c-section recovery - PLEASE don't get off track

[Anonymous]

I was actually scared to post this because I don't want this to be sidetracked into vaginal vs. c-section debate, but really need some info and my doctors cannot provide the kind of valuable info that experienced moms could provide. I'm having a c-section (baby is not turning). I'm looking for any recovery info/tips that might be helpful (things you didn't expect, wished you had planned for, etc.). I'm so uncomfortable now and realize that it will take time to heal afterwards but I'm hoping that not having a huge belly will be an immediate relief. Will I be able to sleep comfortably in bed right away (when I do manage to find time to sleep)? I've heard the best thing you can do is try to start walking as soon as possible. How long did you need to take pain medication after going home? Did you really need someone to hand the baby to you? I'm guessing that resting the boppy on my lap and having the baby on top of that is not going to be most comfortable. I would also love to hear from mothers that were able to successfully nurse despite waiting longer for the milk (if that was the case). Did you just keep putting the baby to the breast to stimulate production even with nothing coming out?

[Anonymous]

I was shocked at how quick the recovery was. With my first, I was a little more tentative and nervous b/c of the unknown which tended to delay me a bit. That being said, I walked down to the nursery the next day (night time delivery) to see the baby. I also took a shower, but with help (but with my second I did it solo as I lost the "chicken" factor). I managed to get the baby in and out of the bassinet in my room by myself. The only discomfort was if I coughed or laughed really hard. The boppy on your lap will not bother you at all nor did the baby napping on my chest. I took pain meds only while at the hospital and didn't feel the need at home but that's an individual thing. I also made it up and down the stairs at my house without a problem. I really do think that getting up and moving as soon as possible is the key to a quick recovery, both mentally and physically. I also always opt to put on some maternity sweat pants and a t-shirt as soon as possible as that also mentally puts me in a better mood. You'll be surprised at how tough you are, espec. since you'll want to be with your new baby!

[Anonymous]

I've had 2 c-sections, one after a hard labor and one planned. Recovery from a planned section is lightyears easier than after labor, so take that into account when you get anecdotal stories.

Every woman is different in her pain threshhold and how much medicine she needs, so don't be a martyr and try to do more than your body lets you. However, here is my experience for my planned section:

I could walk within 12-24 hours. The first time you stand up is HARD. It gets easier every time, but you will need assistance for at least a day. You will not be able to get your baby from the bassinet for at least a day.

You will want to (and be encouraged to) walk as much as possible around the halls of the hospital. By the time you go home 3-4 days later, you should be comfortable walking short distances (maybe 1 block). It gets better every day if you go out and walk. However, don't push yourself. On the days that I tried to do too much, it hurt by the evening and I was popping Motrins. On other days, I didn't need medicine at all - I only took it regularly in the hospital. Some women need it for much longer though.

Milk came in quickly and no trouble bfing for either of my sections. A boppy is necessary.

By the time you go home you will likely be able to get in and out of bed by yourself, stand up to change a diaper, take short walks, shower, nurse, etc. Everything but vacuum and do laundry!! In some ways, it's nice to have that extra time at the hospital because you can see a lactation consultant a few times if needed and really get the hang of things before you're off on your own.

Good luck to you

[Anonymous]

I didn't have as nice a recovery as PP, but a part of that may have had to do with the fact that I labored and pushed before the surgery, so I was exhausted and recovering from that as well. For me, the hardest part was getting out of bed - while I was still in the hospital (first 4 nights) it would seriously take me like 5 minutes in order to be able to lift myself out (had to do it slooowly). The boppy was very helpful for breastfeeding, I highly recommend it. Also, I agree that getting up and walking as soon as possible is the best thing you can do. I was at GUH, and they have a protocol where they don't let you out of bed for the first 24 hours, but I got up as soon as I could after that. I was on percoset for about a week after the surgery, and then just did ibuprofen (can't remember for how long, but maybe for another week or two?). Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Take the pain meds they offer in the hospital round the clock for the first few days BUT be sure to use a stool softener (bring your own in case you want to double up). Then switch to motrin as soon as you can. Get up and try to walk around when you are able to, but don't overdo it. I had a friend who pushed herself too quickly and it ended up taking her much longer to truly recover. You may want someone to hand you the baby in the beginning, but if push comes to shove you will be able to manage (women always do).

FWIW, I had a vag delivery the first time around and a planned c-section the second time and the recoveries were about the same time-wise (just different kinds of pain obviously).

[Anonymous]

Understand that the hardest part is having ZERO ab strength when you most need it. The only other thing was that I had very cold feet so I recommend bringing warm socks to the hospital. BFing was okay.

[Anonymous]

Hi, have had two C's, first was because of breech.

Some tips:

Rent the hospital grade breast pump, brings down your milk faster

Get off the serious pain meds ASAP, can decrease your milk and keeps you high. Motrin does the trick as long as you stay on it.

Bend over to put panties/pants on rather than lift knee, you got no muscles yet and will hurt.

Steps, walking, etc should be done but do not wait until you are in pain to stop. Do, rest, do, rest.

Let people wait on you for a good two weeks. The longer you rest, the sooner you will be back WITHOUT sig. pain!

You will be weirded out by the incision and showering, don't worry, you cannot undo anything!

[Anonymous]

The first morning after a midnight c-section I felt like I had been hit by a truck, and I felt scared about being so incapacitated. But as others pointed out, you start to feel loads better very quickly. As counterintuitive as it seems, getting up and walking really does help. And sleeping is so much easier than with your big preggo belly -- really.

Take the meds when you need them -- and don't be afraid to need them regularly at first. Also drink lots (lots! LOTS!) of water and put your baby to the breast regularly. You need a comfy, well-hydrated body to help your milk come in. (Another tip, since you're planning your c -- ask that the epi/spinal be put in on the ER table, not earlier at the anesthesiologist's convenience. This will minimize the drugs that cross the placenta, which will make your baby more alert and more interested in nursing right off the bat -- which you should agitate to do in the first hour after birth.) Also make sure to talk to your ped beforehand about what their guidelines are for weight loss and supplementation -- chances are your milk will come in later (day 4-5), and you don't need the extra pressure of them pushing bottles by day 3.

Football hold, lots of pillows and/or bobby will help you nurse comfortably. Ask for help lifting the baby and with anything else -- you don't realize much you use your abs until they're out of commission.

You don't need to bring in a lot of stuff for the birth, but once you're settled you may want a few more comforts, since you'll be there a few days longer: big bath towels, an iPod dock, some books and your own clothes will help a lot. And invite people to (briefly) come visit you! After day 2 I was climbing the walls, and having (well-behaved) visitors in the hospital was fun.

[Anonymous]

The worst part for me was the pain in the hospital the first and second day after. I remember that getting in and out of bed was painful because I had to use my abs. I used my knuckles to push myself rather than pull. Once I got home I felt a bit better but would get a burning tingly feeling where the incision was if I got up from the couch a certain way. If you have a high bed make sure to get some sort of stool. I slept in our guest bed for the first week because it is lower. All in all, I didn't find it to be too bad once I got home. I took one pain pill and then switched to Ibuprofren. As someone else mentioned, ask for a suppository to help with and soften your first BM.

[Anonymous]

I had an emergency c-section after about 12 hours in labor (but it was fairly easy labor and never got to pushing). I felt the recovery was pretty easy.

My c/s was in the evening and they had me up walking the next morning. Its been 3.5 years, and I hardly recall anything of the discomfort/pain - mostly I remember moving slowly for awhile. I do remember holding my belly/scar everytime I got up for a week or so. I nursed within a few hours of giving birth. That first night, the nurses would hand me my baby. They also had me pumping that first night -just to help bring my milk in. I didn't really know what I was doing with the pump though - just pump out a little collustrum. After I got to walking I could lift my baby in and out of the bassinet.

At home, I was able to walk up and down the stairs. Dr. said not to drive for about 2 weeks.

Perhaps my biggest issue in the first two weeks (and then some) were bladder infections - but they weren't related to the c-section, I think. (Although the catheter could've played a role.) I would just run to my baby as soon as he cried and start nursing - only to find I had to go potty half-way through. And I would just hold it in and that led to infections. I soon learned to use the bathroom before every nursing session even when baby was crying.

[Anonymous]

Easy recovery! I came home from the hospital 4 days later and walked the dog.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everything the PP's have said, and only wanted to chime in to emphasize the recommendation for a stool softener! I finally resorted to drinking the little cans of prune juice they sell at the grocery store, which worked so much better and more quickly than the stool softeners I'd been taking.

As far as nursing, I agree with other recommendations for drinking lots of water, bringing the boppy, and employing the football hold. I also think it's important to eat plenty and often in the first days and weeks. You need calories to make milk.

Congratulations and best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I agree with all the PPs. I've had two previous C-sections and the recovery was nowhere as difficult as I thought it would be. I won't repeat everything the others have said, but I just wanted to bring up one new thing. My sister had sent me a little heating pad to put on my incision site once I got home. It was like a little bean bag with cherry pits inside. I'd heat it in the microwave and put it on my belly to ease the pain. My doctor recommended putting a heating pad to increase circulation to the area, and I think it really helped in my recovery.

[Anonymous]

DC#2 was breech and I had a c. I took Percocet for about 10 days, but it was because I did not follow my doctor's advice. My DH's paternity leave was canceled, so I was by myself with the baby and ran up and down the stairs multiple times a day, which I was told not to do. I did get up and walk as soon as I could in the hospital, and I think that really helped. The first couple of days were the roughest because I had to sort out what did and didn't work. I was always able to pick up the baby, although getting her in a good position to nurse took some trial and error b/c of the pain (I finally decided to forego the boppy and just hold her, which worked much better). I actually felt a lot better and healed more quickly overall than with my first delivery, which was not via c-section. The biggest problem with the c was explaining to my 2 year old why mommy couldn't pick her up. We finally marked the day I could do so on the calendar and counted down the days.

On the part about getting your plumbing going again, the best thing I did was drink tons and tons of water and take a stool softener. That helped.

Good luck, OP!!

[Anonymous]

1) With my second child (and second C-section), I had the nurses take care of my baby at night. I took an ambien between 9-10PM and awoke the next morning around 7. Went home well rested.

2) Even if you feel great, don't overdo it.

3) Read #2 again and again.