C-section (caesarean) tips for dads and partners

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Helping your partner recover after a c-section

12 top tips for how you can support your partner at home

There are many ways you can support your partner during and after their c-section (caesarean).

If you want to prepare as much as you can before the c-section, you could talk to your partner about their birth plan so that you know their preferences and how you can best support them on the day of the operation.

You can take part in discussions about your partner’s treatment and care, with their permission. Lots of women and birthing people tell us that their partner helped them to express their wishes during and after the birth.

The healthcare team should give you any information and support you need. Ask them if there’s anything you don’t understand or are worried about.

“Give your partner reassurance. It is tough. You just need someone to say you are doing really well, keep going.”

Charlie

Find more support for dads, partners and non-birthing parents here.

During a c-section

You can usually stay with your partner during a planned or emergency c-section unless they need a general anaesthetic (where they're asleep).

The midwife or operating assistant will give you a top, trousers and hat to wear in the operating theatre. This is for hygiene reasons.

During the procedure a screen is placed across your partner’s body so they cannot see what's being done. This is a good time to stand or sit near your partner’s head to offer reassurance and support.

If your partner has requested, the screen may be lowered for the birth of the baby.

You may be able to cut the baby’s umbilical cord if it is safe to do so and it is something that you and your partner want to do.

Find out what happens during a c-section.

Helping your partner recover after a c-section

After your baby is born, the midwifery team will give you any help you need. For example, they can make sure you have privacy for skin-to-skin contact with your baby.

A c-section is major surgery and your partner will need time to recover. It can take at least 6 weeks, but they may have discomfort for much longer than this. They will feel sore and find it hard to move around.

While recovering in hospital you partner will:

be given painkillers to reduce any discomfort
have regular close contact with your baby and can start breastfeeding, if they choose to feed this way
be encouraged to get out of bed and move around as soon as possible
can eat and drink as soon as they feel hungry or thirsty
have a thin, flexible tube called a catheter that will remain in their bladder for at least 12 hours
have their wound covered with a dressing for at least 24 hours.

When your partner is well enough to go home, you'll need to drive them if you can or arrange for someone to give you a lift as they will not be able to drive for at least 6 weeks after the birth.

They will need help lifting the baby for at least the first 24-36 hours.

Read about recovering after the birth.

12 top tips for how you can support your partner at home

Here are some ideas for how you can be a supportive partner:

Help your partner to get in and out of bed.
Pass the baby to them for feeds and cuddles.
Make sure they don’t lift anything heavy.
Remind them to take pain relief on time.
Give them emotional support, for example, by listening and offering encouragement. Read more about emotional needs after a c-section.
Feed the baby with expressed breast milk or formula.
Change nappies.
Have skin-to-skin contact with your baby.
Take the baby and any older children out for walks with the pram so your partner can sleep.
Take your partner or baby to medical appointments.
Do the shopping, make meals or organise a meal rota with friends or family.
Clean the house.

“When my wife was feeding our baby girl, she couldn’t hold her for too long without feeling uncomfortable. So, I would pass her to my wife for feeds and I’d take her back to burp her. It was nice because we were both involved in our baby’s feeding routine.”

Brendan

Sex after a c-section

Physical recovery from a c-section takes up to 6 weeks. But everyone recovers differently.

When you and your partner decide to start having sex again will depend on how they are feeling physically and emotionally. Talking about it might help to reduce any anxiety you are both feeling. You could explore other ways to be close and intimate, like cuddling on the sofa or giving massages to help you feel connected if you are not ready for sex.