Swollen Feet After C-section

Updated on January 04, 2009
T.V. asks from Los Angeles, CA
23 answers

I had a c-section one week ago today and just noticed that my feet and ankles were swollen. I've been resting and trying to take it easy but a little hard with a newborn and a2 1/2 year at home. My husband, parents and in laws have been great by helping but there's only so much they can all do since i'm nursing. I'm taking ibuprofen and was taking percocet (only for 3 days but have stopped). I didn't have swollen feet with my first child (and he was also a c-section) so I'm a little confused why I'm having this now.

What can I do next?

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D.E.

answers from San Diego on

Hi,

I think that's very normal after a C-section--I was very, very swollen too. It went away after a couple of weeks.

Congratulations on the new baby!

:-) D.

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A.A.

answers from San Diego on

My feet were very swollen for 2 wks after having my son vaginally. My OB said that it was normal for awhile and that they may be swollen even more then when I was pregnant (which they were). I kept my feet elevated as much as possible and drank LOTS of water. Hope this helps!

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S.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

my legs and feet swelled up also . I think that is your body reacting to the surgery . It just took time for me until it went down . But also ask your doctor . Congrats on the new baby !! :-)

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K.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

The exact same thing happened to me!! I discovered that while in the hospital they were giving me percocet but when I left the hospital and filled my perscription for percocet, I was given a generic substitute, that is what made my feet swell. I quit taking the generic substitute and my feet returned to normal within 24 hours.

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C.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Congrats on your new baby!! Sorry about the swollen feet. I had the same thing. It lasted about a week or two. I just wore these compression tights I got at the hospital and kept them elevated as much as possible. It should go away within another week. Drink LOTS of water. I heard the swelling was from the surgery.

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N.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

It's the anesthesia. It moves down through your legs before it leaves your system. Drink LOTS of water and just try to flush it out. Good luck!

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E.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hey T.! Yes, totally normal. Mine started about 3 days after and thank god I was able to ask the nurse. She said its to be expected because of all the fluids from your iv. Mine subsided in a few days.

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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi T.,

I had something simular happen to me after the birth of my 2nd child (all 3 were c-sections). My OB said that it can take up to 6 weeks for your body to stop thinking that it's pregnant. So, just like your feet could swell up while you were pregnant, they can swell up right after you deliver too. If it gets bad, call your Dr.

Hope that helps!

K.

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Congrats on your new baby!

I've had two c-sections, I had swollen feet for two weeks after both deliveries. I hated it! I hope if we have a 3rd I know some way to avoid it or shorten it!

Sorry, I don't have advice, just know how you feel!

M.

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N.F.

answers from Reno on

Hi T.!

The exact same thing happened to me. I tried everything... and my doctor was no help, just said I had to wait it out. The ONLY thing that worked for me was the compression/therapeutic socks. I just did the knee-high variety. I put them on at nighttime and by the morning: wallah! It was incredible. If you use them, expect that you'll probably urinate a lot during the night as your body is pushing all the liquid through.

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V.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

homeopathic Nat Mur 6X for a week, 3 times a day on emprty stomach, no less than 20 min before food. after that if, there is still a need - Nat Mur 12X. if swelling is still there after these 2 weeks - consult classical homeopath.
Good Luck
V

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L.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had this problem after my c-section 6 months ago. It did take about 3 weeks to go away, but the doctor told me, when pressed, that it was caused by all the IV fluids they give you before, during and after surgery, and that in scheduled c-sections (I don't know if that's what you had), they "prepare" by giving you more IV fluids. The fluids have sodium in them so that you retain water and stay hydrated, but too much causes retention. You just have to wait it out, unfortunately. Good Luck and congrats!

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C.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

You could be developing pre-eclampsia which can occur up to 6 weeks after delivery. You should check your blood pressure and call your obgyn. Hope it's nothing serious.

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B.D.

answers from San Diego on

I had the same thing, it's normal after childbirth, was told by my doc to drink LOTS of water and it subsided within a week or so, if I remember correctly. Congratulations on the birth of your precious baby.

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A.M.

answers from Santa Barbara on

I was swollen after my second c. Not after my first c. I stayed swollen for 6 weeks. At my 2 week appt. there were 2 girls in the office for their 6 weeks and they commented on my feet. They said they were just finally not swollen at 6 weeks post op. I dont really know why, age, stress, higher bp? I was borderline hypertensive with my second pregnancy. Not sure if that had anything to do with it. All i know is that I didnt "bounce" back with my second as I did with my first! Fun!

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I had 2 c-sections, and each time this happened.
If anything, ask your Doctor. But it takes time for the body to readjust after having a baby... and there is water retention etc.

ALso wanted to add, that when a women is pregnant, the bodily fuids & blood volume increases a GREAT deal... so after birth, the body has to then regulate itself again and readjust...thus, the "extra" fluid/water retention in the body etc. I don't believe that it "only" happens with c-sections.

If it gets very uncomfortable or worrisome, put a call into your doctor. Only take what your Doctor allows.

take care,
Susan

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H.O.

answers from Las Vegas on

It might be because you are not walking around enough. After my c section the doctor/nurses had me hout of bed every 1/2 hour for 10 miinutes because of swelling.

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O.R.

answers from Las Vegas on

Hello T.,

One of my friends also had a C-section and had swollen feet after giving birth. She took herbal medicine that my father recommended, as he is an Oriental Medicine Doctor. He and I practice Oriental Medicine (Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine) in Las Vegas.

After taking the herbs, her feet are no longer swollen and is doing very well. If you are interested in trying this natural remedy, feel free to call us at
Dr. Rhee's Acupuncture Clinic
1995 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89104
###-###-####

R.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

Dear T. - I think you may be dehydrated. I got swollen ankles when I was not drinking enough water - especially while nursing you need a lot more. There's some great info on water's curative benefits here:
http://www.watercure.com/index.html
Check it out! It just might work, and certainly couldn't hurt! He even has a section on how to know how much is too much water:
http://www.watercure.com/faq.html
Best to you!
R.

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S.W.

answers from Reno on

T., have you talked to your doctor? I wish only my feet and ankles swelled. I was double my size when I was at home after my c-secton. From my waist down was so swollen. I don't remember how long it took to go down, but it did.

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A.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

i had a c section 2 months ago and had the same problem.... have someone massage your feet and legs- pushing fluid upward...it really helps. my swelling went down after a few days.

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C.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi T.,
I had a C-section and my feet became swollen two weeks after. I don't know why, the nurses told me to stay off my feet as much as possible. It lasted about two weeks and looked disgusting. Just do your best to stay off your feet and if your family still wants to help; let them and enjoy it because you have actually have an excuse.
Good luck,
ceci

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L.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had a csection for twins 8 weeks ago. I did not have swelling during the pregnancy but like you afterwards. My doctor said it's perfectly normal. To rest as much as possible with your feet up. Just make sure the swelling isn't other places and doesn't get grossly swollen. I would call your doctor if it lasts longer than about a week.

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