Swollen feet after a C-section

Pregnancy-related fluid, intravenous fluids during care, reduced movement and hormonal changes can leave fluid in the feet and ankles after a Caesarean Section. Swelling may affect both sides and gradually ease as your body redistributes and removes the extra fluid.

Swelling that is sudden, severe, mainly on one side, or accompanied by calf tenderness may signal a blood clot. Headache, visual changes, upper-abdominal pain or high blood pressure can point to Pre-eclampsia, which can also appear after birth.

Walk gently as advised by your maternity team, change position regularly, and raise your feet when resting. Wear comfortable footwear and avoid tight bands around swollen areas. Do not massage a painful or one-sided swollen leg until a clinician has assessed it. Postnatal Physiotherapy can help you rebuild movement safely after surgery.

Contact your maternity team urgently for rapidly increasing swelling, one-sided leg swelling, calf pain or warmth, severe headache, visual disturbance, or pain beneath the ribs. Call emergency services for chest pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing blood, fainting or collapse. Take a blood-pressure reading if you have been given a monitor, but do not delay help for dangerous symptoms.

Ask whether your swelling pattern is expected, how to check your incision and blood pressure, which walking plan is suitable, and which symptoms suggest a clot or postnatal pre-eclampsia. Ask when your follow-up should occur and whether rehabilitation is appropriate.