Swelling of the legs after cesarean section - causes and treatment

If the baby can not be born naturally, the question arises about the operation of cesarean section. Surgical intervention is necessary in the case when there is no other way to save the life and health of the mother and child. During the operation, an incision is made in the uterus, through which the fetus is extracted. This is a serious abdominal surgery, after which the occurrence of complications is possible.

The frequency of postpartum complications in the case of surgery increases several times. Almost every third woman after a cesarean section has deviations in health status - the effects of infection, blood loss, bowel problems, swelling of the legs.

The risk of edema resulting from cesarean section

In the last trimester of pregnancy, almost all women experience limb edema. After the baby is born, all the excess fluid from the body should come out and the swelling should disappear. During surgery, anesthesia affects the lumbar and lower limbs. Disturbed blood supply, swelling occurs. Within a few days after the operation, the edema should disappear. If the swelling does not decrease, it may be a signal of the presence of a pathological process.

Puffiness indicates problems in the work of the following organs:

• kidney, bladder;
• thyroid gland;
• of cardio-vascular system;
• vessels of the lower extremities.

To ignore these symptoms can not, a woman should seek the advice of a specialist. The presence of strong puffiness is noticeable to the naked eye. To determine the hidden edema, press your finger on the lower leg in front of the place where there are no muscles. If, after pressing, a fossa appears, which does not disappear immediately, this indicates the presence of hidden edema. Most of all, they appear at the end of the day, especially if a woman has spent much time on her feet.

Dangerous signs:

• the presence of edema more than 5–7 days after delivery;
• the growth of edema;
• swelling, soreness;
• heartache;
• rare urination;
• fever;
• asymmetry of the limbs.

In this situation, only the doctor will be able to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Causes

The most common cause of edema after cesarean section are diseases that existed during the third trimester. If a woman had severe edema before childbirth, it may take quite a long time to completely disappear.

Other reasons:

1. Incomplete uterine contraction. Immediately after cesarean section, the uterus is not fully reduced, it continues to squeeze the lymph vessels and veins. This leads to difficulty in the outflow of blood and lymph.
2. After surgery for a few days, the woman observes almost complete bed rest, because of this, the outflow of lymph and blood worsens. To improve it, it is necessary to do simple exercises for the legs already on the first day after the operation - rotate with the feet, bend the legs at the knees.
3. Thrombosis.During pregnancy, blood clotting increases, it is necessary for the body to prevent blood loss during childbirth. The formation of blood clots may result from the introduction of anesthesia. All this leads to venous thrombosis of the vessels.
4. Varicose veins When varicose veins decreases the elasticity of blood vessels, veins expand. The blood in the veins and arteries stagnates, making it difficult for the blood and lymph to flow out. This leads to puffiness. A caesarean section may aggravate the situation.
5. Problems in the endocrine system, causing violations of water-salt metabolism.
6. Pathology of the kidney.
7. Chronic heart failure, which is often accompanied by the appearance of edema.
8. Cold.
9. Autoimmune disorders can trigger blood clots.
10. The lack of protein that interferes with the normal absorption of fluid.

Drug treatment

Only a doctor can prescribe the correct treatment to remove edema after cesarean section. He will select drugs that will not fall from the breast milk to the baby. Edema is only a symptom, so it is necessary to treat the underlying disease.

Drugs for treating puffiness after cesarean section

1. Canephron, Spasmotsistenal, Furosemide, Amiloride - diuretics, diuretics, which help eliminate excess fluid from the body.
2. Lioton (analogues - "Hepatrombin", "Ellon", "Heparin Ointment"), Essaven, Troxevasin-gel - means for external use, helping to strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
3. Voltaren, Diclofenac, Movalis - anti-inflammatory drugs for oral, rectal, outdoor use (tablets, suppositories, ointments).
4. Phenindione, warfarin - drugs that restore the normal level of blood clotting.
5. Detraleks, Venoruton – 300, Phlebodia, Antistax, Anaverol - capillary-stabilizing agents in the form of drops or tablets (use with caution, often appointed only if the woman does not breastfeed).

The use of medications has an effective effect, a few days are enough for the edema to completely disappear. In parallel with these drugs, it is necessary to take vitamin complexes.

Folk remedies

Many women are afraid to use drugs, since the active substance can penetrate into breast milk and have a harmful effect on the health of the baby.

You can use the tips of traditional medicine:

1. Good help to reduce swelling contrast baths. Hold alternately your feet in hot and cool water for 1-2 minutes. To enhance the effect, add sea salt, a decoction of herbs.
2. Well removes the swelling of the bath, for the preparation of which in a liter of warm water, dilute 10 g of baking soda and mustard and 100 g of salt. Keep your feet in the solution for 10-15 minutes. Remember, water should have a comfortable temperature, not be too hot or cold.
3. After the bath do a foot massage. Massage your feet, legs, hips with gentle movements.
4. Will help the outflow of fluid intake of infusion of flax or mint.

Compression underwear

Elastic knitwear provides uniform pressure on the limbs along the entire length. The activity of the venous and lymphatic systems is normalized, the swelling decreases, the sensation of pain and heaviness decreases. Compression underwear provides a tightening effect, it gently supports the venous walls, facilitating the rise of blood to the heart. Lymph movement is normalized, blood flow in the legs improves, swelling decreases.Depending on the symptoms, you can buy slimming stockings, stockings or pantyhose. You can also use elastic bandages.

Exercises to remove edema

To reduce the manifestation of puffiness, often give rest to the feet. Whenever possible, lie down with a cushion under your feet. If you have to sit for a long time, put your feet on the dais, in any case, do not lay your legs. In the prone position, make rotational movements with your feet in different directions. Use for treatment every minute when you are standing, from time to time rise on socks. Thus, you accelerate the blood, increase the pressure in the venous vessels. Do not forget that during exercise the load should fall only on the legs, and in no case on the abdominal muscles.

Nutrition

To reduce swelling after cesarean section, you need to revise your diet. Remove from it food containing a lot of salt, as table salt retains fluid in the tissues. Do not eat canned foods, sausages, smoked meats, salted fish. Feel free to include in your menu juicy vegetables and fruits, juices, fruit drinks, compotes.Of course, we must not forget about the ability of some products to cause allergies in the baby (citrus fruits, vegetables and red fruits). Limit the use of strong tea and coffee, cocoa, carbonated drinks.

Adhere to the recommendations of the doctor, take vitamins, give enough time to rest. Usually, the swelling that occurs after cesarean section disappears within a few weeks.

Video: features of recovery after cesarean section