Hellobee Boards Topic: What was the hardest part of recovery post labor?

Hellobee Boards Topic: What was the hardest part of recovery post labor? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 19:57:17 +0000 Mama Ek on "What was the hardest part of recovery post labor?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-the-hardest-part-of-recovery-post-labor#post-3304 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:56:47 +0000 Mama Ek 3304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ First, my legs were soooo swollen - I think my bed wasn't elevated and all the fluids from the IV rushed to my legs. I could hardly walk. Second, was the poop, I had to call the emergency # I felt like it was right there but would not come out...I was also afraid to push. It eventually came out with lots of colace and water. Third, my bum bum - the spray bottle and dermoplast helped a little bit. Fourth, my nips - breastfeeding did not go easy and they were cracked and bleeding. Fifth, was everything else - uterus contracting, fatigue, emotional mess! I was so angry that not of the pregnancy books prepared me for this. I wished there was a book dedicated to this but then who would want to read it - it is scary! I have to say though you eventually forget about it or I will be more prepared next time. Also, I had an easy pregnancy, labor and delivery so maybe that is why I had such a rough time with recovery. BoogieBea on "What was the hardest part of recovery post labor?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-the-hardest-part-of-recovery-post-labor#post-3262 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:59:19 +0000 BoogieBea 3262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ The hardest part for my first pregnancy was vaginal pain as well. And just the overall achiness of the body. Felt like I got hit by a mack truck. My son also remained in the hospital a week after birth due to jaundice so I had to go back and forth for feedings. Luckily we were only 5 mins cab ride from the hospital so I did get to rest at home. The first bowel movement was tough as well but it was mostly in my head. The longer I waited the harder it was to go and it didn't happen until well into the second week. The recovery from my second pregnancy was much quicker. The pain pretty much subsided before we left the hospital. But nursing this time around was more painful. mrs. wagon on "What was the hardest part of recovery post labor?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-the-hardest-part-of-recovery-post-labor#post-3245 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:07:37 +0000 mrs. wagon 3245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ For me, I was terrified to have a bowel movement but I was also terrified that I hadn't had one... it took more than a week! I was on percocet which was further constipating... I was on stool softeners which did nothing. I took several glycerin suppositories and almost did an enema, but I finally started pooping. Then of course the hemorrhoids were horrifying. But by far the hardest thing for me was the complications I had 2 weeks after delivery (a piece of membrane that remained inside me that I found hanging out of me... went back to the hospital on Christmas Day where they had to remove it and then do another ultrasound to make sure I didn't need a D&C). After that, I had to take drugs to help my uterus contract down and I started bleeding just like after delivery (the membrane had acted like a band-aid) so I basically started all over again with the bleeding and contractions. Breastfeeding was also incredibly difficult for me, both physically and emotionally. Rubies on "What was the hardest part of recovery post labor?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-the-hardest-part-of-recovery-post-labor#post-3240 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:56:28 +0000 Rubies 3240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ The hardest part was the pain down there. I had several stitches, was swollen for weeks, and had giant hemorrhoids. To walk and move around took so much out of me that I would cry just to get out of bed. I finally started feeling like myself again at 5-6 weeks. singingbee on "What was the hardest part of recovery post labor?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-the-hardest-part-of-recovery-post-labor#post-3229 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:49:47 +0000 singingbee 3229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My mom told me that my dad got her like a little intertube to sit off after she gave birth to each of us. Maybe something like that will help you feel better?!? Mrs. Bee on "What was the hardest part of recovery post labor?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-the-hardest-part-of-recovery-post-labor#post-3225 Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:34:08 +0000 Mrs. Bee 3225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ With my c-section, the hardest part of recovery was actually the really bad carpal tunnel I developed in my third trimester. My stomach pain was pretty well controlled with percocet, but it took at least 4 weeks until I started feeling like myself. With my VBAC, I am so sore down there and constantly feel like I have to take the biggest dump on earth. Maybe it's the hemorrhoids? I just feel soooooo uncomfortable. Pain killers and Dermoplast don't really do anything for me. Using a spray bottle helps momentarily (will use a sitz bath when I finally get home). I have no regrets about the VBAC, but as of now I think the recovery has been worse than it was with the c section in terms of generally being uncomfortable all day long. I know the extended hospital stay is taking its toll, but I'm having trouble just sitting for any period of time. What was the hardest part of recovery for you?