New mothers may be disappointed to discover that abdominal muscle pain does not end with childbirth. It continues for at least the first few days postpartum, sometimes even longer, depending on the cause. In most cases, it is normal, but women...
Abdominal pain is a common complaint of pregnant women. They may be dismayed to find that the pain often continues at least for the first few days postpartum, sometimes even longer. In most cases, abdominal pain is a normal, transient response to...
Cesarean section--surgical delivery of the fetus through an abdominal incision--now comprises nearly 32 percent percent of all deliveries in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control reports. Cesarean sections, which are major surgery,...
If you've had a C-section, or plan to have one, you'll want to take special care of your body and incision afterward in order to manage the normal post-operative pain. Complicating matters, you'll also have a newborn baby to care for, which can be...
Women recovering from a cesarean birth often require pain medication. When the patient is also a breast-feeding mother, medication should be kept to a minimum to avoid causing side effects in the nursing newborn. According to breast feeding...
Cesarean births are not unusual in the United States. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in 2007 show that almost a third of births involve c-section deliveries. Yet while this procedure is common, it is not...
The physical and emotional feelings that arise from childbirth can be exhilarating and exhausting. Many women report a feeling of not fully "owning" or being in control of their bodies, especially in the immediate postpartum period. Shifting...
While every woman's labor is different, there is no getting around the fact that there is going to be some pain involved. Luckily, there are many pain relief options available, each working in a slightly different way. Pregnant women should talk...
Breast-feeding mothers aren't immune from pain. But if you've had a cesarean section or need to take pain medication for any reason, you may hesitate out of concern for its effect on your nursing infant. Both acetaminophen, the generic name for...
A C-section is major abdominal surgery, and recovery takes far longer than after a vaginal delivery. While the pain might seem unbearable shortly after your surgery, it typically subsides gradually over the course of a few days and weeks. How long...
Exercising after birth has many documented benefits, like decreased postpartum depression and increased energy and stamina. But how do you strike the right balance between being active and letting your body heal? According to the American College...
A Cesarean-section birth is a major operation that will result in pain, tenderness and difficulty moving. However, you will be encouraged to get out of bed and start postnatal exercises within 24 hours of surgery to aid recovery and prevent...
While the first labor might have been a painful and difficult experience, more women find the second labor to be a much easier -- and possibly enjoyable -- experience. While labor usually begins at term -- defined as after 37 weeks -- the...
Most full-term babies will take a head-down position before labor. However, approximately 3 percent of full-term babies are in a breech position -- head up instead of head down -- when labor begins. Because the pressure of your baby's head on your...
Pregnant women should begin exploring their pain-relief options several weeks or months before labor begins. Even women who plan to have a natural birth without pain-relieving drugs need to learn what options exist for coping with contraction...
Labor and delivery can be a painful experience. Fortunately, anesthesia is available to ease the pain of labor for women who have vaginal deliveries or cesarean sections. Anesthesia used in labor has to be safe for both mother and baby.There are...
In 2007, 32 percent of births were c-sections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you're one of the millions of women who have a c-section each year, it's only natural that you're anxious to reclaim your body and...
It might be tempting to blame your constant snacking on the fact that you’re eating for two, but your growing baby actually can suffer if you overeat during pregnancy. Your baby needs nutrients, protein and carbohydrates to help his body...
Whether they dream of a low-intervention, unmedicated birth, or want all of the technological advantages available, women today can make a number of important decisions regarding their baby’s delivery. Although your insurance coverage and...
According to John S. McDonald, MD, chairman of the department of anesthesiology and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA Medical Center, spinal block has emerged as the preferred approach to Cesarean section anesthesia based on the...
Losing weight after a Cesarean section may be more difficult due to the restriction on some types of exercise and the recovery period required after any type of surgery. However, in order to lose excess "baby" weight after a C-section, the...
Constipation or unsatisfactory and incomplete bowel movement is a common occurrence for many people. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, around 4 million Americans suffer from frequent constipation and...
Whether this is your first pregnancy or your fourth, the prospect of laboring to deliver your baby can be both exciting and frightening. As you count down the last weeks of your pregnancy, remember that very few babies are born on their due dates....
Delivering a baby is one of the highlights of a mother's life, along with other friends and family members who are patiently awaiting the new arrival. Baby delivery isn't always as easy as it seems, there are several things that come into play and...
The pain of childbirth causes fear in many expectant mothers. Knowing your options for relieving the pain and making the delivery easier prepares you to make decisions when you go into labor. A birth plan offers a way to document your preferences...
