Sitting up in bed

Make sure your back is well supported with pillows, especially the hollow of your back. Bending your knees will take the strain off your tummy.

Image of a woman sitting up in bed

Deep breathing exercise

Sitting up, take a slow deep breath in through your nose, expand your chest, hold for two seconds then sigh out through your mouth. Repeat four times.

Foot exercises

Exercise 4 in 'Exercises for after baby is born' booklet. This exercise helps to prevent blood clots forming in the legs.

Coughing

If you feel phlegm in your chest it is important to get rid of it as soon as possible.

Do the deep breathing exercise four times, then ‘huff’ the air out. To huff, take a deep breath in, then breathe out quickly and forcefully through your mouth as if you were steaming up a window. This will help loosen any phlegm, if needed.

You may find it more comfortable to cough in the same position as for your deep breathing exercises. Support your abdominal incision by holding a small towel or pillow firmly over your tummy. Do not be afraid to cough - your stitches and staples are very secure.

Image of a woman sitting up and leaning forward in bed

Once you are allowed out of bed, it is much easier to clear your chest when sitting on the edge of your bed or in a chair. If you need to cough, sneeze or laugh, lean forwards, keep your legs apart and your feet flat on the floor. Remember to support your wound.

Be sure that you have adequate pain relief for as long as you require it.

Image of a woman sitting on a chair and leaning forward

To get out of bed

Bend both knees and roll onto your side by moving your shoulders and knees together. Push up by pressing your upper hand down onto the bed while you lower your feet to the floor.

Sit on the edge of the bed and then stand by pushing up with your legs and hands.

Posture - Standing and walking

Slowly stand up and try not to stoop. Make sure your back is straight before you start to walk. A good posture will help to prevent backache.

Feeding

Always sit well back in the bed or chair and make sure your back is well supported with pillows. Your feet should reach the floor if you are sitting. Pillows on your lap will bring the baby up to a comfortable position for feeding.

Image of a woman breastfeeding

Post natal exercises

Start the exercises in the 'Exercises for after baby is born' booklet. When these can be performed easily, progress to exercise 9.

When you go home

Tiredness

Expect to feel tired – you have had an operation. Get as much rest as you can and pace your activities.

For one or two weeks, just concentrate on looking after your baby. Arrange help with looking after older children, housework such as washing, ironing, vacuuming.

Look after your back (see Exercises for after baby is born booklet)

Avoid lifting heavy weights, such as toddlers, prams or boxes of shopping, for two or three months.

Walking

The first time you go out with your pram, don’t walk too far. Remember, you have to walk all the way back again. Ensure the pram handles are at the correct height, so you do not have to bend forwards or reach upwards.

Driving

Wait until you feel strong enough and can concentrate. If this is before your six-week checkup, check with your insurance company that you are covered. Make sure you can wear a seat belt comfortably and perform manoeuvres and an emergency stop without undue pain.

Stronger exercises and sport

Wait until after your six-week checkup. Begin with the gentler forms of exercise, such as walking and swimming. Build up your fitness gradually. Avoid aerobics classes and competitive sports for three months. Listen to your body – stop if it hurts.


Physiotherapy advice after your caesarean section
Other formats If you need this information in another format such as audio tape or computer disk, Braille, large print, British Sign Language or translated into another language, please telephone 01271 311575.
Sitting up in bed Make sure your back is well supported with pillows, especially the hollow of your back. Bending your knees will take the strain off your tummy. Deep breathing exercise Sitting up, take a slow deep breath in through your nose, expand your chest, hold for two seconds then sigh out through your mouth. Repeat four times. Foot exercises Exercise 4 in 'Exercises for after baby is born' booklet. This exercise helps to prevent blood clots forming in the legs. Coughing If you feel phlegm in your chest it is important to get rid of it as soon as possible. Do the deep breathing exercise four times, then ‘huff’ the air out. To huff, take a deep breath in, then breathe out quickly and forcefully through your mouth as if you were steaming up a window. This will help loosen any phlegm, if needed. You may find it more comfortable to cough in the same position as for your deep breathing exercises. Support your abdominal incision by holding a small towel or pillow firmly over your tummy. Do not be afraid to cough - your stitches and staples are very secure. Once you are allowed out of bed, it is much easier to clear your chest when sitting on the edge of your bed or in a chair. If you need to cough, sneeze or laugh, lean forwards, keep your legs apart and your feet flat on the floor. Remember to support your wound. Be sure that you have adequate pain relief for as long as you require it. To get out of bed Bend both knees and roll onto your side by moving your shoulders and knees together. Push up by pressing your upper hand down onto the bed while you lower your feet to the floor. Sit on the edge of the bed and then stand by pushing up with your legs and hands. Posture - Standing and walking Slowly stand up and try not to stoop. Make sure your back is straight before you start to walk. A good posture will help to prevent backache. Feeding Always sit well back in the bed or chair and make sure your back is well supported with pillows. Your feet should reach the floor if you are sitting. Pillows on your lap will bring the baby up to a comfortable position for feeding. Post natal exercises Start the exercises in the 'Exercises for after baby is born' booklet. When these can be performed easily, progress to exercise 9. When you go home Tiredness Expect to feel tired – you have had an operation. Get as much rest as you can and pace your activities. For one or two weeks, just concentrate on looking after your baby. Arrange help with looking after older children, housework such as washing, ironing, vacuuming. Look after your back (see Exercises for after baby is born booklet) Avoid lifting heavy weights, such as toddlers, prams or boxes of shopping, for two or three months. Walking The first time you go out with your pram, don’t walk too far. Remember, you have to walk all the way back again. Ensure the pram handles are at the correct height, so you do not have to bend forwards or reach upwards. Driving Wait until you feel strong enough and can concentrate. If this is before your six-week checkup, check with your insurance company that you are covered. Make sure you can wear a seat belt comfortably and perform manoeuvres and an emergency stop without undue pain. Stronger exercises and sport Wait until after your six-week checkup. Begin with the gentler forms of exercise, such as walking and swimming. Build up your fitness gradually. Avoid aerobics classes and competitive sports for three months. Listen to your body – stop if it hurts.
PALS The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) ensures that the NHS listens to patients, relatives, carers and friends, answers questions and resolves concerns as quickly as possible. If you have a query or concern, please visit them in the Information Centre on Level 2 at North Devon District Hospital or contact them on 01271 314090. Have your say Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust aims to provide high quality services. However, please tell us when something could be improved. If you have a comment or compliment about a service or treatment, please raise your comments with a member of the ward staff in the first instance. Please also take the time to complete a comment card 'Tell us what you think', so we can make improvements. If you would like to make a formal complaint, please contact the Customer Relations Manager on 01271 322334 or put your concerns in writing to the Chief Executive, Northern Devon Healthcare Trust, Raleigh Park, Barnstaple, EX31 4JB. Tell us what you think If you have any suggestions to improve this leaflet, please contact the Communication Department on 01271 311575.
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