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Care of Patients: Vaginal VS C-Section

Youngstown State University

Mrs. Lapolla

Kaitlyn Fitch

4/15/21
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The care of the mother after birth or delivery is important no matter how she may have

done it. Proper post delivery care prevents infection, promotes healing, controls pain, and helps

ease her back into daily activities like walking or even using the restroom. Though the care after

a vaginal birth and cesarean can be quite similar, there are some differences. The BUBBLE

assessment stays the same for the most part. The nurse would assess breasts, uterus, bladder,

bowel, and lochia in both a vaginal birth and c-section. The nurse would then ask about an

episiotomy or any tearing in a vaginal delivery. With a c-section patient, the episiotomy care

would be replaced with abdominal incision care. An episiotomy is normally closed with sutures

and the abdominal incision can be closed with glue or sutures. The incision would also either be

open to air or have a dressing on it, so wound care differs in both delivery methods. For the

vaginal wounds, the new mom is given Dermoplast spray to soothe any pain or itching. This

spray is especially helpful while using the restroom whereas with a c-section mom, she does not

have to worry about a lot of pain in the perineal area.

The pain after delivery also differs between a c-section and a vaginal birth. With a

vaginal birth, the most intense pain is experienced during labor. There is still mild pain after

while the uterus contracts downward, but it is easily managed and does not last longer than a few

days, especially if no episiotomy is done. During a c-section, the mother may feel pressure but

overall, there is no pain. This pain comes after the delivery and is intense. With a major

abdominal surgery, such as this, the pain can last weeks to months compared to a vaginal birth.

With this longer recovery time, c-section moms must stay in the hospital a day or two longer

than vaginal delivery moms.