The Pill — What Every Woman Deserves to Know
Clear, honest answers about oral contraceptive pills — written for you, not for a textbook.
Eating healthy during pregnancy is one of the most important ways to support your baby’s growth and your own well-being. Good nutrition does not need expensive foods or complicated diets. It simply means choosing everyday meals that give steady energy, keep you strong, and help your baby develop safely.
The Basics
I had an LSCS. What exactly happened?
A Caesarean Section, also called LSCS or C-section, is an operation where your baby is delivered through a cut made in the lower part of your tummy and womb. The cut is usually made low down, near the waistline, so the scar is often hidden later.
You have just had a baby and an operation! Although Caesarean Section is common, it is still a major surgery. So, feeling tired, sore, emotional, or slower than usual is normal. That means your body is doing two big jobs at once: healing from surgery and adjusting to motherhood. Be kind to yourself. Recovery is not a race!
How long will I take to recover?
Most women can leave the hospital within 2 days after having a caesarean section, and most women start feeling better day by day, but full recovery can take several weeks. Some women feel almost normal within a few weeks, while others need longer.
A simple way to remember recovery is:
First few days: pain, tiredness, difficulty moving quickly
First few weeks: gradual healing and gentle activity
Around 6 weeks: many women feel ready to return to more normal activities, after medical review
Do not compare your recovery with another mother’s recovery. Your body, your baby, your birth story, and your healing are unique.
How It Works
What is normal pain after LSCS?
Some pain or discomfort around the wound and lower tummy is normal, especially when you:
- Sit up
- Cough
- Laugh
- Sneeze
- Walk
- Lift your baby
- Change position in bed
Take the painkillers prescribed by your doctor. Do not wait until the pain becomes unbearable, as painkillers act better when taken before the onset of severe pain. Good pain control helps you breathe deeply, walk, feed your baby, sleep better, and heal better.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen are commonly prescribed painkillers. Since you are breastfeeding, your doctor will decide which painkillers are safest for you.
How should I look after my wound?
Think of your wound as a “healing line” that needs cleanliness, air, and gentle care.
You should:
- Keep the wound clean and dry
- Gently wash around it during bathing
- Pat it dry with a clean towel
- Wear loose clothes and cotton underwear
- Avoid tight waistbands rubbing on the wound
- Avoid applying creams, powders, herbal oils, or antiseptics unless advised
Do not scratch, rub, or pull at the wound. If you have stitches or clips that need removal, your healthcare team will tell you when and where this should be done.
What should my scar look like?
At first, the scar may look red, dark, raised, or obvious. This is normal. With time, it usually becomes flatter and lighter. In some women, especially with darker skin, the scar may heal as a darker or lighter line.
A scar is not a weakness. It is a sign that your body brought a baby safely into the world and then started repairing itself.
Can I bathe after LSCS?
Yes, in most cases, you can bathe or shower once your healthcare team says it is safe. Keep it simple:
- Use clean water
- Avoid harsh soaps directly on the wound
- Dry the area gently
- Do not soak the wound for long periods
- Do not scrub the wound
If the dressing is still on, follow the instructions given before discharge.
What bleeding is normal after LSCS?
You may still have vaginal bleeding after LSCS. This is normal because the womb is cleaning itself after delivery. It may be like a period at first, then gradually decrease. Use sanitary pads, not tampons, to reduce the risk of infection.
Seek medical advice if:
- Bleeding becomes very heavy
- You pass large clots
- Bleeding has a bad smell
- You feel dizzy, faint, or very weak
- Bleeding suddenly increases after it had reduced
When can I walk?
You will usually be encouraged to get out of bed and move gently as soon as possible. Walking slowly helps:
- Reduce the risk of blood clots
- Improve blood circulation
- Reduce gas and bloating
- Improve bowel movement
- Build confidence in moving again
Start small. A few steps today can become a short walk tomorrow. Avoid rushing, sudden bending, or repeated stair climbing in the first few days.
Can I climb stairs?
If you need to climb stairs at home, do it slowly and carefully. Hold the railing, take one step at a time, and avoid carrying heavy items while climbing.
A useful rule is: a baby in arms is enough weight for now.
Can I lift things?
You can usually lift and carry your baby, but avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby for the first few weeks.
Avoid lifting: buckets of water, heavy laundry baskets, heavy grocery bags, older children, gas cylinders, or heavy household items. Ask for help when possible. Accepting help is not laziness. It is part of safe recovery.
How should I get out of bed without hurting my wound?
Try the “roll and rise” method:
- Roll onto your side.
- Bend your knees slightly.
- Use your arms to push yourself up.
- Let your legs come down over the side of the bed.
- Sit for a moment before standing.
When coughing, laughing, or sneezing, gently support your wound with your hand.
What should I eat after LSCS?
Eat to heal. Your body needs energy, protein, fluids, and fibre.
Helpful choices include:
- Rice, bread, oats, or other energy foods
- Eggs, fish, chicken, dhal, beans, lentils, soya, or meat for protein
- Green leaves and vegetables
- Fruits
- Plenty of water
- Milk or curd if you tolerate them
Try to prevent constipation, because straining can make wound pain worse. Drink enough fluids and include fibre-rich foods. If constipation is severe, ask your doctor for safe medication.
Can I breastfeed after LSCS?
Yes. LSCS does not stop you from breastfeeding. You may need help finding a comfortable position at first.
Positions that may feel easier include:
- Lying on your side
- Holding the baby across your body with a pillow protecting the wound
- The “football hold,” where the baby is tucked beside you instead of lying across your tummy
Ask a midwife, nurse, or lactation supporter if feeding is painful or difficult. Early help makes a big difference.
Why do I feel emotional after delivery?
Many mothers feel tearful, overwhelmed, anxious, or unusually sensitive in the first days after birth. This can happen because of hormonal changes, tiredness, pain, sleep loss, and the stress of caring for a newborn.
You deserve care too. A healthy mother matters as much as a healthy baby.
Please seek medical care urgently if you feel:
- Constantly sad
- Unable to sleep even when the baby sleeps
- Very anxious or panicky
- Unable to care for yourself or your baby
- Disconnected from your baby
- Frightened by your own thoughts
When can I drive?
Do not drive until you can move comfortably, wear a seat belt safely, make an emergency stop, and you are no longer affected by pain or strong medication.
Many women wait until around the 6-week postnatal check-up, but this can vary. Ask your doctor for advice before driving again.
When can I exercise?
Start with gentle walking. Avoid heavy exercise, abdominal workouts, running, or intense activity until your doctor says it is safe.
You can slowly increase activity when:
- Pain is reducing
- The wound is healing well
- Bleeding is not heavy
- Movement feels comfortable
- You have been reviewed by a healthcare professional
When can I have sexual intercourse again?
There is no single “correct” day. Many women need several weeks before they feel physically and emotionally ready.
Wait until:
- Bleeding has settled
- Pain is reduced
- The wound feels comfortable
- You feel ready
- You have discussed contraception if needed
You can get pregnant again even before your periods return, so ask about contraception before resuming sexual intercourse.
What warning signs should I never ignore?
Contact your doctor, midwife, or nearest hospital urgently if you have:
- Severe or worsening tummy pain
- Fever or chills
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Wound redness, swelling, increasing pain, pus, or bad smell
- Burning or pain when passing urine
- Leaking urine
- Cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath
- Swelling, redness, or pain in one leg
- Severe headache, visual problems, or swelling of face and hands
- Feeling very unwell or faint
These symptoms may be signs of infection, bleeding problems, high blood pressure complications, or blood clots. Early treatment can prevent serious illness.
What can I do today to heal better?
Small daily steps lead to strong recovery. Here is your simple daily recovery checklist:
✅Take your medicines as advised.
✅Keep the wound clean and dry.
✅Eat nourishing food.
✅Drink enough water.
✅Walk gently.
✅Rest whenever possible.
✅Use pads, not tampons.
✅Ask for help with housework.
✅Avoid heavy lifting.
✅Watch for danger signs.
✅Attend your postnatal clinic visit.
When should I come for follow-up?
Attend all postnatal clinic visits as advised. A 6 weeks post-partum check-up is important to make sure:
- Your wound is healing
- Bleeding is normal
- Pain is controlled
- Breastfeeding is going well
- Your blood pressure is normal
- Your emotional wellbeing is supported
- Contraception and future pregnancy plans are discussed
Do not wait for the clinic date if you have warning signs. Seek care immediately.
You may feel that everyone is focused on the baby. But you matter too.
Rest is treatment.Pain relief is treatment. Food is treatment. Walking gently is treatment. Asking for help is treatment. You are not “just recovering from delivery.” You are healing from surgery, caring for a newborn, and adjusting to a new chapter of life.
Take it one day at a time. Your body is healing, and you are doing better than you think!
Sources & References
This leaflet is based on guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), and the NHS.
It is intended as general information and does not replace personalised medical advice.
Last reviewed April 2026 · Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping contraception · NHS.uk · NICE.org.uk · RCOG.org.uk