c section recovery pain mumsnet
Childbirth triggers a jumble of powerful emotions. These contractions which often resemble menstrual cramps help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus. You'll be taken to a recovery room, where nurses will check your blood. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of Those muscles are pretty weak because of the incision, says Dr. Higgins. The average time taken to recover from a caesarean is six to eight weeks, but it's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question. Try over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage incision pain. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. You may be tempted to ask your doctor to cut back on your pain medicine, but its important that you stay comfortable. Over-the-counter pain relievers might help, too. 2nd ed. You may be given a pump so you can change the amount of pain medication thats going through a thin tube into your veins. 4-6 weeks before doing heavy exercises that involve your belly or lifting anything larger than your infant, 3 weeks (once you have a healed incision) to take a bath or go swimming, Your incision is red, swollen, hot to the touch, or leaking discharge. In the days after surgery, you can expect: Your doctor will send you home with detailed instructions -- for instance, how long to keep your cut bandaged, how often to change bandages. The backache eased when I did gentle walking, so might be worth giving that a go if you haven't already. This is all in addition to bonding with your newborn, which can include attempting to breastfeed. This content does not have an English version. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. You may feel sick to your stomach, groggy, or itchy from the drugs used to numb you during the surgery. When youre washing, use mild soap and water and clean it lightly (dont scrub, particularly if your incision is closed with steristrips or glue). 736: Optimizing postpartum care. other information we have about you. To ease breast discomfort, apply warm washcloths or take a warm shower before breastfeeding or expressing, which might make milk removal easier. The result is often an extra-lush head of hair but now it's payback time. Berghella V. Cesarean delivery: Postoperative issues. In: American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health The baby blues typically subside within two weeks. Frequent breastfeeding on both breasts is recommended to avoid or minimize engorgement. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that postpartum care be an ongoing process rather than just a single visit after your delivery. All rights reserved. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. And do get up and move around, which can help avoid blood clots. Add message Save Share Report 25th ed. In: Williams Obstetrics. 20/02/2023 11:55. Breastfeeding positions that work well during C-section recovery include: For support or breastfeeding information during your C-section recovery, contact a lactation consultant. Here are some things you would need to let your doctor know: Youll probably see your doctor about 6 weeks after delivery. It can last up to four to six weeks postpartum, says Dr. Higgins. I'm 15 weeks post c section now, and until your post I had completely forgotten about the twinging, pulling and backache. It just takes time. It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. If you're planning a cesarean delivery or you want to be prepared in case you need to have a C-section, you might have questions about the recovery process. Having a baby is a major milestone in life. For the first couple of weeks, avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. McGraw-Hill Education; 2018. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. When a person has fully recovered, we view it as their graduation day, says Dr. Higgins. National Institute of Health: What is a Cesarean Delivery?, Mayo Clinic: C-section What You Can Expect, C-section Recovery: What to Expect., American Academy of Pediatrics: Breastfeeding After Cesarean Delivery., Kaiser Permanente: Recovery After a Cesarean Birth., University of Rochester Medical Center Obstetrics Division: Pain Management., Johns Hopkins Medicine: Cesarean Section., American Psychological Association: What is postpartum depression & anxiety?, My Health, Alberta Canada: Cesarean Section: What to Expect at Home., MedLine Plus: Going Home After a C-Section., National Health Service: Recovery, Cesarean Section.. Your doctor may recommend a C-section if: While most individuals recover in about six weeks, its important to remember each persons journey is different. I've been exercising for about 5 weeks now (on week 4 of couch to 5k) and for the last couple of weeks I've been completely back . But he was also a tall little boy which we didn't expect! Don't pump your breasts or express the milk, which will cause your breasts to produce more milk. Generally, the first few days are the heaviest with the passing of blood clots up to the size of a golf ball. Contact your doctor if youre soaking one pad per hour or passing large clots. The hardest part of my recovery from my normal birth was due to problems from the anaesthetic from when they repaired the tear. You will need to give yourself several weeks to rest and heal. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. Having a support system around you is key during your recovery. Your guide to breastfeeding. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Cesarean-Birth-C-Section. Giving birth is pretty exhausting at the best of times (and that's before they send you home with a completely dependent nocturnal animal to . You have a lot of vaginal bleeding, it smells bad or has unusually large clots. While it can be exciting, it can also take a toll on your body. But if you experience feelings like being depressed or feeling hopeless, talk to your doctor about postpartum depression and what it means. McInerny TK, et al., eds. Make sure you keep your incision clean and dry. Understand how to take care of yourself and your baby during C-section recovery. Your health care provider might recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever. Obstetrics & Gynecology. Share your feelings, and ask your partner, loved ones or friends for help. I had a normal delivery with a 3rd degree tear with DC1 and an elective c section with DC2 because she was breech and the ECV failed. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine. You can try gentle exercises a few days after the C-section: Try not to do too much housework or other activities for the first couple of weeks. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. Resting and allowing your body to heal is very important.. Here are a few tips on what to do. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. To promote healing: Take it easy. Symptoms include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Rest when possible. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Compared to a vaginal delivery, if youve had a cesarean delivery (C-section), you need to take extra precautions and give yourself even more time to recover from childbirth. If those feelings start disrupting your life and cause problems bonding with your baby, your doctor can offer some treatment options, says Dr. Higgins. Let your doctor know if: Your incision is red, swollen or hot to the touch. But its crucial you take time to take care of yourself. Here's what to expect: Vaginal discharge. They tell you horror stories but they rarely distinguish between the planned section and EMCS and it's not the same thing. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. You get a very bad headache that does not go away. If you experience severe mood swings, loss of appetite, overwhelming fatigue and lack of joy in life shortly after childbirth, you might have postpartum depression. Discharged the following morning and no issues. Frequently asked questions. It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each persons timeline will be different. Take meds if you need them, plenty of water and listen to the physio. Put your feet up now xx. Here are some tips for taking care of your C-section incision: The area around the stitches, staples, or tape on your belly will be sore for the first few days. Tender breasts. How much discomfort will you experience? A heating pad set on low or a warm washcloth can help with pain around your belly. Cesarean birth. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. If you have any questions about how the drugs youre given can affect breastfeeding, ask to speak to the hospitals breastfeeding specialist. 12th ed. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with 09/12/2022 22:21. In the meantime, take good care of yourself. Mood changes. Between feedings, place cold washcloths on your breasts. A few days after birth, your breasts might become full, firm and tender (engorgement) once they begin making milk. Even with the tear, recovery was much, much easier after the normal birth than than the c section. During this time, the hospital staff will help with pain management, ensure youre eating and drinking enough and help you move around. Thats when the baby comes out through a cut in the mothers belly and uterus rather than going through the birth canal and coming out through the vagina. Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here). You have swelling, bumps, pain or heat in your calves (which can be signs of a blood clot), You have pain, redness or warmth, which are signs of infection. At that time, your doctor will inspect the incision site and check that your recovery is progressing along. It is also normal to have vaginal bleeding after a C-section, though its typically not as heavy as after a vaginal delivery. The normal puerperium. You'll have vaginal discharge made up of this membrane and blood for weeks. Your body will make milk about as quickly as after a vaginal delivery. This is normal, says Dr. Higgins. Try to keep everything that you and your baby might need within reach. Review/update the Your first postpartum visit should happen during the second week. Use this visit to ask questions about your recovery and caring for your baby. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. Theyll check your vagina, cervix, and uterus as well as your weight and blood pressure. If you're not breastfeeding, wear a supportive bra, such as a sports bra. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. To help your baby latch, you might hand express or use a breast pump to express a small amount of breast milk before feeding your baby. My DS was normal weight, although born in week 38 so perhaps this helped too. It really aids recovery to be mobile as soon as possible. You can put a pillow over your stomach to ease the babys weight, or try these: Its important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery. Recovery was painful. Ask your doctor what they recommend. She'd had them herself. Contact your health care provider if your incision is red, swollen or leaking discharge. An abdominal binder, a wide compression belt that goes around your stomach, can also be used to offer additional support and avoid putting stress on sutures. Afterpains are common during breastfeeding, due to the release of oxytocin. During that time, its recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could If the cut is closed with stitches, staples or glue, you should be able to remove the bandage and take showers, but check with your doctor first. Physical recovery from a C-section puts a lot of stress on the body, says Dr. Higgins. We dont want someone lying in bed for two weeks.. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. During pregnancy, elevated hormone levels increase the ratio of growing hair to resting or shedding hair. Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here). Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. It can be uncomfortable.. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. During the C-section recovery process, discomfort and fatigue are common. To promote healing: Check your C-section incision for signs of infection. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. Most women are awake for the C-section, and you should be able to hold your baby right away. Keep an eye out for any signs of infection. During that time, it's recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. 2018; doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002633. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. 03/02/2022 07:18, Ahhh I had GD too, and an early section as well - don't be surprised if she comes out smaller, their estimations can be a bit off. Sex, exercise I recommend that they start those things slowly and gradually increase activity.. Breastfeeding the newborn. Options can range from medication, therapy or even support groups for new parents. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.