During postoperative care after a C-section, how often should the perineal pad and incision dressing be checked initially?

The frequency of checking the perineal pad and incision dressing is crucial for ensuring the patient’s safety and identifying potential complications early, especially after a cesarean section. Checking every 15 minutes for the first hour allows healthcare providers to closely monitor for signs of excessive bleeding or complications with the incision, which are critical concerns in the immediate postoperative period. This interval provides a balance between vigilance and practicality, helping to maintain an adequate assessment rhythm without causing undue stress or interruption to the patient.

Monitoring during this timeframe involves assessing the amount and characteristics of any drainage from the perineal pad and inspecting the surgical site for any signs of excessive bleeding, erythema, or increased drainage, which could indicate infection or hematoma formation. Continuous assessment during the first hour post-surgery is essential as this is typically when patients are most at risk of complications due to anesthesia effects and surgical intervention just performed.

Longer intervals, such as every 30 minutes or every hour, may delay the identification of potential complications, which is why shorter intervals during the initial recovery phase are favored.