I thought recovery would be easier...

SWBs Wifey · June 2012

With DS1, I was up and go go going a few days after he was born without any pain at all.

DS2 is 11 days old now and I'm still hurting. The MWs say to take it super easy for the first 10-14 days (they say not to leave the house... exact words: "If your feet are on concrete, you're doing it WRONG. If you call to tell us you're experiencing vaginal pain and then you tell us you went for a walk around your neighborhood, we will not feel sorry for you."

That said, we had a pedi appt for baby that I obviously went to when he was 5 days old. And at 9 days old, we went out to eat (parked in the closest spot, DH did all the lifting).

I'm chomping at the bit to leave the house. We need groceries and while DH is perfectly capable of it, I love grocery shopping and I'm eager to babywear out in public again (it's been so long!). But I'm still sore. Why is it taking so long to heal this time? I'm not doing ANY housework at home (aside from standing in front of the washer/dryer folding laundry- DH brings it all into laundry room and takes it all back upstairs)... just resting as much as a mom can with a two and a half year old and an 11 day old can...

makclair · June 2012

Congrats on your LO!

I personally was very sore and had a lot of pain both deliveries (first had epi, second no pain meds). I did feel like my recovery overall was a lot better the 2nd time around, but I still had to take a lot of pain meds for the first week and a half. If you had stitches, I HIGHLY recommend Motherlove herbal sitz bath concentrate. I put it in the peri bottle and rinsed with it (used like a tsp).

Irisheyes1247 · June 2012

I felt like it just took me longer to feel better because as much as I would try to take it easy and rest, you just can't spend all day laying in bed or on the couch like you did with your first. Around day 14 or so was when my stomach stopped feeling like is been repeatedly punched (thanks after pains) and all that.

3003girl · June 2012

I thought recovery would be much quicker than it was for me. I went for a walk around the block at day 6 and was exhausted the next day and developed mastitis. my MW and LC told me to stay in bed for 24-48 hours, which DH forced me to do. I felt way better after that and took it easy. I took it pretty slow for a few weeks after that. I thought i would be up hopping around within a week because i was very physically fit, but nope. Good luck and rest!

barnwife · June 2012

First, congrats!

Second, my two labor/delivery/recovery experiences could not be more different. With J. I was in terrible pain for over 2 weeks. Going from sitting to standing (or vice versa) made me want to (and sometimes I did) cry. It was awful. FWIW, I only had a small tear but lots of bruising.

This time, I was only in moderate pain for a few days.

I agree it is hard to just sit back and let yourself recover when you also have a toddler. But it can be done. Enlist help besides DH's if possible.

My MW is like yours. She recommends that new moms don't climb stairs for the first 2 weeks. And yes, I do try to follow the recommendation. (With J., I did.) This time, I went downstairs once in the first 2 weeks.) So DH had to do a lot of things he usually doesn't.

But we survived. And I am so glad I took it easy and let myself heal.

Now we can go, go, go as wanted. Also, J. loved the extra time with daddy he got right after A. was born.

GL and I hope the rest of your recovery goes swiftly!

nosoup4u · June 2012

I felt a ton better after I hit the three week mark with my second son's birth.

I had a second-degree tear, and sitz baths really made a difference. Are you taking any painkillers? I was taking ibuprofen pretty regularly those first few weeks, and it really helped me feel less achy.

MSC03 · June 2012

Is it vag pain from soreness or stitches? I was out and about from day 4 PP, but once I felt my vag get all sore and swollen, I was not only back home, but my feet elevated. I found that helped a lot. And ice.

Twirple · June 2012

I was not smart and I walked a 5K while pushing DS in the stroller when he was 7 days old. I think it took me 3 weeks to feel decent. Definitely not an easy recovery.

LaurelBee · June 2012

I remember crying 5w pp bc it still hurt so bad! I had an episiotomy, so I always blamed that... So sorry your recovery is taking longer! I busted out the ice packs and witch hazel pads again and it helped a lot! GL mama

Kitttkattt · June 2012

Had a vbac. No stitches. Had a bad hemorrhoid for a week that I needed to do preparationH wipes and suppositories regularly. My baby is 2 months old. I've been doing the cooking cleaning and laundry since he was a week old, right when the hemorrhoid stopped bothering me, my H still grocery shops. I don't think I will be ready to grocery shop til he's one possibly 2. Every ones recovery is different.

PansyPants · June 2012

I've only had one so I can't speak on whether or not a second delivery is harder. However, it took me roughly three weeks to stop having intense vaginal pain either all the time or in quick shooting ways.

I was up and going two days after LO was born because we had to go to the Pediatrician and the hospital for lab work every day until his Jaundice went away. I personally feel that's why my healing took so much longer.

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