How long does incision hurt after c section

But with proper care and time, the pain should lessen. Here are things to be aware of in the weeks following your c-section. These items can be helpful during your c-section recovery:.

Any severe or unusual pain is a sign you should see a doctor right away. This can include:. C-Section Recovery Time and Tips. May 15, Labor and Birth. Here's what to expect and how to care for yourself when you get home. Babylist editors love baby gear and independently curate their favorite products to share with you. If you buy something through links on our site, Babylist may earn a commission.

Here are some other common questions about healing after a c-section: Exercise after a c-section: Your doctor will probably have you to get up and walk within 24 hours of giving birth—but just to the bathroom or down the hospital hallway. Walking and moving around will help you heal, but keep your activity level low, until you get the go-ahead for exercise from your healthcare provider.

That will likely be at least four to six weeks post-birth. Take a fiber supplement daily. Ask your doctor when you can start trying to lose the baby weight. This care should include: Do: Keeping the area dry and clean.

Use warm, soapy water to wash your incision daily usually when you shower. Pat the area dry after cleaning. If your doctor used tape strips on your incision, let them fall off on their own. This usually takes about a week. Call your doctor if you experience: Depression, sadness, hopelessness, or you are having troubling thoughts. Signs of an infection including pain, pus, swelling, redness, swollen lymph nodes, or a fever. A fever of more than Difficulty breathing.

Discharge from the vagina that smells bad. Severe pain in your belly. Bright red vaginal bleeding that soaks through more than one pad every 2 hours or less. Signs of a blood clot, including pain in your thigh, groin, back of knee, or calf. Your incision comes open. Nausea or vomiting. Vaginal clotting larger than a golf ball. Otherwise, if they are able to walk, it is essential for them to get up and move around as quickly as possible. In the first 24 hours, it is common to feel pain at the site of the incision.

Many women also feel post-birth cramps as the uterus shrinks. These sensations feel similar to menstrual cramps, but may be more intense. A nurse or doctor will carefully monitor the cesarean incision for signs of infection. They will also check vaginal bleeding. Even after a C-section, the uterus has to shed what is left of the pregnancy. Vaginal bleeding usually lasts 4 to 6 weeks after birth and is heaviest during the first days.

The risk of infection is highest during the first few weeks. Dangerous bleeding, which is known as a hemorrhage, is also more likely during this time. People should avoid returning to their normal exercise levels for 6 to 8 weeks. Driving is usually not safe for 4 to 6 weeks also.

The wound may feel sore for a week or two. The muscle surrounding the wound may also feel weak. A doctor may prescribe pain medication for the first 2 weeks. People should ask their doctor about the safety of nursing while taking pain medication.

In most cases, doctors use dissolvable stitches. These will disappear, and the doctor will not need to remove them. In some other circumstances, a doctor may need to remove non-dissolvable stitches, usually a few weeks after birth.

Recovering from a C-section takes time and may take longer than a doctor or midwife says it will. Some women experience muscle or incision pain for several months.

Others struggle with urinary incontinence due to weakened pelvic floor muscles. While these challenges are common, people should not ignore them. Any unpleasant symptoms that persist after the first postpartum appointment with a doctor or midwife warrant another appointment.

A referral to a specialist, such as a pelvic floor or exercise therapist, can help with long-term recovery. Every C-section is different. Recovery may take longer when someone has a C-section as an emergency procedure. Infections, problems with the incision, and underlying health problems, such as diabetes , may also make recovery times longer.

The most important thing a person can do to recover more quickly is to talk to their healthcare provider. They should ask lots of questions about what to expect, then follow the recommendations they receive. Rest is vital for recovery from any surgery. Yet for many new parents, rest is nearly impossible with a newborn in the home. Newborns keep irregular hours and may sleep for only 1 or 2 hours at a time. People should always try to sleep when the baby sleeps, or get help from a loved one so they can take a nap.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by chores or to want to entertain visitors. It is more sensible to try to sleep as much as possible. Newborns are demanding. Caring for a baby after major surgery can be exhausting, and it is not possible for all new parents to manage this alone. Ask for help from a partner, a neighbor, family, or a trusted friend. People may benefit from lining up a meal train or a schedule of visitors who can watch the baby while they rest or take a shower.

Giving birth can be an emotional experience for all involved.