PREGNANCY-BIRTH Messages for September, 2002: Re: 4 days postpartum

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Re: 4 days postpartum - A few questions

From: William McIntosh, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 3 Sep 2002 10:09:49 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: mz: "4 days postpartum - A few questions"

At Tue, 3 Sep 2002, mz wrote: >
>Hello,
>
>I recently gave birth on 8/29 to a healthy baby boy. I had a normal
>vaginal delivery with Pitocin and an epidural. 12 hours later I had a
>bilateral tubal ligation performed (through my belly button area) and
>they used the same epidural from my delivery the day before. I am
>scheduled to see my OB in a few weeks, but over the Labor Day weekend I
>noticed a few things and would love to get some info and answers before
>seeing her again. I don't want to worry myself and make an unecessary
>phone call or something. =)
>
>1. My legs, ankles and feet are extremely swollen. I mean REALLY
>swollen and much, much bigger than they were while I was pg. When can I
>expect the swelling to subside? And should there be a cause for concern
>when it comes to excessive swelling?
>
>2. My belly button area is very itchy in certain spots. The areas
>where the surgery was done is very noticeable because it is a bit puffy
>and red, and also very itchy. Is this normal? I still feel the cramping
>(which is normal so I've been warned) and twinging that comes with
>stitches, but the itchiness and "raw" feeling on my skin is bothersome.
>
>3. Is is also normal to gush (blood) occassionally after having a baby?
>Or is the blood flow supposed to dwindle and lighten only? I have had
>several episodes where I can actually feel large gushes (of blood, not
>brown but red) and then after a few hours it subsides. Could this be
>related to the tubal ligation? I did not have this with my last
>pregnancy. No clots.
>
>I appreciate your time! Thank you in advance. =)

Since our friends have already answered #1 and #3, I will confine myself to #2. If the area of redness is more than just the edges of incision the width of a quarter (not the diameter, the width), then there is at least some possibility that there is an infection in the wound. Give your doctor a call if you are still concerned. Itching is very common, but puffy and red are concerning, at least potentially.

-- William D. McIntosh, MD, FACOG

This is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for consultation and examination by a licensed medical professional.

Next message: anonymous: "Exercise Induced Lower Pelvic Pain-35 weeks"
Previous message: William McIntosh, MD: "Re: Attn: Doctors, please help!"
In reply to: mz: "4 days postpartum - A few questions"

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