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General health information

Caesarean birth

A caesarean is an operation in which a baby is born through cuts in the abdomen and womb. It may be planned or performed as an emergency. Good preparation, getting moving early, wound care and watching for warning signs are important. Call a doctor for heavy bleeding, fever, increasing wound pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain, a swollen red leg or feeling rapidly more unwell.

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  • A caesarean is surgery, so recovery, wound care and watching for complications matter.
  • The procedure may be planned or become necessary during labour if this is safer for the mother or baby.
  • After going home, watch for fever, increasing wound pain, heavy bleeding, difficulty breathing and a red or swollen leg.
  • Getting moving early helps recovery and lowers the risk of blood clots.
  • Outside office hours, call HAP 9252 for urgent GP care. Call 912 only for an immediate threat to life.

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LaparoscopyKeyhole surgery in the abdomen is called laparoscopy. The doctor examines or operates through small cuts in the abdominal wall. It may be used for gallbladder problems, appendicitis, endometriosis or investigating abdominal symptoms. Although the wounds are small, it remains surgery with risks such as bleeding, infection and organ damage. Afterwards, watch for fever, increasing abdominal pain, difficulty breathing and wound problems.
B
Bowel endoscopyAn examination inside your bowel is usually called a colonoscopy. A doctor uses a flexible camera to examine the large bowel and sometimes the last part of the small bowel. Preparation varies between hospitals and is essential for a good examination. After sedation, you usually must not drive yourself. Call a doctor for severe abdominal pain, increasing bleeding, fever or feeling clearly worse after the examination.
E
Endometritis after childbirthInflammation of the womb lining after childbirth is a bacterial infection in the womb. Fever, increasing lower abdominal pain, feeling unwell or unpleasant-smelling postnatal discharge needs medical assessment the same day, because prompt treatment prevents complications.