C-section check-in

kacdanz

To those that have delivered via c-section already how are you feeling? My LO will be 2 weeks Monday and I'm feeling overwhelmed. The incision is not bothering me as much but if I don't keep Motrin in me then I grow weak, maybe even achy. I'm thinking that it's just because I'm exhausted mentally and physically...I have an almost 2 year old (although I have plenty of help with her) and I'm on the hunt for a job, which is a must for my family. I'm breast feeding and he eats every two hours through the night plus it takes me awhile to burp him and change his diaper. So basically sleep is not plentiful. I just want to hear from others on how they are feeling, especially their energy levels. 

cclaineDC

I new to the C-section club (leaving the hospital tomorrow) but I'm mostly feeling super gassy and achy. I've only been taking Motrin and a laxitive since the epi wore off. We're still figuring out the bf dance and so far she's a cluster-feeding monster. I don't have much to say about my energy level since staying at the hospital has been like a weird hotel stay, but I expect being home to be a bit more exhausting. 

chailife34

I'm four weeks out from my c, time flies!!! Feeling really good physically, high energy, happy, active, and looking forward to rebuilding strength after six weeks. Incision hurts but not constantly, strong irritation. I only took the pain meds for seven days post surgery then just deal, I hate the way the medicine made me feel. Emotionally I'm still pretty numb to the whole experience, partly since it's been incredibly busy since arriving home (visitors, interview, follow up appts, spring cleaning I never got to nest and do). I'm impressed with how well I'm recovering. Now if only I could convince myself to sleep more

nda_roxybabe

Oooookay, I'm 9 pp and just had the worst gas pains followed by an alarming bm. Anyone else? Is this a c section think? I'm now miserable w a stomach ache

I did some googling and it seemed this is a thing...

possibly related: had a mimosa today, first alcohol since October. Also tried a belly binder for the first time. I could see how either of these could contribute.

CeCe8579

I haven't posted much but I am going to start posting more. I'm 3 days post c section. I'm still in the hospital because my DD is jaundice but hopefully we'll go home today. I am walking as much as I can and feeling pretty good with pain meds now. I was down to just motrin until last night and I was in so much pain that I caved and started percocet. Good luck to everyone! 

chailife34

@nda_roxybabe stomach issues continue to persist for me even being a month pp. The gas is where it started, then random stomach aches. The doctors I've spoken with said it's because the literally had to move organs, after they already moved from pregnancy, and they need time to settle into a better position. Hopefully you'll feel better soon!!

slowmo

@nda_roxybabe - Ugh, yes to the gas pains. I also have had a lot of discomfort when my bladder is full, like hunching over as I walk to the bathroom. I'll be two weeks pp on Wednesday. The incision pain is mostly gone, but the other pains have lingered (though not as badly as a week ago). Hang in there! Mimosas are always a good idea.

WombThereItIs

@nda_roxybabe have you been taking opiate pain meds? They can stop up your GI system too so make sure you are keeping up with a ton of fluids and also some Colace. 

Yes, I am even the post partum Colace fairy. 

BeachMommy2B

I'm 4 weeks PP from a c-section. I'm finally starting to feel much better. I'd say the past week has been when I've really started to feel human again.

Now I've noticed that when I do more cleaning or walking my lower back will really begin to hurt. Maybe it should my back muscles making up for the stomach muscles that aren't fully healed. Is that a thing? 

pscohen86

Oh @kacdanz we are on the same boat. DD#2 turned 2 weeks today. I also have DD#1 who is 18 months and going through a terrible sleep regression just now. As far as my c section I feel fine already, took the Motrin 800 mg for the first week and then didn't feel like I needed it. My incision does bother me a little specially when I sleep and change positions, almost like something pinch me inside. I exclusively pump for DD#1 every 3 hours and it seems she is having colic now. So nights have been a little rough. I felt really overweld just until Sunday I hope you feel better, for me the best is to keep occupied, busy, and  it so many people in the house. That really stresses me. Hope you feel better 

jodi1008

I had my c section a week ago. I stayed in the hospital for 2 days and came home to our 2 older kids. I feel sore but I'm okay enough to continue with regular life for the most part. I'm slow and careful but I'm definitely better than I was. 

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot

jodi1008 said:

I had my c section a week ago. I stayed in the hospital for 2 days and came home to our 2 older kids. I feel sore but I'm okay enough to continue with regular life for the most part. I'm slow and careful but I'm definitely better than I was. 

Cool. But who are you?

MTB16

3 days post C-section and I'm feeling and getting around much better than I anticipated! I have been keeping up with both Percocet and Motrin even though I thought I'd skip or heavily reduce Percocet after day 1.  

I'm thinking about reducing to 1 every 4 hours during the daytime doses starting tomorrow but is that just dumb to reduce the Percocet now? 

SKZW

@MTB16 Think of it this way: If you're feeling good on the current regimen of perc & ibu, then it means the meds are working, not that you're ready to quit them.

ETA & spelling: I only recently knocked off the perc completely (a few days ago, after tapering starting at 1 week mark) and i'm at 3 wk pp right now. Just my personal experience. I felt good at that 1 wk mark and tried to cut out completely but it was a mistake. Try tapering down first, b/c having NO meds in your system is a hard status to overcome. Again, just my opinion.

emilyalso

@MTB16 - While I was in the hospital, I stepped down from Perc 10 to 5 (maybe on day 2), but I kept taking them as often as I was allowed. I never wanted to get behind the pain, because I knew I wouldn't move as much if I were hurting. They sent me home with 5s as well, but I started to halve them as soon as I got home and took them more on a PRN basis. 

I kept up with the ibuprofen for about a week and a half and still take at least 1/day. I haven't had a Perc in SEVERAL days, but I can tell a difference without ibuprofen. It's like it keeps everything in check. 

I understand not wanting to take a bunch of medicine that you don't need - but you also don't want to get in a place where you're hurting and it's tough to get it back under control! 

Good luck and fx for a speedy recovery! 

MTB16

Thank you @skzw and @emilyalso! 

I'm definitely not wanting to get behind on any of the pain control - interestingly the hospital dosage is 2x Perc every 4 hours so 24 pills daily - they only send you home with 20 pills for a 2 week recovery allotment. Not sure about the math on that one! 

emilyalso

@MTB16 - I was VERY worried with my first about running out of meds once I got home. That's why I started halving them - to make them last longer. I think they sent me home with 30 and I only ended up taking 10 total. As long as you take is REALLY EASY once you get home, I'm sure you'll be fine. 

Be extra careful when: standing up from chairs/sofas, getting in and out of the bed (seriously...enlist help if you need it!), doing chores that require lots of bending down - changing over laundry, unloading the dishwasher (<-- that one was a KILLER for me, avoid if possible!)

MollyandD

I had an emergency c-section due to preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome on May 5th. As a result of all my other issues, I had some major swelling and a blood clot under my incision. That caused my stitches to pop open, and the doctors decided to remove my stitches, get as much of the clot as possible, and pack me with gauze instead. I have Prescription strength Ibuprofen and Percocet to manage pain, but I quit taking the Percocet so I can legally drive. The doctors gave me permission last week to drive, assuming I was off my narcotics.

My incision is healing so well. They wanted me to get a wound vac next week, but I've healed so much that I don't think I need it. I'll find out what the wound expert think next Tuesday. 

When I first woke up from the surgery, well, maybe the next day (I had to be completely put under), the pain was extreme. Everything from my abdomen down to my swollen feet hurt. I was so swollen, which had to do with HELLP syndrome. This wasn't normal pregnancy swelling. My incision was swollen, I thought I had a water bottle between my legs because of my genital swelling, and my legs and feet were twice their normal size. The only cure was to drink water and allow my kidneys to filter the fluid, so I chugged water constantly.

Walking was painful, but I couldn't try it until two days later. My wonderful husband helped me hobble to the shower and he washed me while I just sat there. I was about to move to a smaller room with a tiny shower, so I was determined to shower in the big bathroom with the built in stool. 

I'm happy to say I'm home and well now. I was in the hospital for 5 days.  I miss baths, but when I fully close up, I can submerge in water again. I haven't taken any pain medicine today yet. It's there if I need it, but I feel fine right now. 

edited because my ipad randomly adds words. 

MollyandD

@CeCe8579 sorry about the little one having jaundice. At least she's getting the care she needs. 

cclaineDC

@MollyandD I'm really glad to hear you're starting to feel better. What an ordeal you've gone through. Creepy internet hugs.

MollyandD

@cclaineDC thank you. It felt like a bad dream, but my baby boy is safe and healthy. I also feel so blessed to have my family around. My mom stayed with me and helped a lot, and my husband was amazing when I needed his help. I've never needed to be taken care of due to an illness before. I've always been very healthy. My family didn't miss a beat when it came to being there for me. 

rkstro2

I get to go here now!  

i had an induction for umbilical cord and growth issues and baby ended up not tolerating labor after epidural placement so we had an urgent C/S 5/27z  it turned into an emergency mid-surgery due to massive
blood loss.  I got multiple drugs to try and control the bleeding and ended up with blood/plasma transfusions and an infra uterine balloon to tamponade the bleeding for 24ish hours.  We are so lucky that both baby and I are doing well now.  But like @MollyandD I really struggled yesterday with relying on everyone else as I haven't been sick much ever.  It's been tough but it's nice to have some solidarity here

MTB16

@MollyandD and @rkstro2 what scary experiences for both of you!! I hope you guys are recovering well. 

chailife34

@rkstro2 and @mollyandd wow! I'm so sorry you both had such intense experiences but thrilled everyone is well now. Wishing you both a speedy recovery 

saric83

Six days out from my repeat CS, and this one has been SO much smoother with recovery (yea planned CS versus emergency CS last time after 29 hours of labor).  I'm definitely pushing it a little too hard with the lack of sleep and the lack of resting (thanks adorable toddler and my inability to let others take care of me), but besides triggering my normal migraines, I've been feeling pretty darn good.  I'm still taking the ibuprofen like clockwork and slowly weaning from the percocet, and the few times I've slept through my alarms to take my meds, I was not feeling great. I'm definitely looking forward to being totally off the percocet and feeling totally clear in the head. 

SKZW

@saric83: Happy to hear you're having a smooth recovery, that's great! Try to go easy on yourself and not push it. (I know it's easier said than done!)

I'm saying this to myself as much as to you b/c yesterday I carried a not-terribly-heavy laundry basket up just one flight of stairs and really shouldn't have. I spent the next few hours standing & sitting in a kind of hunched over position. So I was in some pain from that, and then to top it off, I had this incredibly strong single sneeze, from out of nowhere! It shook the house! Double whammy in not being gentle with myself.