C-Section PP Moms

[Hayeser]

I'd love to hear from you. How are you feeling? What were you able to do-- the day after your csection, the next day, etc. Is recovery as bad as I've heard?? tell us the real truth!

I'm afraid my breech baby is going to force me to have a csection and the recovery scares me since I have a toddler too. I hate asking others for help.

[kimmypoo]

I also had a c/s due to breech baby a little over a year ago. Recovery was not that bad. I was up and walking around within 10 hours, I think. I was sore, but it wasn't unbearable. I was up straightening up my room and took a shower by myself the next day if I remember correctly. Take the pain meds when they offer it. You don't want the pain to get unbearable and then have to call the nurse for meds and then have to wait around for them to come. I was able to take care of her by myself when we got home. They gave me a prescription for percocet, but I really didn't need it. I think I only took tylenol or ibuprofen when we got home.
Maybe some other mamas on here can give you advice for getting your baby to turn.
Good luck.

[*violet*]

I just had our daughter via c/s about two and a half weeks ago. It was my third one. The pain is inconvenient and annoying but not really bad. Honestly, the worst part for me isn't the level of pain, but rather the fact that the recovery takes so much longer than a vaginal birth. I'm still sore and ready to be 100%.

[Hayeser]

thanks for the info kimmy. that makes me feel better. I'm the kind of person who will want to get up and shower as soon as I can too.

violet - on the pain scale 1-10, how would you rate your pain 2.5wks pp?

[jwoodbri]

This was my 3rd c-section (about 10 days ago) and I've been doing better than I thought I would be. Mine was scheduled for 9am and they had me get up just to walk to the sink to brush teeth etc before I went to bed. I started walking some the next day and felt well enough to go home by day 3 but stayed the extra day to get more rest before coming home to our 2 and almost 4 yr old boys. I'm really glad I stayed the extra day.

Today I cleaned the kitchen counters and bathroom sink and then was pretty tired... but I have been feeling ok, taking fewer pain meds, and getting a bit bored trying to take it easy. But the boys do still wear me out pretty quickly! Recovery does get a little harder each time as you add another toddler to the equation! But overall I am pleased with my progress and hope to take it easy this week as well and then next week I'll be more or less on my own.

[*violet*]

Originally Posted by Hayeser

thanks for the info kimmy. that makes me feel better. I'm the kind of person who will want to get up and shower as soon as I can too.

violet - on the pain scale 1-10, how would you rate your pain 2.5wks pp?

I would say it's a 2ish. Higher in the evening, lower in the morning.

[chrisndanni]

I had a c-section 1 week and 1 day ago and am getting to the point in the last 2 days or so where the pain is mostly just an annoyance. I usually have a slightly worse period in the afternoons, but mornings are pretty good. I am still taking the pain meds though I cut the percocet down to half last weds. I did have alot of trouble getting around at first, more so after the bandage came off, but by the time we got home from the hospital it was alot better. Don't try to cut the pain pills out too quickly because you will then have to wait in pain for them to kick in. Do be careful though as a c-section and percocet both contribute to constipation (I am still having issues with this) so watch what kinds of food you eat.

Hoping you don't need to have one, but if you do I'm sure you will be fine

[mi.birthdoula]

DDC crashing, but wanted to reply to your post...

I've had 2 sections in the past, and they aren't too bad, but here's a little advice my aunt gave me after having her hysterectomy but before I had my sections that helped my recovery A LOT. All my nurses were pretty amazed at my will power to just get up and get going too.

*walk as soon as they let you. start by just walking to the bathroom (and often) and then work your way up to Walking the halls pushing the baby in the plastic bucket (what we call it) and use it as a walker for yourself. Don't be afraid to go really slowly, and stop to take breaks.

*When you are standing up, make sure to force yourself to straighten your back. As much as it may hurt, it really does help with recovery.

*if your having trouble having a bowel movement ask for a suppository. the first movement really sucks, and anything to make it easier is well worth it.

* you will have gas...don't try to keep it in even if you have visitors. it will hurt if you do. just let it go, and if anyone has a problem with it tell them to bug off, they weren't the one just recently split open.

I did all these things with both my sections, and I left the hospital the following day both times and I HAVE to leave the following day this time.

My experiences:
1st section: 3am
*demanded the cath removed about 9am. walked back and forth to bathroom by mysef about 5 times within 2 hours. had them take out IV and morphine drip about 5pm. Started walking halls after dinner. everytime I would wake to nurse baby, I would do another round of walking the unit before going back to bed throughout the night. Went home the next day about 3pm. 2nd day post op, I was out shopping at walmart and the mall with my mother pretty much the whole day. I was still on percocet and Ibuprophen, but wasnt in too much pain. by the end of the first week, I was only taking tylenol.

*2nd section: was pretty much a repeat of the first, other than the day of discharge DH and I went shopping because I forgot to buy pads beforehand

*With the section coming up, my OB has already given me the okay to leave 1st day postop, barring no complications, and this is what we are planning...
section on aug 14
go home night of 15
16: we HAVE to make it to church, we will be taking our oath of membership in the morning service. That evening, we will be going back to church for baby's dedication followed by a family party. They only do this 3 times a year, so we have to do it now, otherwise my family will be out of state and not able to witness it.


I hope you don't have to have a section if it can be avoided, but if you do, I really wish you the best of luck and a short recovery!

[HeavenLeighGrace]

:
WOW!
You are a very strong woman!! LOL!

My first was crappy. I was in the bed from the time I went to my room (6-7pm-ish) and was there until 10am-11am the next day when they FINALLY took out the cath.
I was on a liquid diet the whole time because they wouldn't give me anything to eat and wouldn't let me up until I passed gas. :
When I finally WAS able to get up I did the bare minimum. Potty and back to bed. Pretty much for the next 4 days.
I was NEVER encouraged to leave my room at all.

My second, I was in my room by 11am (early scheduled c/s). Cath out by dinner and got to eat dinner that night too.
By morning I was showering. Made sure I was moving as much as possible.
Walked the halls like a mad woman! I was in on Friday Morning and out by Sunday Morning.
On Monday DH and I went to lunch with my family. My mom and I also went on a shopping spree at Hobby Lobby and Goodwill! LOL!

I thought I was pushing it with my quick recovery! But you take the cake and I envy you!!

Praying that when I go in for my c/s tomorrow that I have a swift recovery again!!

Originally Posted by mi.birthdoula

DDC crashing, but wanted to reply to your post...

I've had 2 sections in the past, and they aren't too bad, but here's a little advice my aunt gave me after having her hysterectomy but before I had my sections that helped my recovery A LOT. All my nurses were pretty amazed at my will power to just get up and get going too.

*walk as soon as they let you. start by just walking to the bathroom (and often) and then work your way up to Walking the halls pushing the baby in the plastic bucket (what we call it) and use it as a walker for yourself. Don't be afraid to go really slowly, and stop to take breaks.

*When you are standing up, make sure to force yourself to straighten your back. As much as it may hurt, it really does help with recovery.

*if your having trouble having a bowel movement ask for a suppository. the first movement really sucks, and anything to make it easier is well worth it.

* you will have gas...don't try to keep it in even if you have visitors. it will hurt if you do. just let it go, and if anyone has a problem with it tell them to bug off, they weren't the one just recently split open.

I did all these things with both my sections, and I left the hospital the following day both times and I HAVE to leave the following day this time.

My experiences:
1st section: 3am
*demanded the cath removed about 9am. walked back and forth to bathroom by mysef about 5 times within 2 hours. had them take out IV and morphine drip about 5pm. Started walking halls after dinner. everytime I would wake to nurse baby, I would do another round of walking the unit before going back to bed throughout the night. Went home the next day about 3pm. 2nd day post op, I was out shopping at walmart and the mall with my mother pretty much the whole day. I was still on percocet and Ibuprophen, but wasnt in too much pain. by the end of the first week, I was only taking tylenol.

*2nd section: was pretty much a repeat of the first, other than the day of discharge DH and I went shopping because I forgot to buy pads beforehand

*With the section coming up, my OB has already given me the okay to leave 1st day postop, barring no complications, and this is what we are planning...
section on aug 14
go home night of 15
16: we HAVE to make it to church, we will be taking our oath of membership in the morning service. That evening, we will be going back to church for baby's dedication followed by a family party. They only do this 3 times a year, so we have to do it now, otherwise my family will be out of state and not able to witness it.


I hope you don't have to have a section if it can be avoided, but if you do, I really wish you the best of luck and a short recovery!

[bensgirl1222]

I'm just going to write out my experience for you...

I had an emergency c/s with my 1st (due to fetal distress) so I thought I would chime in. It was honestly not that bad. They rushed me in, prepped me and before I knew it, DS was born kicking and screaming They brought him over to me right away and DH was able to take pics while he was being pulled out of me (I LOVE those pics!!!) After I saw him and we took some family pics together, DH went to the recovery room with DS while they weighed him and cleaned him up. My OB stitched me up and then took me to the same room. We stayed there for about 2 hours. I was REALLY shaky afterwards. They put hot blankets on me. I didnt get to hold DS bc i was afraid to (bc my arms felt like jello and I was afraid I would drop him and shake him to death! lol) But the nurses were so nice. They put him on me and tried to help me nurse but he wasnt interested right away. DH held DS alot at this time.

We then went to the PP room where we stayed for 4 days/3 nights. He was born at 8:17am and I was up walking and going to bathroom by 10pm that night. The pain was not too pleasant but as long as I got my meds when i was supposed to, i was really ok. But like someone else said...stay on top of your meds! Seriously. Bc I felt great one min and then the next my incision would brn and I could barely move. I remember being in alot of pain at 4am and calling the nurse for more meds. She said he didnt want to wake me. I was taking 2 percs every 4 hours and 1 800mg of motin every 6. The pain was bareable though. Oh and i was REALLY itchy from the morphine they gave me during my section. The 2nd day I was able to take a shower and tried doing things myself (like getting up out of bed, sitting on the chair etc...) I hated laying in bed so I sat in a chair most of the time bc it was easier for me to get up that way. The 3rd day was better than the 1st 2 days. I was up at 8am, took a shower by myself, did my makeup and tried to do my hair. My OB came in to check me and was pleasantly surprised to see me up and functioning so early. He was going to let me go home but suggested we stay just one more night (I agreed...I wasnt really ready to leave yet). After that we walked around the maternity floor a few times a day. The next day we went home around noon.

I took 2 percs every 4 hours for about a week along with my 800mg of motrin every 6 hours. Then just took them on an "as needed" basis but kept up with my 800mg of motrin until 2 weeks pp. If I overdid it, my body would let me know. I would be really sore and stiff.

But by 2 weeks pp, i was out and about with DS by myself at the mall. I got out the stroller by myself and felt pretty good!

So here is my advice:
1. STAY ON TOP of your meds. Dont try to be a hero and not take anything. There is no way I could have gotten thru without it.

2. I would have a pillow on your belly/incision at all times just in case you sneeze or laugh or cry. This was a lifesaver.

3. Dont watch anything funny. This was my mistake! DH rented "I think I Love My Wife" the day we got home and I nearly busted myself open i was laughing so hard. So stay FAR away from anything funny! LOL

4. Rest whenever the baby rests.

5. Be aware of your body. If you start to swell anywhere (esp your leg) or you get a high fever with flu-like symptoms, call your dr immediately!

6. As muh as you may hurt afterwards, the best thing you can do is get out of the bed and move around! Dont overdo it but the longer you stay in bed the crappy you will feel.

I am going for a VBAC anyday now but I can honestly say that the c/s experience was not something I fretted over. I was not upset about it all and had a really good (as good as it could be I suppose) experience.

Good luck!! You will be just fine.

eta- I forgot the mention that once we got the post-partum room, I was able to nurse DS and he nursed and latched on like a champ! No problems with my supply either. It came in full force the very next day.

[mommyesq]

vaginally delivering a breech definately has more risks than a regular vertex delivery, but that being said, C/S delivery also carries risks.

DS was discovered breech as I was ready to push, and I was talked into C/S without knowing anything. After his birth I read "Breech Birth Woman-Wise" by Maggie Banks, and probably would have refused consent had I known then what I know now.

Your library may have this book, or if not it is worth buying.

I will keep my fingers crossed that your baby turns on his own before birth- which can happen.