Advice needed...(also on 0-3 board)

srheflin91 · February 2013

Hello ladies, DD was born c-section last night after a VERY difficult delivery. Because of blood pressure I wasn't allowed to get up and move around until this afternoon. Because my body seems to be trying to reject most of the pain medication my nurses were giving me, my OB has put me on 10mg Lortab every two hours, which is apparently the legal limit.

This DOES provide relief for about an hour and a half, but what I was wondering, is what would you suggest to help with pain management? They told me because I had to wait so long to walk a lap of the halls is why it was so intensely painful today the two times I did it, and really the left side of the incision is the one that is a searing, stabbing pain every time I move. I am even too afraid to shower even though I DESPERATELY want one! Thank you in advance ladies. As a FTM I have NO idea what to do here, and am feeling very overwhelmed, lol.

1026pumpkin · February 2013

Sorry you're having so much pain. I would just keep working with your doctors and nurses to see what they can do to help you. If the lortab does work for a little while, maybe try showering half an hour after your next dose and do your walking, and then try to get some rest before it starts to wear off again? I know a lot of people thought abdominal binders were really helpful, so you could try asking the nurses for one.

Hope you feel better soon!

ladybugpjb · February 2013

I'm so sorry you're having so much pain. I'm not familiar with Lortab. I was on generic percocet for a couple of days, then moved to ibuprofen because I didn't like the way the other meds made me feel.

Make sure you take whatever gas meds they give you - gas can build up and cause pressure from the inside.

Movement helped me be able to move more, if that makes sense. Make sure you are using counter-pressure when you stand/sit (hold a pillow against your stomach). Also, use the adjustable bed height to help you up and down. (Meaning, sit on the edge of the bed with your feet on the floor and raise it up until you're almost standing. When you come back to bed, sit on the raised bed, then lower it to a height where it's comfortable to move back in. Does that make sense? Let the bed do the work.)

Also, I'm unclear about why you're afraid to shower - is it because of the pain? Are you afraid you'll fall? All I can say is that my first PP shower was one of the best showers of my life. If you're comfortable enough, maybe ask a nurse to help, or wait until DH or your mom or someone can stand by in case you have a problem. The shower in my room had a seat - if yours doesn't have one, I'm sure they could get a portable one for you. Would sitting help ease your fear?

Hang in there! It gets easier! It's normal to feel overwhelmed, but your hospital should have people you can talk to if you need to. Make sure that you get a list of resources for new parents before you leave - it's better to have them and not need them than to get home, feel overwhelmed, and not know who to call.

nosoup4u · February 2013

Keep taking the Rx meds they give you, and then you can take ibuprofen after those run out. Whatever ends up working, stay on top of your meds (remember to take them at the designated time, NOT when you start feeling crappy again). I took ibuprofen for a good two weeks or so after my c/s, even after the Rx pain meds ran out.

The first few days are the worst. Hang in there!

tracy41 · February 2013

I remember how hard it was dealing with the pain, mostly because it was so unexpected. Since it sounds like yours was an emergency keep in mind your body has been through a lot. The feeling that your insides are going to fall apart is the worst. The more you move, at the direction of the medical staff, the better it will get. And I was told one side of the incision, I think it's the side that was closest to your doctor, always hurts more because of the way they cut across. It will get better! Take the meds you need and keep reminding yourself that this too shall pass! Even though right now it probably feels like it won't! GL and congrats on your LO!

AppleJacks81 · February 2013

I alternated ibuprofen 600 mg and Percocet (oxycodone plus Tylenol) every 4-6 hours. Lortab is hydrocodone plus Tylenol, and u don't want to exceed 4000 mg Tylenol in a day because that is all the liver can handle. Percocets are a bit stronger than lortabs, so maybe ask for that and ibuprofen?

kpearse99 · February 2013

I am so sorry you are in so much pain, but congratulations on your LO!

I agree with everything PP's are saying! Also, I would recommend eating your meals in a chair, not in your bed - that way you are getting more movement and trying out different positions to keep the blood flow moving and to keep you more active. Take short walks frequently, even if it's just pacing in your room (I did that the first day) and it allowed me to have more movement to take longer laps.

Good luck!

birdie169 · February 2013

I also was not allowed out of bed, had to be on an IV with magnesium for 24 hrs following surgery for BP too. I didn't have your issues w/ pain medication, they were giving me ibuprofen and percocet, but I do know how hard it is to move after you've been in bed so long. So once I finally was allowed to, I had to have help going to the bathroom every time for the first day, it was really rough. I didn't even try to walk around the maternity ward the first day after I was allowed up, just bathroom and back was hard enough. My dr encouraged me to the day after that and it was a lot easier rather than try to push it too soon, and continued to be easier each day after.

Does your recovery room have a bench/sprayer in the shower? I was able to just go sit down and DH basically washed everything for me, which was AMAZING, I was dying for a shower by that point. If that's not an option, I'm sure one of the nurses would be willing to help you, don't be afraid to ask!

rosesandpeonies · February 2013

i also alternated ibuprofen and percocets. After the delivery of my first daughter I had tons and tons of trouble with pain, especially the gas pain. I truly thought I might die and I have had some pretty bad pain in my life. It was just plain awful. All I can say is that it does get better. Make sure you are on top of the meds and do not let them forget to give them to you. Move as much as possible, start slowly and keep going. If you are allowed to take a shower that might help.

I am so sorry Its going to get better.

lo0818 · February 2013

I am currently post op day 6 and have to say, take it easy when tou get home! I did well in the hospital because I walked but really limited any bending or lifting. Us the nurses were on top of giving me Motrin an Percocet alternating every 2 hours. Once I got home I started doing way too much too fast and now feel like I back tracked myself. My husband has now taken everything on himself except for breatsfeeding. Haha. So my advice is take the meds before you feel the pain and don't be afraid to ask for help. Oh and ice on the painful side of the incision

ali26 · February 2013

I'd say try to move and sit up as much as your pain allows- maybe some of it is gas pain that will dissipate faster with movement. Try to make sure you have plenty of help once you're home and don't leave the hosptial until you have adequate pain relief with the meds. After my c/s I was given Percocet and ibuprofen but I honesty don't remember being in a great deal of pain. I hope it gets better for you.

MrsB*s · February 2013

I am heading into my third c-section in a matter of days, and for the first, was on magnesium and tied to bed for 24 hours afterward, too. For my second, the scar tissue I had was excessive (I was told), and I found that pain tougher to deal with even without all the labor beforehand. Here's how I help myself:

First, moving actually is better. Those initial movements will be painful, but it's sort of like a sore muscle -- if you work through it, it does ease it later. For my first, it definitely didn't help that I was confined to bed longer -- for my second, they had me up in a chair less than 24 hours later. One thing I find really helpful is using little one's cradle as a walker. I would stroll the halls (slowly) pushing her asleep, or use her to wheel from one end of the room to the other. As the days went on, I would do this regularly, almost like prescribed physical therapy. So I was moving, but I had support. I remember it's hard to even stand up straight those first few days, so having her as my little cane helped a ton, and then she was with me everywhere, too. I didn't have to worry about being on one side of the room and trying to get to her when she cried or something.

Hold a pillow against you when laughing or standing or anything. Use the bed rails when you can, and the bed, like a pp suggested. Instead of holding little one, sit in bed, bend your knees up, and put a pillow over your stomach. Create a natural cradle our of your knees so you can admire baby without having to support her weight.

Percocets are definitely a bit stronger than Lortab. They can also give you something without the tylenol in it (including the same stuff as is in Lortab or Percocet) if that is limiting your dose. Make sure you are getting them exactly on time -- pain is harder to knock back than it is to keep from building. Time your shower, any walking, and eventually your car ride home, so that you are about an hour into your medication when it is at its strongest. If you know you will be getting up later, ask for the medication while still in bed. For example, I know they will come in and get me up at early morning rounds the next day -- I'll likely be up and asking for my dose a little before that, so I'm ready.

Take a maxi pad and stick it into your underwear or pants so it covers and cushions your incision. And yes, one side will be more painful based on how you were cut and where the knot is. You can literally help hold that burning side in as you stand or move -- it will help.

I always take my first shower when DH is there, so he can hand me towels, help me get dressed and undressed, etc. Go super slow. But it's worth taking -- you will feel better being clean and it will lift your spirits. Pain is always tougher to deal with when your emotions are low.

Finally, it WILL get easier. More quickly than you'd think. It will take a while to be pain free, but it will ease substantially after just a few days. Really. Hang in there!

AshleyDHerring · February 2013

I, too, was in A LOT of pain. The day after they made me get out of bed and I was looking for a gun. I mean, I am not a wuss but dern it this hurt! Then later that day, or maybe it was the following day, they made me take a shower. Thank goodness they helped and so did my sister but goodness gracious I cannot even begin to tell you how much pain I was in. I just kept thinking to myself that this will pass and there are so many other women that do it thus so can I. I am not 8 months post-pardum and feeling great. I didn't fully recover until about month 4. Up until then it was still sore around the cut and certain things would make me feel a slight discomfort but now I'm fine. It will pass. Time heals c-section wounds, lol.

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