Exercises following Caesarean section
Foot and leg exercises should be started as soon as possible, especially after epidural analgesia or anaesthesia as distal circulation will be sluggish. These may be followed by not more than four deep breaths to ensure full expansion of the lungs and pumping action on the inferior venacava.
If general anaesthesia was given, the mother may have to be taught how to clear secretions by coughing in a sitting position with the sutures supported by both hands and a pillow. Deep breathing and huffing will help loosen the secretion.
The transverses exercise should be started whenever the mother feels comfortable in any position except prone kneeling position. Pelvic tilting and any gentle knee rolling will ease the flatulence that many will experience after general anaesthesia.
Adequate rest is essential in the post natal period to allow the tissues to regain their normal function. After caesarean sections the women have not only give birth, buy has also undergone major surgery. Yet she will have to cope with the surgery with a baby by her side. So she will need a lot of support.
Husbands can be of great help during this time by chipping in with the house work or taking some time off to be with the baby so that the mother can rest a little. Relative would need to be encouraged to help with the chores and women must be given adequate periods of rest after C section.
After a few weeks of C section if the wound has healed well women can get back to their regular activities and in fact early return to normal life has been seen to decrease complication of surgery.
Undergoing a Caesarean section need not put your physical fitness back post surgery. You can effectively exercise with minimum discomfort after C section and you should make every effort to do these exercises namely pelvic tilting and knee rolling exercises. You can also walk or cycle as this is very good for your general fitness.
To sum up exercises post C section are not very different from those in normal women. Women will have to individualise these exercises to suit themselves.