This is PART 2 OF OUR SERIES ON C-Section Delivery. PART 1 can be found by Clicking Here – PART 1
RISKS OF A CESAREAN DELIVERY :
As it’s a major surgery that carries risks as well. Let’s look at some of the most common risks of C-section, which are as follows:
INFECTION: After delivery through C-section, there are high chances of developing infection called endometritis. In simple words, you are at high risk of uterus infection after C-section. This may cause fever, inflammation, vaginal bleeding or pain.
HEAVY BLEEDING: It’s normal to have heavy bleeding after C-section, which decreases with time. It may take 4 to 6 weeks to stop. One of the common risk of C-section is heavy bleeding, called as postpartum hemorrhage. In some cases, a C-section may cause severe bleeding during or after delivery.
BLOOD CLOTS: In rare cases, a C-section may increase the risk of blood clots. Women who are obese, have high blood pressure, have diabetes, have an infection, are above 35 years, and have any other complications are at more risk of clotting after C-section.
BREATHING PROBLEM FOR BABY: Some babies may experience breathing problem during first few days after getting delivered through C-section. The risk of breathing problem increases if a C-section is to be performed before the 39th week of pregnancy.
LONGER RECOVERY: As it’s a major surgical procedure, so your body takes a longer time to recover as compared to a vaginal delivery. It gets difficult for you to walk, move, and breastfeed your baby after getting delivery through C-section especially for the first week. Even after that, stitches also take a long time to heal.
REACTION TO ANESTHESIA: Anesthesia is used during a C-section. The main side effects of using anesthesia are: it may cause vomiting, fever, mild confusion which may last from a few hours to a few days after surgery, difficulty urinating for few hours, and many more. It may cause a severe reaction in some rare cases.
SURGICAL INJURY: Even a little negligence during surgery may cause injury. Unfortunately, if a little injury occurs around the bladder during C-section, you may need another surgery for that injury.
MAY AFFECT FUTURE PREGNANCIES: C-section may affect your future pregnancies as well. Your future pregnancies are at higher risk of placental problem i.e. placenta previa and placenta accreta after C-section. These complications may further require a C-section for delivery. But if you go for a vaginal birth after Cesarean i.e. VBAC, even then you are at high risk of uterine rupture. So it’s always suggested to avoid if there is no medical requirement.
TIPS TO SPEED UP YOUR RECOVERY AFTER C-SECTION :
As C-section is a major surgery, so it takes longer to recover. Generally it takes 4-6 weeks to recover after a C-section delivery, but some may take even longer. Recovery also depends upon various factors like the rest, diet, taking care of your health, etc. Let’s look at some tips which may help you to speed up your recovery after a C-section, which are as follows:
TAKE PROPER REST:
After any surgery including C-section, the rest is most important in healing and speeding up your recovery, nothing can substitute this. You may have heard it from so many people that take rest whenever your baby rests, this is absolutely right because newborn babies have irregular sleep cycles. As it’s a huge surgery, so you can’t recover within a few days, it takes time to recover. Simply take rest as much as you can. The more you take rest and avoid exertion, the more it helps you to recover.
DIET HELPS:
Diet is equally important after delivery, as it was during pregnancy. And your baby also takes nutrition through your breastmilk. So have a nutritious and healthy diet and add lots of veggies in your diet. A healthy diet is good for your and your baby’s health. It makes you stronger, which in-turn helps in recovery. It’s also very important to keep yourself hydrated i.e. drink plenty of water and add other fluids as well. It helps you to prevent constipation, as constipation may injure the C-section incisions. Add more fiber to your diet, which helps to pass stool with ease. These little things help you to recover faster.
AVOID SEX:
Your body is weak after C-section, so chances of infection are more. Sex at this time may cause infection, so avoid sex after C-section at least for 6 weeks. As you are already bleeding, have incisions and stitches around your abdomen due to a C-section, and you are also feeling weak, and facing lot of other discomfort during this period, so sex at this time can also affect the healing process. Avoid sex, this will help you heal and recover faster.
MEDICATION:
Doctors may also recommend certain pain relief medicines, which are safe during breast-feeding. Mostly they suggest to have ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and heating pad to ease the discomfort due to surgical incisions. In case, you feel severe pain, too much swelling, redness, and infection around the incision area, then you should consult your doctor for a checkup and further advice.
GENTLE WALK:
Apart from your physical health, do take care of your mental health as well. Do gentle walk as much as you feel comfortable, it actually helps your stitches to heal and freshen up your mind. The more you feel good and happy, the more it helps you to recover faster. If you feel too much exhausted, sad, and depressed, don’t hesitate to express what you are feeling. If your emotional health suffers, do take your doctor’s help.
WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR :
It’s very important to pay attention to everything you experience, which helps to figure out whether it’s normal or you need your doctor’s help. Look at some of the following signs in which you need to consult your doctor for help:
- Swelling or redness around the incision area
- Shivering or high-fever
- Severe abdomen pain
- Experience heavy bleeding
- Painful urination
- Feeling too much weakness
- Depression