Postpartum Care (Caesarean Birth) When The Baby Will Be Adopted or Placed in Foster Care: Care Instructions
Overview
After you give birth, your body will slowly heal in the next few weeks. You will probably need about 6 weeks to fully recover. Take good care of yourself by eating well and getting enough rest as your body recovers.
You may feel many different emotions during this time. Changes in your hormones can shift your mood quickly. You may find that it helps to talk to family, friends, or a counsellor about your feelings.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
How can you care for yourself at home?
Taking care of your body
- Use pads instead of tampons for vaginal bleeding. Bleeding may last 2 to 4 weeks or longer.
- If you have strips of tape on the incision, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off.
- Keep the incision clean and dry.
- You may shower as usual. Pat the incision dry when you are done.
- Hold a pillow over your incision when you cough or take deep breaths. This will support your belly and decrease your pain.
- If your bowel movements aren't regular right after surgery, try to avoid constipation and straining. Drink plenty of water. Your doctor or midwife may suggest fibre, a stool softener, or a mild laxative.
- Talk to your doctor or midwife about how to ease discomfort from your milk coming in. It can take days to a few weeks for your milk to dry up.
- Be active. Walking is a good choice.
- Allow your body to heal. Don't move quickly or lift anything heavy until you are feeling better.
- Do not do sit-ups or other exercises that strain the belly muscles for 6 weeks or until your doctor or midwife says it is okay.
- Wait until you are healed (about 4 to 6 weeks) before you have sex. Ask your doctor or midwife when it is okay for you to have sex.
- Ask your doctor or midwife when you can drive again.
- You will probably need to take at least 6 weeks off work. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel.
Medicines
- Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If the doctor or midwife gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor or midwife if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
Taking care of your emotional health
- You may feel many different emotions about placing a child for adoption or having a child placed in foster care. It may help to talk with someone you trust, such as a counsellor, a social worker, a family member, or a friend.
- Rest whenever you can. Being tired makes it harder to handle your emotions.
When should you call for help?
Share this information with your partner, family, or a friend. They can help you watch for warning signs.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have thoughts of harming yourself or another person.
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.
- You have a seizure.
Call your doctor, midwife, or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
- You have signs of hemorrhage (too much bleeding), such as:
- Heavy vaginal bleeding. This means that you are soaking through one or more pads in an hour. Or you pass blood clots bigger than an egg.
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed, or you feel like you may faint.
- Feeling so tired or weak that you cannot do your usual activities.
- A fast or irregular heartbeat.
- New or worse belly pain.
- You have symptoms of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
- A fever.
- Vaginal discharge that smells bad.
- New or worse belly pain.
- You have symptoms of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness and swelling in your leg or groin.
- You have signs of preeclampsia, such as:
- Sudden swelling of your face, hands, or feet.
- New vision problems (such as dimness, blurring, or seeing spots).
- A severe headache.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor, midwife, or nurse advice line if:
- Your vaginal bleeding isn't decreasing.
- You feel sad, anxious, or hopeless for more than a few days.
- You are having problems with your breasts.
Adaptation Date: 12/14/2023
Adapted By: Alberta Health Services
Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services
