One leg swelling after a C-section: what to know

Pregnancy, surgery and reduced movement can slow blood flow in the deep veins of the leg. A deep-vein clot can cause swelling in one leg, often with aching, tenderness, warmth or a change in colour. A leg infection, injury, tight clothing or a vein problem can also cause swelling. General fluid retention from heart or kidney problems more often affects both legs, although symptoms can overlap; related information is available for [Heart Failure](/conditions/heart-failure/) and [Chronic Kidney Disease](/conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/).

A clot cannot be confirmed by appearance alone. A clinician may examine both legs and arrange an ultrasound or other tests based on your symptoms and recent delivery.

Contact your maternity team, obstetric clinician or urgent medical service today and say that one leg has become swollen after a C-section. Mention when it began, whether it is worsening, and any pain, heat, redness, fever, wound problems or medicines you take. Keep walking only as advised; do not massage the swollen leg or start compression garments or blood-thinning medicine without medical guidance. Rest in a comfortable position while arranging assessment. You can read about [Swollen Ankles](/symptoms/swollen-ankles/) for general symptom vocabulary, but one-sided swelling after surgery needs individual advice.

Call emergency services immediately for sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing blood, fainting, severe dizziness or a racing heartbeat. These can signal that a clot has travelled to the lungs. Seek urgent same-day assessment for rapidly increasing swelling, significant calf or thigh pain, marked warmth or redness, or fever with feeling very unwell. Tell clinicians that you recently had a C-section, even if the abdominal wound looks normal.

Ask: Could this be a deep-vein clot or an infection? Do I need an ultrasound? Which activities are safe while it is being checked? Which pain medicines fit with breastfeeding or my other medicines? What changes should make me return urgently?