Bleeding and headache after c-section?

Question

My fiancee had c-section on Monday, and she's still bleeding bright red, not dark, and complaining of a headache. How worried should I be? Should I call the doctor and try to fight my way through his answering service?

Answer 1

Bleeding is normal...even the bright red blood. As long as it's not more than a pad an hour or hugely clotted (think silver dollar sized), you should be all set. If she isn't having excessive cramping (which may indicate clotting because the uterus is cramping to expel the clot), you should be all set. Just so you know..it might change to a pink fluid next, and eventually a clear or SLIGHTLY yellow fluid...this process can continue for weeks!

For the headache...it's a good idea to try treating it over the counter first and see if that helps. If it's a dull ache that is tolerable, it should go away no problem. However, if the headache is so bad that it is interfering with her bonding with the baby, feeding the baby, or daily activities, you should call the MD. There are some medications that can help with pain, and in the most severe cases, it may need to be treated outpatient at the hospital. It's rare to occur, about 1 out of 100 patients, but occasionally people experience a spinal headache after spinal or epidural. It happens when a small amount of spinal fluid leaks out from the spot where the needle was inserted. It creates a "hole" of sorts, and decreases the pressure in the spinal cord which causes the brain to sit lower in the cranium and causes severe headache. It's harmless, but patients describe it as the worst headache they're ever had, and it causes problems with tolerating light, vision, positioning and generally just day to day stuff. It usually goes away on its own when the brain makes enough fluid to fill in the hole, but it can be treated by taking some blood from a vein and "filling" the hole, which causes instant relief from the pain. This is only done in the most extreme of cases...but you don't elaborate on how bad it is, so I wanted you to know it's available if neccessary.

So..if the OTC stuff doesn't work...call the MD because he might be able to help you so she doesn't have to suffer.

Congrats on the baby!

Answer 2

The bleeding should be okay, as long as she is not soaking through pads...

The headache, however...did she have spinal anesthesia? It is not Saturday and her headache should be gone... If she had a spinal or an epidural she could have a spinal headache...and that will not be treated by just tylenol or advil. In fact, she probably was prescribed pain med post-partum, a prescription and if she's taking those pills and STILL has a headache...that's a problem.

She might need a blood patch to correct it...keep trying to get through to the DR if her headahe persists...go to the E.R. they'll take care of you!

Answer 3

the headache could be from the spinal anethesia, though it must be a bad headache if she is still feeling it even with being on the pain medications from the c-section. the bleeding is normal, for anyone that has had a baby.. unless she is passing huge clots or going through more than one pad an hour, it is ok.
make sure she is drinking enough fluids to replace what she is losing, dehydration can cause a headache sometimes too. if the bleeding is still bothersome, you can also call the Labor And Delivery floor where the c-section was done, the nurses are usually very friendly and will talk to her and offer thier advice on whether she should be seen or not.
Congratulations on your baby :)

mom to twins via c-section 11 months ago

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Bleeding and headache after c-section?
My fiancee had c-section on Monday, and she's still bleeding bright red, not dark, and complaining of a headache. How worried should I be? Should I call the doctor and try to fight my way through his answering service?

Answer 5

bleeding is normal, but the headaches are not normal, if she had an epidural. The anesthiologis screwed up during the epidural and she had a leak, which is causing her headaches. If headaches after epidural last longer that 3 days and are severe in nature, then she MUST get a blood patch to correct the leak. They take blood from her arm and they inject it into her back again. She will continue to have these headaches, if she does not get the blood patch. Next time she is pregnant she should request general anesthesia instead of epidural.

Answer 6

If she is bleeding A LOT of bright red, more than one pad per hour, then yes by all means call the doc. I had a c section 7 months ago and that is what they told me to do. I also had a really bad headache and i found out i had an epidural migraine and had to have a blood patch done. hope this helps

Answer 7

If you are talking about bleeding like she is having a period that could last awhile! My last c section I had I didn't stop bleeding for about three weeks after I had my child and it might have been a little longer! As long as she isn't passing blood clots the size of an egg she is fine! And I kept headaches but if you feel really unsure then call the doctor but sounds to me like she is fine!!Good luck

Answer 8

Here are some websites on spinal headaches that can occur when you have a c-section and another condition called bellspalsy. I would recommend talking to her doctor just to see what to do.

The bleeding is normal I had a c-section and I bleed heavy for about a week and light for another week. As long as she doesn't have huge clots then she is fine.(no bigger then a golf ball my doctor said) If she does she needs to see a doctor asap!

Answer 9

Nah the bleeding is normal, given she had a c-section, so long as shes not going thru more than i'd say 2 pads an hour, and no MAJOR clots, headaches are normal too, she probably had a epidural for the surgery, give her some tylenol or advil, should take care of the headache.

EDIT: Can you ask her how many pads shes using in about an hours time and add details please?

Answer 10

When in doubt, always call the Dr.

Having said that, I had two babies by C-section. She will experience bright red bleeding for several weeks from the sight where her placenta was attached to her uterus. The headache could be related to her epidural or spinal block, and if it does not go away today, I would definitely call the Dr.

Congratulations on the new baby!!