Patient Education Discharge Instructions for Cesarean
Caesarean section
Caesarean section, also known as C-section, or caesarean delivery, is the use of surgery to deliver babies. A caesarean section is often necessary when a vaginal delivery would put the baby or mother at risk. This may include obstructed labor, twin pregnancy, high blood pressure in the moth…
What do you need to know about a C section?
C-section 1 Overview. Cesarean delivery (C-section) is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby... 2 Why it's done. Sometimes a C-section is safer for you or your baby than is a vaginal delivery. 3 Risks. Like other types of major surgery, C-sections also carry risks... 4 How you prepare. If your C-section is scheduled in advance,...
When is a C-section recommended?
A C-section might be recommended if you have a severe health problem, such as a heart or brain condition. A C-section is also recommended if you have an active genital herpes infection at the time of labor.
What are the steps involved in a C-section?
A C-section includes an abdominal incision and a uterine incision. After the abdominal incision, the doctor will make an incision in your uterus. Low transverse incisions are the most common (top left). While the process can vary, depending on why the procedure is being done, most C-sections involve these steps: At home.
What are the risks of having a C section?
Breathing problems. Babies born by scheduled C-section are more likely to develop transient tachypnea — a breathing problem marked by abnormally fast breathing during the first few days after birth. Surgical injury. Although rare, accidental nicks to the baby's skin can occur during surgery. Infection.
What precautions should be taken after C-section delivery?
Here are five precautions you need to take care of if you've just been through a C-section delivery:Restrict your physical activity. Rest is what your body needs after undergoing a C-section. ... Take your medication regularly. ... Take care of your stitches. ... Eat a healthy diet. ... Avoid sex for some time.
How do you prepare clients for C-section?
In preparation for your C-section, you will be asked to do the following:Change into a hospital gown and provide a urine sample.Have an intravenous line (IV) started in your arm or hand. ... Have blood drawn.You may be required to take a clear liquid antacid medicine.Have your surgical site prepared (shaved).More items...
Do and don'ts after C-section delivery?
Keeping the area dry and clean. Use warm, soapy water to wash your incision daily (usually when you shower). Pat the area dry after cleaning. If your doctor used tape strips on your incision, let them fall off on their own.
How does a nurse prepare for C-section?
8 hours before your C-section, drink 8 ounces of apple juice. Keep drinking clear liquids until 2 hours before your C-section. 2 hours before your C-section, drink 8 ounces of apple juice. Starting 2 hours before your C-section, do not take anything by mouth.
How will you prepare a patient before cesarean section to avoid infection?
An antiseptic is applied to remove or reduce bacteria. These antiseptics include iodine or povidone‐iodine, alcohol, chlorhexidine and parachlorometaxylenol and can be applied as liquids or powders, scrubs, paints, swabs or on impregnated drapes.
What assessments should you perform prior to a cesarean birth Select all that apply?
Diagnostic procedures that a woman must undergo before surgery include circulatory and renal function assessments and fetal heart rate. For the circulatory system, diagnostic procedures include complete blood count, and PT and PTT. For the renal function, assessment of urine is necessary.
What mom needs after C-section?
Get a cart and stock it with everything that you need close at hand: burp cloths, extra baby clothes, nipple cream, nursing pads, your medications, water bottles, remote control, phone charger, one-handed snacks, and anything else that you'll need every time you feed your baby.
Which food should avoid after C-section?
New mothers should be careful not to eat food items that cause gas and constipation. During the period after the C-section, you should avoid consumption of junk food and carbonated drinks and consume food items such as soup, cottage cheese, broth, yoghurt and other items which are easily digested by the body.
What happens after C-section?
You will be brought to a recovery area right after surgery, where a nurse will: Monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and the amount of your vaginal bleeding. Check to make sure your uterus is becoming firmer. Bring you to a hospital room once you are stable, where you will spend the next few days.
What are the nursing responsibilities during a C-section?
Nurses are largely responsible for assessing women during triage for admission, monitoring and assessing the health of mother/baby after hospital admission. Nurses manage and administer oxytocin, assess and assist with labor pain, and are primary managers of second stage labor.
What requires follow up in patient being prepared for emergency C-section?
You'll need to change the bandages and see your doctor for follow-up visits to make sure the area is not infected. You'll also likely need a dose of antibiotics to prevent infection. And if you need pain meds to stay comfortable, you may not be able to breastfeed your little one until you stop taking them.
What are the immediate nursing interventions when receiving post CS clients?
Nursing interventions that are required in postoperative care include prompt pain control, assessment of the surgical site and drainage tubes, monitoring the rate and patency of IV fluids and IV access, and assessing the patient's level of sensation, circulation, and safety.
What is a C section?
Overview. Cesarean delivery (C-section) is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. A C-section might be planned ahead of time if you develop pregnancy complications or you've had a previous C-section and aren't considering a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).
What to do if you have a C section in advance?
If your C-section is scheduled in advance, your health care provider might suggest talking with an anesthesiologist about any possible medical conditions that would increase your risk of anesthesia complications. Your health care provider might also recommend certain blood tests before your C-section.
What is the incision for a C section?
Abdominal incisions used during C-sections. A C-section includes an abdominal incision and a uterine incision. The abdominal incision is made first. It's either a vertical incision between your navel and pubic hair (left) or, more commonly, a horizontal incision lower on your abdomen (right).
How long after a C section can you drive?
To prevent infection, avoid sex for six weeks after your C-section. You might also consider not driving until you are able to comfortably apply brakes and twist to check blind spots without the help of pain medication. This might take one to two weeks. Check your C-section incision for signs of infection.
What to do if you have a vaginal birth?
Even if you're planning a vaginal birth, it's important to prepare for the unexpected. Discuss the possibility of a C-section with your health care provider well before your due date. Ask questions, share your concerns and review the circumstances that might make a C-section the best option.
What happens if you have a C section?
Increased risks during future pregnancies. After a C-section, you face a higher risk of potentially serious complications in a subsequent pregnancy than you would after a vaginal delivery.
What happens if a baby is born by C section?
Breathing problems. Babies born by scheduled C-section are more likely to develop transient tachypnea — a breathing problem marked by abnormally fast breathing during the first few days after birth. Surgical injury. Although rare, accidental nicks to the baby's skin can occur during surgery.
Why do you need a C section?
A C-section may be recommended by your surgeon for the following reasons: Risks involved in a vaginal birth. Multiple births (more than one baby). Large baby. Problems with the position of your baby. Problems in the cervix, resulting in failure of labour to progress. Problems in the umbilical cord or placenta.
What are the risks of a C section?
As with any surgery, C-section may involve certain risks and complications, which include: Infection. Blood clots in your legs, lungs or pelvic organs. Blood loss. Bladder or bowel injury. Side-effects of medicines or anesthesia. A C-section is a surgical procedure to deliver a baby.
How long does it take for a C section to go away?
You will be allowed to sip water or suck on ice after the procedure, and allowed to eat after eight hours. The surgical site may hurt when you sit up to nurse your baby.
How long do you stay in the hospital after a C section?
Post-Partum Care. After a C-section, you will stay for 2 to 3 days in the hospital for monitoring. Your doctor will prescribe medications to keep you comfortable and relieve your pain. Your blood pressure, bleeding, heart rate, and size of your uterus and firmness will be monitored regularly.
Where is the incision made in the uterus?
You doctor makes an incision in your abdomen which may be vertical or horizontal (side-to-side). Underlying muscles are separated. Another similar incision is made in the wall of the uterus. Your doctor delivers your baby through these incisions. The umbilical cord is cut and clamped, and the placenta is removed.
What is enhanced recovery after C section?
These guidelines, known as enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), include evidence-based aspects of care before, during, and after surgery to accelerate patient ...
Can you eat gum after bowel surgery?
We may recommend you chew gum if you are nauseated or not hungry after your procedure.
Is it necessary to have a C section?
However, sometimes an unplanned C-section is necessary if the mother or baby are at risk. During prenatal visits, your doctor will discuss with you what could cause the need for an unplanned C-section.
Can you have a C section during prenatal?
However, just because the doctor talks to you about C-sections doesn’t mean you’ll have one. Rather, we want patients to know what to expect with an unscheduled C-section before it's time to deliver.
Can you eat before a C section?
Studies show this can improve outcomes after colorectal surgery, and research suggests that some of these benefits may transfer to other types of surgery. Therefore, we have begun to recommend that some patients eat or drink prior to C-section to potentially: Return to normal bowel function sooner.
How to support a baby during a C section?
Once your baby latches on to breast-feed, use one arm to support your own head and the other to help support the baby. For support or breast-feeding information during your C-section recovery, contact a lactation consultant.
How to heal a C section?
During the C-section recovery process, discomfort and fatigue are common. To promote healing: 1 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. 2 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 breast-feeding women.
What are contractions after a C section?
Contractions. You might feel contractions, sometimes called afterpains, during the first few days after the C-section. These contractions — which often resemble menstrual cramps — help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus.
What to expect after a C section?
While you're recovering from your C-section, remember that you're also recovering from pregnancy. Here's what to expect: Vaginal discharge. After delivery, you'll begin to shed the superficial mucous membrane that lined your uterus during pregnancy. You'll have vaginal discharge made up of this membrane and blood for weeks.
What to take for a baby incision?
To soothe incision soreness, your health care provider might recommend ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other medications to relieve pain.
How to breastfeed after a C section?
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.
Is it normal to lose weight after a C section?
This is normal. Most women lose 13 pounds (6 kilograms) during birth, including the weight of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid . During your recovery, you'll drop more weight as your body gets rid of excess fluids.
How to recover from a C section?
It is generally not required to restrict your activity in the months leading up to your C-section. Regular activity or exercise keeps your body fit and will help you recover more rapidly afterward.
How long before a C section can you eat?
Eating: You may eat solid food until 8 hours before the time your C-section is scheduled to start. Your C-section will be delayed or cancelled if you eat any solid food within the 8 hours right before the scheduled start time.
What is the procedure for a baby to be delivered?
This method can be done as elective surgery or as an emergency procedure when conditions impede a vaginal or normal delivery . Some women demand a Cesarean section with their first babies to avoid labor or the potential complexity of vaginal birth or to take advantage of the benefit of planned delivery.
What is abdominal tightening?
Abdominal tightening reduces distress associated with gas formation and abdominal distension. Further stress anticipated sensations during delivery and recovery period.
When did Gil Wayne graduate from nursing school?
See care plans for maternity and obstetric nursing: Gil Wayne graduated in 2008 with a bachelor of science in nursing. He earned his license to practice as a registered nurse during the same year. His drive for educating people stemmed from working as a community health nurse.
Is a cesarean birth an abnormal situation?
Cesarean birth should be viewed as an alternative and not an abnormal situation to enhance the maternal and fetal safety and well-being. Explain preoperative procedures in advance, and present rationale as appropriate.
Is a cesarean section safe for a baby?
Cesarean section is a procedure that is relatively harmless for the mother and baby. However, it is a major surgery and has risks. It also has a lengthy recovery period than vaginal birth. Some women may have difficulty attempting a vaginal birth later.
Overview
Why It's Done
- Health care providers might recommend a C-section if: 1. Labor isn't progressing normally.Labor that isn't progressing (labor dystocia) is one of the most common reasons for a C-section. Issues with labor progression include prolonged first stage (prolonged dilation or opening of the cervix) or prolonged second stage (prolonged time of pushing after complete cervical dilation). 2. The b…
Risks
- Like other types of major surgery, C-sections carry risks. Risks to babies include: 1. Breathing problems.Babies born by scheduled C-section are more likely to develop a breathing issue that causes them to breathe too fast for a few days after birth (transient tachypnea). 2. Surgical injury.Although rare, accidental nicks to the baby's skin can occur during surgery. Risks to mothe…
How You Prepare
- For a planned C-section, a health care provider might suggest talking with an anesthesiologist if there are medical conditions that might increase the risk of anesthesia complications. A health care provider might also recommend certain blood tests before a C-section. These tests provide information about blood type and the level of the main component of red blood cells (hemoglobi…
What You Can Expect
- Before the procedure
A C-section can be done in various ways. But most C-sections involve these steps: 1. At home.Your health care provider might ask you to shower at home with an antiseptic soap the night before and the morning of your C-section. Don't shave your pubic hair within 24 hours of yo… - During the procedure
A doctor makes surgical incisions in the abdomen and the uterus to deliver the baby. 1. Abdominal incision.The doctor makes an incision in the abdominal wall. It's usually done horizontally near the pubic hairline. Or the doctor might make a vertical incision from just below …
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