You can begin breastfeeding almost immediately after the C-section. Click here for an email preview. 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. She'd had them herself. There is a problem with 736: Optimizing postpartum care. Policy. A few days after birth, your breasts might become full, firm and tender (engorgement) once they begin making milk. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Mediterranean, Low-Fat Diets Are Best for Heart Problems, Least Amount of Exercise You Need to Stay Healthy, Nerve 'Pulse' Therapy May Help Ease Sciatica, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, What to Expect if You Have a Cesarean Delivery, C-Sections: Recovery, Risks, Benefits, Pain, and More, Ovulation Tool: Find Your Most Fertile Days. 12th ed. What breastfeeding positions might work best for you? Nursing positions: The site of the surgery may make it hard to find a comfortable position to nurse your baby. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. McGraw-Hill Education; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is pretty major abdominal surgery. Cleveland Clinic Frequently asked questions. To promote healing: Check your C-section incision for signs of infection. Cunningham FG, et al., eds. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. While it can be exciting, it can also take a toll on your body. Resting and allowing your body to heal is very important.. Ask your doctor what they recommend. Contact your health care provider if you think you might be depressed, especially if your signs and symptoms don't fade on their own, you have trouble caring for your baby or completing daily tasks, or you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. include protected health information. But if you experience feelings like being depressed or feeling hopeless, talk to your doctor about postpartum depression and what it means. 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Expect any skin that darkened during pregnancy such as dark patches on your face to slowly fade as well. Try to keep everything that you and your baby might need within reach. It can be uncomfortable.. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. The normal puerperium. During the C-section recovery process, discomfort and fatigue are common. A heating pad set on low or a warm washcloth can help with pain around your belly. Symptoms include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. 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). Between feedings, place cold washcloths on your breasts. At that time, your doctor will inspect the incision site and check that your recovery is progressing along. Breastfeeding positions that work well during C-section recovery include: For support or breastfeeding information during your C-section recovery, contact a lactation consultant. Its recommended that you get up and walk around, says Dr. Higgins. 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). 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. This discharge will be red and heavy for the first few days. Heres what to expect. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. These contractions which often resemble menstrual cramps help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus. C section recovery - is this normal? | Mumsnet I couldn't lie down apart from propped up on my back for a few weeks. 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. From abdominal pain to mood changes, here's what to expect during C-section recovery. 09/12/2022 22:21. If we combine this information with your protected 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 . It is also normal to have vaginal bleeding after a C-section, though its typically not as heavy as after a vaginal delivery. Committee Opinion No. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2017. https://www.ebscohost.com/ebooks. 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. And do get up and move around, which can help avoid blood clots. A C-section is major surgery. Accessed Jan. 31, 2020. C-section recovery | Recovering after a caesarean | Mumsnet DeCherney AH, et al., eds. It really aids recovery to be mobile as soon as possible. Over-the-counter pain relievers might help, too. Cesarean birth. This is all in addition to bonding with your newborn, which can include attempting to breastfeed. Most women are awake for the C-section, and you should be able to hold your baby right away. Make sure you keep your incision clean and dry. To manage pain at home, Dr. Higgins recommends taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen on a regular schedule. If your breasts including the dark circles of skin around the nipples are engorged, latching might be difficult for your baby. They tell you horror stories but they rarely distinguish between the planned section and EMCS and it's not the same thing. Ob/Gyn Erin Higgins, MD, explains what your recovery will look like and what to expect. Physical recovery from a C-section puts a lot of stress on the body, says Dr. Higgins. During this time, the hospital staff will help with pain management, ensure youre eating and drinking enough and help you move around. 2nd ed. It can last up to four to six weeks postpartum, says Dr. Higgins. Review/update the While you're recovering from your C-section, remember that you're also recovering from pregnancy. 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'll have vaginal discharge made up of this membrane and blood for weeks. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Presidential Task Force on Redefining the Postpartum Visit and the Committee on Obstetric Practice. Options can range from medication, therapy or even support groups for new parents. Recovery was painful. During pregnancy, elevated hormone levels increase the ratio of growing hair to resting or shedding hair. In: Williams Obstetrics. C-section recovery: What to expect - Mayo Clinic information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with 25th ed. I'm 15 weeks post c section now, and until your post I had completely forgotten about the twinging, pulling and backache. 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 . It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. You'll be taken to a recovery room, where nurses will check your blood. Your baby may be sleepy, but that should pass and they should be eager to nurse. Your guide to breastfeeding. At this point, you should have your final postpartum appointment with your doctor. 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. Pregnancy and delivery cause major changes in your body. Try a fiber supplement if you are having constipation. Mood changes. This content does not have an English version. Labor, delivery and postpartum care FAQ006. Try over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage incision pain. I got out of bed the following day and went home on day 3. Tomorrow is a big day, how exciting! If your pain has decreased and the incision is properly healing, you may be given the green light to resume normal daily life. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. 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. To ease breast discomfort, apply warm washcloths or take a warm shower before breastfeeding or expressing, which might make milk removal easier. Once you get home, check the site of your surgery regularly for signs of infection. You might feel contractions, sometimes called afterpains, during the first few days after the C-section. Those muscles are pretty weak because of the incision, says Dr. Higgins. National Institute of Health: What is a Cesarean Delivery?, Mayo Clinic: C-section What You Can Expect, C-section Recovery: What to Expect., American Academy of Pediatrics: Breastfeeding After Cesarean Delivery., Kaiser Permanente: Recovery After a Cesarean Birth., University of Rochester Medical Center Obstetrics Division: Pain Management., Johns Hopkins Medicine: Cesarean Section., American Psychological Association: What is postpartum depression & anxiety?, My Health, Alberta Canada: Cesarean Section: What to Expect at Home., MedLine Plus: Going Home After a C-Section., National Health Service: Recovery, Cesarean Section.. Sex, exercise I recommend that they start those things slowly and gradually increase activity.. If those feelings start disrupting your life and cause problems bonding with your baby, your doctor can offer some treatment options, says Dr. Higgins. This content does not have an Arabic version. McGraw-Hill Education; 2018. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. So what can you do? Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. But he was also a tall little boy which we didn't expect! https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. The puerperium. 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. 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. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Here are a few tips on what to do. 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. The baby blues typically subside within two weeks. Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine. 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. Your doctor may recommend a C-section if: While most individuals recover in about six weeks, its important to remember each persons journey is different. 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. Youll be taken to a recovery room, where nurses will check your blood pressure, heartbeat, and breathing and keep an eye on you. I had a catheter in for the rest of that day and all night so was bed bound. How much discomfort will you experience? If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. Pat dry. Pain can mess with the hormone that helps you make milk. other information we have about you. McInerny TK, et al., eds. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. Your body will make milk about as quickly as after a vaginal delivery. We dont want someone lying in bed for two weeks.. Seek pain relief. 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. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health When a person has fully recovered, we view it as their graduation day, says Dr. Higgins. You can try gentle exercises a few days after the C-section: Try not to do too much housework or other activities for the first couple of weeks. Having a baby is a major milestone in life. Contact your health care provider within the first 3 weeks after delivery. After C-Section Surgery Most women are awake for the C-section, and you should be able to hold your baby right away. The backache eased when I did gentle walking, so might be worth giving that a go if you haven't already. 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. Breastfeeding the newborn.