Possible causes of constipation after childbirth:
- Hormonal changes in the body provoke constipation after cesarean section;
- The occurrence of internal adhesions during caesarean section;
- Effect of anesthesia on the digestive system;
- Unbalanced diet of a young mother;
- Pressure of the uterus enlarged during pregnancy on the intestines;
- Divergence and weakening of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall;
- Inability to strain during defecation due to possible divergence of the postpartum suture;
- Unproductive intestinal motility due to low intra-abdominal pressure;
- Change in the location of the intestines during pregnancy;
- Violations of psychological characteristics of women associated with the new status.
Types of constipation
Based on the principle of occurrence, constipation is divided into two types:
Atonic
. It is characterized by a general decrease in the tone of the intestinal muscles, as a result of which its motor activity is disrupted and the normal movement of food masses in the body becomes difficult.
This type of constipation is characterized by:
- formation of a large amount of gases;
- feeling of fullness in the intestines;
- aching and pulling pain;
- decreased activity, depressed mood, apathy.
In the case of defecation (the process of excreting feces), with the atonic type of constipation, a large amount of feces is released. The first part is formed, of a dense consistency, the last part is of a liquefied form.
The process of defecation is painful, often accompanied by tearing of the mucous membranes of the rectum. There are bloody or mucous clots in the stool.
Spastic
. Often due to the psychological state of the woman. In this case, the tone of the intestinal muscles, on the contrary, is increased, and compression of the intestine leads to sluggish peristalsis.
- pain occurs mainly on the left side of the abdomen and is paroxysmal in nature;
- gas formation is increased, flatulence is present;
- nausea, lethargy;
- lack of appetite;
- irritability.
The stool is shaped like small round fecal stones. There is a desire to go to the toilet frequently, but defecation is difficult.
What to do? How to help the body?
Before starting treatment for constipation, it is extremely important to consult a gynecologist and pediatrician.
Why does my right side hurt along the ribs?
There are many reasons why pain occurs, but all of them are a reason to undergo a medical examination.
As a rule, pain in the right side is a sign of the presence of diseases of the abdominal cavity (liver, pancreas, gall bladder and bile ducts, right kidney, hepatic flexure of the colon), spine, and chest organs.
Discomfort occurs when the head of the pancreas becomes inflamed, and the pain itself spreads beyond the area of inflammation and radiates to the back.
As a rule, with this condition the patient feels general weakness and malaise, and suffers from digestive disorders.
In this case, the pain radiates to the back and shoulder blade. Patients are concerned about nausea and vomiting, digestive disorders, weakness and sweating, and belching with bitter air.
As a rule, pain radiates to the right shoulder, the patient feels heaviness in the hypochondrium on the right side, weakness, malaise, and sometimes suffers from vomiting.
A characteristic feature of this disease is the cyclical nature of pain: unpleasant sensations appear frequently and are related to meals.
The course of this disease, caused by a violation of the contractility of the organ, is also accompanied by aching or stabbing pains, which also disappear with diet and proper drug treatment.
These symptoms may be characteristic signs of cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts) and bulbitis (inflammation of the proximal duodenum).
Often, the presence of pain in the right side is a symptom of the presence of health and life-threatening (so-called surgical) diseases for which the patient needs emergency care.
In such cases, the pain is sharp, stabbing, paroxysmal, and has a
Source
Non-drug treatments for constipation
Proper and dietary nutrition for a nursing mother.
To activate intestinal function after a cesarean section, a woman must first normalize her diet, taking into account breastfeeding and the baby’s allergic reactions. You should also drink 1.5-2 liters of fluid per day to ensure normal activity of the digestive system.
- Cereals: buckwheat, rolled oats, pearl barley, black and bran types of bread;
- Vegetables: radishes, turnips, broccoli, white cabbage, Chinese cabbage, carrots;
- Fruits and berries: green apples, cherries, apricots, melon, prunes;
- Fermented milk: low-fat kefir, fermented baked milk, Varenets, cottage cheese;
- Vegetable oils;
- Drinks: compotes of dried apricots and dried apples, green and white tea.
If postoperative constipation occurs, you should limit foods such as semolina porridge, white rice, bread made from premium flour, potatoes, peas, beans, pears, strawberries, blueberries, nuts, and cheese. You will have to give up strong coffee drinks and black tea.
Phytotherapy
To get rid of constipation resulting from cesarean section and its atonic forms, herbal treatment with a decoction of herbs will help.
- To do this, combine rowan berries, fennel fruits, oregano, blackberry leaves and nettle leaves 1:1.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of the resulting mixture into a glass of boiling water.
- Leave for 1.5 hours, filter to remove the cake.
- Take 1/3 cup three times a day after meals.
For spastic constipation, boil 30 g of figs in 200 ml of water, cool and take 20 ml 3 times a day.
Gymnastics
An alternative method for relieving constipation are special exercises:
- On a flat horizontal surface, lie on your left side.
- Pull your right leg as close as possible to your chest, first bending it at the knee.
- The left leg should be straight.
- Lie in this position for 5-7 minutes.
- Repeat on the opposite side.
By systematically performing this exercise, the passage of gases is facilitated and the problem of constipation is solved.
Massage
It is done carefully; injury to the suture from a caesarean section is unacceptable.
If constipation is of the atonic type, in the morning, without getting out of bed, bend your legs slightly and use rubbing manipulations to massage the skin around the umbilical area and down to the perineum. Duration of massage is 5 minutes.
If constipation is spastic, massage is carried out with gentle movements, clockwise, stroking the entire abdomen.
Postpartum surgical suture
The intensity of pain or its sensitivity directly depends on the woman’s pain threshold and the number of sections performed during the operation.
Severe pain usually subsides by the end of the third or fourth day. But even before 7-10 days, tingling or pain will be felt in the scar.
When the pain is unbearable, a woman is given painkillers to alleviate her condition. But most often, in order not to harm the health of her baby, the mother has to endure these painful inconveniences.
The first days after surgical delivery via cesarean section are considered the most difficult and painful. And to relieve the pain, the woman is prescribed painkillers. It is not recommended to take them on your own, since a nursing mother has too high a risk of developing complications in her child.
And the doctor will select medications taking into account all the characteristics of the baby’s body and with minimal impact of the drug on his body.
Antibacterial drugs are also prescribed after caesarean section in order to prevent the development of internal inflammatory processes, as well as to relieve intense pain.
A woman should also know that after such an operation it is impossible to avoid pain, she just needs to be mentally prepared for this fact and protect herself from high physical activity these days.
Medical postoperative treatment of constipation
Among the medications that solve such a delicate problem as constipation after cesarean section, the most popular are Duphalac, Fortrans, Forlax; it is also worth purchasing glycerin suppositories, microenemas such as Microlax, plant-based supplements, lactulose syrup.
Important: frequent and long-term use of medications after cesarean section causes addiction and reduced effectiveness.
After the birth of a child, a woman’s uterus decreases in size, and the abdominal organs get used to the new condition. On average, the intestines go through a certain stage of habituation that lasts a week. Then the intestines work as usual. How you can quickly restore intestinal motility in a woman in labor, read further in the article.
Read more about the physiological causes of abdominal pain
The rehabilitation period after the birth of a child lasts a month or two months. During this time, the mother's body gradually restores its functions, returning to its usual state.
During this period, many women complain to their doctors that they have pain in their left side, right side, stomach or lower back. The nature of these pains has been studied, all of them can be relieved.
If a month after the birth of the child has not yet passed, then most likely the cause of nagging, short-term and sharp pain is contractions of the uterus.
In the process of bearing a child, this organ was subjected to enormous stress. Other organs in the abdomen have also been under severe stress and require a long recovery period.
On average, the pain produced by uterine contractions can last a month or a little more. In the third month after pregnancy, a woman should forget about all unpleasant sensations.
The physiological causes of pain after childbirth cannot be treated with medication.
They can only be softened with the help of antispasmodics, but taking them during feeding is strongly not recommended.
If you are not breastfeeding your child, then you can safely take drugs such as “No-Shpa”, “Drotaverine”, “Bral” and so on.
How to smooth out discomfort in the stomach after childbirth? If you want to alleviate the pain, lie on your back or side and pull your knees towards your chest.
If you have severe pain not only in your stomach, but also in your lower back, then wrap it in a warm shawl or put a heating pad under your side.
Women who have had a caesarean section should carefully treat the external seams on the body with brilliant green or iodine.
You can get rid of uterine pain by carefully performing a specially designed set of exercises.
Remember: intense physical activity can cause internal sutures to separate, so do therapeutic exercises smoothly and slowly.
Features of intestinal motility in a woman after childbirth
The intestines are in a compressed state in the last month of pregnancy. This significantly complicates and slows down the passage of food through the intestines and is the main cause of constipation. Before giving birth, women in labor are given enemas to completely cleanse the intestines. Therefore, in the first 2 days after childbirth, women do not have stool.
If a woman gives birth on her own, she may have a vaginal rupture or have undergone a peritomy, after which sutures will be necessary. The consequence of this phenomenon is impaired peristalsis and spastic constipation, which is accompanied by pain in the abdominal area.
Back and lower back pain
During the recovery period after childbirth, the most common complaint of new mothers is back pain. These symptoms subside on their own within a few weeks. You can relieve them with massage, applying heating pads, and taking warm short baths.
If your lower back hurts for a long time after childbirth, you should immediately consult a doctor, because this may be a sign of vertebral injury.
Pain at the seeding site occurs as soon as the anesthesia begins to wear off—usually about two to six hours, says the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. Postdular puncture associated with headache occurs a little later - 12 hours and five days after cesarean birth.
Both types of pain usually resolve within a few days; although in some cases they may persist for several weeks. For severe puncture headaches, the pain may undergo a treatment known as "blood patching", which entails the injection of the patient's own blood into the dural space, which provides almost immediate relief.
How to restore intestinal motility after childbirth?
What to do? Very often, after a natural birth, women in labor experience constipation due to fear. Until a young mother’s stitches heal, they often feel like they will come apart. If a woman’s feeling of fear does not go away, then it is necessary to do a cleansing enema.
How to restore intestinal motility through diet after childbirth?
In the first days after childbirth, a woman in labor should eat only liquid foods high in fiber.
To restore intestinal motility after childbirth, a universal list of vegetables and fruits is useful:
- pumpkin,
- zucchini,
- boiled carrots,
- beet,
- eggplant,
- broccoli.
What fruit can a mother in labor eat?
- apples,
- pears,
- plums,
- cherry,
- bananas,
- currants
- and gooseberries.
In the first days after childbirth, it is very good to eat figs, prunes, and drink 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Almost all women breastfeed and it is very important that the baby does not develop allergies to certain types of vegetables and fruits. If a woman does not feed the child, she can restore her diet in a week.
How to restore intestinal motility after cesarean section?
If childbirth occurs by cesarean section, then for the woman in labor, intestinal function is inhibited - atonic constipation. To get rid of this type of constipation, a special drug is used to stimulate bowel function.
With atonic constipation, bloating and bloating are observed if the uterus has ruptured or there has been peritonitis. Sometimes, atonic disturbances of peristalsis are caused by prolonged interruption of a woman in labor under anesthesia.
Epidural anesthesia is performed during caesarean section, as well as during natural childbirth. Anesthesia has virtually no effect on the intestines; the only thing that can happen is mild intestinal atony.
Epidural anesthesia is a painkiller, and when it affects a woman’s body, intestinal motility begins to work weakly.
Tips for home restoration of intestinal motility in women in labor
Some tips for restoring normal bowel function:
Enema or Esmarch mug, colon therapy.
Organizing a proper diet and nutrition regimen. To restore intestinal motility, eat small portions 5 times a day.
Reduce your consumption of meat, fish soups, white bread, cocoa, and semolina. Eat foods high in fiber: buckwheat porridge, honey, brown bread, cucumbers, apples. Vegetables and fruits are best eaten raw.
Plums, prunes, figs, beets, and spinach are good laxatives. Eat a few foods a day and you will forget what a bowel stop is.
The consumption of fermented milk products has a positive effect on the restoration of intestinal motility, drink fresh juices and mineral water more often.
To restore intestinal motility after childbirth, try preparing the following mixture: 1 tablespoon of sprouted wheat, 2 tablespoons of oatmeal, a spoonful of honey, a spoonful of chopped nuts, two tablespoons of water, 2 grated apples, the juice of ½ lemon. Mix and eat without restrictions.
Every woman dreams of becoming a mother, but at the same time remaining young, beautiful and sexy. Sometimes it can be difficult to regain your former slimness after a caesarean section. Extra pounds ruin everything. What to do? Why is it so difficult to remove a sagging belly after a caesarean section? But for us, beautiful and strong, nothing is impossible. We'll tell you how to get rid of belly fat and always stay in great shape.
Doctors' advice
What a woman needs to know in order to avoid possible complications and pain after a caesarean section, says my colleague, first category obstetrician-gynecologist, Araksia Khachaturyan: “Despite the fact that with the birth of a baby, the mother’s number of responsibilities and worries increases significantly, an equally important task is do not forget about your own health and well-being. The first and most important point is hygiene. The seam should be treated every day until it is completely healed. It is highly advisable to use a postpartum bandage for some time, which will support the cut muscles and significantly reduce soreness. It is also necessary to follow a diet, excluding foods that can increase the formation of gases in the intestines. In particular, these are: soybeans, legumes, sweets, baked goods, carbonated drinks. The diet must include boiled beets, baked apples, and prunes. You need to drink clean water every day - at least 1.5 liters. You also need to properly dose physical activity, but also not overdo it while lying in bed. And most importantly, you cannot ignore the sensations of pain in the lower abdomen, if any, even if not so significant, so as not to miss the danger signals that the body gives.”
How my beautiful tummy after a cesarean turned into a saggy belly
Until some time, one could only admire my figure.
Of course, not a model, but men liked her. After my first birth, I recovered quickly (I gave birth naturally). A couple of months of daily exercises, and my stomach returned to normal. In the summer I wore an open swimsuit. The girlfriends were jealous, saying: “We haven’t given birth yet, but everything hangs, and Oksanka looks like a girl.” So they jinxed it.
Everything changed after the second birth.
She couldn’t give birth herself, so she had a caesarean section. Girls, it was terrible! No, not the operation (I don’t remember it), but what happened after. I couldn't look at myself. , there are some folds on it. She freaked out and called herself a cow. Then I pulled myself together and made a decision: “What is, is, and there is no escape from it. If I start snotting and feeling sorry for myself, it will only get worse. I’ll get fat and definitely turn into a cow.”
Development of the adhesive process
Caesarean section is a surgical operation and, accordingly, involves forced damage to internal tissues and some organs. Therefore, when the healing process begins after surgery and stitching of these tissues, it is often accompanied by the formation of adhesive (scar) tissue.
The intestines are most often affected by adhesions. Adhesions form between its loops.
Pain from adhesions does not begin immediately, but only after some time, when the main part of them has already gone through all the stages of formation. And these pains can periodically bother you for the rest of your life. And if the painful syndrome from adhesions is not very strong, then they get used to it and do not pay much attention. And when its intensity increases, the doctor prescribes an additional operation aimed specifically at removing these adhesions.
How soon after the cesarean did I decide to get my stomach in order?
I didn’t immediately start trying to improve my appearance.
Those who have children will understand me. For the first months I had no time for myself. I didn’t get enough sleep, didn’t have time to do anything, ran around hospitals with my child. The desire to get my stomach in order turned into a goal after about 5 months. Maybe I was a little late. But that's how it happened. My second child recently turned three years old. My figure is in great shape. It seems to me even better than it was. But what did it cost me?! There's nothing you can do, beauty requires sacrifice. So, if you don't want to turn into an old unkempt wallet, take the liberty and start right now. And I will share with you my program for tightening the belly and losing weight.
My workout program for a tummy tuck after a caesarean section
I had two main problems.
This is a sagging belly and excess weight. I gained about 18 kg during pregnancy. Accordingly, I was faced with two tasks: losing weight and getting rid of my belly. I also needed to get rid of loose skin and generally tighten my body. I’ll say right away: I did not resort to surgical methods.
I decided to put my body in order, relaxed during pregnancy, with the help of fitness.
As for the training program, first I consulted with a doctor, then I looked on the Internet. It was possible to start physical exercise no earlier than two months after the operation. But since this period has long passed, I immediately started.
I started with light exercises.
- Pulling the knees in a lying position.
- Breaststroke swimming while lying on your back with your knees bent.
- Alternate manipulations with the abdomen (tighten, then relax) up to 50 times.
- Raising the head and holding it suspended from a supine position.
After two weeks, I began to make the training more difficult. I started pumping up my abs. This is the surest way to get rid of belly fat. The following exercises:
- scissors;
- bending forward;
- squats;
- exercises with dumbbells, etc.
The first result was already in the second month. The skin noticeably tightened, smoothed out, and lost about 4 kg.
I still do fitness. What do you think? A woman needs to constantly monitor her appearance. This has become a habit for me. Three times a week, and I'm always in shape.
Here's another simple way to remove belly fat after cesarean section on video
What else helped me tighten my belly after a caesarean section?
In the fight against the hated belly and excess weight, all means are good. Therefore, in addition to training, proper nutrition, constant physical activity, cosmetology products, massage, etc. are necessary.
In order for the skin to become young and healthy again, it was necessary to switch to proper nutrition.
By that time I was no longer breastfeeding. Surely, it’s no secret that when switching to proper nutrition, you need to completely give up fatty, fried and smoked foods. Your diet should include fruits and vegetables, meat, fish and dairy products every day.
I didn’t go on a special diet.
- I just tried to limit the consumption of unwanted foods as much as possible.
- In addition (I think this is the most important thing), I made it a rule to eat little but often, be sure to have breakfast, not eat late, and drink at least 3 liters of water during the day (you can have green tea).
You know, I won’t lie and say that it’s simple. No, it's not easy at all.
It is very difficult to give up sweets and starchy foods. Especially if you are used to consuming it in huge quantities. It’s especially hard in the evening. I'm really hungry. Sometimes she would break down. Then she pulled herself together and started again. But I won. I look in the mirror and admire. Girls, it's worth it, believe me. Moreover, after some time (about 2 months) my body got used to eating this way.
I think it wouldn’t hurt to take a course of vitamins. Immediately after giving birth, I took vitamins for mothers. Indeed, there was an effect. My hair stopped falling out and my nails became stronger. It was as if I even had strength and vigor. I still try to take vitamins at least once every year and a half.
Cosmetical tools
Today there are many cosmetic products on sale to combat extra pounds, loose or sagging skin on the abdomen, chest, and legs. These are all kinds of gels and ointments, used both on their own and for wraps. These are masks and scrubs for cleansing.
However, you should not place special emphasis on them. Firstly, they cost a lot of money, and secondly, they do not give the effect we expect.
Physical activity
I want to say a few words about physical activity. Even if for some reason you cannot exercise, try to move more.
Elementary, take your child for daily walks yourself, and let your husband (or grandmother) prepare lunch at this time. Buy a fitness ball and exercise on it at home while your baby is sleeping. Your gait and posture are also important. To strengthen your abdominal muscles and reduce strain, walk straight with your stomach pulled in.
Massage and other treatments
To remove folds on the abdomen after a caesarean section, a special massage, Charcot shower, as well as contrast douches will help.
There are also more radical measures. The so-called plastic. Approximately 6 months after a caesarean section, this operation is performed, and as a result, some of the fat from the abdomen is removed, and the abdomen takes on a beautiful shape. But this is only for those who are unable to help themselves, as well as for those who have the finances to do so.
Folk remedies
For wraps, instead of gels and expensive creams, ointments made according to folk recipes are quite realistically used.
For example, this ointment gives a good effect: several Mumiyo tablets need to be crushed and mixed with any baby cream. Do night wraps at least 3 times a week.
Salt has a rejuvenating effect.
Therefore, I offer this recipe: mix 100 grams of sea salt with olive oil (100g), rub the problem areas until they turn red, then wash off.
How to lose weight and get your stomach in order after a caesarean section on video
If it hurts for a long time: from 2 months
All the factors that I listed in the previous section can affect the condition of a woman in labor not only immediately after the operation. Both malfunctions in the intestines and inflammatory processes can make themselves felt even after six months.
Sometimes in my practice there are situations when women come to see me and, 2 months after a cesarean section, their stomach hurts in the area of the suture. As it most often turns out after a thorough examination, such problems are caused by the negligence of the patients themselves, who, after being discharged from the hospital, simply forget to care for the scar. While the woman is in the hospital, the wound is treated by a nurse, but this lasts literally a week, maximum two. Next, each young mother must take care of this on her own - make dressings every day using antiseptics and wound-healing ointments, maintain hygiene, and make sure that no water gets on the seam. But some women ignore these recommendations, as a result of which the stitch begins to fester, causing fever and other serious symptoms.
In addition, 5 months after cesarean and even later, the pain that appears can be caused by the formation of:
- Fistulas . Their appearance is explained by the fact that the threads used to tighten the edges of the wound eventually become overgrown with a so-called granuloma, that is, a compaction formed from tissue. Fibroblasts, suture material, collagen fibers and other microbes can become trapped in this seal. As a result, the seam begins to rot. In places where foci of suppuration open, through holes appear - fistulas.
- Hernia. Bulges that appear around the surgical incision are hernias. They can be of any size and do not differ in color from the skin. They can develop at any time and not bother the woman until infringement occurs. When hernias are strangulated, very severe pain in the abdomen begins, the woman may feel weakness, nausea, and dizziness. As a rule, in such situations, the only option is repeat surgery.
- Keloid scars. The phenomenon is not dangerous to the life and health of the young mother, but can cause discomfort and even pain. As a rule, they resort to scar excision if there are no contraindications to surgery. Otherwise, therapy is prescribed to stop the formation of scar tissue.
In any of the above cases, self-medication is inappropriate. Only a specialist should determine the cause of abdominal pain and prescribe treatment.
These remedies have proven useless in tummy tuck after caesarean section
Recently, the use of aromatic oils has become fashionable.
For example, I tried rubbing almond and rosemary oils in equal proportions into the skin of my stomach and legs for a month. I don’t argue, the procedure is very pleasant. The skin seems smooth at first. But the folds were still there, and the cellulite did not go away either. So I can say that these remedies were useless for me.
Today, childbirth by cesarean section is far from uncommon, and the operation is often performed not according to indications, but at the request of the expectant mother. I personally know women who are confident that they will only give birth under anesthesia, because they are afraid of labor pains. But expectant mothers do not think that they cannot avoid pain in the postpartum period, since a caesarean section is a surgical intervention, as a result of which the abdominal cavity is cut, the baby is taken out, and then what is cut is sewn together. Almost every woman after a cesarean section experiences much more discomfort and more severe pain than a woman in labor during a natural birth.
Today, childbirth by birth is far from uncommon, and the operation is often performed not according to indications, but at the request of the expectant mother. I personally know women who are confident that they will only give birth under anesthesia, because they are afraid of labor pains. But expectant mothers do not think that they cannot avoid pain in the postpartum period, since a caesarean section is a surgical intervention, as a result of which the abdominal cavity is cut, the baby is taken out, and then what is cut is sewn together. Almost every woman after a cesarean section experiences much more discomfort and more severe pain than a woman in labor during a natural birth. The postpartum period is much more difficult for those who gave birth “under anesthesia.”
However, there are a number of reasons when a woman, no matter how much she wants, cannot give birth on her own, and she has to go “under the knife.” Therefore, we will not scare either one or the other with postpartum pain, but will try to figure out what exactly hurts after a caesarean section, why, and how to cope with this pain.
Sudden and frequent headaches
Some women complain of frequent headaches after childbirth. Their nature may be different. Most often, the head may hurt after childbirth due to severe overexertion of the woman in labor during contractions and pushing, or from constant holding of breath during pain during contractions.
These pains can subsequently be prevented if you constantly practice proper breathing throughout pregnancy. Then the process of childbirth can be made a little easier.
Sudden and frequent headaches that occur after childbirth may also be due to the use of medications: epidural anesthesia or general anesthesia. They are prescribed for medical reasons during the birth of a child.
Complaints that a headache after childbirth, as a rule, should go away within a month, otherwise you should consult a doctor for a more detailed study of the causes of its occurrence.
Why does pain occur after a caesarean section?
It is clear that pain after a cesarean section will accompany the woman in labor during the first days, or even much longer, because she underwent surgery, and the postoperative period is never painless. What could be the causes of “post-cesarean” pain?
Reason one: postpartum suture.
After the operation, you will not feel your stomach for some time, as the anesthesia continues to act, but soon the anesthesia will wear off, and the sutured wound will begin to hurt constantly. The intensity of these painful sensations largely depends on your pain threshold and the number of sections performed. If you have been cauterized for the first time, the wounds will hurt more severely and for a longer time. Pain in the stitches usually disappears 3-4 days after surgery, but for another 1-2 weeks you will occasionally feel a tingling sensation in the scar area.
Reason two: intestines.
The most unpleasant problem after a cesarean section is pain in the intestines from accumulated gases. As a result of the operation, intestinal motility is disrupted, that is, food moves more slowly, and this creates some discomfort in the abdominal area. The pain from the accumulation of gases can be very acute and only goes away after you release the gases. Another cause of pain is postoperative pain, which occurs after surgery (adhesions form between the intestinal loops and other internal organs, which provoke pain).
Reason three: the uterus.
After a natural birth, a woman experiences pain for some time due to uterine contractions. The pain is nagging, concentrated in the lower abdomen and resembles pain during menstruation. A caesarean section is also a birth after which the uterus should contract, that is, pain in the lower abdomen indicates that everything in the body is proceeding as nature intended. The pain from uterine contractions increases during breastfeeding, since during breastfeeding the body actively begins to produce a natural hormone that provokes uterine contractions. If the pain in the uterus is too severe and continuous, you should consult a doctor, because one of the most serious complications of a cesarean section is inflammation of the uterine cavity, and one of its symptoms is acute, constant pain.
Reason four: movement.
Any movement, cough, even deep inhalation and exhalation, and even more so walking in the first days after surgery will cause you severe pain in the suture area. However, this pain must be endured, because lying in bed for a long time will only delay the process of complete postpartum recovery.
Reason five: complications.
We have already mentioned one complication after a cesarean section, which is accompanied by severe pain. This is endometritis - inflammation of the uterine cavity. The postpartum suture may also become inflamed or split, which will also be accompanied by pain. Listen carefully to the nature of the pain and if you cannot bear it, call a doctor.
Pain in the right side after cesarean
dara, writes December 16, 2012, 04:55
Interesting: How to calculate dangerous days for conception
Gender: Male Required: gynecologist
Immediately after the cesarean, when I started walking (the second cesarean, the first was 5 years ago), I felt it. that the right side hurts, sometimes it radiates pain, as if it were in the kidney, I told the doctors, they said that it would go away, but it hurts because it was the 2nd caesarean section, they took blood and urine samples, then they said that the tests were normal. 9 days have already passed since the operation, and the pain remains, maybe not as strong as before, but it is there, especially in the late afternoon and if you haven’t rested much during the day or with sudden movements. What could this be and will it go away on its own?
Gender: Male Required: gynecologist
How to relieve pain after a caesarean section?
The only way to cope with post-operative pain is to take painkillers. Almost every woman in labor after a cesarean section is given non-narcotic analgesics for the first 2-3 days, which are not absorbed into the blood and do not pass into breast milk. If the pain does not stop, then painkillers are continued to be prescribed, but at the same time the woman in labor is examined, excluding serious postoperative complications.
Also, immediately after surgery, the woman is prescribed an antibiotic for 3 days to prevent inflammation. Sometimes the hormone oxytocin is prescribed, which promotes contraction of the uterus, and medications that restore the functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Taking such medications will help you recover faster, and therefore get rid of annoying postpartum pain.
Oddly enough, but the woman herself, on the second day after a caesarean section, must cause herself pain, forcing herself to move. Turn over, sit down, and then get up and move. All this is necessary for a speedy recovery, but do not overdo it. Don't be shy to ask for help. Within a few hours after the operation, try to change your position (turn over on your side, sit down or stand up). You will definitely experience sharp pain, and possibly even dizziness and mild nausea. But don’t stop and each time increase the number of movements and duration of walks around the ward.
Don't panic prematurely if the pain seems unbearable. Try to switch to more pleasant chores - pay attention to your just born baby. Believe me, it will help you recover and make you forget about any pain, because it is much more pleasant to communicate with your wonderful baby than to feel sorry for yourself, lying passively in bed and complaining of pain in the area of the wound from which your treasure emerged.
I wish you health and a quick painless recovery!
Especially for
Tanya Kivezhdiy
After a caesarean section, a woman often has more problems than those who gave birth on their own. One of them concerns the functions of the digestive organs. They do not work as actively as they should, causing many unpleasant moments. The consequence of this is constipation after a cesarean section; what to do in this situation will be told by the experience of mothers who have already gotten rid of it. After all, tolerating the problem is very harmful for the baby, who will receive breast milk with toxins that have entered the mother’s body.
Read in this article
Pain and its causes in alphabetical order:
pain after cesarean
A caesarean section is a surgical operation in which the fetus and placenta are removed through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus. In various maternity hospitals, the frequency of cesarean sections ranges from 12 to 27% of all births.
There are quite a few indications for caesarean section. They may be associated with the initial health of the mother, problems during pregnancy and childbirth, and the condition of the fetus.
What diseases cause pain after cesarean section:
Causes of pain after cesarean section:
- Pain at the suture site. As soon as the anesthesia wears off, your stitch will begin to hurt, although the intensity of the pain will depend on many factors, including your pain threshold, whether you had a previous cesarean section (subsequent recovery periods may be less severe than the first). You will likely be given pain medication as needed, which will leave you feeling a bit like being slightly drunk. It will also help you fall asleep. If you're breastfeeding, don't worry: you won't get any significant amounts of your medication into your colostrum, and by the time your milk comes in, you probably won't need painkillers.
- Referred pain. Irritation of the diaphragm by the accumulation of air in the abdominal cavity after surgery can cause severe pain that lasts for several hours and radiates to the shoulder. Painkillers may help (they won't get into your colostrum).
- Pain from gas. When your intestines (temporarily out of order due to surgery) start working again, the trapped gases can cause quite a lot of pain, especially if they press on the stitch. Discomfort may increase when laughing, coughing or sneezing. Tell your doctor or nurse about this. You may be advised to walk around the corridor, try lying on your left side or on your back with your knees bent and breathe deeply while pressing a pillow to the seam. If these methods don't help, you may be given a suppository or an enema to help relieve gas. For pain due to gas, narcotics are not recommended: they can prolong the condition, which usually goes away in a day or two. However, if the pain remains severe, you may have a tube inserted into your anus to release gases, which will give you relief.
Causes of pain after cesarean section due to complications:
— During the operation, the integrity of the peritoneum is disrupted - the covering that allows the intestines to peristalt freely, i.e. promote food. After surgery, as a rule, adhesions occur - adhesions between intestinal loops and other internal organs. If the adhesive process is slightly expressed, the patient will not feel it at all; if an extensive adhesive process develops, problems with stool may arise and abdominal pain may appear, especially in the lower sections. Treatment in this case depends on the severity of the adhesive process. In mild cases, physiotherapy is sufficient, but in severe cases, the question of surgical treatment may be raised.
— Among the complications of cesarean section, endomyometritis can be noted - inflammation of the uterus. Naturally, in this case it occurs more often than after spontaneous birth, since during the operation there is direct contact of the uterine cavity with air, which cannot be completely sterile. To prevent endomyometritis after surgery, antibiotics are prescribed. Whether the course will be short or long depends on the woman’s concomitant diseases and the traumatic nature of the operation.
Interesting: Is it possible to drink Valerian in tablets during pregnancy?
— After a caesarean section, the uterus contracts worse than after a natural birth, since the uterine muscle is cut during the operation. In this regard, it is often necessary to prescribe additional therapy aimed at improving uterine contractility. This therapy is carried out in the maternity hospital for 2-5 days.
Which doctors should you contact if you experience pain after a cesarean section:
Are you experiencing pain after a caesarean section? Do you want to know more detailed information or do you need an inspection? You can make an appointment with the doctor Euro lab is always at your service! The best doctors will examine you, study external signs and help you identify the disease by symptoms, advise you and provide the necessary assistance. You can also call a doctor at home . The Euro lab clinic is open for you around the clock.
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If you have previously performed any tests, be sure to take their results to a consultation with your doctor. If the studies have not been performed, we will do everything necessary in our clinic or with our colleagues in other clinics.
Does your body hurt after a caesarean section? It is necessary to take a very careful approach to your overall health. People do not pay enough attention to the symptoms of diseases and do not realize that these diseases can be life-threatening. There are many diseases that at first do not manifest themselves in our body, but in the end it turns out that, unfortunately, it is too late to treat them. Each disease has its own specific signs, characteristic external manifestations - the so-called symptoms of the disease . Identifying symptoms is the first step in diagnosing diseases in general. be examined by a doctor several times a year in order not only to prevent a terrible disease, but also to maintain a healthy spirit in the body and the organism as a whole.
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A caesarean section is a surgical operation in which the fetus and placenta are removed through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus. In various maternity hospitals, the frequency of cesarean sections ranges from 12 to 27% of all births.
Symptoms and signs of constipation after cesarean section
A woman with a newborn has a lot to worry about. So her meals may not be regular. Problems with bowel movements are often caused by this. But if there are certain signs, the problem cannot be attributed to irregular nutrition.
Constipation manifests itself:
- absence of bowel movements for more than 2 days;
- soreness or other signs of difficulty in the process (small portions or, on the contrary, large);
- severe discomfort in the left abdomen or abdominal cavity as a whole;
- loss of appetite, nausea, belching;
- flatulence, a feeling of fullness in the intestines even after bowel movements;
- irritability, fatigue, apathy;
- pain in the anus, cracks and bleeding after defecation.
Even some of these signs may indicate a problem. The set of symptoms also depends on whether the constipation is spastic or atonic. The latter form is observed more often after cesarean section. There are differences between them:
- Spastic constipation is provoked by fear of the process of bowel movement. The woman feels that tension can hurt her. Therefore, when she feels the urge to defecate, her sphincter involuntarily contracts.
- With atonic constipation, the desire to go to the toilet rarely comes. Due to being in the intestines for a long time, feces harden and then come out with pain.
Reasons for appearance
In order to find out the provoking factors, it is necessary to accurately determine the localization of unpleasant sensations. It could be:
- lower back and sacrum;
- area of the middle of the back or slightly below;
- shoulders and thoracic spine.
Most often, women note that the lower back hurts after a cesarean section, as well as the sacrum area. Moreover, even before pregnancy and during gestation, discomfort may periodically occur in these places. As a result, a woman often wears a bandage to alleviate her condition.
If there were manifestations of osteochondrosis even before conception, then during pregnancy and after childbirth they will only intensify. The most dangerous complication of this disease is intervertebral hernia with strangulation.
Pain in the lower back and sacrum can be caused by an inflammatory process in the pelvic organs. After a cesarean section, it may be endometritis, the treatment of which should be timely and only in a hospital.
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Women often believe that having an epidural anesthesia during a caesarean section can cause back pain. But correctly performed anesthesia and the absence of complications in the first 3 to 5 days guarantee that epidural anesthesia should go almost unnoticed for a woman.
If the pain is in the middle of the back or just below, the cause may be inflammation in the urinary system, most often pyelonephritis. Such complications often occur in the postpartum period, especially in women with chronic kidney disease.
Pyelonephritis as a cause of back pain after cesarean section
Sometimes, in the case of endotracheal (general) anesthesia during a cesarean section, women note that for some time they are still bothered by pain in the shoulders and upper back. This may be due to an uncomfortable position during surgery or muscle spasm. As a rule, on the second or third day the discomfort goes away and the condition does not require special treatment or observation.
Each disease will be characterized by certain manifestations of unpleasant sensations.
Osteochondrosis
It is characterized by nagging pain that intensifies in the evening. An acute attack can manifest itself due to a sharp paroxysmal “lumbago” in the back, more often when rising from a horizontal position. In the presence of a herniated disc, irradiation into the right or left thigh is typical. The pain is shooting in nature. Discomfort in the back appears when lifting heavy objects (even a baby), or when bending the body forward.
Inflammatory process in the pelvis
Characterized by constant nagging pain in the lower back and sacrum, similar to unpleasant sensations during menstruation. In addition, the body temperature may rise, and vaginal discharge may acquire an unpleasant odor.
Exacerbation of chronic diseases of the urinary system
In most cases this is pyelonephritis. In this case, back pain is localized above the lower back and is of a pulling nature. Symptoms of general intoxication appear: weakness, sweating, increased body temperature. If kidney stones are present, attacks of acute unbearable pain may occur.
We recommend reading the article about leg swelling after cesarean section. From it you will learn about the causes of edema, drugs to eliminate it, and the effectiveness of folk methods for edema after childbirth.
Causes of the problem
Constipation after cesarean section is provoked by many forced circumstances:
- weakness of the abdominal muscles due to stretching and injury;
- changes in the location of the intestines;
- decreased organ motility;
- passive behavior of a young mother;
- improper and insufficient nutrition;
- damage to some parts of the intestine (fissures);
- a small amount of fluid consumed by a woman;
- fear of defecation caused by the presence of sutures on the uterus and abdominal wall.
Many of the reasons for disruption of the digestive system are caused by hormonal changes.
Caesarean section: getting back to normal
After cesarean section - consequences, breastfeeding and restoration of shape
Recovery after childbirth is not an easy process, even for women who have given birth vaginally. What can we say about a caesarean section, when all the postpartum problems are accompanied by postoperative ones! We will talk about what a young mother can do to recover faster after this surgery.
Possible consequences of the operation
A caesarean section is an operation that delivers a fetus by removing it through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus. The postpartum uterus returns to its original state within 6-8 weeks. Traumatization of the uterus during surgery, swelling, the presence of hemorrhages in the suture area, a large amount of suture material slow down the involution of the uterus and predispose to the occurrence of postoperative purulent-septic complications in the pelvic area involving the uterus and appendages. These complications after cesarean section occur 8-10 times more often than after vaginal birth. Complications such as endometritis (inflammation of the inner layer of the uterus), adnexitis (inflammation of the appendages), parametritis (inflammation of the periuterine tissue) further affect the reproductive function of the woman, because can lead to menstrual irregularities, pelvic pain syndrome, miscarriage, and infertility.
The initial health status of the woman, the choice of a rational method and technique for performing the operation, the quality of the suture material and antibacterial therapy, as well as the rational management of the postoperative period, prevention and treatment of complications associated with surgical delivery, determine the favorable results of the operation.
A transverse incision in the lower segment of the uterus is made parallel to the circular muscle fibers, in the place where the
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How to help your intestines work properly
If such a phenomenon as constipation occurs after a cesarean section, it is necessary to figure out what to do for the mother herself. If you cannot help yourself, then you need to visit a doctor. After all, when stool stagnates in the intestines, which release toxins, the whole body suffers.
Lactation may stop completely due to constant discomfort, abdominal pain, and insufficient nutrition. And the symptom develops, becoming more complex.
There are several ways to overcome bowel problems after a cesarean section.
Medicines to relieve the condition
When choosing a remedy for constipation, you need to take into account that not all of them are allowed for breastfeeding women. Therefore, it is always better to consult a doctor first.
There are several known remedies that are safe in this regard, but give quick results:
- "Dufalak", ("Portalak", "Normaze"). This is a syrup containing lactulose. The component has the ability to stimulate the activity of the intestinal walls, remove toxins formed as a result of constipation, and soften hardened feces. "Duphalac" is indicated for 1 - 3 packets per day.
- "Fortrans" ("Forlax"). It is a granular mixture, the main component of which is macrogol 4000. The substance helps to increase the volume and liquefy the intestinal contents, due to which it is squeezed out. “Fortrans” is taken one packet per day, diluted in 1 liter of water.
If the newborn is artificial, the mother can take the following medications:
- "Regulax"
- "Bisacodyl"
- "Gutalax"
- "Doctor Theiss."
It is important not to exceed the indicated dose of medications and not to use them too often. Otherwise, you will have to solve a problem such as diarrhea after a caesarean section. It is possible that the intestines will get used to the stimulants and then refuse to work on their own.
Regardless of whether a woman is breastfeeding her baby or not, rectal suppositories are allowed to be used:
- Ferrolax, Calciolax. Suppositories increase the volume of carbon dioxide in the intestines, resulting in the elimination of spastic constipation. The walls of the organ increase motor activity, and the contents are excreted.
- "Glycelax" ("Glycerin"). Glycerin suppositories after cesarean section are the best option. They simultaneously stimulate intestinal peristalsis and dilute stool. Emptying after using them is easy and painless.
- Candles with sea buckthorn oil. They contain natural ingredients, which allows them to be used during lactation. Suppositories are especially useful for hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
The prescribed drug is administered through the anus once a day in the morning after breakfast. Overdose may cause diarrhea. And loose stools after a cesarean section are no less undesirable.
Traditional medicine against constipation in young mothers
There are also folk remedies to relieve constipation. They will help relax the intestines without affecting lactation and the quality of breast milk:
- Fig-based decoction.
The berries are crushed, measure out 2 tbsp. l. and add 200 ml of water or milk. Prepare the drug for 20 minutes. If you take it 1 tbsp. 4 - 5 times a day, the intestines will function clearly. - An infusion of a mixture of herbs.
You need to take equal parts of valerian root, anise fruit, nettle leaves, mint, strawberries and chamomile flowers. 1 tbsp. l. the assortment is placed together with 200 ml of boiling water in a thermos and kept for 2 hours. Drink the entire volume in two doses. This composition is indicated for spastic constipation. - A decoction of fennel fruits, anise, caraway seeds.
Take the same amount of them, measure out 1 tbsp. l. for 200 ml of boiling water. The product is prepared in a thermos for 2 hours. The entire volume is consumed per day in three doses.
Pain when tense abdominal muscles
The painful syndrome after surgical delivery can intensify with a sharp tension in the smooth muscles of the abdomen. For example, during coughing, sneezing, laughing or sudden movements. Of course, there is no particular risk in this, although the pain with abdominal tension can be quite severe. But you should still take care and try to avoid such loads in order to avoid divergence of the seam and the healed wound.
With moderate loads and careful treatment of your stomach, postoperative pain will lose its intensity every day.
How to prevent bowel problems after cesarean section
It’s worth thinking about how to improve your stool after a caesarean section from the first day in the maternity ward. They help with enemas and medications. But then the woman herself must take care of timely bowel movements.
Several aspects are important for this:
What is needed | Recommendations |
Nutrition | You should eat meals hourly and use the right foods. These are boiled vegetables, fruits, bran bread, fermented milk drinks. |
Liquid | You should definitely drink a lot of water to start your day. In the morning, you can add lemon juice to a glass of liquid. And the total daily volume should be at least 2 liters. |
Movement | You need to get up the very next day after a cesarean section. In the future, no matter how much you want peace, you need to walk and do what you can. |
Exercise for the intestines | There is an exercise that helps strengthen his motor skills. You need to lie on your right side, pulling your left knee towards your stomach. The right lower limb should be extended. If you take this position 3 to 5 times a day, the pressure on the large intestine will increase, which stimulates its activity. |
Complications after surgery
Discomfort in the abdomen can occur due to disorders that have arisen inside the uterus or in nearby organs.
Postoperative complications are divided into two types: damage to internal organs due to postoperative sutures and individual intolerance to anesthesia.
Violations due to seams are manifested by external signs:
- The scar feels hard to the touch;
- There is swelling in the incision area;
- The abdomen becomes enlarged and bloated.
With the body's natural reaction, the hard scar and swelling will disappear after 1 year. A small fold of skin may appear above the seam; this is normal in the absence of unpleasant sensations.
Redness of the suture area is a sign of scarring of immature connective tissue, suppuration, inflammation or fistula. A good doctor will provide qualified assistance.
Keloid scars appear as a result of infection in the wound, hormonal imbalances, or decreased immunity. A keloid scar differs from a normal scar in its pain and internal itching sensation. At the site of fusion of immature connective tissue, pulsation is observed, the skin stretches and numbness of the skin is felt.
A woman needs to understand that the appearance of keloid scars and growing connective tissue subsequently have an unaesthetic appearance. Medicine has learned to cope with the situation. The patient is prescribed electrophoresis and offered pressure bandages. A drastic solution is possible - surgical removal.
It is possible that an infection may get into the seam if there is no antiseptic treatment. Infection manifests itself:
- Body temperature rises.
- Swelling appears in the area of the incision, and the seam turns red.
- Purulent fluid leaks out.
An infection in the suture interferes with the regeneration process, which leads to skin separation after removal of the threads. The woman herself often achieves the same result when she lifts weights or strains her stomach.
The occurrence of fistulas is associated with infection or an allergic reaction to the materials of the suture threads. Manifested by external signs:
- A lump appears under the skin, causing pain when touched.
- Redness around the incision.
- Purulent fluid leaks through the suture.
It is necessary to seek medical help; prolongation leads to tissue inflammation, the formation of a purulent area and an abscess.
It is possible that adhesions may occur after surgery in the lower abdominal cavity. This occurs due to non-resorption of blood or exudate. Being on the outside of the internal organs, the fluid becomes thick and is replaced by fibrous connective tissue. The walls of the organs fuse together, forming adhesions.
At first, the connection is elastic and soft and can be broken, but gradually calcium penetrates into the fibrous tissue and it hardens. Then nerve endings and blood vessels appear in it. If the connection causes damage, pain, fever, weakness and constipation appear.
A complication after a cesarean section is considered to be endometritis. This is an inflammatory process in the uterus caused by pathogens.
When is the best time to go to the doctor?
Women are often embarrassed by intestinal problems and try to solve them themselves when professional help is needed. If a measured and faithful lifestyle and suppositories do not save you from suffering with stool, it’s time to go to the doctor. Moreover, one cannot tolerate:
- intractable abdominal pain, no matter what its nature;
- defecation less than 4 times a week;
- bleeding from the anus.
Constipation may be a sign of intestinal obstruction, tumor, or adhesions.
Another problem for which it becomes necessary to consult a specialist is diarrhea after cesarean section. More often it occurs from an excess of roughage in the diet, when the new mother is too actively trying to escape constipation. But we cannot exclude an infection, to which the body, weakened by pregnancy, anesthesia and surgery, is easily susceptible.
Difficulties with bowel movements should not poison the first, most significant days of motherhood. If you deal with a problem before it occurs and at an early stage, it will go away. But many mothers don’t have time for themselves. And this is bad, since constipation can become a habitual condition for years.
Problems with the gastrointestinal tract and pain in the lower abdomen
A common type of pain after childbirth is abdominal pain. This is explained by a sharp change in nutrition, especially after a caesarean section. The stomach may hurt after childbirth due to the accumulation of gases. Many women may complain that their left side hurts after childbirth. During the first few days after delivery, such pain is associated with the fact that the abdominal organs return to their usual location. During growth, the size of the uterus compressed and displaced the stomach and intestines. After the expulsion of the fetus, the space previously occupied by the uterus is sharply reduced.
Some of these effects may manifest as pain in the mother's legs, which can occur for a variety of reasons. These clots most often form in the legs. Symptoms may include the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or entire leg, depending on the location of the clot.
This condition, known as pulmonary embolism, can cause a critical and possibly life-threatening blockage of blood flow through the lungs. For example, squatting, kneeling, squatting, or keeping your knees on your chest for long periods of time can lead to leg pain. Another possibility is fluid accumulation in your legs due to intravenous fluids given before and during your C-site. This may make your legs feel heavy and uncomfortable, but usually goes away within a few days.
Problems with constipation may accompany stomach pain. They occur both in women who have undergone surgery and in those who have given birth naturally. Stool retention should not exceed 2-3 days. Otherwise, the body needs to be helped with medications, an enema, or increased consumption of plant foods.
In the first few days after childbirth, pain occurs when urinating. This is due to the heavy work of the muscles during childbirth. The tissues of the urinary canal are stretched, tissue swelling occurs, which puts pressure on the urethra. Therefore, even though it is painful for a woman to pee after childbirth, it is necessary to empty the bladder as quickly as possible. If she is unable to do this on her own, her urine is removed using a catheter.
Women undergoing a C-section are positioned on a work table, but the lower body is often tilted to relieve pressure on the blood vessels that supply the placenta to ensure adequate oxygen delivery to the fetus. Prolonged positioning for the C-section sometimes compresses the nerves, which can lead to leg pain, numbness, or tingling after the procedure. This type of nerve damage is rare and usually resolves within a few days to a few weeks.
S. allows mothers to remain awake and alert during the procedure. Rarely, temporary nerve irritation or injury may occur with this type of anesthesia, which may cause leg pain after a C-section. In most cases, the pain goes away within a few days. Compartment syndrome is another rare complication that can occur after C-site surgery. In this condition, swelling in the leg after the procedure reduces blood supply to the muscles. This leads to pain, weakness and ultimately numbness.