar to air to promote healing.
It’s normal if the incision itches, pulls, feels numb or changes colors. If you have a fever, or if the incision site gets red or oozy, call your doctor.
Feeling back to normal will take time, so be kind to yourself. Soon you’ll be well on your way to full-steam-ahead motherhood.
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