Obstetrics & Gynaecology Forum Volume 29 | Issue 2 | 2019

O&G Forum 2019; 29: 30 - 32 PATIENT INFORMATION RETURNING TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES THE FUTURE SUMMARY To reduce the risk of a blood clot, make sure you follow carefully the instructions of the healthcare team if you have been given medication. Your obstetrician and the healthcare team will tell you when you can return to normal activities. Most women take at least three months to recover from the operation. You should wait until you are physically and emotionally ready before trying for another baby. A caesarean section is a common operation and is usually a safe method of delivery for you and your baby. However, complications can happen. You need to know about them to help you to make an informed decision about surgery. Knowing about them will help to detect and treat any problems early. I have read the document Name and Surname Signature Date I understand the contents lose half a litre of blood. If you bleed heavily, you may need a blood transfusion (risk: 1 in 100). You may need to take iron tablets. With uncontrolled bleeding, may need to perform a hysterectomy as a life-saving procedure. is is something done at the primary operation. It is only done if your life is in danger. • Infection of the surgical site (wound) – (risk: less than 10 in 100). Let the healthcare team know if you get a high temperature, notice pus in your wound, or if your wound becomes red, sore of painful. An infection usually settles with antibiotics but you may need another operation. • Unsightly scarring of your skin, although caesarean section wounds usually heal neatly • Developing a hernia in the scar caused by the deep muscle layers failing to heal. is appears as a bulge or rupture called an incisional hernia. If this causes problems, you may need another operation • Blood clot in your leg (deep-vein-thrombosis – DVT) (risk: 9 in 1 000) - this can cause pain, swelling or redness in our leg, or the veins near the surface of your leg to appear larger than normal. e healthcare team will assess your risk. ey will encourage you to get out of bed soon a er the operation and may give you injections, medication or special stockings to wear. Let the healthcare team know straightaway if you think you might have a DVT • Blood clot in your lung (pulmonary embolus) – if a blood clot moves through your bloodstream to your lungs. Let the healthcare team know straightaway if you become short of breath, feel pain in your chest or upper back, if you cough up blood. If you are at home, call an ambulance or go immediately to your nearest Emergency department 3. Specific complications of this operation • Infection in your womb (endometritis) (risk: 1 in 70) • Bladder damage, as your bladder lies close to your womb and has to be moved out of the way (risk: less than 2 in 1 000). The risk is higher if you have had previous caesarean sections caused by scarring at the point where your bladder attaches to your womb • Small scratch on your baby’s skin, when your obstetrician makes the cut on your womb. Sometimes the scratch can be on your baby’s face (risk: 2 in 100). This usually does not need treatment • Breathing difficulties for your baby (transient tachypnoea), where your baby takes longer than normal to clear the fluid from their lungs. The risk is higher in babies born by caesarean section (risk: 6 in 1 000). Your baby may be admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit for up to three days while they are helped to breathe • Abnormal placentation in subsequent pregnancies. I don’t understand the contents of the document and require further explanation OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY FORUM 2019 | ISSUE 2 | 32