2 weeks post c/s (3rd c/s) - here's where I'm at

Mama Jan · February 2012

There's always posts about "how did you feel... when did you stop bleeding... etc" so I thought I'd write out my post c/s experience so far... maybe it will help someone? (and FWIW all of this is ok'd by my ob, she is much more laid back than other docs and I've been scolded by my friends for going on walks so that's what I'm adding this caveat Smile )

3rd c/s was 2w1d ago. In the hospital I:

- BF'd in the recovery room, <1 hour after birth
- was very nauseous for the first 24-36 hours and was given zofran for that
- stood up and walked about 7 hours post surgery
- removed cath about 18 hours post surgery
- walked the halls multiple times/day
- was on a clear liquids diet for 30 hours post surgery, not allowed solid foods until I passed gas....
- did not have IV taken out until I was allowed to eat just in case they needed to administer something.
- first BM was about 3 days post surgery, not painful (was taking a stool softener 2x/day)

Since arriving home I:
- continued to take motrin every 8 hours, but haven't taken any in about 2 days
- never needed to take my percocet (I don't like the way it makes me feel so I felt like I was trading that yucky feeling with a little bit of pain... not too bad)
- walked about a mile 12 days post surgery (around the neighborhood, slower pace, flat ground)
- drove myself on an errand today
- haven't had any bleeding since 1w6d pp
- removed my steri strips myself after my 2wk check up
- can lift my boys onto the couch, etc if necessary but I don't carry them (35lbs and 50lbs)
- have done laundry, baked a bday cake for DS1, make the bed, letting DH do the vaccuming
- still feel like a turtle on its back when laying down... very hard to get myself to sitting (no muscles, not painful).

My first week pp seemed like a much more difficult recovery than the others, the second week pp has been much easier than the others.

Don't know if anyone finds this helpful but thought I'd put it out there. Wink

soveryexcited · February 2012

This is super awesome; thanks so much for posting! I will be going in for my third c-section on 2/15 and I was trying to remember how long it took for me to bounce back, etc. This gives me a much better idea! :-)

manbearpig31610 · February 2012

That's great! Sounds like you are doing very well. I hope my 3rd goes as smooth (when we decide to have a 3rd). If you don't mind me asking...did your ob clear you for a 4th (if you want a 4th, of corse). DH and I are hoping for 4, as long as there's no medical reason not to. I just had my 2nd in Nov and my ob said there was barely any scar tissue and things look great for a 3rd, when we're ready.

Mama Jan · February 2012

manbearpig31610:
That's great! Sounds like you are doing very well. I hope my 3rd goes as smooth (when we decide to have a 3rd). If you don't mind me asking...did your ob clear you for a 4th (if you want a 4th, of corse). DH and I are hoping for 4, as long as there's no medical reason not to. I just had my 2nd in Nov and my ob said there was barely any scar tissue and things look great for a 3rd, when we're ready.

Yes! She said I had virtually no scar tissue and can have "lots more babies" if I want to. I was glad to hear that because I had so much pain during the pregnancy I worried it might be due to scar tissue.

Ashwyatt · February 2012

This is very helpful. I am currently In the recovery process myself. My son was a week old yesterday. This is my 2nd section my first was an emergency and I was in a lot of pain after her. This time around was scheduled and Although I am still in quite a bit of pain things have went better. I was up walking the first day and I passed gas the first day as well. How ever I didn't get my first bowl movement until my 6th day even with taking the softeners and it was painful. Still having trouble keeping that going due to the pain meds. I am almost out of the vicodin they gave me and I am a little nervous only because I am still very sore and I do get up and move around more than normal because I have a 2 year old also and don't have a choice. I went in for my 1 week check up dr says everything looks great and I can take my strips off today and I can walk a little more and drive now if I need to. Still bleeding not to awful bad sometimes I don't have much of anything and other times its a little heavier. I am hoping next week pain will start easing a little more. Just curious are any of you not breastfeeding? It didn't work out for me and I am trying to get my boobs to dry up and I was reading its not good to wrap them with ace bandage anymore so I just have been wearing a bra and its not to awful painful but they are still very full and leaking of milk. I wasn't sure if there was something else I could do and how long it took for others to dry up.

harmonicbabe26 · February 2012

This is awesome! Thank you for documenting this stuff!! You are amazing especially with 3 kids at home! Congrats on the LO!

manbearpig31610 · February 2012

Ashwyatt:
This is very helpful. I am currently In the recovery process myself. My son was a week old yesterday. This is my 2nd section my first was an emergency and I was in a lot of pain after her. This time around was scheduled and Although I am still in quite a bit of pain things have went better. I was up walking the first day and I passed gas the first day as well. How ever I didn't get my first bowl movement until my 6th day even with taking the softeners and it was painful. Still having trouble keeping that going due to the pain meds. I am almost out of the vicodin they gave me and I am a little nervous only because I am still very sore and I do get up and move around more than normal because I have a 2 year old also and don't have a choice. I went in for my 1 week check up dr says everything looks great and I can take my strips off today and I can walk a little more and drive now if I need to. Still bleeding not to awful bad sometimes I don't have much of anything and other times its a little heavier. I am hoping next week pain will start easing a little more. Just curious are any of you not breastfeeding? It didn't work out for me and I am trying to get my boobs to dry up and I was reading its not good to wrap them with ace bandage anymore so I just have been wearing a bra and its not to awful painful but they are still very full and leaking of milk. I wasn't sure if there was something else I could do and how long it took for others to dry up.

I am BFing and did with DD1 as well BUT I have heard that cabbage leaves are good to dry up the milk if you do not bf. I believe you are supposed to cook and cool the cabbage leaves and apply them directly to your breasts. I have no evperience with this but I have a friend who has used this method. Also, I'm sure if you call the hospital (L&D) they could help you.

manbearpig31610 · February 2012

Ashwyatt:
This is very helpful. I am currently In the recovery process myself. My son was a week old yesterday. This is my 2nd section my first was an emergency and I was in a lot of pain after her. This time around was scheduled and Although I am still in quite a bit of pain things have went better. I was up walking the first day and I passed gas the first day as well. How ever I didn't get my first bowl movement until my 6th day even with taking the softeners and it was painful. Still having trouble keeping that going due to the pain meds. I am almost out of the vicodin they gave me and I am a little nervous only because I am still very sore and I do get up and move around more than normal because I have a 2 year old also and don't have a choice. I went in for my 1 week check up dr says everything looks great and I can take my strips off today and I can walk a little more and drive now if I need to. Still bleeding not to awful bad sometimes I don't have much of anything and other times its a little heavier. I am hoping next week pain will start easing a little more. Just curious are any of you not breastfeeding? It didn't work out for me and I am trying to get my boobs to dry up and I was reading its not good to wrap them with ace bandage anymore so I just have been wearing a bra and its not to awful painful but they are still very full and leaking of milk. I wasn't sure if there was something else I could do and how long it took for others to dry up.

I am BFing and did with DD1 as well BUT I have heard that cabbage leaves are good to dry up the milk if you do not bf. I believe you are supposed to cook and cool the cabbage leaves and apply them directly to your breasts. I have no evperience with this but I have a friend who has used this method. Also, I'm sure if you call the hospital (L&D) they could help you.

manbearpig31610 · February 2012

OP, congrats on the good news for "lots more babies"!

surprise3rd · February 2012

Very Helpful. I am having my third C-section in July, and my last one will have been over 5 years ago so I am not remembering all the details about recovery. Thanks and congrats:)