Mood changes. Don't have sex or participate in rigorous exercise either. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Even with the tear, recovery was much, much easier after the normal birth than than the c section. During pregnancy, elevated hormone levels increase the ratio of growing hair to resting or shedding hair. McGraw-Hill Education; 2018. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here). We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. During this appointment, your health care provider will check your mood and emotional well-being, discuss contraception and timing of future pregnancies and review information about infant care and feeding. Thats when the baby comes out through a cut in the mothers belly and uterus rather than going through the birth canal and coming out through the vagina. You have a cough, shortness or breath or pain in your chest, which could be a sign of a blood clot. Childbirth triggers a jumble of powerful emotions. During the C-section recovery process, discomfort and fatigue are common. Your body will make milk about as quickly as after a vaginal delivery. During this time, the hospital staff will help with pain management, ensure youre eating and drinking enough and help you move around. It is pretty major abdominal surgery. This is normal, says Dr. Higgins. Cesarean birth. Dr. Higgins says you should reach out to your physician earlier if you experience the following: Over the next several weeks, you might also experience baby blues, caused by short-term fluctuations in hormones that can affect your mood. Breastfeeding positions that work well during C-section recovery include: For support or breastfeeding information during your C-section recovery, contact a lactation consultant. McInerny TK, et al., eds. You get a very bad headache that does not go away. During that time, its recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. Recovery was painful. Keep an eye out for any signs of infection. I'm 15 weeks post c section now, and until your post I had completely forgotten about the twinging, pulling and backache. Hair loss and skin changes. Between feedings, place cold washcloths on your breasts. An abdominal binder, a wide compression belt that goes around your stomach, can also be used to offer additional support and avoid putting stress on sutures. To ease breast discomfort, apply warm washcloths or take a warm shower before breastfeeding or expressing, which might make milk removal easier. But he was also a tall little boy which we didn't expect! You notice swelling in your hands, arms, or feet. If you experience severe mood swings, loss of appetite, overwhelming fatigue and lack of joy in life shortly after childbirth, you might have postpartum depression. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. Afterward, you can expect to spend 2-3 days in the hospital with your new little one as you recover. Here are some things you would need to let your doctor know: Youll probably see your doctor about 6 weeks after delivery. From abdominal pain to mood changes, here's what to expect during C-section recovery. After delivery, you'll experience hair loss up to five months after delivery. What breastfeeding positions might work best for you? Once you return home, its important to take it easy and avoid lifting, twisting or any movements that can put pressure on the incision. Contractions. 2nd ed. But its crucial you take time to take care of yourself. Catheter out within 2 or 3hrs and up and about v quickly, caring for the babies easily. 09/12/2022 22:21. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of Share your feelings, and ask your partner, loved ones or friends for help. Get up ASAP and stand straight without hunching. It can be uncomfortable.. Those muscles are pretty weak because of the incision, says Dr. Higgins. It can last up to four to six weeks postpartum, says Dr. Higgins. I've been exercising for about 5 weeks now (on week 4 of couch to 5k) and for the last couple of weeks I've been completely back . include protected health information. Giving birth is pretty exhausting at the best of times (and that's before they send you home with a completely dependent nocturnal animal to . If your pain has decreased and the incision is properly healing, you may be given the green light to resume normal daily life. Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine. You may feel sick to your stomach, groggy, or itchy from the drugs used to numb you during the surgery. The feeling like my core didn't exist anymore was the last thing to fade - it's feeling fairly strong again now. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. You may be tempted to ask your doctor to cut back on your pain medicine, but its important that you stay comfortable. If those feelings start disrupting your life and cause problems bonding with your baby, your doctor can offer some treatment options, says Dr. Higgins. She'd had them herself. If your breasts including the dark circles of skin around the nipples are engorged, latching might be difficult for your baby. It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. Check with your doctor before returning to any of these activities, but in general you will have to wait: Get your doctors OK before having sex again. Tomorrow is a big day, how exciting! Make sure you keep your incision clean and dry. An incision typically a horizontal cut made in your lower abdomen can take weeks to heal. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Try a fiber supplement if you are having constipation. Many new moms experience a period of feeling down, anxious or inadequate, sometimes called the baby blues. Within six to 12 weeks after delivery, see your health care provider for a comprehensive postpartum evaluation. You have swelling, bumps, pain or heat in your calves (which can be signs of a blood clot), You have pain, redness or warmth, which are signs of infection. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that postpartum care be an ongoing process rather than just a single visit after your delivery. While you're recovering from your C-section, remember that you're also recovering from pregnancy. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. During that time, it's recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. Berghella V. Cesarean delivery: Postoperative issues. 20/02/2023 11:55. Heres what you need to know: Medications: You probably got pain-numbing medicine, such as an epidural, during your C-section, but it isnt likely to affect the baby much. All Rights Reserved. It really aids recovery to be mobile as soon as possible. Breastfeeding the newborn. The baby blues typically subside within two weeks. Youll be taken to a recovery room, where nurses will check your blood pressure, heartbeat, and breathing and keep an eye on you. In: Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology. You may be given a pump so you can change the amount of pain medication thats going through a thin tube into your veins. Most women are awake for the C-section, and you should be able to hold your baby right away. I couldn't lie down apart from propped up on my back for a few weeks. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here). To help your baby latch, you might hand express or use a breast pump to express a small amount of breast milk before feeding your baby. Use this visit to ask questions about your recovery and caring for your baby. If you're planning a cesarean delivery or you want to be prepared in case you need to have a C-section, you might have questions about the recovery process. C-sections account for 31.7% of all deliveries in the U.S. As with any major surgery, it takes time for your body to heal. Having a newborn and recovering from surgery doesnt leave a lot of time for self-care. I got out of bed the following day and went home on day 3. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which In the days after surgery, you can expect: Your doctor will send you home with detailed instructions -- for instance, how long to keep your cut bandaged, how often to change bandages. You'll have vaginal discharge made up of this membrane and blood for weeks. Postpartum depression. Dont have sex or participate in rigorous exercise either. In: Williams Obstetrics. Some women bounce back quickly, others take longer to recover. Remember that everybody heals and recovers at different rates so its important to talk to your doctor about how you feel and its OK if you need more time. Postpartum depression. Try to keep everything that you and your baby might need within reach. The normal puerperium. To manage pain at home, Dr. Higgins recommends taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen on a regular schedule. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. After delivery, you'll begin to shed the superficial mucous membrane that lined your uterus during pregnancy. Dont soak in a bath or hot tub or go swimming until your doctor says you can. Try over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage incision pain. I've been exercising for about 5 weeks now (on week 4 of couch to 5k) and for the last couple of weeks I've been completely back to normal. When youre washing, use mild soap and water and clean it lightly (dont scrub, particularly if your incision is closed with steristrips or glue). Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. Learn what to expect from a womens health expert. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Office on Women's Health. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. You might feel contractions, sometimes called afterpains, during the first few days after the C-section. This content does not have an Arabic version. Its recommended that you get up and walk around, says Dr. Higgins. Don't pump your breasts or express the milk, which will cause your breasts to produce more milk. These contractions which often resemble menstrual cramps help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus. The average time taken to recover from a caesarean is six to eight weeks, but it's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question. Realistically, a normal birth with DC2 would likely not have gone well so a c section was safer all round, but I wouldn't have chosen to have one if she hadn't been breech. Your health care provider might recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Presidential Task Force on Redefining the Postpartum Visit and the Committee on Obstetric Practice. All rights reserved. Options can range from medication, therapy or even support groups for new parents. Keep it clean to prevent infections. Here are some tips for taking care of your C-section incision: The area around the stitches, staples, or tape on your belly will be sore for the first few days. 12th ed. Frequently asked questions. Nursing positions: The site of the surgery may make it hard to find a comfortable position to nurse your baby. The result is often an extra-lush head of hair but now it's payback time. To promote healing: Take it easy. Pregnancy and delivery cause major changes in your body. Mumsnet carries some affiliate marketing links, so if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale (more details here). To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. While it can be exciting, it can also take a toll on your body. Expect any skin that darkened during pregnancy such as dark patches on your face to slowly fade as well. Frequently asked questions. Pain can mess with the hormone that helps you make milk. Generally, the first few days are the heaviest with the passing of blood clots up to the size of a golf ball. Contact your doctor if youre soaking one pad per hour or passing large clots. Click here for an email preview. Symptoms include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with You can put a pillow over your stomach to ease the babys weight, or try these: Its important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery. And do get up and move around, which can help avoid blood clots. But if you experience feelings like being depressed or feeling hopeless, talk to your doctor about postpartum depression and what it means. McGraw-Hill Education; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Let your doctor know if: Your incision is red, swollen or hot to the touch. Rest when possible. To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. After C-Section Surgery Most women are awake for the C-section, and you should be able to hold your baby right away. Afterpains are common during breastfeeding, due to the release of oxytocin. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. Seek pain relief. Theyll check your vagina, cervix, and uterus as well as your weight and blood pressure. In the meantime, take good care of yourself. information submitted for this request. Tips To Help You Recover From Heart Surgery, Everything You Need To Know About Mommy Makeovers, Heres How Baby Botox Is Different From (and Similar To) Its Older Sibling, Everything You Need To Know About Creating a Birth Plan, What You Should Know About Postpartum Sex, 3 Exercises to Relieve Frozen or Stiff Shoulders, Artificial Sweetener Erythritols Major Health Risks, Best Ingredients and Products for Your Anti-Aging Skin Care Routine. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. It just takes time. I had a catheter in for the rest of that day and all night so was bed bound. Once you get home, check the site of your surgery regularly for signs of infection. Berens P. Overview of the postpartum period: Physiology, complications, and maternal care. A C-section is major surgery. At that time, your doctor will inspect the incision site and check that your recovery is progressing along. During the C-section recovery process, discomfort and fatigue are common. To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. Stretch marks won't disappear after delivery, but eventually they'll fade from red to silver. Resting and allowing your body to heal is very important.. 09/12/2022 21:02. 2018; doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002633. Review/update the Ob/Gyn Erin Higgins, MD, explains what your recovery will look like and what to expect. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on If you have any questions about how the drugs youre given can affect breastfeeding, ask to speak to the hospitals breastfeeding specialist.