Reviewed by The Mom Store editorial team, October 2026. See our editorial policy.
A caesarean section is an operation to deliver your baby through a cut in your tummy and womb, usually made low across the tummy. It can be planned ahead, often from about 39 weeks, or done as an emergency if a vaginal birth becomes too risky. The NHS guide to what happens during a caesarean and the RCOG leaflet on caesarean birth are the basis for what follows. Your own hospital's instructions come first wherever they differ.
Before a planned C section
Most hospitals give you a pre operation appointment a few days before. Use it to ask what you want to know, write the questions down beforehand, and take your partner or a family member. Things worth asking about:
The anaesthetic. RCOG notes that you can discuss it with an anaesthetist before the day.
When to stop eating and drinking. The NHS says this is usually a few hours before the operation, and your doctor will give you the exact time.
Which medicines to take beforehand. These may include antibiotics, anti sickness medicine and a medicine to reduce stomach acid.
Whether you can have skin to skin contact with your baby in theatre. RCOG says this is possible during a caesarean birth, so tell the team early if you want it.
How long you are likely to stay. RCOG gives 24 to 36 hours for a straightforward caesarean, and the NHS says 1 or 2 days. Hospital stays vary, so ask yours what to expect.
You will usually also have a blood test to check for anaemia, and a small area of pubic hair may be trimmed if needed.
What to pack
The NHS recovery advice is to wear loose, comfortable clothes and cotton underwear. In practice that means high waisted cotton underwear whose waistband sits above the wound rather than on it, loose front opening nightwear that also works for feeding, maternity pads, slip on footwear so you do not have to bend, and a long phone charger, since you may not be able to get up easily for the first day.
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Arrange help at home
RCOG suggests planning for about 6 weeks of physical recovery, and the NHS says you will not be able to drive for a few weeks or carry anything heavier than your baby straight away. Decide before the birth who will cook, do the laundry, handle visitors and lift the heavy things, whether that is your partner, your mother, your mother in law or paid help. Keep water, snacks, nappies, wipes and your phone within reach of wherever you will feed, so you are not getting up and down all day.
On the day
Most caesareans are done under a spinal or epidural anaesthetic, which numbs the lower part of your body while you stay awake. Your birth partner can usually be with you. If you need a general anaesthetic, you will be asleep and your partner will not normally be in theatre.
A catheter is put in to drain your bladder, and a screen is placed across your tummy so you cannot see the operation. You may feel some tugging when the baby is delivered. According to the NHS, the baby is usually born within 5 to 10 minutes and the whole operation takes around 40 to 50 minutes. Your baby will be lifted up for you to see and then brought over to you.
The first days
The NHS advice on recovering from a caesarean covers the basics:
You will be encouraged to get out of bed and move around as soon as possible. The catheter usually comes out 12 to 18 hours after the operation, once you can walk.
You can eat and drink as soon as you feel hungry or thirsty.
Take painkillers regularly, at home too, for as long as you need them. Aspirin and codeine are not usually recommended while breastfeeding, so check with your doctor.
Gently clean and dry the wound every day. Stitches or staples, if used, are usually removed after 5 to 7 days.
A daily walk and gentle activity lower the risk of blood clots.
Wait until you feel able before exercising, and expect sex to be around 6 weeks away or more.
Recovery is gradual. RCOG notes that about 1 in 10 women have some discomfort for the first few months.
How you feel
Some women feel relieved after a caesarean, and some feel disappointed, especially after an unplanned one. Both are understandable, and talking it through with your partner, a friend or your doctor can help. RCOG says the chance of postnatal depression is not significantly different after a caesarean or a vaginal birth. The NHS page on postnatal depression explains that low mood in the first days usually passes within 2 weeks. If it continues, gets worse, or you are struggling to cope, speak to your doctor or midwife, even if you only have some of the signs.
When to call your doctor straight away
The NHS lists these as reasons to contact your doctor or midwife immediately after a caesarean:
Severe pain
Leaking urine, or pain when peeing
Heavy vaginal bleeding
The wound becomes more red, painful and swollen
Pus or foul smelling fluid coming from the wound
A cough or shortness of breath
Swelling or pain in your lower leg
Do not wait to see if these settle. If you cannot reach your doctor, go to the hospital.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from your doctor.
