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). privacy practices. At this point, you should have your final postpartum appointment with your doctor. When a person has fully recovered, we view it as their graduation day, says Dr. Higgins. information submitted for this request. Berens P. Overview of the postpartum period: Physiology, complications, and maternal care. What breastfeeding positions might work best for you? C section recovery - is this normal? | Mumsnet Keep it clean to prevent infections. 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. If your pain has decreased and the incision is properly healing, you may be given the green light to resume normal daily life. Pat dry. 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. C-section recovery: What to expect - Mayo Clinic 2018; doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002633. While it can be exciting, it can also take a toll on your body. In: Williams Obstetrics. During this time, the hospital staff will help with pain management, ensure youre eating and drinking enough and help you move around. The backache eased when I did gentle walking, so might be worth giving that a go if you haven't already. 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. I'm 15 weeks post c section now, and until your post I had completely forgotten about the twinging, pulling and backache. Pain can mess with the hormone that helps you make milk. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Presidential Task Force on Redefining the Postpartum Visit and the Committee on Obstetric Practice. Don't pump your breasts or express the milk, which will cause your breasts to produce more milk. But he was also a tall little boy which we didn't expect! McGraw-Hill Education; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Your guide to breastfeeding. It is pretty major abdominal surgery. 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. These contractions which often resemble menstrual cramps help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus. Dr. Higgins suggests having your partner, family members or friends help with tasks like planning and making meals, doing laundry and even helping to care for your baby. Discharged the following morning and no issues. After C-Section Surgery Most women are awake for the C-section, and you should be able to hold your baby right away. You may feel sick to your stomach, groggy, or itchy from the drugs used to numb you during the surgery. I'm 15 weeks post c section now, and until your post I had completely forgotten about the twinging, pulling and backache. You'll get there! Catheter out within 2 or 3hrs and up and about v quickly, caring for the babies easily. McInerny TK, et al., eds. Your baby may be sleepy, but that should pass and they should be eager to nurse. They tell you horror stories but they rarely distinguish between the planned section and EMCS and it's not the same thing. Postpartum depression. Frequently asked questions. 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. 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. Committee Opinion No. You notice vision changes or have difficulty seeing. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Financial Assistance Documents Minnesota, Available Solutions for Postpartum from Mayo Clinic Store, Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, Postpartum care: After a vaginal delivery, Pregnancy and breastfeeding when you have psoriasis, Sex after pregnancy: Set your own timeline. There is a problem with Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. DeCherney AH, et al., eds. 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. Most women are awake for the C-section, and you should be able to hold your baby right away. While you're recovering from your C-section, remember that you're also recovering from pregnancy. Your provider also will talk about your sleep habits and issues related to fatigue, and do a physical exam. Obstetrics & Gynecology. You can do a few other things to speed your recovery: Eat fiber-rich foods and smaller, more frequent meals. What is recovery from a PLANNED csection really like? | Mumsnet You get a very bad headache that does not go away. The normal puerperium. Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. 736: Optimizing postpartum care. 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. It really aids recovery to be mobile as soon as possible. It just takes time. You have a cough, shortness or breath or pain in your chest, which could be a sign of a blood clot. Cunningham FG, et al., eds. 25th ed. Tomorrow is a big day, how exciting! 20/02/2023 11:55. Here's what to expect: Vaginal discharge. Frequently asked questions. Those muscles are pretty weak because of the incision, says Dr. Higgins. Anesthesia for cesarean delivery. I couldn't lie down apart from propped up on my back for a few weeks. Understand how to take care of yourself and your baby during C-section recovery. 03/02/2022 07:18, Ahhh I had GD too, and an early section as well - don't be surprised if she comes out smaller, their estimations can be a bit off. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. 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. And what should you not do? Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. After delivery, you'll begin to shed the superficial mucous membrane that lined your uterus during pregnancy. Contact your health care provider if your incision is red, swollen or leaking discharge. Pregnancy and delivery cause major changes in your body. 09/12/2022 22:21. During the C-section recovery process, discomfort and fatigue are common. 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. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Breastfeeding positions that work well during C-section recovery include: For support or breastfeeding information during your C-section recovery, contact a lactation consultant. Frequent breastfeeding on both breasts is recommended to avoid or minimize engorgement. Ask your doctor what they recommend. 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. Labor, delivery, and postpartum care FAQ091. Dont have sex or participate in rigorous exercise either. You notice swelling in your hands, arms, or feet. About 1 of every 3 newborns in the United States are delivered by cesarean section, or C-section. If we combine this information with your protected This discharge will be red and heavy for the first few days. Having a baby is a major milestone in life. Physical recovery from a C-section puts a lot of stress on the body, says Dr. Higgins. The hardest part of my recovery from my normal birth was due to problems from the anaesthetic from when they repaired the tear. Even with the tear, recovery was much, much easier after the normal birth than than the c section. Stretch marks won't disappear after delivery, but eventually they'll fade from red to silver. Accessed Jan. 31, 2020. Then it will taper, become increasingly watery and change from pinkish brown to yellowish white. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on I got out of bed the following day and went home on day 3. From abdominal pain to mood changes, here's what to expect during C-section recovery. Within six to 12 weeks after delivery, see your health care provider for a comprehensive postpartum evaluation. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. For the first couple of weeks, avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. This can help ease gas pains, help you have a bowel movement, and prevent blood clots. Expect any skin that darkened during pregnancy such as dark patches on your face to slowly fade as well.