Post CS questions...UTI? Swimming? Muscles?

[lilimama]

Does anyone know...

how long before I can immerse myself in a bath of water or swimming pool - don't intend to stretch to much physical excercise, could just do with going to the pool and pretending. It's 3.5 weeks since birth. Still bleeding a little bit/intermittently.

If you have a UTI does it hurt when you urinate? I've been having backache that seems to radiate from kidney along with short sharp pains lower down above pubic bone on left side (in ovary area but not quite) but no pain on urination.

When you have a CS they just separate the muscles right? not actually cut throughj them? at least that's what the told me during the surgery but I don't trust these people to always tell the truth haha. sorry.
when can I use my abdominals again, gently, just in day to day movements as I currently purposely don't use them when performing tasks around the house or getting up out of bed.

thanks!

What is a UTI?

You can immerse yourself in a bath straight away (I think? at least that's what I did).

I think you're supposed to wait 6 weeks before gentle exercise, and 8-10 weeks before anything remotely abdominal. Take it slowly.

i would wait until 6 weeks post natal until swimming again. especially if you are still bleeding as tampons should be avoided.

if you think you have a UTI and are having pains, then do speak to your doctor, or MW if you are still under her care. backache can indicate a UTI.

muscles are not cut during the operation, but seperated.

take it easy. not only have you had major abdominal surgery, you also have your new baby to take care of. allow yourself time to recover.

gentle walking is fine though.

i think a bath is fine, whether you bath or shower, make sure your scar is thoroughly dry afterwards. use a hairdryer on a low setting to ensure it is dry.

lilimama,

as for Swimming Pool, I would wait until bleeding is completely gone and of course your scar has to be healed well, etc...
as for Bath...I had a bath as soon as I could...just washing and showering myself off before getting out the bath, iykwim.

I think a Kidney infection doesn't always mean painful urination. However, did you have an Epidural, could the pain be connected to that?
Incase it is a Kidney infection, drink plenty of water and cranberry juice (if Bf, you may want to play the latter by ear as to how plentyful you drink that) and see how it's going...if it gets worse, definately see your GP or Practice Nurse...

As for C-section...I was under the assumption that they also cut through the muscle...however, I never really thought much about it, tbh...so, will be interesting what others know As to how much you use your muscles...just take it easy where you can, really....must admit, I was running after a 21month odl Toddler as soon as I got out of Hospital after my C-section with ys...so, never really got the chance to take it easy, lol...

Tutti Frutti ..UTI is Urinary Tract infection

In my cs they went in low down and cut through the muscles as little as possible. They then did a good sewing job so they were very tight. The whole abdominal separation thing is generally associated with pregnancy and not the birth itself AFAIK.

I dug the garden 3 weeks after a section, this is not to be recommended.

They tend to do the following in a c-section:-

• Cut through the skin (using scalpel)
• Make small incision in the abdominal muscles and then open further by tearing (as a tear heals better than a cut)
• Make a small incision and then tear (for reasons as above) into the muscle sheath/fascia (muscle cover)
• Cut and tear into the uterus muscle

You can go in the bath as soon as you like, although it's not advised to used strong smelling bath oils or foams. Tea Tree oil or lavender are excellent substitutes as they are naturally antiseptic and anti fungal and will aid with healing.

I wouldn't swim - they recommend you wait until 12 weeks post op before doing any exercise and there's a good reason for this. Even if you don't feel as if you're using your stomach muscles you will be, and the smallest movements can really slow down healing. You have to wait until your rectus abdominus (the muscles that join vertically down the centre of your abdomen that separate during every pregnancy) comes back together and usually takes 12 weeks post caesarean. (I think it's six weeks post-vaginal delivery as there is no cutting and tearing from an operation - it's just a question of waiting for the muscles to come together again). If you exercise before this has come together you can stop it moving further which can have long term implications on your stomach strength, which can in turn impact on back pain and pelvic floor/continence further down the line.

It's hard because if you're used to being active then it's terribly frustrating to sit it out for 12 weeks. I found it very hard. Walking is a good place to start - it's a good way to build up your strength again without taxing your stomach muscles and whilst it doesn't feel as if it's doing much, it will help.

As for your UTI I can't really help as I didn't experience anything like this. I would say that any pain is probably best checked out by your Dr. - even just for peace of mind.

Hope this helps.
kx