Now, after having Ella(our 2.5 year-old), I felt like Hell for almost two weeks. I was induced, had and epi, pumped full of fluids for hours....long labor, 2 hours of pushing, had a hard delivery with a 2nd degree tear and she had to be vaccumed out a bit because she was 8-1 oz., sunny-side up and got stuck in my pelvis. I was so out of it and in so much pain after her, and extremely swollen, both my vulva, legs and feet.
This time, still had an epi, but it was only in for a few hours, I only pushed for 17 minutes, gave birth to an 8-12 oz. baby and I had a 2nd degree tear again. The difference is that this time, I felt pretty good 12 hours after having Connor, and felt well enough that evening to get out of my room and walk to the refreshment room several times. It only hurt to urinate that first time. Do any other Moms feel unusually good after having this round of babies? And how would you compare this recovery to any previous births?
Re: Anyone feel freakishly good post-delivery?
DS1 was a tough one (9lb 7oz;normal vag delivery; 40wks & 4days). Being the first, I suppose. Labor for 20+ hours, pushing for about an hour and a half, 2nd degree tear, and a retaining placenta that made me lose A LOT of blood and end up in the OR for four hours. yeah, it was a tough one. Took a month or two to heal up right. Uf.
DS2 was a breeze (8lb 4oz;normal vag delivery; due date)! No tears, labor for about 8 hours, pushed for about an hour, and no loss of blood. Felt great the next day and was fine within a couple days.
I'm hoping DS3 will be just as easy. : )
I always feel like a million bucks right after having my kids. (it wears off after about 4 days, for me anyway)
I think it's just all this extra pressure off my back and midsection.
DS-11 years, DD-3 years, DS-born 9/15/10, DD-9/09/11
You're just giving birth now, you're not mother Earth now
I haven't delivered my second yet, but I felt pretty great after my first. Sore in the normal areas, and sore muscles throughout my body, but other than moving a little slowly I was pretty much back to normal within a few days. I was induced (cervidil, pit, epidural, the whole nine yards) and in labor 38 hours, but only pushed 20 minutes. Had a 1st degree tear with a 6 lb 11 oz baby, and was up walking within about 2 hours of her birth.I was driving and made a trip to Target at 4 days PP.
Here's hoping #2 goes just as easy on me
DD1 Feb 2010
DD2 Sept 2011
My blog: Midwest Chaos
I had one of those deliveries that everyone would say is really hard. 2 doses of cervidil for 12 hours each, then almost 24 full hours on pitocin and magnesium sulfate, 2 hours of pushing...I had just about every possible intervention short of c-section (obviously), episiotomy and forceps/vacuum.
But my recovery's been beautiful. Haven't used a Tucks pad since we left the hospital, wearing just pantyliners and sometimes having long stretches with zero bleeding, no need for pain meds stronger than OTC Tylenol, easy pooping and peeing...I've felt like a million bucks, even when tired or frustrated or weepy. The baby blues were really tough the first couple of days - those might actually be the biggest complaint. Especially because mine came with crazy anxiety, to the point where I was about ready to talk to my midwife about PPD/PPA. Thankfully (and in the answer to many tearful prayers) the anxiety lifted at about 4 days pp.
My bp still hasn't totally resolved itself either. I had to be released on Labetalol because at 2 days pp I was still running around 160/90. This morning at 1 full week pp was the first time I got a normal reading of 120/70.
But again, even though there's all those things wrong, I feel amazing. I posted on FB earlier that people can call me crazy, but I kind of can't wait to do this again.
I'm only 2 and a half days post partum, but I have no complaints. Just taking ibuprofen a few times a day, but I expected much worse.
8lbs 6oz baby, small 1st degree tear and I pushed for a little over an hour.