You might be more prone to gas and bloating if you've had a C-section, says Jennifer Wu, MD, an OB/GYN at Lenox Hill Hospital. 4 “With surgery such as a cesarean section, the intestines can be slow to get moving afterward,” Dr. Wu describes.
The researchers found that, on average, women who chewed gum farted about 6.5 hours sooner than those who were not given gum: Gum chewers experienced their first fart about 23 hours after the operation, compared with non-chewers, who didn't fart until about 29.5 hours after the operation.
When your bowels become sluggish after surgery, gas can press on the diaphragm, trigger a nerve and extend the pain to the shoulders. Phillips says people primarily feel a sharp, shooting sensation on the right side.
If you can't pass gas soon after surgery, it may mean that a post-operative ileus, or gastric delay, is happening. A post-operative ileus or POI is when there's a slowdown in your body's ability to digest food. It could be caused by changes in your nervous system or the after-effects of having your intestines handled.
After surgery, your caregivers will frequently ask whether you have passed gas. This is because passing gas is a sign that your bowels are returning to normal. You may not have a bowel movement for four to five days following surgery.
Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre every day. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative.
Your muscles quickly spring back and begin to function with reduced pain by the end of the first week. An episiotomy or tear can mean that the muscles of the pelvic floor heal more slowly. There is often more pain and hesitation to move your bowels, which contributes to gas and abdominal pain.
Pregnancy and giving birth may stretch and injure muscles and nerves in the pelvic floor. This may reduce the control a person has over passing gas. The back of the pelvic floor controls the anus. It is not unusual for the anal sphincter muscles to tear during birth.
Trapped wind and constipation
It can take a few hours or days after your c-section for your bowel to start working again. In some women, this can cause painful trapped wind and constipation. Some pain medicines, such as opioids, can cause constipation.
After a c-section, you should sleep on your back or side. This shouldn't put too much strain on your c-section wound. You can also try sleeping on your back with your head elevated. Use pillows to keep your spine aligned and take pressure off your joints.
Remember, that first 6 weeks you are still dealing with uterus and fluid. For up to 12 weeks, muscles are naturally accommodating and shortening. C-moms can also have mild swelling up to 12 weeks. Gradual weight loss and toning is the way to go!
Items like carbonated drinks, citrus juices, coffee, tea, and spicy food should be avoided as they increase bloating and gas. Fermented and fried food can cause heartburn and indigestion. Since mothers are breastfeeding, such foods can affect the milk and cause growth problems in the newborn.
It's uncomfortable for one, and if a stitch were to possibly pop, intense straining is how it might happen. Straining can cause or worsen hemorrhoids too. Having to push hard or force are signs that your body isn't ready yet, so don't force it. Take a break and try again later.
Straight talk: The first poop after giving birth can be challenging since it can be hard to pass and may be more painful than you expected. That's because after you give birth, the perineum (the area between the bottom of the vaginal opening and the anus) is still sore and tender, especially if you have stitches.
What position should I lie in to relieve gas? Your side. Lying on your side with your knees bent can help to relieve trapped gas. If you don't feel relief after a few minutes, pull your knees closer to your chest or try alternating between straight legs and bent knees.
Gas-bloat syndrome is a set of symptoms that create a bloated, uncomfortable feeling in the upper abdomen after antireflux surgery. Patients may report abdominal distention, an inability to belch or vomit, early satiety, postprandial fullness, nausea, or upper abdominal pain.
Get moving. As soon as your doctor says it's OK, get up and move around as much as possible. Even a short walk down the hospital hallway will help. Exercise helps move digested food through your intestines and signals your body that it's time for a bowel movement.
Unfortunately, constipation is a common side effect of surgery. It can happen for a few different reasons: the anesthesia used during the procedure, pain medications you're taking or how much and what you're eating and drinking.
Walking after c-section is encouraged and should be your go to for the first few weeks. You'll start to notice day to day movement getting easier and less discomfort lifting baby or moving around.
A C-section pouch is actually caused by scar tissue left behind by your C-section scar. In some cases, the way your body recovers after surgery can cause excess fat to find itself in your lower belly area.
As your body heals and the pain decreases when you move around, you can slowly try bending (between weeks 4 and 6). First, bend slowly up to a few inches and stand back up. When you straighten up, you will Stretch yourself to get up.