after giving birth....???by c-section?

Question

I just have a few questions, hopefully someone can help answer them for me!!! I had a c-section on Friday the 15th, and i was wondering how long do you bleed? like vaginal bleeding when does that stop?

Did you experience any swelling in your ankles and legs?

My OB removed the staples 2 days after the section and put steril strips on the incision, does it feel better when i remove the strips? They are suppost to come off on monday.

Anything else that will help the healing and help me feel better would be greatly appreciated!! I also ended up needed 3 units of blood, anyone been through something like this??? Thanks !!!Heres a link to our son too :) http://www.trinityhealth.org/baby/DekllnA061507.htm

Answer 1

I bled about 6 weeks, but it was pretty light the entire 6 weeks.

I had swelling in my ankles and feet that started 5 days after my baby was born for and lasted a day or two.

As far as my steri strips- I pulled my off around a week and a half after the birth. I guess it felt better to have them off, but I don't remember

The biggest advice I have is to try to take it easy. Let people help you and take your pain meds as long as you need them. A c-section is major surgery so take time for yourself to heal. BTW- your baby is beautiful!! Congrats!!

Answer 2

I had vaginal bleeding for a few weeks after my c-section - I can't remember exactly how many, but it was long enough to be a nuisance.

I had swelling in my legs and ankles for the first few days post-surgery, but that had mostly resolved by the time I was discharged (4 days). Keep your feet slightly elevated whenever your are sitting or lying down, but don't JUST sit - staying active will help promote circulation and that should help with swelling.

Whether or not removal of the strips will 'feel better' depends on what you're asking about - once they're gone you won't have the 'pulling' sensation that they can create, but if you're asking about itching - just remember that you also have pubic hair growing back in where they shaved the incision site, and that is going to itch like CRAZY until it's done growing.

It's barely been a week - give your body a little time. Everything you are experiencing is totally normal, so don't let it stress you out.

Answer 3

Your little boy is gorgeous. Congratulations!

I had vaginal bleeding for several weeks after my sections (I've had 3). It tapers off after the first week, but you'll continue to have some spotting for 2-3 week, and possibly longer.

My leg/ankle swelling went away after I gave birth. If that is still a problem, I would call your doctor.

It does feel better when the strips come off. The skin will still be very tender, but the strips tend to pull a bit, and that goes away.

The biggest piece of advice that I can give you is to sleep every time the baby sleeps. Forget about what your house looks like! Don't try to do anything but take care of yourself and the baby for the first 2-3 weeks. You need all the rest you can get, especially since you had some complications.

Congratulations, and thank you for sharing the picture.

BeBe

Answer 4

If you get an epidural you don't feel ALL the contractions either. I had a vaginal delivery with epidural because the contractions were killing me. I didn't feel a thing but I carried the baby for 9 months and I went through a lot during pregnancy and delivery to have her, just like EVERY mom out there. Most women don't chose to have a C-section to "skip that past of child birth". It is often a medical reason and it is the best and safest way to get the baby out. Women go through a lot of pain with a c-section and they also carried the baby for 9 months, which is a HUGE part of having a baby!!! Maybe you shouldn't be making such ignorant statements until you actually experienced having a c-section....

Answer 5

I have had two sections and they were very different.First, the bleeding will last as long as from a vaginal birth-up to 8 weeks.Second, yes I had swelling in my feet and legs.Drink more water and it will help.Keep your feet up as much as possible.As far as the strips go-it doesn't feel better for sometime-as it is the inside that is painful-not the outside.Healing is long, but it is totally bearable.My Dr. sent me home with Percocet, which I never took as Motrin seemed to help me more.I bled alot when my second son was delivered also.I was very very sick for the first day, but felt much better after getting up and having a shower.The most difficult thing of all was the first 8 weeks at home. My son did not sleep well and I went through a horrible bout with post partum depression.After we learned that my son wanted to be on his belly to sleep-everything was better.My only suggestion to help you fell and heal better is to get all the rest you can right now and stay off your feet as much as possible.Rest is the key to recovery, without a good amount of rest, recovery will take longer.Breast feeding will help with the bleeding as well.Best of luck to you and your little one is beautiful!

Answer 6

I have had 2 c-sections. The 2nd one was planned. I didn't experience swelling on either occasions. The bleeding didn't even last 2 weeks. There wont' be a differnece once they remove the strips, hopefully you wont be as sore. Try taking nice warm showers until you are able to soak in tub.

Answer 7

First of all, ignore Jack@$$. That was rude !!

I think I bled for about a week. I didn't have staples so I can't help with that. For the swelling, you really have to try to keep moving a bit to increase your circulation. You may also get some relief from elevating your feet. Try not to stand for long periods of time or to sit with your feet down.

I had a lot of trouble getting in and out of bed for the first week or so. We put a small step stool next to the bed. It made things a lot easier.

Your little man is adorable !! Treasure each moment with him and take lots of pix or videos. Congrats !!

Answer 8

He's adorable!! The bleeding can vary, with my last one I bled period or more amounts for a week then it dwindled off to spotting for another week or so (I was breastfeeding, don't know if that makes a difference or not). Did they say to take the strips off? With all 3 of mine they said to let them come off on their own..if they were coming off they said ok to pull them but you have to be careful which way you pull. I had swelling with my 2nd one but it went away within a few days of delivery.

Answer 9

You can bleed anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. Sounds like you should go back to the Dr. for swelling. Good luck! CUTE BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Your baby is precious! Unfortunately, I dont know the answer to your question though! Sorry! You should calll your doc and ask him about it!