Question

Create a visual brochure or powerpoint on ceserean section care post operation. Include (Lochia, Incision care, s/s of infection, Splinting etc.)

Answer 1

Caesarian section or C-section is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made on a women's abdomen and uterus to deliver a baby. Some C-sections are planned but some become time after going into labor the decision is taken when an abnormal condition makes vaginal delivery unsafe for the mother or for the baby.

Indication for caesarian section ---

1. Placenta previa

2. Dystocia

3. fetal distress

4. Multiple gestations

5. Fetal macrosomia

6. Medical problems as uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension

A caesarian section is a major surgery that requires proper care, the mother has undergone surgery and she would be going through pain, blood loss, weakness, tiredness, malaise, etc. And time is taken to recover from this condition.

The care provided to the mother postoperatively after cesarian section ----

A. Adequate rest --- After any surgery body needs time to heal and function properly, so as in cesarian surgery, as this surgery is major the body requires full 6 weeks of rest and a good amount of sleep with doing light household chores, ambulation, and caring for the baby and herself. The body requires time and rest to heal after major surgery. Good rest and sleep of the mother are directly proportional to the health and growth of the baby.

B. Healthy diet --- A normal high-protein diet with increased fluid intake should be consumed by the mother. A healthy diet not only provides adequate nutrition to the body but also will help in healing and the baby's healthy growth, and a good amount of fluid intake helps in decreasing the chance of constipation and dehydration which affects lactation, and early return to the bathroom and early removal of Foley's catheter.

C. Pain management -- The mood, health, recovery, sleep of the mother is directly related to the intensity of the pain. Pain-relieving medication should be taken on time, an abdominal belt should be worn to avoid any jerky movement to the body as the abdomen have stitches that are prone to open up if it delts with pressure. When coughing or sneezing a hand or pillow should be placed over the abdomen to avoid extra pressure and for the safety of incision. Strenuous activity totally should be avoided for 3 months at least.

D. Lochia -- It is the vag-inal discharge for a week or so after the delivery containing blood, mucus, and uterine tissue. Depending upon the color of discharge assessment is done --- After the delivery, the fluid will be bright red in color and called Rubra, after a couple of days later or a day later the discharge turns into a kind of pinkish-red, having mucousy or dried blood consistency, called Serosa, and at last clear consistency or yellowish discharge will be there called Alba. It typically lasts for 3 to 6 weeks or sooner. The amount of discharge, clot in discharge, and odor of discharge should be taken into consideration as a large amount of discharge meaning filling of a pad provided by nursing staff is filling in 1 hour and indicating towards postpartum hemorrhage.

Care should be taken as changing of pad frequently and keeping the area hygienic, intaking an ample amount of fluids, to decrease the chance of bacterial infection.

E. Post cesarian exercises -- After 15 days of delivery, it should be initiated. This doesn't include heavy exercises and helps in blood circulation, and is done for the upper limb, lower limb, back, shoulder to enchourage recovery of the patient.

F. Incisional care --- The edges of the incision is held together with either stitch, staples, skin glues, or skin closer strips. A bandage is put over the stitches called dressing and to take care of the incision the dressing should be kept clean and dry. Caring for incision involves cleaning the incision, changing of dressing. And also the area should be dealt off with extra pressure like coughing, sneezing, strenuous activity, abdominal force in case of constipation, etc as all of this can lead to opening up of stitches and further complication.

G. Looking out for s/s of infections --

Following are some s/s ---

1) Redness or swelling at the incisional site.

2) Pus discharge from the incisional site.

3) Painful urination

4) Pain at the incisional site which ain't going away or becoming worse

5) Severe abdominal pain

6) Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

By looking at the s/s care should be taken accordingly and most importantly precautions should be taken beforehand as for eg. Not putting up pressure over the incisional site and by keeping the site dry the infection at the incisional site could be eliminated.

H. Splinting -- This encourages healing as well as lessens the pain. Splinting over the abdomen in the incisional site helps to prevent pressure in case of coughing or sneezing, in time of holding and feeding the baby, during a bowel movement, and while ambulation to avoid any pressure or jerk.