I know there are lots of c-section threads, but I’m sleep deprived and creating my own!
If you had a c-section, how was your recovery? Was it gradual day by day or after a certain number of days did you suddenly feel a ton better? This is baby #2, but my first c-section. It was planned and went really well. But I’ve had 12 hours sleep in the last 72+ hours and I feel stressed about how long it might take to start feeling better! What was your experience like?
kiwi / 500 posts
It can vary a lot depending on how much blood you lost, etc. The two most important things are to stay on top of your pain meds (don't try to be tough, keep the pain at bay) and walk when you feel up to it (without overdoing it). Oh, and wear a supportive band. Some people like the rigid versions for more support, others prefer elastic (I like elastic materntitu style bands), but either way, that extra support is vital.
I think I started feeling more myself on day 4 with both my sections. But each day should feel easier than the last.
pear / 1737 posts
Agree about staying on pain meds. You don’t want to chase the pain if it builds back up. I made the mistake of relaxing on my round the clock Advil/Tylenol combo after a few days and was really surprised by how much pain I was in.
In my notes to myself I was feeling okay by day 4 and pretty good by day 11. I made sure to have lots of pillow support in bed and roll out of bed or off the couch so I wasn’t engaging any tummy muscles. And the belly support band really helped a lot with my ability to walk around normally.
I was able to walk around comfortably for long periods of time 2 weeks out, vs. my vaginal delivery where I was hobbling around and couldn’t sit comfortably for weeks.
Total healing time was pretty equal between the delivery style, by about 6 weeks I was nearly totally recovered aside from some numbness around the incision.
I find the easier you take it on yourself, get as much rest as you’re able to, drink and eat lots, and avoid lifting anything heavy or bending and it will be easier to recover quicker. Walking helps and is easy on your body. Not sure how easy any of that will be because it’s your second. My c section was with my first so it was a bit easier to recover from.
Congratulations
coconut / 8079 posts
@Hypatia: @Mrs. Goose: thank you ladies! Hearing day 4 was a little better gives me some hope and encouragement!!
@Mrs. Goose: I had the same experience after my vaginal delivery. I know I was still super sore when sitting or walking much at 8+ weeks pp.
blogger / pomegranate / 3044 posts
Walk in the hospital as much as you can, it helps speed up your recovery! I could walk ok after a few days, took me prob 2 weeks to be comfortable sleeping in a bed (couch was easier to get out of). +1 to wearing something snug to support your belly!
pear / 1737 posts
@jhd: it really surprised me how uncomfortable walking was after my vbac.
persimmon / 1132 posts
@jhd: Glad it all went well! I really liked th C-Panty (I think it’s called that). I wore them for about 2 months after. Compression is the best. Use a pillow for sitting up (or coughing and sneezing) — hopefully your nurses are showing you how to manage that. Also I took the Advil/Percocet offered in the first few days and weaned off the Percocet by 1 week which really helped me feel less puffy and more...well...regular. That type of pain management was doable after a week, but I stayed on top of the pain with all of the doses before that. I had to refill the 800 mg Advil only once so I was probably taking the Advil for about 4 weeks PP. Like others have said, get moving slowly while you are in the hospital and keep it up little by little. I was surprised how exhausted I was in those early weeks just walking around the house. Hope you are on your feet in no time!
coconut / 8483 posts
Walk around straight - not hunched over. Everytime you get up to pee do some laps of the hospital if you can.
Keep up with your pain meds!
I remember the first few days were the worst and it slowly got better. At exactly 3 weeks post c section I took my kids to the library and hauled the stroller in and out of the car. I was still sore but it was manageable.
Good luck and hope your LO is doing well!
pomelo / 5573 posts
I had a harder time with my second, but I also had some internal bleeding and needed a blood transfusion so I think it was at least partly the low iron. It still wasn’t that bad - by day 2 I was only taking Advil - but definitely stay on top of the meds, and try to resist the temptation to push too hard.
persimmon / 1381 posts
With my second c section I felt better on day 6. I went from feeling like crap on day 5 to feeling SO much better the next day. I agree with what the others said and stay on top of the meds. It still took a few weeks for the soreness to go away and I definitely overdid it a few times but hang in there! You’ll feel better soon!
coconut / 8079 posts
@Mrs. Tiger: @Mrs. Goose: @Amorini: @Mrs. Champagne: @erinbaderin: @LadyDi: thanks so much ladies. It helps to hear all your experiences. I have missed a dose of Tylenol or Motrin the last two evenings when I went to see baby in NICU and then that translates to waking up at night in pain. I think today will be better if I can stay on top of it.
cherry / 235 posts
I tried to do it with just Advil and was so ashen and weak when I left the hospital. I went back on the Percocet for the week then. Ditto what everyone is saying but for me around 2-3 weeks I started feeling better and got more active which led to overdoing it a few times. A coworker of mine reopened her incision at 2 weeks from overdoing it. I’m 15w out now and still getting numbness and soreness from time to time so I’m not working out much yet but otherwise back to normal.
pear / 1737 posts
@jhd: I was only given Advil and Tylenol directly after surgery and told to contact my midwife if I needed extra pain relief. Surprisingly those two were enough except for when I skipped a dose 3 days out because I felt better. After that I strictly took it for a while.
cantaloupe / 6131 posts
Definitely stay on the pain meds and don't try to be a martyr about it.
I wore a compression band - just a big velcro elastic thing my hospital gave me - under yoga pants. It helped for about a week and then I didn't need it.
The big disposable stretchy panties are awesome and I always asked for extra at the hospital. I would shower, lightly dab the incision, then pull on the panties. My husband would then attach a maxi pad facing the incision inside the panties for me so that the placement was dead on without me having to strain my neck to get it right. Then he would cinch up the compression belt for me and then I would pull my yoga pants over it, and then wear a tight fitting nursing tank over that. It was layers on layers of compression, LOL.
I nursed with a My Breast Friend or a Boppy and made sure to clench and hold on to my belly if I had to sneeze.
A small heating pad under me when I slept either on my belly or on my lower back (which gets sore from supporting you without ab muscles) did wonders. I lived on my heating pad for weeks.
Your legs will likely swell up really badly on day 4 or 5 - its okay, the fluid will pass. Just make sure to keep your legs elevated every now and then and also to try and take slow walks to keep things circulating. I routinely pushed a shopping cart at Target in the evenings to get a break and to move around some with that support the cart gave me.
I would say the incision is the most sore after about 5 days, but then it gets better by 2 weeks. You might get some numbness and tingling and weird pulling sensations - that's all normal as the nerves grow back. You will oddly bleed for a long time even though you didn't give birth vaginally - like for 4-6 weeks for me!
pomegranate / 3658 posts
Mine was a total dream and I felt close to 100% recovered in less than a week. I was really surprised. Much easier than recovering from my first, vaginal, birth.
persimmon / 1310 posts
Man, my recoveries were no where near as easy as you guys are describing. I’m jealous after reading these responses!
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
My recovery was fantastic. As soon as the epidural wore off the nurses aid helped me with my first walk around the maternity floor. By day 3 I was taking LO our on my own and used the wheeled Bassinet as a stroller. I recall having the option of stronger meds or 800 mg of Ibuprofen. I opted for Ibuprofen. The nurses would remind me when it was time to take them and I would typically call them back in a hour, two or three when I felt I needed them. I really didn’t want the pain meds since I was trying to BF. Once at home I took 400mg as needed for a few more days. Pooping turned out to be better, but I did everything I could to not strain. Something was really funny In the hospital and that belly laugh hurt like crazy. I banned all jokes. I accepted help lifting LO and placing him down if it meant I might have to engage my stomach. The numbness took awhile to disappear.
grapefruit / 4492 posts
Stay on the pain meds like everyone else has mentioned for the first few days. I took at least the lower of the 2 doses every time it was offered in the hospital. Try to walk around the ward any chance that you get. I didn't use a support band, but I didn't realize that was a thing either. Once I was home, it started getting progressively better, and I was feeling much better by the time I went to my 2 week follow up. Use the pillow clenched to your stomach when you cough, sneeze, and that first postpartum poop.
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