Which postpartum measure reduces the risk of infection after a cesarean birth?

• A. Prolonged bed rest
• B. Delayed antibiotic prophylaxis
• C. Meticulous hand hygiene, sterile wound care, and prompt recognition of signs of infection
• D. Routine sharing of instruments for wound care

Answer: (C)

Preventing infection after cesarean birth hinges on stopping bacteria from reaching the incision and catching problems early. Meticulous hand hygiene, sterile wound care, and prompt recognition of signs of infection accomplish this by directly reducing bacterial transfer, keeping the wound free from contaminants during dressing changes, and enabling rapid treatment if an infection begins. Hand hygiene stops pathogens from moving from caregivers’ hands to the surgical site; sterile wound care minimizes introduction of bacteria during dressing changes; noticing signs such as fever, redness, warmth, increased pain, swelling, or purulent drainage allows timely intervention with antibiotics and wound management, limiting progression. Prolonged bed rest, delaying antibiotic prophylaxis, or sharing wound-care instruments would not reduce infection risk and can introduce or spread infection.