The catheter, gas pain and eating
Three ordinary miseries nobody prepares you for.
The catheter usually comes out within 12 to 24 hours. You should be able to pass urine within about 6 hours after that. If you cannot, tell someone.
Gas pain is frequently worse than incision pain. Air enters the abdomen during surgery and irritates the diaphragm, which is felt as shoulder pain. Walking, warm drinks, simethicone and time all help.
Eating. Older practice kept women without food for a day or more. Enhanced recovery protocols allow eating early, and early feeding is associated with faster return of bowel function and shorter stays.
Where this comes from:
316. Shinnick JK, Ruhotina M, Has P, Kelly BJ, Brousseau EC, O'Brien J, et al. Enhanced recovery after surgery for cesarean delivery decreases length of hospital stay and opioid consumption: a quality improvement initiative. Am J Perinatol. 2021;38(S 01):e215-e223.
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This page is educational. It supports the conversation with your own clinicians. It is not consent to any treatment, and it cannot assess you. If you are worried about a symptom now, see urgent warning signs.