Anyone else had a c-section?

[AmamaAgain]

I'm wondering if I'm alone. I didn't feel pressured into this c-section...I accepted that it might be necessary to get my son out asap even though I was planning a Vbac. I thought I was prepared. Spent money on a doula, wrote a birth plan...everything. I didn't get to use anything or anyone. It was so fast. One minute I was just having a routine nonstress test, 5 minutes later I'm in the O.R. DP didn't make it and of course, I was alone for it.

Healing seems to be horrible right now. I've been on the couch sleeping and though I want and need to be up and moving around (I have a 7 year old but no other help until next week around the house).

Did anyone else have one? How are you feeling if you did? Anything in particular helping you to get along???

[justme&my3+1]

Oh mamma, I know how you feel.

I too had a c section, but it was my 4th and they do get easier with each one you have.

I remember my first c section was really hard on me. I was basically bedridden for weeks.

Luckily I had my mother there with me for support, I can't imagine having to do it alone Is your dh helping you around the house etc.

Does your 7 yr. old like playing board/card games. That is something that you can do from the couch. Or popcorn and snuggle up with a good movie for the two of you, with sleeping baby

The best thing for you is to stay on the couch and continue to rest. Are you still taking the pain medication? That really helped me out a lot.

Something else that helped me was a supportive band around the inscision. I couldn't afford one of those specialty postpartum band, so I used an ace bandage. It offers a lot of support and gets rid of that 'going to fall off' feeling you get when you stand up, if you know what I mean.

Hugs to you and hang in there, it will get easier each day. For now though continue to rest, it's whats best for you.

[AmamaAgain]

DP lives not so close by so he is only here like twice a week. It's been annoying to pack up the baby to go drop off my son for school and pick him up after school.

I was given a "binder" to wrap with from the hospital but sometimes it makes my stomach hurt- like the incision.

I would kill for more pain meds, but I'm out of them now.

It's been 7 years since my last c-section. How long does it take to feel better?

[justme&my3+1]

Well, the first two c sections took a few weeks (around 3-4) to feel "normal" again. This c section I was up and running 2 days later, but I had a large dose of pain meds and I had no choice since he was in the NICU and I was driving back and forth every day to the hospital and back.

I am so sorry you don't have much help, but I totally know what it's like.

There isn't a way to get a refill on the prescription? Have you tried just plain ole tylenol?

[LemonPie]

I did. Mine was an emergency too--general anesthesia due to placental abruption.

I'm 2.5 weeks out and getting around pretty well, but I still hurt quite a bit. I was sent home with Norco. I'm down to a half a pill once or twice a day depending on what I've been doing, and I'm trying to remember to take Ibuprofen on schedule because it seems to help a lot if I don't let the medication wear off. The bands helped me a lot too. They gave me some cheapo binding stuff in the hospital and then I had some Bella Bands that my SIL gave to me second hand (they were actually in a bag to go to Goodwill and I was SO glad we hadn't dropped it off yet). I came home with a JP drain and it was nice to have those to tuck it into.

I've been putting in a lot of couch time too. My DH was able to take a month off work, which has been an enormous blessing. I have a 3 yo and a 5 yo so they still need a lot of attention and help with things. It's been helping me A LOT (emotionally more than anything) to get out of the house for short trips once in a while. I'm developing a serious case of Cabin Fever.