Childbirth by caesarean section is one of the oldest surgical operations. There are many indications for its implementation; the main goal of the manipulation is to preserve the health and sometimes the lives of the mother and baby.
In our realities, a cesarean section is performed strictly according to indications, and after the operation is completed, doctors continue to closely monitor the woman’s well-being and the recovery processes in her body. After all, despite the fact that this operation seems quite simple, and medical technologies are constantly improving, it is still a surgical intervention.
Expert opinion
What exactly and how should a woman be monitored if she has had a caesarean section, says Elena Borisovna Machneva
, Candidate of Medical Sciences.
Of course, the recovery processes after a natural birth and after a cesarean section birth are different. During childbirth, many changes occur in a woman’s body, for which nature prepared the expectant mother throughout pregnancy. These are various changes in the cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory systems, blood coagulation system, etc. Some of these changes are activated during a cesarean section, while others follow a different scenario.
At the same time, during surgical childbirth, the woman’s body is subjected to additional load and stress due to systemic or local anesthesia, as well as the large wound surface that occurs as a result of abdominal surgery. Therefore, in addition to the general recovery processes, in the postpartum period after a cesarean section there are also processes of restoration of the nervous system after anesthesia, as well as healing processes of postoperative sutures.
Since both normal and cesarean births always go differently for everyone, the recovery period for each individual woman also has individual characteristics. A woman should definitely consult with the obstetrician-gynecologist who delivered or operated on her about these features and about the protective regime after childbirth.
What determines the process of recovery of the body after a caesarean section?
The recovery process after a natural birth and after a cesarean section depends on many factors: the characteristics of the course of pregnancy, the characteristics of the woman’s initial health state, the presence of chronic diseases, and the presence of complications during childbirth. It is also influenced by the characteristics of the operation: whether the woman had an emergency or planned cesarean section, what type of anesthesia was used, whether any complications occurred during the operation or during the extraction of the fetus, what type of incision was used, and so on. The adaptive capabilities of a woman’s body also play an equally important role.
Taking into account all these many factors, it is obvious that there are no two women whose postpartum period would be the same. Therefore, before being discharged from the maternity hospital, every woman needs to ask her doctor in great detail about what regime needs to be followed, what physical activity is acceptable in her condition, how often it is necessary to see a doctor on an outpatient basis, in what situations it is necessary to see a doctor immediately.
Skin rashes on babies: causes, treatment and prevention
In the first months of life, babies are prone to various types of irritation and rashes on parts of their body. This phenomenon is quite normal and in most cases is considered normal. This is due to the fact that the baby’s body is still very vulnerable, and it is just beginning to adapt to external and internal factors that can negatively affect the child’s condition. In addition, up to two or three months the baby is faced with hormonal changes, which often causes similar reactions. Consequently, a rash is not always a cause for concern and panic, but a specialist can best determine the nature of its occurrence and methods of treatment. There are a number of reasons that provoke the appearance of pimples, spots or redness on the skin of a newborn:
- hormonal rash;
- prickly heat;
- dermatitis;
- hives;
- food allergies;
- infections and viruses.
In 70% of cases, the rash occurs precisely on a hormonal background, which is completely normal and does not require treatment, especially medication. This is due to the receipt of maternal hormones while still in the womb, and subsequent adaptation to new conditions. Distributes on the forehead, temples, and on the back of the head under the hair. It goes away on its own, usually within a few days. In this case, the mother is recommended to simply bathe the baby daily in boiled water with the addition of a herbal solution (series). During the hot season, the baby’s delicate skin is doubly prone to various manifestations due to drying out in the sun. All areas exposed to sweat also become vulnerable. Miliaria is not life-threatening for the baby, but it can cause discomfort in the places where it is localized. You should bathe your child more often, ventilate the room, and, if possible, maintain optimal humidity where the baby spends most of his time. Of course, you should not dress your child in clothes that will make him hot and uncomfortable. It is useful to give the baby time to be without clothes and diapers so that the skin has the opportunity to breathe. In addition, it is recommended to always wash small items only using a special children's powder, and then iron them on both sides.
Suture after caesarean section: we monitor and care for it correctly
Postoperative sutures after cesarean section must be treated with great attention, since problems in this area can lead to serious complications. In the public domain you can find a lot of tips and recommendations on how to care for a postoperative suture, what to do to make it scar faster, what regimen to follow, and even how to treat inflammation in the suture area.
However, experts say: following these rather general tips is dangerous! In each case, a strictly individual approach is required, and one piece of advice may be appropriate for one woman, but completely unacceptable for another.
For example, even harmless advice to treat a postoperative suture with brilliant green in the case of certain problems may be contraindicated due to the risk of missing the beginning of inflammation. Therefore, before leaving the maternity hospital, every woman should ask her doctor in detail the following questions: how to care for the suture, how to treat it, how to close it, when you can start showering again, whether you need to wear a bandage, when to show the suture to the doctor. It is equally important to find out from a specialist what signs should alert you and serve as a reason for immediate consultation with a doctor (itching, thickening of the suture, pain, discharge from the suture, bleeding in the suture area, etc.).
In the future, all recommendations for caring for the suture will be given to the woman by the obstetrician-gynecologist at the antenatal clinic.
Skin rashes on babies: causes, treatment and prevention
In the first months of life, babies are prone to various types of irritation and rashes on parts of their body. This phenomenon is quite normal and in most cases is considered normal. This is due to the fact that the baby’s body is still very vulnerable, and it is just beginning to adapt to external and internal factors that can negatively affect the child’s condition. In addition, up to two or three months the baby is faced with hormonal changes, which often causes similar reactions. Consequently, a rash is not always a cause for concern and panic, but a specialist can best determine the nature of its occurrence and methods of treatment. There are a number of reasons that provoke the appearance of pimples, spots or redness on the skin of a newborn:
- hormonal rash;
- prickly heat;
- dermatitis;
- hives;
- food allergies;
- infections and viruses.
In 70% of cases, the rash occurs precisely on a hormonal background, which is completely normal and does not require treatment, especially medication. This is due to the receipt of maternal hormones while still in the womb, and subsequent adaptation to new conditions. Distributes on the forehead, temples, and on the back of the head under the hair. It goes away on its own, usually within a few days. In this case, the mother is recommended to simply bathe the baby daily in boiled water with the addition of a herbal solution (series). During the hot season, the baby’s delicate skin is doubly prone to various manifestations due to drying out in the sun. All areas exposed to sweat also become vulnerable. Miliaria is not life-threatening for the baby, but it can cause discomfort in the places where it is localized. You should bathe your child more often, ventilate the room, and, if possible, maintain optimal humidity where the baby spends most of his time. Of course, you should not dress your child in clothes that will make him hot and uncomfortable. It is useful to give the baby time to be without clothes and diapers so that the skin has the opportunity to breathe. In addition, it is recommended to always wash small items only using a special children's powder, and then iron them on both sides.
A little about the regime after cesarean section
Have your relatives told you the following: “You need to move more, don’t sit at home, go out for a walk!”? Or vice versa: “Lie in bed, don’t move, let everything heal?” It is interesting that the opinions of “experienced” relatives about what regimen a mother should adhere to after a cesarean section can be diametrically opposed. Who should you listen to? Of course, the doctor observing you.
After all, no matter how much advice you hear about the regime and workload of a woman who has undergone a cesarean section, no matter how much you read about it in the blogs of successful mothers and social network groups, only the doctor who performed the operation knows the peculiarities of its progress in this particular woman, and therefore and can give the only competent advice. When, what and how intense physical activity should be for his patient, the doctor will determine, focusing on the characteristics of the woman’s initial health condition, the course of pregnancy, the type and progress of the operation and the presence of complications. Therefore, it is necessary to talk about the mode and intensity of physical activity only with a doctor before discharge from the maternity hospital and an obstetrician-gynecologist at the antenatal clinic.
You can find many stories on the forums about how mothers “jump” just two hours after a cesarean section, and go out for walks with the baby almost every other day, but the fact remains: we are all different, and only a specialist can determine for whom which mode is suitable? And the postpartum period is not the time to experiment with your own health.
Checklist: what recommendations should a doctor give after a caesarean section?
After being discharged from the hospital, a woman should ask the doctor the following questions:
- how to care for the seam, how to process it and how to close it;
- when can you start showering?
- do I need to wear a bandage?
- when to show the stitch to the doctor.
In what cases should you urgently consult a doctor?
What signs should alert you and give rise to immediate consultation with a doctor?
- itching;
- seam seal;
- pain;
- discharge from the seam;
- bleeding in the suture area
Advice:
If you notice any of the following symptoms, consult your healthcare professional immediately!
And any other phenomena that bother you.
Allergies after childbirth in a mother: what to do?
First of all, quickly diagnose and then treat correctly. When breastfeeding, it is important to select certain antihistamines and strictly follow the recommendations of doctors. In most cases, complex therapy quickly overcomes allergies and allows the young mother to return to normal life.
A comprehensive examination of the body will help determine the causes and type of allergies:
thorough examination of internal organs and systems;- blood and urine tests, biochemical examination;
- Ultrasound of the abdominal organs, examination by a gastroenterologist;
- blood test for immunoglobulins and the presence of antibodies;
- Prick tests are the safest, most convenient and easiest to perform.
It is better to examine your body before pregnancy or at least before the birth of the child. But if it happens that the child has already been born and postpartum allergies have begun in both mother and baby, you cannot waste valuable time. It is important to examine the newborn as well – perhaps the child’s allergies after birth are caused by external factors.
When should you plan your next pregnancy after a caesarean section?
After a cesarean section, a scar remains on the uterus. In order for this scar to “withstand” the next pregnancy and childbirth, it must be strong - that is, contain enough muscle and elastic fibers to withstand stretching during fetal growth and remain strong enough during labor pains.
The condition of the uterine scar is determined using a specialized examination and occurs in each woman at an individual time. However, in each specific case, before planning your next pregnancy, you must consult your doctor.
Hormonal changes that occur after childbirth lead to the development of a number of atypical conditions for the body, one of which is urticaria.
What is hives after childbirth?
Allergens and hormonal changes contribute to the release of a protein called histamine into the blood. As a result, the immune system reacts in the form of redness of the skin and an itching sensation on various parts of the body.
Is hives after childbirth normal?
Urticaria occurs in almost every fifth woman who has given birth. This skin condition occurs at different times and usually appears on the arms, back, and legs.
What are the causes of hives after childbirth?
Here are some reasons that can lead to a woman developing hives after childbirth:
- insect bites;
- hormonal changes after childbirth;
- stress;
- health problems (for example, acute thyroid disease);
- exposure to intense sunlight, heat or very cold climates;
- environmental conditions both outside and inside the house;
- some medications;
- certain foods or food additives.
What are the symptoms of hives after pregnancy?
Here are some hives symptoms to look out for:
- scaly skin;
- itching sensation;
- painful swelling;
- blanching, where areas of the skin become very pale or white;
- raised scars on the skin.
In some cases, hives after childbirth can lead to life-threatening complications such as anaphylactic shock, in which a person cannot breathe.
How to treat hives after childbirth?
There is no definitive treatment for postpartum hives, but you can try the following:
- Drink plenty of fluids
Drink plenty of water and increase your fluid intake.
- Use cream
The burning sensation can be relieved with cream or lotion. Consult your doctor about the most effective remedies.
- Manage your stress
Since stress is a factor that plays a role in the occurrence of hives, you should try to meditate and rest as much as possible.
- Don't refuse help
If you can get help, it will allow you more time to rest and, in turn, take better care of your baby and yourself.
4 home remedies to help get rid of hives after childbirth
Here are natural and safe remedies you can try at home to combat hives after childbirth.
1. Oatmeal
Oatmeal's anti-inflammatory properties help soothe the skin and relieve itching and swelling.
Take a microfiber cloth and place one cup of oatmeal in it. Soak in a bowl of hot water for about 15 minutes and then add to your bath. Take a bath for 15 minutes once a day.
Make sure the water temperature is not too high, as it may irritate the skin further.
2. Cold compress
An increase in histamine can be prevented by contracting blood vessels. A cold compress will provide relief from inflammation, itching and swelling.
Use a towel or microfiber cloth to wrap a few ice cubes and place on the affected area. Apply to skin 3-4 times a day. It is also recommended to take a cold bath or shower.
3. Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera is incredibly effective in healing and improving skin condition.
Fresh aloe vera gel should be applied to the affected areas of the skin and left for about 20 minutes before rinsing with cold water. This can be done several times a day.
4. Apple cider vinegar
Apple bite has antihistamine properties and relieves inflammation.
Mix apple cider vinegar and water in equal quantities and wipe the affected area of skin with a cotton pad. Do this twice a day.
How long does hives last after childbirth?
This condition usually goes away in about 6-8 weeks. With proper care, urticaria may disappear in less time.
Urticaria after childbirth and breastfeeding
The only thing that worries most mothers who suffer from hives is the impact it can have on breastfeeding and the risks that the baby may face after drinking milk.
Antihistamines containing loratadine and fexofenadine are considered safe, and studies have shown that exposure to these medications in infants is minimal.
In any case, you should consult your doctor before taking any medicine.
