A New Beginning

Cesarean Care CHAPTER 2: Cesarean Care

BED REST You will be on bed rest immediately after surgery. While in bed, you will have special compression pads on your legs to improve your circulation and to prevent a blood clot. It is important to move around and not lie in the same position while you are in bed. Your nurse will let you know when you can begin sitting on the edge of the bed and walking in your room. URINARY CATHETER A special catheter was placed in your bladder during surgery to drain urine. This allows you to rest and makes emptying your bladder easy for you. It will be removed as soon as possible, usually within the first 24 hours when you are able to get up out of bed.

DEEP BREATHING Perform deep breathing exercises every few hours while awake to reduce your risk of lung complications after surgery. These exercises help to expand your lungs and loosen any mucus. Take a deep slow breath in, hold it for a few seconds, then blow it out completely. Repeat several times in a row. Use your incentive spirometer several times each hour as directed, if applicable.

Tell your nurse if you have:

• Burning or pain in your lower abdomen • Fever • Blood in your urine • Burning during urination • The urge to urinate frequently • An inability to urinate • Difficulty urinating

Measures that will reduce your chances of developing an infection from a urinary catheter include: • Avoid touching your catheter • Always wash your hands, both before and after, if you do touch it • Avoid twisting or kinking the catheter

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Chapter 2: Cesarean Care