Here are some things you would need to let your doctor know: Your incision is red, swollen, hot to the touch, or leaking discharge. You have a fever higher than 100.4 F. You have a lot of vaginal bleeding, it smells bad or has unusually large clots.
How do you know if your symptoms after a C-section are normal? Call your doctor if you experience: Depression, sadness, hopelessness, or you are having troubling thoughts. Signs of an infection including pain, pus, swelling, redness, swollen lymph nodes, or a fever.
Increased bleeding after your lochia starts to decrease can be a sign you're overdoing it and need more rest. Seeing ongoing clots could mean your uterus is having trouble getting back to its pre-pregnancy size. In either case, it's always best to call.
“It's recommended that you get up and walk around,” says Dr. Higgins. “We don't want someone lying in bed for two weeks.”
Gentle exercises for the first six weeks
High-impact exercise, tummy-toning workouts, and full-blown cardio are definite no-no's for the first six weeks after a C-section delivery.
Your wound may open wide enough to see internal organs or tissues. You also may have tissues bulging out of the wound. If this happens, cover the area with a moist sterile bandage and call 911.
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.
During a C-section, your organs are usually just moved aside so that the doctor can see your uterus better. But the organs stay within the abdominal cavity and aren't taken out. In rare cases, the intestines may be temporarily lifted out for better visualization and space to operate, but not permanently.
Ask your doctor when it's fine to exercise, go back to work, and drive. Also wait to have sex or use tampons until your doctor gives you the green light. Avoid strenuous exercise, but do take gentle walks as often as you can. The movement will help your body heal and prevent constipation and blood clots.
Common signs of an internal or uterus infection after a C-section include: A fever over 100.4ºF degrees. Increasing abdominal pain. Chills, fatigue, body aches, or flu-like symptoms.
Excessive Vaginal Bleeding
Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if you experience any of the following: Bleeding that soaks through a pad in 15 minutes. Bleeding that soaks through more than one pad per hour for two consecutive hours.
Overall, heavy lifting can create intra-abdominal pressure. After birth, the pelvic floor is weak (which is why strengthening it after pregnancy is so important!). This pressure and weakened pelvic floor can lead to the drop and protrusion of organs, which is a much more serious health situation.
Is the C-section recovery painful? In general, yes. It is major abdominal surgery and it will take you a while to heal. “Pain following a C-section is typically the strongest the first few days and subsides as you continue to heal over the course of a few weeks,” says Blindt.
Since you'll receive two incisions — one in your abdomen and one in your uterus — your surgeon will close both incisions.
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.
After a c-section, coughing or sneezing can be painful! Using a small pillow or a folded towel, put gentle pressure on either side of the incision as you cough. This will help to lessen the discomfort. Keep your pillow or towel close by; you never know when you are going to need it!
A uterine rupture is a serious complication where your uterus tears or breaks open. It's most common in people who've had a previous C-section delivery and then try for a vaginal delivery, or vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).
Usual activities such as walking, climbing the stairs and light housework are safe, but do not lift heavy objects for approximately six weeks. As with a vaginal delivery, we recommend waiting at least three weeks before having intercourse.
You should get as much rest as possible, especially in the first few weeks after a C-section. Adages that recommend sleeping when your baby sleeps or asking friends and family to step in so you can rest are great ways to ease the burden in the early days.
Women should walk for about 20 minutes at a moderate pace to increase circulation and speed up healing. Fit mothers recover quickly and can be back on their feet in a matter of weeks. Walking after a cesarean delivery is regarded as an important part of recovery exercise.
According to the Specialty Surgery Center, the best sleeping position after C-section (and most surgeries in general!) is on your back. In most cases, sleeping on your back may be the best option to relieve any pressure on your incision.