Indigestion after a C-section

After a caesarean birth, anaesthetic medicines, pain relief, reduced movement, and changes in eating can slow digestion or cause bloating and nausea. Indigestion may feel like upper-abdominal burning, fullness, belching, or discomfort. Acid Reflux, Gastritis, Gallstones, a Hiatus Hernia, a Peptic Ulcer, or Helicobacter Pylori Infection are other possible causes when symptoms persist; indigestion alone cannot identify one of them.

Tell the maternity or surgical team whether you are passing wind and opening your bowels, where the pain is, whether your abdomen is swelling, and which medicines you are taking. This helps distinguish ordinary digestive upset from a postoperative problem.

Follow the discharge instructions, take short gentle walks when cleared, eat small meals, and drink fluids unless your team has restricted them. Take pain medicines and other prescriptions only as directed. Some pain medicines can worsen constipation or nausea, so ask the surgical team or pharmacist before adding a laxative, antacid, or Acid Reflux Medication.

Keep the wound clean as instructed and note fever, wound changes, vomiting, bowel function, and pain pattern. Do not press through increasing pain to stay active, and do not drive or lift beyond the advice given by your maternity team.

Seek urgent help for severe or worsening abdominal pain, a swollen or hard abdomen, repeated vomiting, inability to pass wind or stool, chest pain, breathlessness, faintness, heavy bleeding, fever, or a wound that is opening or producing pus. Contact the maternity or surgical team promptly for persistent indigestion, increasing pain, or concern about medicines, even without an emergency sign.

Ask: Could my pain relief be affecting digestion? When should bowel function return? Is an antacid suitable while breastfeeding? Which wound, fever, bleeding, or abdominal symptoms require immediate review?