C-Section

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
• Discharge
• Español

A C-section, or cesarean section, is abdominal surgery to deliver your baby.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• You feel lightheaded, short of breath, and have chest pain.
• You cough up blood.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
• Your incision site is swollen, red, or draining pus.
• Your stitches come apart.
• You have worsening sharp or severe pain in your abdomen.
• Blood soaks through your bandage.
• You have heavy vaginal bleeding that fills 1 or more sanitary pads in 1 hour.
• You are urinating very little, or not at all.

Call your obstetrician if:

• You have a fever.
• You feel depressed.
• You have questions or concerns about yourself or your baby.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

• Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
• Acetaminophen decreases pain and fever. It is available without a doctor's order. Ask how much to take and how often to take it. Follow directions. Read the labels of all other medicines you are using to see if they also contain acetaminophen, or ask your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if not taken correctly.
• NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If you take blood thinner medicine, always ask your healthcare provider if NSAIDs are safe for you. Always read the medicine label and follow directions.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Incision site care:

Carefully wash your incision site with soap and water every day. Keep the site clean and dry. Wear loose, comfortable clothes that do not rub against your incision site. Ask about bathing and showering.

Limit activity as directed:

• Rest as much as possible. Ask when it is safe for you to drive, walk up stairs, lift heavy objects, and have sex.
• Ask when it is okay to exercise, and what types of exercise to do. Start slowly and do more as you get stronger.

Drink liquids as directed:

Liquids help keep you hydrated and improve blood flow. This will decrease your risk for a blood clot. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you.

Follow up with your obstetrician as directed:

You may need to return to have your stitches or staples removed. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

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