5 days after c-section hurts to pee

Recovering in hospital

The average stay in hospital after a caesarean is around 3 or 4 days.

You may be able to go home sooner than this if both you and your baby are well.

While in hospital:

• you'll be given painkillers to reduce any discomfort
• you'll have regular close contact with your baby and can start breastfeeding
• you'll be encouraged to get out of bed and move around as soon as possible
• you can eat and drink as soon as you feel hungry or thirsty
• a thin, flexible tube called a catheter will remain in your bladder for at least 12 hours
• your wound will be covered with a dressing for at least 24 hours

When you're well enough to go home, you'll need to arrange for someone to give you a lift as you will not be able to drive for a few weeks.

Looking after your wound

Your midwife should also advise you on how to look after your wound.

You'll usually be advised to:

• gently clean and dry the wound every day
• wear loose, comfortable clothes and cotton underwear
• take a painkiller if the wound is sore – for most women, it's better to take paracetamol or ibuprofen (but not aspirin) while you're breastfeeding
• watch out for signs of infection

Non-dissolvable stitches or staples will usually be taken out by your midwife after 5 to 7 days.

Your scar

Credit:

DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/290186/view

The wound in your tummy will eventually form a scar.

This will usually be a horizontal scar about 10 to 20cm long, just below your bikini line.

In rare cases, you may have a vertical scar just below your bellybutton.

The scar will probably be red and obvious at first, but should fade with time and will often be hidden by your pubic hair.

On darker skin, the scar tissue may fade to leave a brown or white mark.

Controlling pain and bleeding

Most women experience some discomfort for the first few days after a caesarean, and for some women the pain can last several weeks.

You should be given regular painkillers to take at home for as long as you need them, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Aspirin and the stronger painkiller codeine present in co-codamol is not usually recommended if you're breastfeeding.

Your doctor will be able to advise you on the most suitable painkiller for you to take.

You may also have some vaginal bleeding.

Use sanitary pads rather than tampons to reduce the risk of spreading infection into the vagina, and get medical advice if the bleeding is heavy.

Returning to your normal activities

Try to stay mobile and do gentle activities, such as going for a daily walk, while you're recovering to reduce the risk of blood clots. Be careful not to overexert yourself.

You should be able to hold and carry your baby once you get home.

But you may not be able to do some activities straight away, such as:

• driving
• exercising
• carrying anything heavier than your baby
• having sex

Only start to do these things again when you feel able to do so and do not find them uncomfortable. This may not be for 6 weeks or so.

Ask your midwife for advice if you're unsure when it's safe to start returning to your normal activities.

You can also ask a GP at your 6-week postnatal check.

When to get medical advice

Contact your midwife or a GP straight away if you have any of the following symptoms after a caesarean:

• severe pain
• leaking urine
• pain when peeing
• heavy vaginal bleeding
• your wound becomes more red, painful and swollen
• a discharge of pus or foul-smelling fluid from your wound
• a cough or shortness of breath
• swelling or pain in your lower leg

These symptoms may be the sign of an infection or blood clot, which should be treated as soon as possible.

It was recently announced that c-sections have doubled since 2000 because of the fear of labour pain, sexual dysfunction and the fear of incontinence related to vaginal delivery.

It is common knowledge that women who have a natural childbirth have a higher chance of developing incontinence later in life, it has therefore become very common for pregnant women who have experienced leakage before childbirth to be concerned. Chair of FIGO’s Safe Motherhood Committee, asserted: “worldwide there is an alarming increase in caesarean section rates". However, experts are becoming more adamant that women should not choose this option just to avoid incontinence.”

Did you have a C-Section delivery? Post a question on our forum and share your experience.

How Can C-Sections affect Continence?

Those who choose c-sections should remember that any kind of childbirth causes tears and strains on the body, and as researcher Goldberg explains: “things tend to equalize due to wear and tear and gravity”. As your baby grows in pregnancy, your uterus becomes heavier and your supporting structures are therefore become stretched and weakened. Hormones during pregnancy also contribute to the loosening of ligaments and muscles. A study in 2011 found that c-sections only drastically lower the risk of bladder problems if a woman delivers all of her children that way. This study found that 55% of women who had vaginal birth experienced incontinence, and 59% of women who had one vaginal birth and one caesarean had incontinence. Glazener explains, “unless women are resolved to have all their deliveries by the abdominal route, caesarean section doesn’t necessarily protect from incontinence”.

When is a C-Section Urgently Needed?

A C-Section consists of delivering the baby through a cut made in the abdomen and womb. It can be necessary for the following reasons:

• Your labour isn’t progressing as expected
• Your baby is in a bottom-down, or breech, position
• Your baby is in a sideways position or keeps changing position
• Yours or your baby’s health is at risk
• Your baby is too large for vaginal birth
• You have a serious medical condition, such as Diabetes or heart disease
• You are expecting twins

Who is More at Risk of Incontinence after a C-Section?

Women with gestational diabetes and women who smoke often are at risk of developing incontinence after a c-section. However, just like vaginal birth, it is not impossible for things to go wrong. One risk is damage to your bladder or to the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder during the incision. This often requires further incontinence surgery.

Are you currently pregnant and experiencing leaks? Read about managing incontinence during pregnancy. 

Lille SupremFit  

Ideal For: Moderate to Severe Incontinence

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