Swelling after c-section

[Helen72]

Early this week I had a c-section and now we have a lovely baby girl.  However, about 2 days after c-section my feet and my belly swelled up.  During pregnancy I had no pre-eclepsia and absolutely zero swelling.  My feet looked just like before pregnancy.  Now my legs and my feet and twice the normal size.  I have never seen anything like that.  My weight went down by at most 3 pounds after delivery due to my tummy, legs and feet swelling.  Is this normal?  I do not care about looks but when I look at my feet balooning I get really scared that something is wrong.  What can I do to reduce this swelling?
Thank you ahead for your help and advice.

[kellym]

Gee, I would call your Dr., that would make me nervous. I had 2 sections without swelling but I feel like my sister complained about bad swelling. I wish I could have been more help.

[houseofgirls]

I've never had it happen after my c-sections, but swelling after one is normal.  I was warned that I may have swelling after.  Drink lots of fluids, and try to keep your feet up.  Usually it will go away in a week or so I believe.  If it really bothers you, I would make a call to your doctor as well.  You may want to call about the swelling in your belly though.  I'm not sure if that is normal or not.  I know some of it could be from your IV and the meds, and also your system does slow down a lot after having a c-section.  
Congrats on your baby!

[Darkestlight]

After my csection i swelled BAD!! Keep your feet propped up and it'll go away in due time. You are fine.

[AnnieBrooke]

If you were given pitocin in the week or two before your C-section, you could get swollen feet and legs easily.  (They might give it if they were prompting contractions for clearer results on a non-stress test.)  Pitocin makes you swell up and that lags the administering of it by several days or even a week -- i.e., you don't swell the day you get it, but you sure as heck can swell from it.

[babypooh]

I swelled up like a balloon from all the IV the doctor had me on until the day I left the hospital, but I'm not sure about your case. You got swollen after you went home? You should call your doctor if you have concerns and see what they tell you. Good luck!

[babydreams9]

I was very swollen still after my c-section because of all the IV fluids they gave me!! By 2 weeks it was gone though, and after a month all my pregnancy weight was off.

[Helen72]

Thank you so much for the info!

I was given lots of iv fluids and pitocin for my uterus to contract.  Perhaps that's what contributed to the swelling.

[babypooh]

Yep, that was probably it, honey. Talk to your doctor if you're still concerned :)

[AnnieBrooke]

I vote yes on the pitocin.  My legs were so swollen after having had it that even the nurses were staring.

[40smama]

My feet too were swollen after my c-section- you can see how bad they were on one of my pics.  I ended up going on Laskics - a direutic - to bring the swelling down & having some tests run - chest x-ray, lab work & echocardiogram.  I really would notify your dr especially if it doesn't go away - Congratulations on your baby girl!