What was your recovery like?

hsal · May 2011

I'm being bad and jumping from the 3rd trimester board to ask about recovery. I'm a very active person and am nervous about how long my doctor is going to make me stay at home and not be able to do things. I'm PLANNING (although that means nothing) to have a natural birth and as of now, I have had no complications with any of the tests. How long did you feel gross after? When did your doctor let you go for walks again? How long until you could drive again? Go to the gym? I know every pregnancy is different but I'd LOVE to hear what your recovery was like! Thanks!

Vincent · May 2011

I'm a planner but as you mentioned it means nothing. I expected to have a natural birth and at 36 weeks discovered I had Pre-E so bad during my 36 week appointment that we went from a caesarean to an emergency caesarean with general anesthesia in a 2 hour span. I was completely out durinng the birth and both my husband and I missed the birth (talk about not being my ideal birth plan). I was on magnesium for low blood platelets in the hospital and that slowed my recovery a bit, it took 2 days to run out of my system. I still have issues with my bp and wasn't able to drive until last Thursday for the first time. Because I wasn't expecting a caesarean (didn't pay attention too much during that part in the birth class) I wasn't aware of the extreme difference in recovery as appose to a vaginal birth. The stairs are terrible (my bedroom is on the second floor) and the incision area is still very tender (I'm told through posts that the discomfort will subside slowly). One of the other symptoms of my Pre-E is pins and needles in my feet and my doctor told me to walk when I'm able to, to get the swelling to go down but also keep my feet up (catch 22). I'm only 20 days pp and I still don't feel like myself but I'm able to care for my little one and on an occassion keep up with simple chores. I wouldn't plan too much around recovery because you really don't have too much control on when LO will arrive and what will happen when she/he does (like in my case for example). Hope that helps.

MJGgirl · May 2011

I had a vaginal birth and I did not have a hard recovery at all. I had an easy pregnancy with no complications too. While I was in the hospital I wore the giant adult diaper-like pads that they provided with the ice pack and epi foam for the area that I had to get cut at. I was able to get in and out of the bed at the hospital pretty good but my DH and mom still helped me out alot. My DH did have to shower me for the first time after delivery b/c I was sore and all from the delivery and from my body having the epidural. When I was discharged from the hospital I was wearing more of an overnight pad (very long and still thicker than a normal pad) and using my Tucks pads and Epi foam. I did really well as far as getting around. I did not actually drive until 2 weeks after delivery. I delivered on 2/4 and my first time driving was 2/17. As far as going for a walk I also did that again around 2 weeks. I stopped my PP bleed after a couple weeks too and since I did not BF I got my first cycle around 6 weeks PP. The worst I felt was the first week b/c I was just still sore, my milk came in and since I did not BF I ended up getting mastitis, and since I was a first time my mom I was adjusting to all the new things you go through with a newborn. Other than that I felt fine. I changed my pads frequently and used the stuff the nurses gave me and kept the area clean so that my stitches would heal up. my recovery was good. Now your doc will not release you for sex or going to the gym to work out until your exam at 6 weeks but a casual walk with the baby in your neighbourhood would be fine b/c that is what I did. I helps you mentally and physically to get outside.

PartiallySunny · May 2011

First, I didn't plan on a 2nd degree tear and killer hemroids, which limited my mobility for almost 3 weeks. I washed dishes sitting on a chair because it was so uncomfortable to stand even for that short amount of time. My pregnancy was perfect, no complications except indigestion. For my labor I had two shots of either Demerol or Nubain (can't remember which), no epi. I did have some heavy bleeding afterwards and an elevated heartrate but was fine the next day.

I was allowed to drive when I "felt up to it". I wasn't suppose to exercise until my 6 week checkup, but I did light yoga. I didn't feel up to a walk until around the 3 week mark and even then it still caused me some discomfort and light spotting. This might have been better had I not torn.

missmiss307 · May 2011

I had a complication-free pregnancy, and I'd say my recovery was fairly easy. I labored naturally for 28 hours before getting an epi and pitocin to help me progress, and I gave birth vaginally to a 9 lb. 5 oz. baby. I had some second-degree tears but nothing too bad. No restrictions on driving or light exercise (walking, basically), just pelvic rest for six weeks until my follow-up appointment. My recovery would have been perfect if not for an infection caused by villitis of the placenta and post-partum depression.

BeetleLinz1125 · May 2011

I think this is something most women worry about. My recovery went fairly well-I did have a second degree tear, but I was able to work up to doing my normal amount of housework within a week. My doctor told me not to drive for 1-2 weeks, whichever I was comfortable with. I only waited a week. I bled very heavily for about a week and a half, but after that I only required a light pad.

I think that if you feel up to it, getting back into your normal "swing of things" will be the most beneficial thing ever. Just start small. I definitely could not wait 6 weeks to start walking again! I think I started at about 4 weeks pp, but I also had other things that kept me from doing it (really bad case of mastitis!).

One thing that really helped me when I got home was to soak some pads in witch hazel and freeze them. Also, I got a bunch of the big ice packs from the hospital. Those help more than you can imagine!

Good luck and I wish you a speedy recovery!

ncbelle · May 2011

I felt pretty close to normal right away with both births (just tired of course but no pain). I was out and about in days (walking). Technically you aren't supposed to drive for two weeks because your braking time is decreased (because of your muscles being all out of whack) but I did drive the first week as I had no pain or other issues. With both pregnancies, I stayed active until the end so I felt comfortable doing light exercise around 3 weeks or so (I went for my first run today).

cyprissa · May 2011

I had an uncomplicated, natural vaginal delivery and recovery has been pretty good so far. I ended up with a tiny first degree tear that needed 3 stitches so I have to use a peri bottle to clean up after using the bathroom. For the first 2 weeks, I wasn't supposed to do any cooking, cleaning or strenuous activity and only 1 flight of stairs per number of days postpartum (i.e. 1 flight day 1, 2 on day 2 and so on). Light walking was fine. I had a bruised tailbone so, I did have some additional pain but other than cramping, I felt pretty good. My baby was born on Tuesday and I drove myself to an appointment on Friday with no problem at all.

I'm past week 2 now and don't feel like going to the gym yet but I've gone for a long walk with the baby and DH and felt great. I don't have any cramping anymore and my tailbone feels almost back to normal. I also don't have any pain from my stitches...although I never really did.

rahoogs9 · May 2011

I feel like I had a fairly easy pregnancy, and that is why I am convinced DD came a week late!! I wasn't miserable at all the whole time. No nausea, indigestion, back pain the whole pregnant. I was running or doing walk/jog combination up until 35 weeks, when my husband decided he was not comfortable with me working out.

Needless to say, I labored fairly easy, other than the back labor I was having. Got an epidural at 6am, had my water broken at 8am, and our DD arrived at 1:46! I had a second degree tear. Hospital recovery was annoying with the super large padding they have you wear after delivery. I opted to stay for 2 days this being my first child. Walked out of the hospital on my own, which the nurses were surprised about, and was wearing an overnight pad with witch hazel pads. By day 3 my milk came in, and I was down to pantiliners. The worst was 1 week pp, I think mainly due to engorgement and I forgot to take ibuprofen. Walking felt better than sitting. Had a 2nd degree tear, but the worst was that I felt my tailbone was bruised!

My doctor never mentioned not being able to drive, so I waited till just about 1wk pp. At 2 weeks I went on my first real walk. Went about 2 miles with the dog and stroller. I still try to get out and walk whenever it's not raining. I have tried jogging to the mailbox, and my core muscles seem to weak for running. I'm thinking I will stick to walking until my 6wk check up. I don't want to push myself too hard too fast, I've heard you can get incontinence if you start too early. However, I may start doing lunges sometime this week.

kjjellybean · May 2011

My recovery was fairly easy. I had Pre-E and was on strict bedrest for 2 months. So getting back into gear was a little rough. I was induced with pitocin and got an epidural. Pushed for 36 minutes and had minimal tearing. I only needed ibuprofen for relief and I only took it for about 8-10 days after. I was in the hospital for a total of 3 days so I got lots of rest. Bleeding lasted about 3 weeks. My DR told me at 3 weeks that if I wanted to I could start walking. If I overdid it then my body would let me know it. He said i'd start bleeding again if that happened. DH and I went shopping at target about a 2 weeks after delivery. You'll know when enough is enough. You just have to listen to your body.

OctoPussInBoots · May 2011

I was given Pitocin during my labor but had no pain medication. I stood up to go to the bathroom two hours after birth, and also stood to watch LO's first bath about 3 hours after birth. I was also well enough to walk to my post-partem room.

I went for a (slow) walk with LO about a week after birth. I was able to drive by then but didn't really because I always wanted to ride in the back with LO.

I probably felt up for working out at about 3 weeks but haven't so far because I am unmotivated and tired from lack of sleep!

HTH!

jteneback · May 2011

I had a pretty easy birth with just a couple of stitches for a small tear. I felt pretty normal after about 2 weeks, drove within a few days. It's really important to listen to your body and not overdo it too soon.

jg_girl1 · May 2011

I would say recovery was pretty easy for me. I had an epidural, an episiotomy and 2 internal tears I'm not sure how many stitches but it took the Dr. a while to sew me back together. The first day in the hospital I stayed in the bed with an ice pack. The second day however it actually felt better for me to stand and walk around. I was able to get up to go to the bathroom and even shower by myself. I drove and also went for me first walk at 5 days pp. I really have not had any pain since coming home from the hospital. The worst part of recovery so far for me has been bowel movements. I take the max dose of stool softeners but it still does not help ease the pain. For me the first BM was worse than giving birth.

SoonMrsCruz · May 2011

I am also super active, hate just sitting around, need to keep busy kind of person! I delivered DS vaginally, but ended up with an episiotomy. I was up and walking around my hospital room two hours after delivery (once the epidural wore off pretty much!) lol Don't get me wrong, I wasn't running around. I was in some pain, but I was out of that bed and walking (slowly)! It took me about a week to be able to get up quickly and walk around without thinking about the stitches. I felt gross for a while, with the bleeding and all. And the bad part was that the more active I was the more I would bleed. The days I took it easy were the days that the bleeding was lighter. I was never given any restrictions on driving, but was glad DH was able to take me to the hospital each morning after we were discharged to have DSs bilirubin levels checked (he was a little jaundice). For working out, it wasn't until my 6 week post partum appointment that my doctor gave me the okay to work out again. But let me just warn you, when I went back to the gym it was HARD! I almost died in classes that I would take with no problem before.

starlily313 · May 2011

I had a vaginal birth and what seemed to be a pretty easy recovery. I had a 2nd degree tear, but I honestly did not notice or feel it much. I felt gross until I got home 2 days later and took the longest, hottest, best shower in the world.

I was up & walking the same day I delivered. My doctor didn't restrict me from driving, but I waited approximately a week before doing so. I waited until my 6 week checkup before resuming pilates, the gym & ice-skating.

I took the heavy dosage ibuprofen for 4 days, 1-2 pills a day.

virginiagirl11 · May 2011

I had an uneventful pregnancy and, aside from 5mg of Nubain at 10cm, my 17-hour labor & delivery were natural.

LO was sunny side up until the MW turned him inside me a little while before I pushed him out. Because of his position during my labor, however, I ended up with a very, very sore tailbone pp. That's been the worst part of my recovery so far, which I guess makes me pretty lucky.

I had a couple of slight tears or "skidmarks" on my lady bits that required a couple of stitches, but that's it. I lost a lot of blood during delivery, which made me feel very weak for a couple of days afterward, but that wasn't too bad.

I walked to the bathroom on my own (very slowly) an hour or two after delivery and walked myself (very slowly) out to the car the following night when we left the hospital. I drove to an appointment and went grocery shopping three days after delivery. At 2 weeks, I started doing 30-minute brisk walks every other day or so. I took the stool softeners, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and used the Dermoplast that they gave me for a couple of weeks and then self-weaned because I wanted to be able to feel any remaining pain to make sure things were healing as they should be.

I'm 3.5 weeks PP now and, while my tailbone is still extremely sore and my pelvic bone down below still feels a bit bruised from pushing out a 7lb, 14.5 oz. human being, I am otherwise fine and able to run up and down the stairs and carry heavy laundry baskets, etc. I expect to be given the green light to exercise at my 6 week appt.

I really wouldn't worry about recovery. It's so dependent on your birth experience and your body that you really can't plan for it (I'm a planner, too). You truly just have to resign yourself to hoping for the best and rolling with the punches on that one. Be sure to take all of the pads, mesh underwear, and meds that they offer you as it will make life a little easier while you heal. GL!

nykimac · May 2011

My midwife had really strict restrictions for the first two weeks. The first week I wasn't allowed to do any stairs and was pretty much restricted to just bed and bathroom. Week two I could do stairs one time and was supposed to continue to be restful. I started exercising at week 6. Even though it seemed like crazy restrictions I followed them and quit bleeding at week 3 and felt really good and recovered because I didn't over do myself. It does make you a little crazy but take it easy.

Want a personalized experience?

What was your recovery like?

Mommy by the Sea

Re: What was your recovery like?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards