Had to have an EMCS :-( few questions

[sproutly2003]

After a long induction I had to have a section. I now weigh more than I did when I was pregnant purely due to the excess fluid. My feet, legs and around my tummy is full of it. To the point where they feel ready to burst. How can I drain this off?? I'm wearing compression stockings as told by midwife to but I'm sure they aren't making a difference.
Also, I still have rather a numb left butt cheek. My baby is feeding ALOT so I'm sat a fair bit,
And due to the section, am only walking about for limited periods, is the numbness normal? I'm terrified I will end up with a pressure sore, I am very heavy. 2 midwife a looked at it and said the skin looks nice and pink and that I shouldn't worry but I can't help it.

 

[sheldonsmommy]

I was so puffy after my first section, I had pre-eclampsia and ended up with an emcs. Mine went away after a few days. To help it go away you should be limiting salt, as excess sodium holds extra water in your cells. Walk as much as you comfortably can to increase your circulation and help your blood get filtered faster. Lastly, drink plenty of water, which seems counter-intuitive, but it will help your body flush out the excess.

How long have you had the numbness? They likely tilted your body to the left on the operating table to keep pressure off your main artery while you were on your back, maybe that put pressure on one of your nerves? If it persists, tell your doctor about it. I have numbness in my stomach still (my ds1 will be 3 tomorrow) but I'm sure it's from the incision itself. But I wouldn't be worried about a pressure sore unless you are immobile for hours and hours on end. While you're feeding lo, try to shift your weight by putting your feet up or even leaning to one side with pillows or something. To check your skin at home, press on the area that you think is getting the most pressure with one finger, if it blanches (turns white where you pressed) then goes back to pink, you're good

Oh, and congratulations

 

[sproutly2003]

Thank you. They did tilt
Me now You mention it. I will get DH to have a press of the numb area, and see about the colour Coming back. I mentioned it to 2 midwives in hospital And they didn't seem concerned, possibly a trapped nerve? I will mention it to my community midwife tomorrow Also.

 

[Melly Belly]

I second the leg elevation! I gained over 50lbs during my pregnancy, and i was heavy before that, and then gained fluid/swelling after my c-section..my legs were so swollen and sore....short gentle walks definitely helped, and drinking nothing but water helped also (they gave me a 28oz handle cup at the hospital...i STILL use it for water )...i dont want to tell you that you couldnt develop a pressure sore, but the risk factors for that are usually more like laying on one bony prominence constantly, having thinner skin (like in older people), constant moisture in contact with the skin (incontinence, sweat, fecal matter, etc)..if you are moving around even a little bit (which SUCKS for the first few days...i camped out on my couch!) i would think you would be in good shape as far as pressure sores go...

 

[amyleigh89]

After my section my body was so swollen I could have swarm my neck/chest/shoulders were swallowing my head. In the following 2 weeks I must have sweat buckets! I'm sure that's how my body got rid of all the excess. Try to drink lots and cut out as much salt as you can, that should help. Hope you feel better soon xx

 

[Mrs HM]

Yes, the swelling is totally normal after a cs. It took a month or so for mine to go completely. I just kept hydrated and a lot of it was lost through sweating too.

I'm not sure about the numbness, sorry.

Congrats on your LO's arrival though and you will feel like yourself again soon.

 

[cooch]

Sproutly I ended up emergency section too. Although my induction went to full 10 dilation. Both my thighs on the outside are completely numb. Community mw says very normal. My aunt also told me she had an operation last yr, not a section but she was given epidural. She ended up with similar numbness, unfortunately she says it took about 6 months to get the full feeling back.

I spoke to and was assessed by the anaesthetist and physio in the hospital when I complained. Neither were concerned. I was asked to tense muscles and they did some kind of hammer reflex test everything normal just no feeling.

I also look still 9 months pregnant. I have these horrid support stockings to wear and feet and legs are like balloons.

 

[RcdM]

I had pre-e and had emcs at 30 weeks. I became a balloon after my c-section! My ankles were non-existent, they looked like tree trunks and it was hard to walk because I could barely bend my foot! But I agree with what others said - walk as much as you can. Even if you have to take it very slow. Not only will that help with being so swollen and having so much water retention, but it will help you recover from the surgery much faster too. And drink lots and lots of water to help flush away the excess fluid in your body.

Mine finally went away in about 2 weeks I'd say.