Don’t be careless with leg swelling after cesarean section

  ”Mothers-to-be are increasingly opting for cesarean section because they are afraid of the pain of traditional vaginal delivery and because of the personal experience of their little sisters, hoping to reduce the pain and complete the delivery process safely and quickly. However, there are few complications caused by cesarean section in clinical practice every year, and our department has admitted more than ten cases of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after cesarean section in the past year.  Most of them were admitted to the hospital because they found soreness and pain in the lower limbs after delivery, and DVT was detected by ultrasound examination. Venous wall damage, slow blood flow and blood hypercoagulation are the three main factors leading to the formation of DVT, pelvic veins are damaged and narrowed to different degrees due to pelvic and uterine incision trauma in cesarean section patients; lower limb venous reflux is affected by increased abdominal pressure due to reduced activity during pregnancy; blood viscosity is increased by increased estrogen level due to endocrine changes; coupled with the ease of complications such as hyperemesis during pregnancy and the unreasonable dietary structure are all factors leading to postpartum DVT. The factors that complicate postpartum DVT are the irrational structure of diet. The incidence of DVT during pregnancy and puerperium is reported to be 6 times higher than that of normal period.  DVT is one of the major life-threatening complications in the postpartum period, and if left untreated, it can lead to complete or partial loss of function of the affected limb and disability, and even the risk of pulmonary embolism.  Therefore, we pay attention to perinatal health education, routine testing of blood viscosity and coagulation mechanism in late pregnancy for those who have a high tendency of DVT during pregnancy, and dietary guidance for balanced caloric intake. If necessary, B-ultrasound examination of lower limb blood vessels should be conducted to achieve early prevention, early detection and early treatment. Change the custom of “sitting on the moon”, avoid over-emphasizing rest and nutrition, and eat foods with high protein, high fat, high sugar and high stimulating ginger juice after delivery, which will cause high blood viscosity and slow blood flow to the lower limbs.  Encourage the mother to drink more water, eat low sugar, high fiber, high protein, high calcium, moderate fat prevention diet, eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, prohibit spicy and stimulating food. Avoid using tight belts and tight clothing. Instruct the patient to do early activities and rehabilitation exercises in a planned manner after delivery, avoiding prolonged standing, walking, sitting and crossing legs. The patient should be instructed to do isometric stretching and contraction activities of the gastrocnemius muscle and ankle extension and flexion and rotation activities to increase the muscle pump and femoral vein flow rate.