It is a fact that there will be a lot of changes in your body once you get pregnant. But, there will be more changes once you deliver your baby via cesarean section. A lot of women choose to have a normal delivery but in some cases like an emergency delivery, the mother will not have a choice. Only a small percentage of women choose to give birth via c-section, and for good reason. Despite the fact that delivering a baby via cesarean section is safer than vaginal birth, there are still many risks involved. The recovery will take longer and they need extra caution and care. It is not ideal for the mother to take care of the newborn baby by herself after she just had a c-section. However, what most women are worried about is when they get their period for the very first time after delivering their baby. If you want to find out more about it, then just keep reading.
Postpartum c-section aftercare
For women who are about to deliver their baby via c-section or if you are still considering it but want to know more, you might be curious as to how you will be able to recover smoothly.
The very first thing you need to know is that you must expect fatigue and discomfort. No matter what way you do it, delivering a new life into this world is too far from an easy task. However, if you do it via c-section, you will need to be extra careful afterward.
A woman will undergo surgery, wherein her doctors will cut through her abdomen in order to reach the uterus where her baby is. This is why it is best to take it easy during the first two to three months, most especially the first couple of weeks. It is not even ideal to lift anything that is heavier than your newborn baby. Your doctor might also give you some mild pain killers to ease the soreness of your incision.
Besides wanting to know how they could recover smoothly after a c-section delivery, a lot of women also want to find out if their period will be normal. Unlike the menstruation from the vaginal birth, having your period after a c-section can be a little complicated.
Period after c-section
There is a common misconception wherein it is believed that having a c-section delivery can delay the first period. However, experts say that it is not precisely true.
Menstruation returns after quite some time, but it will depend on the hormones as well as the overall physical and mental health condition of the mother.
All the estrogen and progesterone levels in your body will most likely be on the lower side, so the post-delivery period will depend on it. There is no way of telling when periods will come back, but if you consult a hormone specialist, he or she might be able to help you out if you are deeply concerned about it.
Does it affect breastfeeding?
What most women don’t know is that breastfeeding actually plays a massive role when it comes to getting your period back after your surgery. Those who are breastfeeding increases the prolactin in the body, this causes a delay in ovulation. This is the most common reason why breastfeeding mothers who gave birth via c-section will have to wait for at least six months for their menstruation. However, if you are getting your period irregularly, it will be difficult to determine when it is coming back.
For those women who are not breastfeeding, the prolactin level will go in the opposite direction. So when it decreases, your period will come sooner. There are cases wherein it comes in just under two months postpartum. If you do not get it in a couple of more months, it is advisable to seek your doctor’s help.
This can also affect your milk supply. Some women experience a decrease in supply, and there are even some who think that the taste of their milk changes once their period comes. Experts simply point towards the hormonal imbalance when it comes to this
What does the first period after c-section feels like?
- Some women say that it can be painful when they get it the first time. The cramps are stronger than usual. It will most likely last longer as well, and some can get it for almost two weeks.
- It will also be most likely heavy because of the incision that was done in the uterus. This will obviously not last for a very long time, but if it did, it is best to get yourself checked by your gynecologist.
- In some unusual cases, your first period might be lighter and less painful. This is also because of the progesterone levels. When it goes up, it will help balance the estrogen level.
- Blood clots are also normal since the anticoagulant that is released by the body may not be working the way it is supposed to. Menstruation after c-section may also make the blood bright red, which is normal since you had surgery.
Risks you need to watch out for
There isn’t that much to worry about after having your first period when you had a c-section. However, there are still risks that you need to watch out for. Just like when you have an extremely heavy flow. When you have to change your pad for almost every single hour the entire day, then it is best to see your gynecologist.
Some women also experience fever, severe and unbearable pain on their lower abdomen, and fatigue. These things are not common when it is happening almost every few days.
Keep in mind that your body is still recovering after your surgery, so unlikely things might happen and you need to keep an eye on everything. There might be cases wherein it seems that it is not something to worry about, but you cannot put yourself at risk. There might be some complications that you are not aware of and if it gets detected right away, it will be easier for you to recover. It is ideal to look after yourself as well, your newborn needs you to be healthy so they can have all the love and care they need.
Read also:
- Bath After C-Section and its Benefits
- Swollen Feet After C Section Remedies
- C-Section Delivery and Its Potential Risks of Internal Bleeding
