Cesarean Section Care

Cesarean delivery begins as an operation but ends as a postpartum recovery. The abdominal and uterine incisions create pain and infection risk, while separation of the placenta leaves a large vascular site that must be controlled by uterine contraction. Anesthesia, blood loss, immobility, bladder catheterization, and delayed feeding can affect several systems at once. At the bedside, the RPN follows that trajectory rather than viewing the incision in isolation. Uterine tone and lochia show whether hemorrhage is developing; vital signs, mental status, urine output, and respiratory status show whether perfusion and recovery from anesthesia are adequate; the wound, mobility, pain control, and feeding show whether recovery is progressing. These assessments and interventions are performed within provincial legislation, employer policy, orders, and the RPN's authorized scope, with prompt escalation when findings exceed that scope or the patient's condition changes. The clinical model is simple: prevent infection and venous thromboembolism, support firm uterine contraction and adequate perfusion, reduce opioid exposure without undertreating pain, and recognize deterioration before routine postpartum recovery is mistaken for safety.