It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each persons timeline will be different. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Those muscles are pretty weak because of the incision, says Dr. Higgins. Compared to a vaginal delivery, if youve had a cesarean delivery (C-section), you need to take extra precautions and give yourself even more time to recover from childbirth. Within six to 12 weeks after delivery, see your health care provider for a comprehensive postpartum evaluation. 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. In: American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care. Cleveland Clinic Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. I couldn't lie down apart from propped up on my back for a few weeks. You notice swelling in your hands, arms, or feet. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. You notice vision changes or have difficulty seeing. It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. But he was also a tall little boy which we didn't expect! Sex, exercise I recommend that they start those things slowly and gradually increase activity.. Here are some things you would need to let your doctor know: Youll probably see your doctor about 6 weeks after delivery. A heating pad set on low or a warm washcloth can help with pain around your belly. 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. You can start nursing almost right away. All rights reserved. You have a cough, shortness or breath or pain in your chest, which could be a sign of a blood clot. 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Having a support system around you is key during your recovery. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with At this point, you should have your final postpartum appointment with your doctor. 09/12/2022 22:21. 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. At that time, your doctor will inspect the incision site and check that your recovery is progressing along. During pregnancy, elevated hormone levels increase the ratio of growing hair to resting or shedding hair. privacy practices. Seek pain relief. Your body will make milk about as quickly as after a vaginal delivery. Some women bounce back quickly, others take longer to recover. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. Options can range from medication, therapy or even support groups for new parents. While it can be exciting, it can also take a toll on your body. Afterward, you can expect to spend 2-3 days in the hospital with your new little one as you recover. Frequently asked questions. You can do a few other things to speed your recovery: Eat fiber-rich foods and smaller, more frequent meals. Frequently asked questions. Try a fiber supplement if you are having constipation. Youll be taken to a recovery room, where nurses will check your blood pressure, heartbeat, and breathing and keep an eye on you. Keep it clean to prevent infections. And do get up and move around, which can help avoid blood clots. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Presidential Task Force on Redefining the Postpartum Visit and the Committee on Obstetric Practice. 20/02/2023 11:55. 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. 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. C-Section Recovery - What to Expect: Walking, Blood Clots, & Pain 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). It really aids recovery to be mobile as soon as possible. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on To ease breast discomfort, apply warm washcloths or take a warm shower before breastfeeding or expressing, which might make milk removal easier. When youre washing, use mild soap and water and clean it lightly (dont scrub, particularly if your incision is closed with steristrips or glue). But its crucial you take time to take care of yourself. Don't have sex or participate in rigorous exercise either. In: Williams Obstetrics. McInerny TK, et al., eds. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. In: Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Obstetrics & Gynecology. Here's what to expect: Vaginal discharge. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Then it will taper, become increasingly watery and change from pinkish brown to yellowish white. About 1 of every 3 newborns in the United States are delivered by cesarean section, or C-section. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Resting and allowing your body to heal is very important.. Share your feelings, and ask your partner, loved ones or friends for help. Don't pump your breasts or express the milk, which will cause your breasts to produce more milk. You might feel contractions, sometimes called afterpains, during the first few days after the C-section. 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. Many new moms experience a period of feeling down, anxious or inadequate, sometimes called the baby blues. Put your feet up now xx. Click here for an email preview. Having a newborn and recovering from surgery doesnt leave a lot of time for self-care. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. I got out of bed the following day and went home on day 3. This is normal, says Dr. Higgins. While you're recovering from your C-section, remember that you're also recovering from pregnancy. She'd had them herself. 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. During that time, its recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. Hair loss and skin changes. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. An incision typically a horizontal cut made in your lower abdomen can take weeks to heal. To promote healing: Check your C-section incision for signs of infection. Heres what to expect. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. During the C-section recovery process, discomfort and fatigue are common. other information we have about you. 12th ed. 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. Pregnancy and delivery cause major changes in your body. Berens P. Overview of the postpartum period: Physiology, complications, and maternal care. Your guide to breastfeeding. Here are a few tips on what to do. All Rights Reserved. The normal puerperium. C-section recovery | Recovering after a caesarean | Mumsnet GP said it takes at least 9 months to fully recover from a section. You'll get there! Labor, delivery, and postpartum care FAQ091. This might include checking your abdomen, vagina, cervix and uterus to make sure you're healing well. How much discomfort will you experience? Afterpains are common during breastfeeding, due to the release of oxytocin. Discharged the following morning and no issues. Berghella V. Cesarean delivery: Postoperative issues. This content does not have an English version. Nixon H, et al. Learn what to expect from a womens health expert. Policy. Make sure you keep your incision clean and dry. 2018; doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002633. If you're not breastfeeding, wear a supportive bra, such as a sports bra. It can last up to four to six weeks postpartum, says Dr. Higgins. 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. The hardest part of my recovery from my normal birth was due to problems from the anaesthetic from when they repaired the tear. All rights reserved. You can begin breastfeeding almost immediately after the C-section. 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). You will need to give yourself several weeks to rest and heal. Even with the tear, recovery was much, much easier after the normal birth than than the c section. Contractions. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. After delivery, you'll experience hair loss up to five months after delivery. This can help ease gas pains, help you have a bowel movement, and prevent blood clots. 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. Breastfeeding positions that work well during C-section recovery include: For support or breastfeeding information during your C-section recovery, contact a lactation consultant. DeCherney AH, et al., eds. 2nd ed. Cunningham FG, et al., eds. Try over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage incision pain. Get up ASAP and stand straight without hunching. Add message Save Share Report Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. McGraw-Hill Education; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Make your tax-deductible gift and be a part of the cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine. 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. Obstetrics & Gynecology. To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. Contact your health care provider if your incision is red, swollen or leaking discharge. Frequent breastfeeding on both breasts is recommended to avoid or minimize engorgement. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/breastfeeding-guide. 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. There is a problem with An incision typically a horizontal cut made in your lower abdomen can take weeks to heal. It is pretty major abdominal surgery. I'm 15 weeks post c section now, and until your post I had completely forgotten about the twinging, pulling and backache. After C-Section Surgery Most women are awake for the C-section, and you should be able to hold your baby right away. Childbirth triggers a jumble of powerful emotions. 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 . https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Cesarean-Birth-C-Section. 09/12/2022 21:02. Try to keep everything that you and your baby might need within reach. In some cases, you might have the checkup earlier so that your health care provider can examine your C-section incision. include protected health information. In the meantime, take good care of yourself. Ob/Gyn Erin Higgins, MD, explains what your recovery will look like and what to expect. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. Tomorrow is a big day, how exciting! Its recommended that you get up and walk around, says Dr. Higgins. You have a lot of vaginal bleeding, it smells bad or has unusually large clots. 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. You'll have vaginal discharge made up of this membrane and blood for weeks. 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. 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). Postpartum depression. Office on Women's Health. 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. 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. 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. Breastfeeding the newborn. Take meds if you need them, plenty of water and listen to the physio. Once you get home, check the site of your surgery regularly for signs of infection. A few days after birth, your breasts might become full, firm and tender (engorgement) once they begin making milk. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Expect any skin that darkened during pregnancy such as dark patches on your face to slowly fade as well. 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. 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.. Tender breasts. From abdominal pain to mood changes, here's what to expect during C-section recovery. 25th ed. Your health care provider might recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever. Use this visit to ask questions about your recovery and caring for your baby. Physical recovery from a C-section puts a lot of stress on the body, says Dr. Higgins. Accessed Jan. 29, 2020. Keep an eye out for any signs of infection. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. To manage pain at home, Dr. Higgins recommends taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen on a regular schedule. You may feel sick to your stomach, groggy, or itchy from the drugs used to numb you during the surgery. Contact your health care provider within the first 3 weeks after delivery. Mood changes. 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. After delivery, you'll begin to shed the superficial mucous membrane that lined your uterus during pregnancy. Stretch marks won't disappear after delivery, but eventually they'll fade from red to silver. 736: Optimizing postpartum care. These contractions which often resemble menstrual cramps help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus. Over-the-counter pain relievers might help, too. If your breasts including the dark circles of skin around the nipples are engorged, latching might be difficult for your baby. You may be given a pump so you can change the amount of pain medication thats going through a thin tube into your veins. The feeling like my core didn't exist anymore was the last thing to fade - it's feeling fairly strong again now. Theyll check your vagina, cervix, and uterus as well as your weight and blood pressure. The puerperium. You may be tempted to ask your doctor to cut back on your pain medicine, but its important that you stay comfortable. 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. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Cesarean birth. Honest experiences of c-section recovery | Mumsnet