csection recovery

octoberwed2008 · September 2009

I had a c section last Friday on the 18th and I am still unable to stand for more than a few minutes and taking a shower is so difficult because my incision starts to really bother me and I need to get out and sit down. I barely get through washing my hair and it's so painful to stand there and once I get out. Just got my staples out yesterday and Dr said everything looks really good down there so I'm guessing that this is normal but I'm wondering how long it will last that I can't even stand. Please tell me how long it took you to recover. I am a person that can't stand just sitting around so this is killing me. How was it for you?

erbear · September 2009

I felt really bad (as in my whole stomach was so painful) for about a week. Felt great about two weeks later.

Jen&Joe06 · September 2009

I didn't take it easy and around 3w my MW told me I could do nothing but feed and change B. My pp bleeding had started to increase and go red. A clear sign that I was overdoing it.

It took me almost the full 6w to feel 100% where I could go for long walks, stand for long periods of time etc.

Just take it easy and you will get better.

cedens · September 2009

i was in a ton of pain the first week- the second week was a little better, but i still couldnt lay down flat or get up easily if i had dd in my arms- after the second week, i was fine- doing things on my own again (just about everything except for heavy stuff)

LVila · September 2009

It sucks for about a week and I'd say by 2-3 weeks, I felt great. I didn't have staples, though.

Traycee1242 · September 2009

What you are explaining sounds a little extreme to me. By the 3rd day I could get around a little better. Are you taking your pain meds??? If not, do so.

Try walking around a little bit every hour. Also REST. Rest is the best thing you can do for yourself. I had major swelling, it was terrible. Drink lots of water.

By day 10 I started to feel like myself again and by 2 weeks literally felt fantastic.

Good luck... take it day by day. It gets better

daisy333 · September 2009

I would say that by 5 days out I was feeling like I could stand for longer periods (like 10-15 min). I took my first "walk" with the stroller at 7 days... I only walked down the street maybe 4 houses and back. It still hurt really bad to stand up from a seated position (especially if holding DS). By 3 weeks I was feeling much, much better. And by 5-6 weeks totally back to normal. I did take it really easy the first couple of weeks though... DH and my mom took good care of me and spoiled me while I took care of LO.

dgurl26 · September 2009

I hate to say this but I was in extreme pain for 2 1/2 weeks after getting home. I finally went back into my doctors because I had ran out of pain pills they gave me which really didn't do much anyways and I had to get a shot of something. After that I started to feel better. I felt back to normal around 3 months unless I over did it. I feel great now. O and for the first 2 weeks home I couldn't even pick up DD let alone bend over or attemt to take a shower. It was horrible.

war_eagle · September 2009

I was only in pain the first few days. Take your pain meds (stay on top of the pain and don't let it get ahead of you) and keep moving (but don't overdo it.

I hope you feel better soon!

lkich · September 2009

It will get better, my best advise to you is to stay ontop of your meds. I took my motrin every 6 hours for the 1st 2 weeks, then every 6 hours when I was awake and I took the pain pill as directed and as needed. Sometimes I still need it. I'm still not 100% mobile but SO much better than I was. GL

korinne76 · September 2009

I agree that you symptoms sound a little strong to me. I had difficulty getting up out of my sofa and out of bed, but beyond that it hasn't been that painful at all and I haven't been on pain killers since the hospital. I'm 4 weeks out now and feel great. I'm waiting until my 6 week appt to run again, but feel like I could start now.

Have you talked to your doc about your difficulty standing? Discomfort is normal, but inability to stand through a shower seems odd.

DNK777 · September 2009

I took my pain meds for the first 3 weeks. I still had stomach pain untl around 6 weeks. Kind of like doing too many sit-ups. I remember going through the grocery store and being sore by the end.

octoberwed2008 · September 2009

The pain that I have in the shower is like a burning sensation at the incision and it's always on the same side. I have been on top of my pain meds by taking motrin every 6 hours. I don't have a whole lot of trouble with getting up or down from sitting its just standing for more than a few minutes SUCKS. If you think it sounds extreme I don't know what to say. The pain that I have after standing for more than a few minutes actually takes my breath away. but I do get up and walk around.

cedens · September 2009

Traycee1242:

What you are explaining sounds a little extreme to me. By the 3rd day I could get around a little better. Are you taking your pain meds??? If not, do so.

just wanted to note that everyone heals differently- not everyone will bounce back easily- i had extreme pain for the first entire week- where i could not stand for long periods of time and it did hurt to stand in the shower- forget getting up from laying down (i couldnt lay down- i would be in tears) and i DID take my meds regularly- both motrin and the percocets -

so i totally understand how you feel and it does get better- there is a light at the end of the tunnel - i thought i would never feel better again

jl_nc · September 2009

i didnt have staples but after surgery it took me a good few weeks to be able to have the energy to stand up straight. i thought i was never going to be able to stand ever again! its normal, but call your OB if you are worried about it. and remember to take your pain meds! they make things a lot easier to deal with.

angel555 · September 2009

The first two or three weeks were AWFUL, as in getting in and out of bed was nearly impossible, sitting was uncomfortable. It got slowly better after that, and I started to be able to move fairly normally around the month and a half mark. I still, however, can't sit up well from laying down completely.

a13evans · September 2009

The burning may not actually be the incision itself. I thought there was one spot of my incision that was taking forever to heal. I had burning, shooting pain in that spot from about day 2 until about week 5 pretty regularly when I moved. Dr. told me it was one of the muscles that had gotten cut and repaired and we being pulled when I moved my leg in a way that didn't agree with it. I agree with all above posters; keep ahead of your pain, the meds are there for a reason and if it's unbearable, call your OB.

angel555 · September 2009

octoberwed2008:
The pain that I have in the shower is like a burning sensation at the incision and it's always on the same side. I have been on top of my pain meds by taking motrin every 6 hours. I don't have a whole lot of trouble with getting up or down from sitting its just standing for more than a few minutes SUCKS. If you think it sounds extreme I don't know what to say. The pain that I have after standing for more than a few minutes actually takes my breath away. but I do get up and walk around.

I don't know what kind of superwomen these posters are, but I don't think what you're describing is extreme. You've just gone through major abdominal surgery; it's gonna hurt!

As a follow up to my post above: I took one prescription strength Motrin and one pill of a narcotic (don't remember the name). I was (and still am) BFing, so didn't want to load my little one up with a bunch of meds. (The medical staff claims that the meds don't go to the breast milk, but I didn't buy that--DD was lethargic when I took them, and wasn't as tired when I didn't.)

I'm wondering if these posters: A Think they're Superwoman B. In denial C. Were over-medicating.

The pain you're describing sounds normal. Your stomach muscles help hold you upright--of course they're going to hurt if they've been cut and stitched up again. The good news is that it does get better. Just be patient, TAKE IT EASY, and keep doing what you're doing with your meds. I know you said you don't like keeping still, but it has to be done if you're going to heal. Again, you've gone through major abdominal surgery--you need time to recover. (You wouldn't expect to be on your feet again soon after any other kind of surgery would you?) Just because C-sections are common doesn't mean that they're not a big deal to recover from. Anyone who says they aren't a big deal can suck it.

TexasLadyBug · September 2009

I did not have a c-section but I wanted to add that maybe you can get a sit for in the shower. That way you can take your time washing her hair etc with out fee rushed because you need to sit down because of the pain.

I am really sorry the pain is so bad, but like some pp said you had a major surgery.

BTW your Lo is sooo cute!?

cedens · September 2009

angel555:

octoberwed2008:
The pain that I have in the shower is like a burning sensation at the incision and it's always on the same side. I have been on top of my pain meds by taking motrin every 6 hours. I don't have a whole lot of trouble with getting up or down from sitting its just standing for more than a few minutes SUCKS. If you think it sounds extreme I don't know what to say. The pain that I have after standing for more than a few minutes actually takes my breath away. but I do get up and walk around.

I don't know what kind of superwomen these posters are, but I don't think what you're describing is extreme. You've just gone through major abdominal surgery; it's gonna hurt!

lol totally agree- i was wondering what the heck ppl were saying- i felt like crap until 2 weeks

maria15288 · September 2009

I was in horrible pain for 2 solid weeks. On week three I started to slowly feel better and by 4 weeks I felt fine. I just had my 6 week appointment and I got the ok to workout but I'm definitely still feeling like I can't run, I've started walks at night because that's all I can do. I think everyone heals different and I'm a slow one. Just take it easy and you'll see you'll start to feel better each day.

*KC*luvs*RJ* · September 2009

It will get easier, I promise. I was in lots of pain for about two weeks, but after that I could walk around more and do things around the house. I completely feel your pain and know it can be frustrating, but take this time to enjoy your baby and your freedom from everyday chores! :-)

Feel better soon!

octoberwed2008 · September 2009

Thank you so much for sharing and uplifting me!!! It's so frustrating and I have never had any kind of surgery before so I have no idea what to expect. I am looking forward to the day that I feel better and you ladies have helped me realize that this is temporary and will pass. I just have to deal with it and let other people "wait" on me and clean my house which drives me nuts!!!! But thanks again.

CowboysWife04 · September 2009

As most have said, what you're feeling is normal. But, the one thing I can tell you that helped me the most was the post partum binder I wore with DD2. My mom got it for me from BRU and when I wore it for the first time on day 4, I finally could stand up and walk around without holding my belly from the pain. If you can, pick one of these up as you can make it as tight/loose as you want, and it really will make a world of difference. In fact, I did too much lifting of DD1 the other day and had some of the burning return so I wore my binder again for one day and it took care of the burning so I'm now back to feeling normal again.

GL!

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