The first period after a cesarean section delivery can be substantial due to the surgical incision during the c- section procedure and the repair of the uterine wall. If you experience a more substantial flow, it is recommended to keep an eye on how heavy it gets.
The periods post C-Section can be really painful too. The new mother is bound to experience cramps and unwanted pains the body on the first period after the delivery. But it is very essential to see a doctor if the pain is too severe or long-lasting.
For two to three weeks after a vaginal or cesarean section (C-section) delivery, they experience what looks like a heavy period. This is called lochia, a mix of blood and uterine tissue the body doesn't need after pregnancy.
The first post-partum periods can be extremely heavy and lasts longer than usual. They can last up to 10 or 12 days. The menstrual bleeding lasts longer than usual after c-section particularly due to the surgical scarring and the stretched uterine walls which are still under repair post-surgery.
You might feel contractions, sometimes called afterpains, during the first few days after the C-section. These contractions — which often resemble menstrual cramps — help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus.
Conclusion: A surgical scar becoming painful and swollen during menstruation is the classic symptom of scar endometriosis. Causes include iatrogenic transplantation of endometrium to the surgical wound.
You should not use tampons until you've had your 6-week postnatal check. This is because you'll still have a wound where the placenta joined with the wall of your womb, and you may also have tears or cuts in or around your vagina.
When will my period start again after having a baby? It will be different for everyone, but most women will start having periods again about 5-6 weeks after birth. You may be able to get pregnant as little as 3 weeks after the birth of your baby, even if you are breastfeeding and your periods haven't started again yet.
There's usually no limit to the number of caesarean sections that you can have. But the more you have, the longer each operation will take, and the higher your risk of complications becomes (Biler et al 2017, RCOG 2016).
A cesarean scar can cause abnormal uterine bleeding including prolonged menstruation or postmenstrual spotting.
Bleeding After a C-Section
The bleeding will likely be heavy at first and then lessen over time. It will also change in color and may be red, brown, pink or yellowish-white. It may take up to six weeks for the lochia to stop. You'll want to avoid using tampons and opt for a menstrual pad instead.
If you're having a second C-section, normally your surgeon will attempt to cut through the same scar. This might not be possible if there's lots of scar tissue in the area, or if the scar tissue is too thick to cut through.
'Spice Girl' turned fashion designer Victoria Beckham has four children and delivered them all via c-sections. Brooklyn (1999), Romeo (2002), Cruz (2005) and Harper (2011) were all born by elective caesareans.
Long-Term Effects of C-Sections
Children born by C-section also suffer increased rates of diseases, including asthma, type I diabetes, allergies, obesity, as well as reduced overall cognitive functioning and lower academic performance.
Some people see no difference in their milk supply when they have their period, while others have a drop that can last a few days to a week or more.
They both have a distinct smell and begin as a dark red, heavy discharge. Lochia and menstrual blood are similar in that the bleeding subsides before going away. The biggest difference between the two types of discharge is that lochia lasts much longer. A typical period lasts about one week.
For the first few days, you can expect bright or dark red blood and some small clots. This will likely look like an extremely heavy period, where you can expect to soak a thick pad every two to three hours, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Expect period-like cramping.
Normally, women after cesarean section will have their period in the first cycle, which is about 6-8 weeks after giving birth.
Rushing into things too quickly and even sex four weeks after a C-section can lead to complications such as infection. Six weeks is the average amount of time it takes the uterus to return to its normal size, cervix to close, and C-section incision to heal.
Pain intensity, wish for more analgesics and most interference outcomes were significantly worse after CS compared with hysterectomies.
The ob/gyn will remove the placenta, stitch up the uterus, inspect the ovaries and tubes, then close the different tissue layers and put staples or stitches into the skin. As the above description illustrates, c/sections are a pretty amazing procedure.
At the beginning of a caesarean section, six separate layers of the abdominal wall and uterus are opened individually. Once the baby is delivered the uterus is closed with a double layer of stitching.