Having a C-section to deliver twins can be scary for many mothers. Knowing what to expect in terms of your hospital stay and recovery time can help alleviate some of the fear and allow you to better prepare. Here is an overview of how long you can expect to be in the hospital after a twin C-section.
Typical Hospital Stay
For a routine, uncomplicated C-section with twins, most women stay in the hospital for 2-4 days on average. However, this can vary based on a variety of factors:
- If there are any complications during delivery like heavy bleeding, your hospital stay may be longer.
- If your babies need extra care in the NICU after birth, you may choose to stay longer until they are ready to be discharged.
- Some hospitals standard policy is to keep mothers of twins for 4 days after delivery, while others routinely discharge twin moms after 2-3 days.
- If you had a vertical skin incision instead of a bikini cut, you may need to stay longer.
- If you have other medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, your provider may want you to stay longer for monitoring.
On average, most twin moms can expect to spend about 3 days in the hospital after a C-section. But stays of 2-4 days are considered normal.
Recovery in the Hospital
The first couple days after your C-section will be focused on recovery. Here’s a look at what you can generally expect while still in the hospital:
- Day 1: You will be groggy and sleepy from medications given during delivery. You will have an IV, catheter, abdominal dressing, and compression devices on your legs to prevent blood clots. The nurses will monitor your vitals closely and assist with breastfeeding. You will receive pain medication as needed. You may be allowed to eat a light diet and sit up briefly or dangle your legs off the bed if you are feeling up to it. The babies will either room-in with you or you may visit them in the NICU if needed.
- Day 2: You will be increasingly alert and able to sit up, stand, and start walking short distances. Pelvic floor exercises may be initiated. Pain is still managed with medication but you may need less than on day 1. Breastfeeding continues. Bowel function should start to return. Abdominal dressing and catheter may be removed. Compression devices on your legs are still worn to prevent blood clots. Your doctor will check your incision site.
- Day 3: You should be increasingly mobile and able to walk further distances. You may shower or bathe. Bowel function continues to improve; passing gas is a positive sign. Your vital signs will be stable. IV fluids will be discontinued as you tolerate drinking and eating. Abdominal pain is decreasing but you may still require pain medication, just less frequently than before. Doctors will ensure you are comfortable caring for yourself and the babies before discharge.
By days 2-3 after a C-section, most mothers are recovering well and gaining strength to be able to go home. The priority is regaining mobility while keeping pain under control and passing bowel movements.
Discharge from Hospital
Here are some things doctors look for before discharging you from the hospital after a twin C-section:
- You are mobile, able to get in and out of bed, walk to the bathroom, and walk around your room without issue.
- Pain is controlled with oral medication.
- Bowel function has returned and you are passing gas or stool.
- Bleeding has slowed/stopped and your uterus is firm when palpated.
- No signs of infection like fever, foul-smelling lochia, or redness/discharge around the incision site.
- You are tolerating a regular diet and staying hydrated.
- Vital signs are stable.
- You are comfortable caring for yourself and babies or have proper support lined up at home.
- Babies are stable for discharge or arrangements are made for visiting them in the NICU.
Once you have met the discharge criteria, your doctor will authorize going home. This is usually around days 2-4 after a twin C-section. Make sure you understand all postpartum instructions before leaving.
Recovery After Discharge
It will take about 4-6 weeks to feel fully recovered from your C-section. Here’s what you can expect in the days and weeks after discharge:
- Week 1: Continue to rest and limit activities. Take pain medication as needed. Keep incision site clean and dry. Attend postpartum doctor appointments for both you and babies. Do not drive, lift anything over 10 pounds, submerge incision in water, or have sex. Move around every few hours.
- Weeks 2-4: Gradually increase activity but still avoid heavy lifting, twisting motions, and vigorous exercise. Incision pain should subside. Spotting may continue. Swelling and numbness around scar should go down. Slowly wean from pain medication.
- Weeks 4-6: Stitches should dissolve (removal may be needed). Feel close to normal energy levels and resume light exercise. Swelling and numbness continues to resolve. Doctor will examine incision and allow return to regular activity around 6 weeks.
Recovering from a twin C-section takes time but gets a little easier each day. Make sure to attend all follow up appointments and allow your body ample time to heal before resuming normal activity levels.
Factors That Could Lengthen Hospital Stay
While the standard hospital stay after a twin C-section is 2-4 days, there are factors that could require you to stay longer. These include:
- NICU Care: If one or both twins need care in the NICU after delivery, you may choose to stay longer until they are stable enough to room-in with you.
- Infection: Signs of infection like fever, foul-smelling lochia, uterine tenderness, or redness around the incision could lead to IV antibiotics and a prolonged hospitalization.
- Excessive Bleeding: Heavy postpartum bleeding (greater than 500mL) may require medication or additional procedures to control, extending hospital stay.
- Blood Clots: Clots in the leg or lung require prompt treatment with blood thinners and close monitoring.
- Bowel Complications: Ileus or slow return of normal bowel function can delay discharge.
- Other Complications: Issues like preeclampsia, hemorrhage, hysterectomy, or heart/lung problems could also necessitate a longer hospitalization.
While not common, any major complications from delivery could require an extended hospital stay after a twin C-section. Your doctor will determine when it is safe to discharge based on your recovery.
How to Shorten Hospital Stay
While your doctor ultimately decides when you can be discharged, there are things you can do to help facilitate an earlier discharge after a twin C-section. These tips can help shorten your time in the hospital:
- Attend a prenatal education class and tour the maternity ward – Being informed and prepared can lead to a smoother delivery and recovery.
- Stay active during pregnancy – Good fitness helps you rebound faster after delivery.
- Request non-narcotic pain medication when possible – This allows you to get up and move around more easily.
- Accept help from nurses – Don’t try to do too much on your own; nurse assistance promotes healing.
- Move frequently after surgery – Change positions, flex feet, take short walks – this prevents complications.
- Do breathing exercises and coughing/laughing – This improves oxygenation and prevents lung issues.
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat a high fiber diet – This gets your bowels moving again sooner.
- Take stool softeners as needed – This prevents painful constipation and straining.
- Utilize labor tools – Squat bars, birthing balls, and warm baths can ease the delivery.
- Room-in with babies and breastfeed – This promotes bonding, healing, and milk supply.
While you can’t control everything, taking positive actions can help your body heal faster and allow you to be discharged sooner after a twin delivery.
When to Call the Doctor After Discharge
After you are discharged home, be sure to follow all postpartum instructions from your doctor closely. However, if you experience any of the following, be sure to contact your obstetrician promptly:
- Fever over 100.4°F
- Heavy bleeding that soaks more than one pad per hour
- Foul-smelling lochia or vaginal discharge
- Severe or worsening pain
- Increasing abdominal swelling or redness around incision
- No bowel movement by 3 days after delivery
- Difficulty urinating or pain with urination
- Breast pain, redness, fever, or flu symptoms
- Pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in your legs
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Severe headache, vision changes, or swelling in the face
After a twin C-section, any concerning postpartum symptoms warrants a quick call to your physician. Prompt reporting and treatment of complications can prevent more serious issues.
Conclusion
Recovering from a C-section to deliver your twins is a process that takes time and patience. Most mothers can expect to stay in the hospital for 2-4 days on average. Assuming there are no complications, you should be able to be discharged once you are mobile, tolerating diet, and comfortable caring for your babies. It then takes about 4-6 weeks for full recovery at home. While the recovery can be challenging, especially juggling newborn twins, take it slowly and don’t be afraid to ask for help. With your doctor’s guidance, you will be healed and enjoying time with your new family soon.