Recovery tips

krzynluv1031 · October 2011

After laboring for 14 hours and pushing for 2, my doctor decided it was best for me and the baby have a c-section. Now, about 30 hours post birth, its been really difficult for me to do anything, even change positions in the bed and breastfeed. I am now going to the bathroom with just the help of DH, but its still really hard to get in and out of bed. I can't imagine being discharged and having the walk up the 5 steps to get into our house, let alone get to our bedroom on the third floor. Anyone have any recommendations/tips on methods to recover quickly or at least be able to move around without so much assistance?

ladybugpjb · October 2011

Use a pillow (Boppy or regular) or the football hold for BFing so you don't put so much pressure on your incision. I used regular pillows at the hospital since I didn't have a Boppy yet.

This might sound obvious, but if you're still in the hospital, make sure to adjust the height of your bed to a height comfortable for you to get up and down. Mine was way too low and I had a lot of trouble getting up and down for the first couple of days. (I was in the hospital with DS for 9 days because he had some issues.) A lot of my pain from moving was from trying to get up and down. Sit on the edge of the bed, then raise/lower the bed until it's easier to get up.

And if they haven't given you this suggestion, keep a pillow close by and hold that against your stomach as you move for counter-pressure. It will ease the pain a little when you get up or if you cough or sneeze.

Some doctors limit the number of times you can go up/down stairs, so you might want to think about alternate sleeping arrangements. My doctor didn't, but I know many do.

Hang in there - it gets better. Remember to take your pain medication!

kcvasquez · October 2011

I don't have any tips to help you heal/recover faster but I do know the position you're in. I labored for 22 hours before having my c-section and I also lived in an apartment where I had to climb the stairs (not as many as you will have to it sounds) but my best advice is to take it slow. If it takes you a half hour to get up the stairs then take it, with help of course. You will probably very sore for the next day or two but you will be amazed at how much better you feel pretty quickly, still even if you start feeling better take it slow because it doesn't take much to overdo it. And like the PP said, make sure to stay on top of your pain meds for the next few days even if you feel like you don't need them because by the time you realize you need them you will be in a lot of pain. Hoping you get a fast recovery and feel better soon! We've all been there so don't be afraid to ask more questions!

manbearpig31610 · October 2011

I'm sorry you are having a rough recovery. Mine was similar (21 hour induced labor + pushing then csection) and I was told by the nurses that a long labor plus pushing prior to a csection makes for a much more difficult recovery. It took me about 2 weeks to feel like myself again. Just try to take it easy, stay on top of your pain meds and (if possible) arrange lots of help for when you get home. Your only concern for the next couple weeks should be resting, showering and feeding yourself and baby. Hope you are feeling better soon!

J+MS · October 2011

Getting out of the bed is the absolute worst. If you have a low couch, consider sleeping on that until your ab muscles aren't so sore. and so many people will tell you this, but take it easy. I tried to do too much, too fast and I was sore longer than I should have been. Just feed your baby and let somebody else take care of the house and stuff.

krzynluv1031 · October 2011

Thank you for all of your tips. My mom is going to help DH and I for the first two weeks (she lives in a neighboring city) so that should take care of all the house cleaning/cooking. I'm considering just sleeping in our glider for the first couple of days, but I'll be checking all of our beds/couches to see what is most comfortable. Thanks again!

Mrs.DeliaMarieP · October 2011

We had also had an unplanned c-section.

When we got home, we ended up moving our bedroom to the living room for the first couple of weeks because I have a tempurpedic mattress and was having a lot of difficulty getting out of the bed, plus it's on the 2nd floor and the living room's on the first. That was a big help so that I didn't have to go up and down the stairs.

Also, just understand that everything has to be done very slowly for now. Don't expect to be able to get around the house as fast as you normally do, and take your time. And, keep in mind that this is entirely normal and that things WILL go back to normal eventually, and that this situation is only temporary.

Best of luck, hope you feel better quickly!

lewis514 · October 2011

I started feeling better every day. Continue to take the pain meds you need (I took Motrin around the clock for about a week). Take your time doing everything. I used a step stool to get in/out of bed (bc it was so high) and I did our stairs once/day - down in the morning, up at night (we have 14 stairs). I used the boppy for feeding as well.

While in the hospital, walk as much as possible to get your strength back.

stardust317 · October 2011

I had a scheduled csection because my OB thought that an induction would fail, and I told ehr that I did not want to have both experiences. My best advice is to stay on top of your pain medicine. The hardest part of recovery was rolling from one side to the other and getting up and down out of the bed. I would hug a pillow to my stomach and roll slowly to move from side to side. Just do the best you can, and it will get easier.

harlansmommy · October 2011

I was given an abdominal binder by the nurses following my c section with ds #1. I thought it was the best thing ever. It kinda holds everything there when you move. Three years later and i still have that thing and plan on taking it to the hospital to use this time around!

krzynluv1031 · October 2011

harlansmommy:
I was given an abdominal binder by the nurses following my c section with ds #1. I thought it was the best thing ever. It kinda holds everything there when you move. Three years later and i still have that thing and plan on taking it to the hospital to use this time around!

Thanks for the abdominal binder tip. I just requested one and finally feel like my insides aren't falling out when I walk.

mommyaudra · October 2011

That is exactly what happened to me and how i was feeling after my cs so you are not alone! The recovery is very hard (for me anyway). Remember to breathe take deep breaths in and out, take your time and utalize help from DH and others. Do you have a belly band? the belly band i got from the hospital REALLY helped me! i would lay flat and had DH pull it really tight. it helped keep in my belly since it hurt to hold it in when i got up and walked around. if you do not have one i would ask your doctor for one. walking really does help your recovery i dreaded having to get up, especially at the hospital because it burned so much just to move to sitting position. take your meds that they give you dont feel bad or weak for taking them! I hope that you feel better, get lots of rest too! just take your time when getting up. i feel your pain im not looking forward to having to do that again here in march!

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