Almost 30 percent of all births end in Cesarean sections, whether they are elective or unplanned, according to Nemours, the largest children's provider of health care. C-sections tend to have more risks and side effects than a regular vaginal birth. Understanding the side effects before the procedure can help with recovery.
Incision Pain
A C-section incision is often sore for several days following surgery. In fact, according to Nemours, activity is generally restricted for several weeks after a C-section to allow time for the incision to heal. A woman may feel pain in her incision when she stands or walks, and standing up straight may be uncomfortable. The Mayo Clinic reports that for a few weeks following a C-section, a woman may also need to support her incision when she coughs or laughs. This can be done by pressing the hands or a pillow gently over the incision area. Most women are prescribed pain medication when recovering from a C-section to avoid discomfort.
Constipation
According to Nemours, a woman may be constipated or even gassy following a C-section. Anesthesia and other pain medications often cause constipation. It can take several days for bowel functions to return to normal after a C-section. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, drinking lots of fluids during recovery can help decrease constipation.
Fatigue
Although C-sections are performed routinely, they're still considered major abdominal surgery. So it's normal to feel tired for some time after having a C-section (which may be compounded by having a newborn baby in the home). The Mayo Clinic stresses the importance of taking it easy during the first few weeks following a C-section. In fact, a woman may need assistance with simple household tasks for some time.
Bleeding
As with a vaginal birth, a woman can expect to bleed (kind of like a heavy menstrual period) for a few weeks following a C-section. This is caused by the uterus shedding its extra lining, which thickens significantly during pregnancy. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), this bleeding and discharge may take four to six weeks to subside. However, the Mayo Clinic warns that foul-smelling discharge or clots that are unusually large require medical attention.
Cramping
Cramping is another side effect of a C-section that's the same for a vaginal birth. This is caused by the uterus--which grew significantly during pregnancy to accommodate the growing baby--returning to its original size. According to ACOG, cramping sensations may be more noticeable if the woman who had the C-section chooses to breastfeed.
Serious Side Effects
Occasionally, a C-section may result in serious side effects that require medical attention. According to Nemours, these include severe leg pain, fever, infection in the incision (which may become sore or swollen), or difficulty breathing. Fortunately, these are not common.
