Why Does My C
Some people do feel pain or numbness at their C-section scar for months or even years after the surgery.
The nerve endings at the incision site can be disrupted during surgery, which is the most common cause of numbness, explains Teen, the most common cause of incision pain is due to adhesions and scar tissue buildup.
Its worth bringing up with your doctor, though, especially if its causing you concern or regular pain.
Its difficult to say for certain because each delivery is unique. Plus, you may experience more or fewer complications the second time around.
However, some people do anecdotally report less pain after two or more cesarean deliveries.
I believe the primary reason for this is that they know what to expect and are better prepared for recovery, therefore they perceive the pain as less, says Teen.
Preparation Is Key For C
Nathalie Pambrun, a midwife in Winnipeg, recommends preparing a comfortable nest for when you come home from the hospital. It could include diapering supplies, snacks, water, a breastfeeding pillowand a phone within easy reach. If you live in a two-storey house, keep essentials on both floors to minimize stair climbing and line up friends and family who can help out with household tasks like laundry, cleaning and dishes.
When youre packing your hospital bag , consider adding cranberry juice to reduce the risk of a catheter-induced UTI, as well as chewing gum or molasses, which Pambrun says can help restore bowel function faster.
You may also want to stock up on some high-waisted underwear. Doctors make the scar low enough that an underwear line hides it, but what they dont tell you is that it is exactly at your underwear line if youre not wearing granny panties! says Tyghter. I had to go out and buy underwear that came up to my belly button instead of my bikini line because having anything rub up against the scar was dreadful.
I Want To Return To Hiit Classes Running Or Crossfit When Can I Get Going
Our recommendation is to wait for 12 weeks from delivery to start high impact training. Remember that even with regular physical activity throughout your pregnancy, a series of modifications would have been used the last few months . To return to high impact, you have to retrain your bodys tolerance to strength training and cardiovascular fitness. You wont be running, jumping or lifting at the same level as when you were at your peak fitness or crushing personal bests.
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What Should You Expect During And After Your C
Once youre at the hospital, a medical professional will clean your abdomen and place an IV in one of your veins to deliver medicine and fluids, the Mayo Clinic says. Your doctor will likely insert a catheter into your body to collect urine as well, the Mayo Clinic explains. Additionally, youll probably receive regional anesthesia, which allows you to stay awake during the procedure but numbs the lower part of your body, the Mayo Clinic explains. Emergency C-sections may require general anesthesia, which means youre not conscious during the delivery.
After your C-sectionas your anesthesia starts to fadeyour care team might encourage you to drink water and walk around a little bit . Heres the rub: Immediately after a C-section, and even weeks after, it can be pretty darn painful to sit up and put your feet on the floor. While youre in the hospital, you can avail yourself of the magic of the hospital bed, which can prop you up with the push of a button and has rails that you can use for support, not to mention around-the-clock medical care. But you wont have these amenities indefinitely . Once youre home, experiment with rolling onto one side as a way of easing yourself up, using a pregnancy pillow like PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow for leverage, or asking your partner or whomever is around to give you post-birth support to lend a hand when you want to get out of bed.
Is It Ok To Be Scared Of How Painful A C
Yes, it is extremely normal to be nervous about the delivery itself, including the pain that you might feel during and after the procedure, says Teen. A C-section is a major abdominal surgery, pain is to be expected, but the unknown of what the pain will entail can be quite nerve-wracking.
If youre afraid, it can be helpful to talk about your feelings with someone you trust, whether thats your partner, a friend or family member, a healthcare professional, or a therapist. Some people also benefit from joining a support group.
You dont need to suffer in silence, and often through understanding, many of those fears can be transformed, allowing you to have a more peaceful delivery and recovery process, says Blindt.
If you would like to talk about your fears with a mental health professional or a support group, here are a few resources that can help connect you with the mental health support you need:
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Improve Circulation With A Postpartum Massage
The American Pregnancy Association recommend a postpartum massage for relaxation, pain relief, and reduced swelling. Massage can promote circulation and help the body to lose excess water weight.
Postpartum massage can also help to rebalance hormone levels and regulate levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, according to the organization.
When choosing a massage therapist or acupuncturist, find someone who is certified and who specializes in or is familiar with treating postpartum clients.
People should see a doctor if:
- swelling comes on suddenly
- pressing down on a swollen area leaves an indentation in the skin, which is known as pitted edema
- there is pain, redness, irritation, or increased swelling in one leg, which can point to a blood clot
- a woman has a continuous or recurring headache, vomiting, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light, which are symptoms of preeclampsia
- there is chest pain or trouble breathing, which can signal a potentially severe heart complication called peripartum cardiomyopathy
How Should I Sleep After C
Specifically, you should focus on sleeping on your left side since this gives you optimal blood flow and also makes digestion easier. You may need a body pillow or other supportive aids to get comfortable and provide proper support for your abdomen and hips…. continue reading
Here are six suggestions to help speed up your recovery so you can spend less time sore and tired and more time bonding with your new baby.
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How Long Does It Take To Recover After A C
It usually takes about 6 weeks to recover from your c-section but this will depend on your individual situation. If you had any problems during or after your c-section, or if youre looking after other children at home, you may feel you need more time to recover.
Speak to your GP if you are still having pain or you dont feel you have recovered after 6 weeks.
I was busy at home looking after my older children. I felt tired and uncomfortable for nearly three months.Sarah
Gentle exercise, such as walking, will help you recover from your c-section. But avoid anything more active until you have no pain and you feel ready. For example, avoid driving, carrying anything heavy, having sex or doing heavy housework, such as vacuuming, until you feel able to. You will need help with carrying your baby in their car seat and with lifting their pram. Check with your insurance company when you will be covered for driving after a c-section.
Read more about when to exercise after a c-section.
How Long Does It Take For Ac Section To Stop Hurting
Most mothers report reduced pain 3-4 days after the procedure, although it takes approximately six weeks for pain to stop completely. However, each mother heals at a different rate, so some mothers report being pain-free only a few days after the procedure, while others may experience discomfort for up to eight weeks.
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Here Are A Few Other C
C-sections are major surgeries, which means they can come with complications. To that end, its good to know the difference between normal C-section recovery and signs of health issues that need treatment. For instance, if you have a fever or your incision is red, swollen, or leaking discharge, you should contact your provider, the Mayo Clinic says. And, if youre bleeding or soaking through more than one pad an hour , you should check in with your doctor about potential complications, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Additionally, if you had a condition like preeclampsiahigh blood pressure that causes your organs to work abnormallyduring your pregnancy, you are more at risk for something called postpartum preeclampsia, which usually happens within 48 hours of giving birth , the Mayo Clinic explains. It can be hard to detect, the Mayo Clinic says, but symptoms can include changes in your vision , abdominal pain, headaches, decreased urination, and swelling.
And, when it comes to poopingor rather, not poopingthere are a few possible culprits behind postpartum constipation. Pregnancy hormones tend to slow everything down digestive-wise, and things dont just miraculously return to normal immediately after delivery, Dr. Jones says. So if you were having issues with constipation during pregnancy, they are not likely to resolve spontaneously once your baby is delivered.
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Where Can I Get Emotional Support After Having A Caesarean
In the early weeks after your baby arrives, your emotional and sexual relationship with your partner might feel different. Its normal to take weeks, even months, before you feel like having sex again. Its OK to wait until you feel ready.
Some women feel happy about having a caesarean birth. Others can feel a range of overwhelming emotions, particularly if the C-section was unexpected. It can be very helpful to talk through your feelings with your partner, support person, family, or carers.
Your doctor or midwife can also discuss your birth experience with you and guide you to the appropriate support if needed.
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You’ll Bleed For Up To 6 Weeks After A C
Even though you’ve had a C-section, you’ll still experience some vaginal discharge called “Lochia.” Lochia is a mixture of uterine tissue, mucus, and blood.
“Bleeding is different for everyone after a C-section. Typically most women have bleeding for the first 1-2 weeks before it significantly decreases,” says Prabhu. After the worst of the bleeding subsides, you might still experience light bleeding for up to 6 weeks.
To control the bleeding, use extra absorbent menstrual pads. Avoid tampons since they can increase the risk of infection while you heal.
Stillbirth And Pregnancy Loss
In the United States, around 1 in 160 pregnancies end in stillbirth, after 20 weeks of pregnancy. This may increase the risk of postpartum depression.
Experts report that 14.8% of people who experience pregnancy loss have postpartum depression, compared with 8.3% of those with regular deliveries.
If symptoms of depression last 2 weeks or longer within 1 year of giving birth, a person should receive medical attention. This is also crucial for anyone who is having trouble caring for themselves or their baby.
The doctor will ask questions about symptoms and medical histories. They may also request blood tests to rule out other causes of depression.
Treatment for postpartum depression is essential for the well-being of the parent and their newborn. The sooner a person receives it, the sooner they are likely to recover. Treatment is effective in most cases.
Once they have identified the issue, the doctor usually prescribes a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
Tips for helping to support recovery include:
- acknowledging the problem
Support groups can reduce the feelings of isolation and provide tools and helpful strategies.
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When To See A Doctor
In addition to your follow-up appointments, its important to call or see your doctor any time you suspect youre not healing well or you could be experiencing an infection.
Signs of infection can include:
- Pus or liquid at the incision
- Redness at the incision
- Fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Swelling at the incision or in your lymph nodes
- Nausea and/or vomiting
Any severe or unusual pain is a sign you should see a doctor right away. This can include:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Pain in your groin or legs, which could be a sign of a blood clot
Other reasons to see a doctor.
You definitely want to get checked out if you experience:
- Trouble breathing
- Depression, unusual sadness or troubling thoughts
- Excessive vaginal bleeding
- Vaginal bleeding that gets heavier or is bright red more than four days after the birth
- Your incision comes open
- Vaginal blood clots larger than a golf ball
- Difficulty going to bathroom
Its OK to call your doctor when youre in doubt about any symptom or problem. Theyre here to help you recover following your c-section, so you can focus on taking care of yourself and your new baby.
Cesarean Section: What To Expect Now That You’re Home
A cesarean section, or C-section, is surgery to deliver your baby through a cut, called an incision, made in your lower belly and uterus.
You may have some pain in your belly and need pain medicine for one to two weeks. You can expect some vaginal bleeding for several weeks. You will probably need about six weeks to fully recover.
It’s important to take it easy while your incision is healing. Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activities or exercises that strain the belly muscles while you’re recovering. Ask a family member or friend for help with housework, cooking and shopping.
The following information gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.
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How Soon Can You Walk After C
How long before I can exercise after a c-section? Most people are cleared for exercise at 6-8 weeks after delivery by their obstetrician provided there have been no complications. While you may be feeling more like yourself around week four remember to stick to your post-op guidelines. This is to ensure proper healing.
How Long Does Back Pain Last After C Section
After a C-section, backpain is often temporary, with pain intensity gradually decreasing over the next few weeks or months. However, if you have persistent pain, you may need to see your GP. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor or midwife about the best way to manage your pain.
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When To Seek Help After A C
If you have any of the following symptoms contact your GP or call 111 straight away:
- difficulty or pain passing urine or leaking urine when you dont mean to
- your pain relief is not keeping your pain under control or your pain is getting worse
- sore or tender abdomen
- red, swollen or painful wound
- discharge from your wound or youre worried your wound is not healing properly
- a high temperature
- vaginal bleeding that is still heavy after a week or gets heavier get help straight away if you also feel faint or dizzy, or your heartbeat is fast or pounding
- unpleasant smelling vaginal blood or discharge
- cough, chest pain or shortness of breath
- a persistent or severe headache
- pain, redness or swelling in the lower leg
- breast redness and swelling for more than 24 hours and is getting worse
- problems with your babys breathing call 999 if youre worried about your babys breathing.
Always call 999 if you or your baby needs emergency medical help.
When Getting In And Out Of Bed:
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How Long Is Stomach Swollen After C
The swelling throughout your body is most likely going to be the worst during the first week after giving birth, and should subside after a few weeks, according to Ross. Your body has gone through this amazing transformation for nine months, so trying to get back to normal can take a while, she says.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From A C Section
A C-section is major surgery. Just like with any other surgery, your body needs time to heal afterward. Expect to stay in the hospital for three to four days after your delivery , and give your body up to six weeks to fully heal.
Regarding this, how long should you wait to get pregnant after a C section?
Its best for you to wait at least six months after your caesarean section before becoming pregnant again. A year would be even better. The longer you leave your scar to heal, the stronger it will be. Youll remember how long it takes to recover from a caesarean.
How long does it take to stop bleeding after C section?
Your blood flow is always heavier immediately after your c-section and will continue for about the first 4-5 days, but it should get progressively lighter after about 10-12 days, however it could also last up to 6 weeks. Typically the range of bleeding is about 3-4 weeks.
How long do you have to wait to drive after C section?
Most doctors recommend waiting 6 weeks after your C-Section before driving. Waiting that long covers both health and safety reasons. I was told to wait 6 weeks but I waited about 5. Many women play it by ear and if they feel well enough to drive they do.
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