While you're recovering from your C-section, remember that you're also recovering from pregnancy. Here's what to expect: Vaginal discharge. After delivery, you'll begin to shed the superficial mucous membrane that lined your uterus during pregnancy. You'll have vaginal discharge made up of this membrane and blood for weeks.
What to expect during a C section?
What happens during a c-section?
- Giving your consent. The doctor or midwife will explain what will happen and ask you to sign a consent form. ...
- Anaesthetic during a c-section. When you’re in the operating theatre, you’re likely to have either a spinal or epidural anaesthetic.
- The c-section operation. ...
What is the recovery time after a C section?
What to expect after a C-section
- Immediately after delivery. Most women undergoing a C-section receive an epidural or spinal block. ...
- The first 24 hours. The first 24 hours following a C-section present many of the same challenges as a vaginal delivery. ...
- The first weeks. The risk of infection is highest during the first few weeks. ...
- Long-term recovery. ...
What are the reasons for C section?
Your health care provider might recommend a C-section if:
- Your labor isn't progressing. Stalled labor is one of the most common reasons for a C-section. ...
- Your baby is in distress. ...
- Your baby or babies are in an abnormal position. ...
- You're carrying multiples. ...
- There's a problem with your placenta. ...
- Prolapsed umbilical cord. ...
- You have a health concern. ...
- Mechanical obstruction. ...
- You've had a previous C-section. ...
What happens after a C section?
After your C-section, you might look like you're still pregnant. This is normal. Most women lose 13 pounds (6 kilograms) during birth, including the weight of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid. During your recovery, you'll drop more weight as your body gets rid of excess fluids.
What kind of discharge is normal after C-section?
This discharge will be red and heavy for the first few days. Then it will taper, become increasingly watery and change from pinkish brown to yellowish white. Contractions. You might feel contractions, sometimes called afterpains, during the first few days after the C-section.
How long does mucus discharge last after C-section?
Lochia alba is the last stage of lochia. Yellowish white discharge. Little to no blood. Light flow or spotting. Lasts from about 12 days to six weeks.
Is C-section incision drainage normal?
After a C-section, it is normal to experience some swelling, redness, and pain around the wound. In some cases, clear fluid may also seep out of the wound. However, with wound infections, these symptoms increase in intensity.
How long does C-section take to heal inside?
It takes about six weeks to recover from a C-section, but each person's timeline will be different. An incision — typically a horizontal cut made in your lower abdomen — can take weeks to heal. During that time, it's recommended that you avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby.
How long does it take for uterus to shrink after C-section?
"Whether you delivered vaginally or by C-section, it takes six weeks for the uterus to contract to its normal size," Dr. Daneshmand says. Resting a heating pad or hot-water bottle on your belly (but not on the incision) can help—and so can ibuprofen.
What does infected lochia smell like?
Lochia typically smells similar to a menstrual period and may smell slightly metallic, stale, or musty. It shouldn't smell foul.
What color is serous drainage?
Serous drainage is mostly clear or slightly yellow thin plasma that is just a bit thicker than water. It can be seen in venous ulceration and also in partial-thickness wounds. Generally, this is not one of the types of wound drainage that leaves much color on a bandage.
How do I know if my C-section is healing properly?
Numbness and itchiness are normal, but there are several other signs that indicate the wound may not be healing correctly. Dr. Heller shares, "If you notice fluid draining out of a small site, red streaks on your belly, or the area around the wound is warm or tender to the touch, these can be signs of infection."
Is yellow pus normal after C-section?
If your C-section opening is due to an infection in the area, you'll see signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus. If necrosis is the cause of C-section opening, you might see gray, yellow, or black discoloration around the area, as opposed to pink or your normal skin color. The area may also smell bad.
Do they take your organs out during ac section?
In most c-sections, the bladder and intestines are moved aside so the ob-gyn can keep them safely out of the way while delivering the baby and repairing the uterine incision. Those organs won't be moved outside the body, though.
When can you start walking after C-section?
It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery. 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: Deep breathing: Take 2 or 3 slow, deep breaths every half-hour.
Can I lay on my stomach 3 weeks after C-section?
Recovering from a C-section requires that you give yourself space and time needed to heal properly. This also means that some activities and behaviors may need to be avoided or adjusted until you're at least 6 weeks postpartum, you're fully healed, or your doctor has confirmed it's OK to do so. Avoid: stomach sleeping.
What are contractions after a C section?
Contractions. You might feel contractions, sometimes called afterpains, during the first few days after the C-section. These contractions — which often resemble menstrual cramps — help prevent excessive bleeding by compressing the blood vessels in the uterus.
What to expect after a C section?
While you're recovering from your C-section, remember that you're also recovering from pregnancy. Here's what to expect: Vaginal discharge. After delivery, you'll begin to shed the superficial mucous membrane that lined your uterus during pregnancy. You'll have vaginal discharge made up of this membrane and blood for weeks.
What happens if you have a severe mood swing after childbirth?
Postpartum depression. 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.
What to take for a baby incision?
To soothe incision soreness, your health care provider might recommend ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other medications to relieve pain.
How to support a baby during a C section?
Once your baby latches on to breast-feed, use one arm to support your own head and the other to help support the baby. For support or breast-feeding information during your C-section recovery, contact a lactation consultant.
How to breastfeed after a C section?
For comfort, put a pillow along your side and use a chair with broad, low arms. Hold your baby at your side, with your elbow bent.
How to heal a C section?
During the C-section recovery process, discomfort and fatigue are common. To promote healing: 1 Take it easy. Rest when possible. Try to keep everything that you and your baby might need within reach. For the first couple of weeks, avoid lifting anything heavier than your baby. 2 Seek pain relief. To soothe incision soreness, your health care provider might recommend ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other medications to relieve pain. Most pain relief medications are safe for breast-feeding women.
How long does it take for a baby to recover from a C section?
In a cesarean birth (C-section), the baby is delivered through an incision in the mother's abdomen. It can take 4 to 6 weeks to recover from a Cesarean delivery (C-section).
How to recover from childbirth?
Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet to help you recover from childbirth. If you are breastfeeding, you will need additional calories each day. You may also be advised to avoid certain foods by your doctor. Follow all recommendations.