My feet are swollen after a C-section: what should I do?

Look at the feet, ankles, and calves together. Note whether both sides are affected evenly, whether the skin is warm or red, and whether pressing or walking causes calf pain. Swelling on both sides can occur as the body clears fluid retained in pregnancy and fluid received during caesarean care. Sitting with the feet down for long periods can make it more noticeable.

New swelling mainly on one side is a different pattern, especially with calf tenderness, warmth, redness, or pain. A severe headache, blurred or flashing vision, pain below the ribs, breathlessness, or sudden swelling in the face or hands can accompany postpartum pre-eclampsia and should not be managed as simple foot swelling.

If both feet are similarly swollen and no warning signs are present, raise them on cushions when resting without putting pressure behind the knees. Alternate rest with brief, gentle movement once you have permission to walk after surgery. Pump the ankles up and down, choose roomy shoes, and avoid socks that leave a deep tight mark. Drink normally and follow your discharge instructions. Avoid herbal fluid remedies, borrowed medicines, or water tablets that were not prescribed for you.

Seek urgent assessment today if one foot or leg becomes noticeably more swollen, painful, warm, red, or tender than the other. Use emergency services for chest pain, abrupt shortness of breath, coughing blood, fainting, or severe trouble breathing. Promptly contact your maternity service for severe headache, vision changes, upper abdominal pain, vomiting, reduced urination, or rapidly developing swelling of the face or hands.

For swelling without red flags, contact your clinician if it continues to increase, does not start easing, affects mobility, or comes with fever, wound concerns, or feeling unwell.

Ask what improvement should look like in your own recovery and whether blood pressure, urine, medicines, or clot risk need review. Bring your discharge medication list and explain how the swelling changes after rest, elevation, and walking. Mention any headache, visual symptom, breathlessness, upper abdominal discomfort, or one-sided leg change even if it has passed.