Often, women have swelling of the legs after cesarean section (photo is in this article). And they do not pass for a long time. Moreover, there is not only heaviness in the legs or when walking, but additionally there are sensations such as tired legs and even pain.
Causes of edema
After cesarean, the legs may swell due to several factors. Most often, the cause of this ailment lies in the prenatal period, if fluid was accumulated in the limbs before conception of the baby.
But there are other common causes or provoking factors when leg swelling occurs after cesarean:
- Thrombosis Blood clots form in the legs, blocking blood vessels. The outflow of blood is disturbed, and as a result there are swelling in the legs.
- Blood thickening. This process occurs throughout pregnancy. Thanks to it, large blood loss during childbirth is excluded if there are problems with blood coagulation or its density, vascular damage. In this case, edema after cesarean increase even more.
- Varicose veins.
- Disorders of the endocrine system.
- Kidney or heart disease.
- Lack of protein in the body.
- Cold.
- Autoimmune disorders.
What to do when legs swell badly?
The above reasons can be eliminated by force. Some of them pass by itself (for example, a cold). But the best option is to see a doctor. He will make an accurate diagnosis and determine the cause of edema. The doctor can prescribe treatment with drugs and folk remedies, choosing fast-acting and safe for the health of mother and child.
Swelling of the legs after cesarean section: treatment with medication
If after cesarean legs began to swell, you need to wait two weeks. Usually this process goes by itself. Blood is restored in composition and returns to the state it was before childbirth.
But if the swelling did not go away and after two weeks, you need to contact a phlebologist or therapist. The most commonly prescribed drugs are:
- for the treatment of a disease that caused swelling of the legs;
- diuretics;
- vitamin complexes;
- venotonics (Phlebodia, Antistax and Detralex);
- heparin ointments (Essaven, Lyoton);
- anticoagulants that inhibit the process of blood coagulation (for example, "Warfarin");
- physiotherapy (wraps, phono- and electrophoresis, laser therapy);
- anti-inflammatory drugs (Movalis, Voltaren, Diclofenac).
Swelling of the legs after cesarean section: treatment, reviews of folk remedies
To eliminate swelling of the legs, medication is sometimes unacceptable (for example, with lactation). There is a high probability that the active substance will pass into breast milk and may negatively affect the baby. In this case, it is best to drink infusions and make baths. They are prepared only from natural products.
When the swelling of the legs after cesarean begins, it is necessary to do special exercises: daily raise the legs four times four times and keep them in this state for 15 minutes. At this time, the veins are unloaded, and the swelling subsides. As often as possible you need to walk on toes, while lying, move your fingers and feet in different directions. One week after cesarean, you can begin to carefully perform the exercise "bicycle".
It is necessary to wear elastic knitwear, which increases the tone of blood vessels. Compression tights or stockings are ideal. Feet can simply be wrapped with elastic bandages. In the evenings do compresses or baths. Every day you should massage your legs.
Baths and infusions
When leg edema begins after cesarean section, how long do they last? Usually they pass in one or two weeks. To make the process faster, you can use the bath. Contrast helps a lot. Cold and hot water is poured into 2 containers. The legs in them hold alternately (for 2 minutes). In the baths you need to add decoctions of herbs (plantain, chamomile, oak bark, etc.) or sea salt.
Another bath is also quite effective against edema. In a liter of warm water you need to dissolve a couple of teaspoons of baking soda, one tablespoon of mustard powder and four - table salt. Keep your feet in the bath until the water cools down. In addition, every day you can additionally drink infusions of mint or flax. But not more than one glass.
Diet
When swelling of the legs after cesarean section appears, it is best to follow a special diet. Or at least include in the food (or remove from it) some products. To dilute blood in the diet, you must include:
- Tomatoes
- cranberries, sea buckthorn and viburnum;
- grapefruit, grapes and lemons;
- infusion of dried apricots;
- cranberry juice;
- the grape juice;
- Herb tea;
- to drink a lot of water.
Conversely, with edema, it is necessary to exclude from the diet any carbonated drinks, tea, coffee and cocoa.
Prevention
Swelling of the legs after cesarean section is a rather unpleasant and sometimes painful condition. Any disease is better to prevent than to treat it later. Therefore, during pregnancy, you need to carefully monitor your health. You need to sit as little as possible, it is better to rest in a horizontal position.
Place a roller or pillow under your feet. You need to eat right and control fluid intake. Use salt as little as possible. Take vitamins. Get regular medical examinations.
With edema that occurs after cesarean, even convulsions can begin. In this case, you must urgently consult a doctor and not self-medicate. In other cases, puffiness is most often well removed by folk remedies within three weeks.