~ martinimomma ~ (VeilSdeGTO)

VeilSdeGTO · November 2013

As a veteran C-Section momma (holy cow, how could you do this two times?!?!), how long did it take for you to recover? I'm guessing it was longer with your first and easier (hah!) with your second?

How did you keep your toddler away from accidentally hitting/jumping/grabbing/kicking your mid section? Is it truly a 6 week wait before you can pick your toddler up? Any tips you can provide?

How long until your incision healed up? I'm afraid to look at it (aka. I can barely see my feet still let alone my incision) and weren't given any special care/cleaning instructions.

How are you holding up?

martinimomma · November 2013

Hey there, lady! -- responding to your questions:

The recovery from my first section was much harder than my second. I could not even do stairs for many days at first after G's delivery. I had a lot of incisional pain and residual issues with pain with movement. My scar bothered me until...well...this delivery. And I was an emotional wreck as well.

Even this time, though, while I was active much sooner and well healed at 6 weeks, I still felt not quite myself for some weeks after that physically or mentally.

Given my past issues with incisional pain and poor healing, I was diligent about not picking up G for maybe 4 weeks. I did it a couple times out of necessity (fire alarm went off one night and I grabbed him out of bed - ouch!) but that was it. We had to modify his bedtime routine to have DH put him in bed (no small task for my routine-driven kid) and I changed him on the couch in the playroom after he climbed up there himself. Instead of crouching to hug him, I'd sit on one of the Lower stairs in our staircase or on the couch to cuddle at his level and still be able to get back up easily. When he was in his high chair and needed to get down, I put one of our counter height barstools in front of him and he'd shimmy on to that and then climb down (I'd "spot" him to avoid falls). We told him I had an "owie" on my belly and that it would be better soon. He kind of got that and offered me a bandaid on more than one occasion. He will still point to my belly every once in a while and say "Mommy's owie is all better now."

He did accidentally kick me in the abdomen about a week post op and I thought I was going to pass out. It hurt like hell! But it was fine. In the first few weeks I did a lot of sitting on the couch or chair in the playroom (rather than on the floor) which worked both for ease of movement and to permit easy nursing of DD.

As for the scar, I am a bad healer and tend to have nasty scars. The scar from section #1 healed poorly (how my body operates, not the surgeons fault) and was raised and tender for some time. And itchy and bothersome after that. With this delivery, the surgeon was kind enough to excise the old scar. Unfortunately the new one looks like it is healing similar to the old one. So I'm hoping I don't have the same problems. I am going to start massaging it with coconut oil on the advice of a colleague who had luck with that - I figure it can't hurt (but not something I would recommend or endorse until many weeks from now if at all).

There was really nothing to do with the incision once I got home . I wore a maxi pad horizontally across it for a couple days just to limit abrasion, but that was it. If you notice drainage (more than a few drops) or bleeding, call your doc. Take a look at it now, and if it changes in appearance (red, hot, etc) as would give you pause for any wound, give a call as well. Pat it dry when you get out of the shower, and wear granny panties to avoid rubbing from the waistband until it is a bit more healed.

Hope that helps!

We are okay here. Our nanny gave notice so we are frantically trying to find a new one to start in 2 weeks (cue panic). And we are all sick with head colds again. Poor A has had 2 nasty colds in less than 3 months of life! Where is that damned immunity from breastfeeding?

G is also challenging us by taking picky eating to the point of practical anorexia some days. He just won't eat. He's already skinny as heck so this is not a welcome development. And since he doesn't tolerate dairy or soy, his diet is already a challenge to pack in fat and protein.

Anyway. Enough about me - Take care! It is a challenge to manage 2 but it can be done.

martinimomma · November 2013

RachaelA said:
Butting in, hi Sandy!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey there Rachael!

VeilSdeGTO · December 2013

Thanks for the info! Recovery is going slowly, but surely. I'm not really having pain where my incision is, but right above it. I am still too chicken to really look at the scar but have been keeping an eye out for any leakage or blood. So far, so good. I'm thinking of taking the tape off soon and then having DH look at it. I also have a weird scarring thing. Every little nick and scratch turns into a dark scar so I'm expecting this one to be raised and gross. Not sure I can face that at the moment. Heh.

I like your idea of putting a pad over the incision. I think I'll try that to minimize the rubbing, despite my granny underwear. Did you ever use a belly band? The hospital gave me one to try but I'm wary of it.

The hardest part so far is emotional because it breaks my heart to not be able to pick DD up when she wants. I'm even hesitant to snuggle with her because twice now, she has pushed down on my incision while trying to snuggle. I thought I would puke from the pain. Just the thought of another 5 weeks of this makes me so sad for her.

Sorry to hear about your nanny giving you notice. I hope you are able to find someone that works well with G and your family.

Side question... is a dairy/soy allergy something that G could possibly grow out of?

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