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Did you have a c-section
After some circumstances developed out of our control, it looks like we'll have to have a c-section. Did you have one? Was your recovery difficult? Were you able to enjoy bringing your LO home or did you have too much pain/discomfort to do so? Any insight you can provide will be helpful.
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Re: Did you have a c-section
I had a c-section. I wouldn't say my recovery was difficult, per se. Everything healed nicely and reasonably quickly. I had plenty of pain, though. Just make sure you're keeping up with your pain meds (they give them to you for a reason) and that you're not trying to take on too much. Honestly, the worst thing about my c-section recovery during the hospital stay was that I couldn't have any food until I had passed gas (liquid diet su-ucks). For me, that was 2 days.
A word of advice for making sure you get your meds promptly: I had the nurse write down on the whiteboard they had in my room when my next dose was due so I could call them and warn them about 10 minutes in advance that I'd be wanting it. I figured that out about 24 hours and a lot of pain from delayed dosing later. Then, when I got home (and I wasn't quite as tired or hurt-y) I wrote down what time I took everything in a little notebook. I think it really helped in terms of taking the meds when I needed them, but not overdosing or underdosing myself.
I was able to enjoy bringing DD home. Again, just make sure you're keeping up with your pain meds and not taking on too much. I walked much slower and kind of hunched over for about a week to a week and a half post-op. I didn't get back up to my normal getting around speed until about a month post-op.
Make sure you have high waisted panties, and you may consider stocking up on nightgowns/dresses, as pants can be a bit uncomfortable. I wore pants without much problem, by sticking a smaller pad (thicker than a panitliner, but about the same length) between my skin and the waistband of my underwear and pants.
Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You are recovering from major surgery. DH or visitors can do things for you. For example, I put a little post it on my cabinets that said where glasses and plates were, and my guests could get their own drinks and snacks if they wanted them (without needing to dig around in my cabinets too much). I had a hard time getting out of bed by myself the first several days, and needed support to do so. DH was great for that. When DD cried and needed to be fed in the middle of the night, DH would get out of bed, get her out of her bassinet, and give her to me in bed, so I wouldn't have to get up... things like that.
It's totally doable, and it's really not that bad (barring complications, I suppose). I mentioned a couple of times not pushing yourself too hard or trying to take on too much... that does not mean that you should just sit and not do any moving around. Get out and walk with DC in a stroller (just have your cell phone with you in case you need to be picked up), walk around the house, do things, but don't go overboard, kwim? Moving around will help you heal faster, but only if you're not pushing yourself past your limits.
HTH some, and I hope I didn't scare you... you'll most likely be fine, and its so wonderful to have your LO... GL!
I ended up with a c/s after laboring for close to 24 hours after my water broke. Unlike the pp, I never took anything but aleve and tylenol as I did not think that the heavy stuff was necessary (I actually went about 24 hours without anything the 2nd day because I wasn't moving around so wasn't in pain). It was, however, very difficult to get up from bed or from sitting - once I was in a position, I was fine, but switching from lying to sitting, etc was painful. My mother came to help the first 10 days or so and I would highly suggest that as she could prepare meals and everything (she even brought Alyssa to me at night so I wouldn't have to get out of bed to bf). That week was invaluable for the healing process as well as to get into the swing of a new life depending on me.
Anyway, everyone's experience is different, but take advantage of the time in the hospital to figure things out and then just take it easy when you get home. Here's hoping that your experience is easy!
I had a scheduled c/s & did not labor except some contrax here & there for a week before DS was born. My recovery was pretty easy - better than I expected actually. I was given Toradol for 24 hours & had the option to take morphine too but didn't need it. I was given RX strength ibuprofen after that & allowed to take Percoset. I only needed the Percoset once though - one of the nurses didn't come back w/ my ibuprofen until nearly 2 hours after the dose was scheduled. My pain got out of control real quick & the new nurse said to take one to get it back down & she was right.
I was off all pain meds the second week. I still have a teeny bit of soreness around my incision - it's like I did a really hard Pilates workout or something. I'm just careful to keep any waistbands off that area (wear granny panties & yoga pants) & I'm fine. The first week I had a hard time getting in & out of bed, so I would crawl in front first & use my hands & knees to get me up in the bed. The first time I stood upright was hard, but after that first time it wasn't that bad. Get up & moving ASAP, even if it's just walking up & down the hall or around your hospital room. Take gas meds too, start them & a stool softener right away. The gas pain on day 2 was probably worse than any other pain I had.
i had a c-section with my first and honestly it wasn't that bad. day home from hospital i was carrying laundry around and up and down our 3 story townhouse...(of course my husband didn't approve). i was able to get dressed fine and wore comfy clothes. was back at the gym 6 weeks later. i have heard much worse stories from vaginal birth!
I had one unexpectadly and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. The first day is the worst, and everyday gets a little easier. We had the option to come home on day 3 or 4 and we chose 4 just to get a bit more rest. I am still a bit sore 8 days after, but it's much easier to get around.
My husband has been wonderful, but I will say it's been nice to have my mom here to help too with things like cooking, cleaning, shopping.
I had an emergency c-section and I thought recovery was quite easy. I know everyone is different and every situation is different but I'm always surprised when I hear how rough recovery is because I was more or less fine. I was driving on day 5 (which apparently is a big no-no but no one told me that until after), walking around just fine, etc. I wasn't in any pain as long as I didn't push it.
It wasn't perfect, though. I couldn't sit up in bed without assistance. I forget for how long, but I want to say that for the first two weeks my husband had to physically sit me up and lie me down. Also, I was surprised at how many day-to-day actions require your abdominal muscles. Less than a week post-op I was slicing a loaf of crusty bread and I found that it pulled on my abdomen too much and I had to have my husband do it. So definitely take it easy and always be cautious.
My husband took six weeks of parental leave and I'm glad he did; if your husband can't take that much time off, definitely have someone there with you every day for at least the first week, and ideally the first two weeks. You may need help getting off the couch, climbing stairs, etc.
I had an unplanned c-section 2 weeks ago tomorrow. We were in the hospital 4 days after the birth of my son and I was in pain/discomfort when we went home, but felt good enough the very next day to go to Target by myself! Once I left, I realized that was probably a bit too much for me...but I feel great now!!!
I thought it was going to be a long painful recovery, but it's not at all. The first 2 days were the worst of it, but do yourself a favor and get up and moving around as soon as possible...at least to get up and walk to the bathroom/take a shower/etc, the sooner you get up and move around, the quicker you'll recover. Good luck! I would do it all over again in a second!
I had an unplanned C-section. The first week afterward was nothing short of miserable, but after that it got better quickly. Overall, the recovery was better than I expected.
I don't have much more to add regarding the specifics of c/s recovery, in addition to what PPs described. But, I do want to emphasize - remember your pain meds in the very beginning! I was on Vicodin and Motrin 800. Within 12 hours of the surgery, I didn't feel much, but from 12-72 hours after surgery, it was imperative that I took my pain meds - both narcotics and Motrin. If I was just one hour late with my dose in that first three days, I found myself in excruciating pain! Know the schedule of your pain meds, and make sure the nurses stick to it!
In summary -
The first week after my C/S sucked. It was horrible.
The second week was painful, but not horrible. It was 100x better than that first week.
The third week I was off pain meds and nearly back to normal.
Don't overdo it in that first three or four weeks after the surgery. Two weeks and two days after my C-section, I attended my BIL's wedding. It involved a fair bit of walking and some stair climbing. Midway through the reception, I started hemhorraging and lost a LOT of blood - as in, I ran to the toilet and it literally flowed out for three minutes, and I soaked a diaper per hour for three hours afterward. It was scary, and my OB almost had me go into the ER! I think it was my body's way of telling me I was doing too much, too soon. Don't plan on doing anything that involves any kind of stress, any walking, or any standing for a prolonged period of time for at least three weeks. Take it easy.
In the beginning, you will need a lot of help, especially that first week. For awhile, you won't even be able to get out of bed without considerable effort and discomfort. It will literally hurt to sit up. You will be strictly couching it, except for going to the bathroom, etc. I remember that on my second day home, it took all the energy I could muster to take a shower and make my way back to the couch.
Your DH will be changing all the diapers, doing everything, and bringing you the baby. DH will need at least a week off work (my DH had 2 plus a couple days, and I truly couldn't have done it without him for the first week and a half). It is helpful if you have someone extra, such as mom or MIL, for at least a few days after you return from hospital. My mom was with us for the first three days, and we had a pretty good system - DH took care of the baby and brought him to me when he needed to breastfeed. My mom helped with laundry, housework, feeding us, and giving DH breaks with baby. She continued to come every other day or so for the first three weeks. After that, things had settled down and I was up and around without trouble.
Good luck! Like I said, for me, that first week was sheer hell, but after that, it was much easier than I expected. By three weeks after baby was born, I felt like my old self.