Overdoing it after a C-section means pushing your body too hard, too soon, leading to increased pain, swelling, or bleeding, and includes activities like heavy lifting (anything heavier than the baby), strenuous exercise, bending/stretching excessively, using tampons, driving too soon, and even prolonged standing/stairs; listen to your body for cues like increased pain or discharge, and remember to rest and get help for chores.
Listen To Your Body
You will become more mobile each day, but be sure to listen to your body, if you over-do it you may experience more pain or swelling around your incision, take that as your cue to take a break.
Exercise after C-section delivery usually needs to be postponed for longer than after a vaginal delivery. It's also important not to push yourself too hard after a C-section: doing so can elevate the risk of infection and other complications that can prolong your recovery.
It's important to keep moving after a C-section, but you also need to get enough rest. If family and friends can help you with daily tasks, let them. Rest when your baby sleeps. For the first couple of weeks, don't lift anything heavier than 10 to 15 pounds.
If you notice any of the following abnormal signs at the cesarean incision, you should seek medical attention immediately: The incision is painful, swollen, red, or contains blood or pus discharge. The incision is open, revealing internal tissue, or accompanied by a high fever (38.5 to 40 degrees Celsius).
While it is generally considered a safe procedure, second-stage cesarean sections can be associated with various complications, including extended tears, organ injury, haemorrhage or deeply impacted fetal head [1].
How do I know if I'm overdoing exercise after having a baby? If your postnatal bleeding (lochia) gets heavier or changes colour (becomes pink or red) after activity, you could be overdoing it. You're also likely to feel very tired. Listen to your body.
We know that every patient has a different labor and delivery experience, but in general, it takes around six weeks to completely heal from your C-section. “We realize many of our patients also face the challenge of caring for the baby while they're recovering,” said Dr. Son.
heavy vaginal bleeding. your wound becomes more red, painful and swollen. a discharge of pus or foul-smelling fluid from your wound. a cough or shortness of breath.
Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia, constipation, and blood clots. Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weightlifting, and aerobic exercise, for 6 weeks or until your doctor says it is okay.
You could impact your milk supply, worsen any separation of your abdominal muscles and affect your pelvic floor function. “You need your body to fully heal and be functioning normally before you add the stress of intense exercise,” says Altomaro.
Your GP may recommend you wait for at least 12 weeks before starting any high-impact exercises, such as aerobics, running and resistance or weight training. Your lower back and core abdominal muscles may be weaker than they used to be.
Any signs of discomfort, heaviness in the pelvic region, or a feeling of "falling out" could indicate that the weight was too much.
⏳ After Surgery – Pain & soreness around the incision for days to weeks. 💊 Pain Relief – Managed with medication from your doctor. 💡 Recovery takes about 4–6 weeks, but varies for each mom. ©️ Pregnancy and Parenting #PregnancyFacts #CSection #MomToBe #PregnancyJourney #BirthFacts.
Symptoms and Causes
You can do the opposite to get back into bed. “I was not prepared for how difficult I would find getting out of bed after my second c-section. The first few days are the worst so if you can sleep sitting up, it's probably worth trying!”
Keep an eye on your scar.
Once you can visualize the incision, you can start keeping an eye on how it's healing. The coloration of the c-section scar should start to fade from red to pink, and it should look pretty uniform. The c-section scar should become less tender to the touch as this happens.
Signs of torn internal stitches may include severe pain, unusual bleeding, swelling, pus, or the wound edges separating. Although this complication is rare, it's important to seek immediate medical advice if you suspect your C-section internal stitches have torn.
You may pass some clots of blood, since blood tends to pool in the vagina and will form a clot which comes out when you stand up or move around, and sometimes bleeding seems heavier when you are active for the same reason.
With a little one to care for and so much to do, you might be anxious to resume your normal daily activities. But it's important to listen to your body and not overdo physical activity. Avoid bending, stretching, or lifting — and don't carry anything heavier than your baby for the first four to six weeks.
A routine C-section does not include the removal of any organs. In some cases, your doctor may lift your uterus slightly after the baby has been delivered in order to close up the incision.
First-degree tears are the least severe. They involve the skin between the vaginal opening and the rectum and the tissue directly beneath the skin. That area is called the perineum.
C-section pain usually peaks within the first 2-3 days after the surgery. It gradually improves over time with proper pain management and rest.