To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Catheter out within 2 or 3hrs and up and about v quickly, caring for the babies easily. 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. 4-6 weeks before doing heavy exercises that involve your belly or lifting anything larger than your infant, 3 weeks (once you have a healed incision) to take a bath or go swimming, Your incision is red, swollen, hot to the touch, or leaking discharge. 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 . GP said it takes at least 9 months to fully recover from a section. This can help ease gas pains, help you have a bowel movement, and prevent blood clots. Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine. All rights reserved. This is all in addition to bonding with your newborn, which can include attempting to breastfeed. In: Williams Obstetrics. Here's what to expect: Vaginal discharge. 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). 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. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 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. The puerperium. Tomorrow is a big day, how exciting! Use this visit to ask questions about your recovery and caring for your baby. At that time, your doctor will inspect the incision site and check that your recovery is progressing along. Over-the-counter pain relievers might help, too. Between feedings, place cold washcloths on your breasts. Committee Opinion No. Most people will spend two to four days in the hospital after a C-section. Understand how to take care of yourself and your baby during C-section recovery. You might feel contractions, sometimes called afterpains, during the first few days after the C-section. This is normal, says Dr. Higgins. 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. During that time, it's recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could To manage pain at home, Dr. Higgins recommends taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen on a regular schedule. 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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. other information we have about you. Ask your doctor what they recommend. Labor, delivery, and postpartum care FAQ091. 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. Once you get home, check the site of your surgery regularly for signs of infection. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. In the meantime, take good care of yourself. You can do a few other things to speed your recovery: Eat fiber-rich foods and smaller, more frequent meals. After delivery, you'll experience hair loss up to five months after delivery. Don't have sex or participate in rigorous exercise either. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Within six to 12 weeks after delivery, see your health care provider for a comprehensive postpartum evaluation. privacy practices. You may be tempted to ask your doctor to cut back on your pain medicine, but its important that you stay comfortable. About 1 of every 3 newborns in the United States are delivered by cesarean section, or C-section. Get up ASAP and stand straight without hunching. Dont soak in a bath or hot tub or go swimming until your doctor says you can. You have a lot of vaginal bleeding, it smells bad or has unusually large clots. Some women bounce back quickly, others take longer to recover. McGraw-Hill Education; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Most women are awake for the C-section, and you should be able to hold your baby right away. 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. 09/12/2022 21:02. If you have any questions about how the drugs youre given can affect breastfeeding, ask to speak to the hospitals breastfeeding specialist. 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. Share your feelings, and ask your partner, loved ones or friends for help. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Cesarean-Birth-C-Section. To promote healing: Check your C-section incision for signs of infection. 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. This discharge will be red and heavy for the first few days. Ob/Gyn Erin Higgins, MD, explains what your recovery will look like and what to expect. Try to keep everything that you and your baby might need within reach. Frequently asked questions. The result is often an extra-lush head of hair but now it's payback time. These contractions which often resemble menstrual cramps help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus. You may feel sick to your stomach, groggy, or itchy from the drugs used to numb you during the surgery. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Those muscles are pretty weak because of the incision, says Dr. Higgins. Having a newborn and recovering from surgery doesnt leave a lot of time for self-care. It can be uncomfortable.. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of Rest when possible. You can begin breastfeeding almost immediately after the C-section. We dont want someone lying in bed for two weeks.. During the C-section recovery process, discomfort and fatigue are common. Nixon H, et al. Cesarean birth. Don't pump your breasts or express the milk, which will cause your breasts to produce more milk. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health Make sure you keep your incision clean and dry. 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. 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. You will need to give yourself several weeks to rest and heal. Contact your health care provider if your incision is red, swollen or leaking discharge. I got out of bed the following day and went home on day 3. 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. 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. Frequent breastfeeding on both breasts is recommended to avoid or minimize engorgement. Hair loss and skin changes. 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.. Your baby may be sleepy, but that should pass and they should be eager to nurse. Berghella V. Cesarean delivery: Postoperative issues. I couldn't lie down apart from propped up on my back for a few weeks. 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). Once you return home, its important to take it easy and avoid lifting, twisting or any movements that can put pressure on the incision. She'd had them herself. Frequently asked questions. include protected health information. Let your doctor know if: Your incision is red, swollen or hot to the touch. Having a baby is a major milestone in life. Symptoms include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Obstetrics & Gynecology. Stretch marks won't disappear after delivery, but eventually they'll fade from red to silver. 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. In: American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care. While it can be exciting, it can also take a toll on your body. You'll be taken to a recovery room, where nurses will check your blood. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Postpartum depression. A few days after birth, your breasts might become full, firm and tender (engorgement) once they begin making milk. From abdominal pain to mood changes, here's what to expect during C-section recovery. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/breastfeeding-guide. 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. You notice vision changes or have difficulty seeing. Here are some things you would need to let your doctor know: Youll probably see your doctor about 6 weeks after delivery. To promote healing: Take it easy. To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. Accessed Jan. 31, 2020. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is also normal to have vaginal bleeding after a C-section, though its typically not as heavy as after a vaginal delivery. If you're not breastfeeding, wear a supportive bra, such as a sports bra. The normal puerperium. Berens P. Overview of the postpartum period: Physiology, complications, and maternal care. Your body will make milk about as quickly as after a vaginal delivery. If your breasts including the dark circles of skin around the nipples are engorged, latching might be difficult for your baby. Sex, exercise I recommend that they start those things slowly and gradually increase activity.. Try a fiber supplement if you are having constipation. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Policy. Even with the tear, recovery was much, much easier after the normal birth than than the c section. And what should you not do? A heating pad set on low or a warm washcloth can help with pain around your belly. Afterward, you can expect to spend 2-3 days in the hospital with your new little one as you recover. DeCherney AH, et al., eds. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that postpartum care be an ongoing process rather than just a single visit after your delivery. information submitted for this request. Having a support system around you is key during your recovery. 12th ed. Options can range from medication, therapy or even support groups for new parents. All rights reserved. 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. During pregnancy, elevated hormone levels increase the ratio of growing hair to resting or shedding hair. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. You'll get there! Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. Afterpains are common during breastfeeding, due to the release of oxytocin. But he was also a tall little boy which we didn't expect! There is a problem with Anesthesia for cesarean delivery. 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. Add message Save Share Report Contractions. Then it will taper, become increasingly watery and change from pinkish brown to yellowish white. It is pretty major abdominal surgery. 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. If we combine this information with your protected Discharged the following morning and no issues. Dont have sex or participate in rigorous exercise either. All Rights Reserved. It just takes time. Labor, delivery and postpartum care FAQ006. I'm 15 weeks post c section now, and until your post I had completely forgotten about the twinging, pulling and backache. Childbirth triggers a jumble of powerful emotions. Your health care provider might recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever. 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. This content does not have an English version. Put your feet up now xx. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. 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. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Postpartum-Depression. During this time, the hospital staff will help with pain management, ensure youre eating and drinking enough and help you move around. 25th ed. Learn what to expect from a womens health expert. 2018; doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002633. The backache eased when I did gentle walking, so might be worth giving that a go if you haven't already. At this point, you should have your final postpartum appointment with your doctor. Many new moms experience a period of feeling down, anxious or inadequate, sometimes called the baby blues. Nursing positions: The site of the surgery may make it hard to find a comfortable position to nurse your baby. Physical recovery from a C-section puts a lot of stress on the body, says Dr. Higgins. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. It can last up to four to six weeks postpartum, says Dr. Higgins. An incision typically a horizontal cut made in your lower abdomen can take weeks to heal. Heres what to expect. Breastfeeding the newborn. 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. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Review/update the It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. Take meds if you need them, plenty of water and listen to the physio. If the cut is closed with stitches, staples or glue, you should be able to remove the bandage and take showers, but check with your doctor first. 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. 2nd ed. Expect any skin that darkened during pregnancy such as dark patches on your face to slowly fade as well. It really aids recovery to be mobile as soon as possible. Your guide to breastfeeding. Recovery was painful. You have a cough, shortness or breath or pain in your chest, which could be a sign of a blood clot. 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. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2017. https://www.ebscohost.com/ebooks. Seek pain relief. 09/12/2022 22:21. 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. While you're recovering from your C-section, remember that you're also recovering from pregnancy. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which If your pain has decreased and the incision is properly healing, you may be given the green light to resume normal daily life. The feeling like my core didn't exist anymore was the last thing to fade - it's feeling fairly strong again now. Your first postpartum visit should happen during the second week. Resting and allowing your body to heal is very important.. I had an emergency c-section in July after a 36 hour induction that went wrong so my recovery could be different to someone who had a planned c-section. An incision typically a horizontal cut made in your lower abdomen can take weeks to heal. This content does not have an Arabic version. Breastfeeding positions that work well during C-section recovery include: For support or breastfeeding information during your C-section recovery, contact a lactation consultant. 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. My DS was normal weight, although born in week 38 so perhaps this helped too. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Presidential Task Force on Redefining the Postpartum Visit and the Committee on Obstetric Practice. The baby blues typically subside within two weeks. Pain can mess with the hormone that helps you make milk. When a person has fully recovered, we view it as their graduation day, says Dr. Higgins. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with 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). 736: Optimizing postpartum care. They tell you horror stories but they rarely distinguish between the planned section and EMCS and it's not the same thing. In: Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology. Keep it clean to prevent infections. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Mood changes. For the first couple of weeks, avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. Contact your health care provider within the first 3 weeks after delivery. This might include checking your abdomen, vagina, cervix and uterus to make sure you're healing well. McGraw-Hill Education; 2018. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Its recommended that you get up and walk around, says Dr. Higgins. Keep an eye out for any signs of infection. I had a normal delivery with a 3rd degree tear with DC1 and an elective c section with DC2 because she was breech and the ECV failed.

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