You may have some pain in your lower belly and need pain medicine for 1 to 2 weeks. You can expect some vaginal bleeding for several weeks. You will probably need about 6 weeks to fully recover. It's important to take it easy while the incision heals.
Any pain should decrease after 2 or 3 days, but your cut will remain tender for up to 3 weeks or more. Most women need pain medicine for the first few days to 2 weeks. Ask your provider what is safe to take while breastfeeding.
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.
Cramping as your uterus shrinks is a common symptom during the postpartum period. But if you experience intense abdominal pain, or notice signs of infection like redness, swelling, or pus around the incision, visit the doctor immediately.
It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. An incision — typically a horizontal cut made in your lower abdomen — can take weeks to heal.
C-section scar recovery
Your wound will take about 6 weeks to heal. You will have a scar but this will fade over time. Your scar will be 10–20cm long and is usually just below your bikini line. It will be red at first but will fade over time.
Cesarean birth is associated with a higher rate of injury to abdominal organs (bladder, bowel, blood vessels), infections (wound, uterus, urinary tract), and thromboembolic (blood clotting) complications than vaginal birth. Cesarean surgery can interfere with mother-baby interaction in the birthing room.
A number of nerves are cut during the procedure, and it can take up to six months for all of the nerves in the abdominal area to heal completely. Some women continue to experience numbness, tingling and odd shooting pains around their scar for months after delivery.
A fever over 100.4ºF degrees. Increasing abdominal pain. Chills, fatigue, body aches, or flu-like symptoms. Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
The pain should disappear by your first postpartum checkup, which is usually around six weeks after the delivery. If you are still experiencing postpartum sharp abdominal pain, let a health care provider know. If you had a C-section, the pain may last a bit longer.
Most women experience some discomfort for the first few days after a caesarean, and for some women the pain can last several weeks. You should make sure you have regular painkillers to take at home for as long as you need them, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
One of the changes that may come with childbirth is pelvic organ prolapse (organ movement). This is a “common” condition for women who have given birth or have had gynecologic surgery. Pelvic organ prolapse is when a pelvic organ moves from its “normal” place in the body and pushes against the walls of the vagina.
In most c-sections, the bladder and intestines are moved aside so the ob-gyn can keep them safely out of the way while delivering the baby and repairing the uterine incision. Those organs won't be moved outside the body, though.
After a c-section, you should sleep on your back or side. This shouldn't put too much strain on your c-section wound. You can also try sleeping on your back with your head elevated. Use pillows to keep your spine aligned and take pressure off your joints.
Signs and symptoms to look out for include: abnormal swelling, redness, and pain around the wound. clear or discolored fluid coming from the wound. abnormal vaginal bleeding.
Some women do experience symptoms related to their C-section scar long after the operation. Some women feel pain, restriction, or a pulling sensation on or around their scar months or even years after surgery. This is normally due to the build-up of scar tissue which can stick to muscles or even organs and cause pain.
After you've been home from the hospital for 3 weeks or so, you might be walking for up to 15 minutes, gradually building up the time if it feels good. Keep up your daily pelvic floor exercises too.
When a surgeon performs a c-section, endometrial tissue is cut and can move outside the uterus. Endometrial tissue can implant in the area of the surgical scar. The endometrial tissue then builds up along the scar, leading to painful adhesions that can affect a person's fertility or make periods more painful.
Walking after c-section is encouraged and should be your go to for the first few weeks. You'll start to notice day to day movement getting easier and less discomfort lifting baby or moving around.
Always sit well back on a supportive chair, your feet should be able to touch the floor in order to support your posture. Use pillows to support your back and to rest your baby on your lap to bring them into a comfortable feeding position. You can then use pillows to support your own arms.