The answer

A caesarean section, whether planned or performed as an emergency, is considered major surgery so Aletta should be prepared for some pain in the aftermath. While in hospital, she is likely to be on a strong opioid analgesic plus a NSAID (assuming there is no contraindication to either), with the strong opioid replaced with co-codamol as the pain diminishes.

Once home, she should stop first the NSAID as she continues to heal, then replace the co-codamol with paracetamol, before coming off painkillers altogether. Getting off co-codamol is also helpful in reducing constipation: other ways in which this can be averted or managed include drinking plenty of water and eating lots of fibre.

Aletta will need to be mindful of the surgical incision, at first wearing loose, comfortable clothes and underwear to avoid friction on the area, and then making sure she keeps the wound clean and dry. In time, the scar will fade and blend into her bikini line. Aletta will also have some vaginal bleeding – which surprises some women, who think that this won’t happen if they haven’t had a vaginal delivery – so she should make sure she has some maternity pads packed in her hospital bag.

Mobility may be limited to start with, but it is important Aletta gets on her feet as soon as possible, and then gradually increases the amount she walks as she feels fitter and stronger. While she will be able to lift and carry her baby when she is discharged from hospital, she will not be able to do the same for her toddler or even wrangle the vacuum cleaner or bags of shopping: asking friends and family to help and getting groceries delivered are just two short-term strategies that she may find sensible.