C-Section Recovery Check In

MrsL2B · October 2014

How far out are you from your c-section? How has your recovery been so far?

What have your major struggles been? Have you had any great new signs of progress in your healing?

MrsL2B · October 2014

I am about three and a half weeks post-op and feeling pretty good.

My incision site is still tight, but I've been able to be a bit more active around the house, resulting in cleaner floors than we've had in weeks! Unfortunately it can be difficult to time my desire to get up and be productive with the baby's naps.

cmac6186 · October 2014

10 days out from csection. Right now the most pain I have is from the incision itself. Muscle control is getting better- I still get very exhausted after doing a full day's worth of normal activities and it kicks up my bleeding so trying to do some but not a whole lot getting done.

BreandMikewedding · October 2014

It's been 7 days today. I'm feeling pretty good. Much better than my last cs. I've only taken advil once. Last time I was taking Lortab for awhile.

My major struggle has been back pain. I don't know if it is related to my spinal or my back is over compensating for my lack of ab muscles.

I know I am making progress because I can sit up and get out of bed without pushing up with my arms.

Leysin97 · October 2014

How far out are you from your c-section? How has your recovery been so far? Tomorrow will mark 3 weeks post c-section. I was feeling better but the last few days I have had an increase in pain. I get tightening to the side of the incision and walking is uncomfortable. Much better than in the beginning though.

What have your major struggles been? Have you had any great new signs of progress in your healing? My struggles have been realizing I can't do everything I used to be able to do. I have my post op visit this week so hopefully all is good.

MuffinMom14 · October 2014

11 days. I'm not going to lie. This section makes me extremely hesitant to have more children (until today I've said absolutely not). The hospital recovery was a nightmare (I'm so trying to decide whether or not to share the story). But today I felt almost human. We took photos and met with the LC and I wore contacts and makeup for the first time in 3 weeks. It made a huge mental difference.

My back hurts from not using my abs. And it's hard to tell when i have to pee (I googled and it appears to be a thing and it should go away, but I will ask at my appointment Thursday). I walked .25 of a mile in 15 minutes the other day. As a marathoner, this is depressing, and I stopped, but I'm going to try again tomorrow.

I still look pregnant.

RLarkins · October 2014

I am 6 post c-section. I feel like my recovery has been pretty good so far. I just got my staples removed today, so I'm much more mobile than I have been. My major struggle has been using the bathroom. I never really know when I have to go, and being constipated but needing it out is the worst. So much pain.
I feel like I am healing really good though.

BreandMikewedding · October 2014

@theresat858‌ I'm super itchy too. I think it is the incision healing and the tape they put over the incision.

@SPurp13‌ my first cs was much more painful than my second. Right around the 2 week mark I felt better with my first cs. Hopefully you are right around the corner from feeling like yourself again. I also don't know when I have to pee. I just go sit on the toilet every two hours like a potty training toddler. Lol

@RLarkins‌ I take stool softeners everyday and a laxative as I need it. That way I don't really have to push at all.

RLarkins · October 2014

@BreandMikewedding‌ they gave me a prescription for stool softeners. I don't really feel like they're working that great, though. I'm probably gonna get some laxative and see if that helps some.

BreandMikewedding · October 2014

@RLarkins‌ I just got over the counter stool softeners and I take the max per day all at once. I also got a laxative at Walmart for less than $1. It was a generic and it worked great. After one dose it got things moving. Depending on how backed up you are it can take up to 36 hours to get anything started. After my last cs I was so backed up that it took that long and was still rough. Drink plenty of fluid too.

Littledeer84 · October 2014

@FamousEa‌ Yes! Not every time but pretty often. I see my doc in two days so I plan to ask then...I can't decide if it is from the catheter or the kidney stone I might still need to pass.

MuffinMom14 · October 2014

FamousEa said:
Is anybody else having or had super painful urination but no UTI? I have been tested twice and it's negative. Seriously my urethra feels like it's going to explode when I pee, I didn't have this last time and the nurse said it's from the foley.

From what I googled it's common. Some said it's from the insides getting back to where they need to go and whatnot. Mine has gotten better in just the last couple days. It's hard to tell when I have to go.

MuffinMom14 · October 2014

BreandMikewedding said:
@theresat858‌ I'm super itchy too. I think it is the incision healing and the tape they put over the incision.

@SPurp13‌ my first cs was much more painful than my second. Right around the 2 week mark I felt better with my first cs. Hopefully you are right around the corner from feeling like yourself again. I also don't know when I have to pee. I just go sit on the toilet every two hours like a potty training toddler. Lol

@RLarkins‌ I take stool softeners everyday and a laxative as I need it. That way I don't really have to push at all.

I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one with weird pee issues. Did you have it with your first? If so, when does it go away because it's scary.

Also side note, no one told me the first night after a section they do oxytocin. That first night was so painful. I guess it's to prevent blood clots but I felt like that was unfair! I had an epidural for the contractions the first time!

LightBright515 · October 2014

2 weeks exactly.

I've been fine minus swelling and drainage above the incision. I'm going in today to have it looked at again. Almost done my antibiotics, and I'm on the mend.

AmandaJean12 · October 2014

I'm 2 weeks and a day... And I'm doing better the last few days but the physical recovery has been way more overwhelming for me than caring for a new baby. Being stuck home alone, sore, with so many limitations is making me crazy.

I had this new bandage you can't take off for two weeks, so I go in this afternoon to have it removed. I'm sure this will be super fun :-S

slsl509 · October 2014

11 days and still feeling good. I am doing a pretty normal level of activity or at least probably what I would be doing if I had a VBAC. My struggle is still not being able to pick up DD or drive even though I feel like I could do both of those things.

I've lost 20 lbs but definitely still look pregnant. Ugh.

Littledeer84 · October 2014

I feel pretty good, 11 days out. I take ibuprofen, and i do notice when it wears off. The main thing I notice now is just not having much stamina. I am going to the doctor tomorrow for a follow up, and hoping to hear that everything looks good. I would like to be able to drive myself again, and I think I must be close.

Has anyone been using a postpartum support belt? A friend recommended one, just wondering what you all thought.

Littledeer84 · October 2014

Double post... Ooooops.

gallegosdc · October 2014

How far out are you from your c-section? How has your recovery been so far?
5 days out...Recovery has been meh. I feel the recovery from my pp csection was easier. I stayed at the hospital one extra night because they were having a hard time controlling my pain. I'm now on percocet and motrin, but trying not to take the percoset until the evening when the husband is home. I hate how sleepy it makes me.
What have your major struggles been? Have you had any great new signs of progress in your healing?

My biggest struggle since we got home yesterday is not being able to do as much as I would like for DD who is 3 1/2. Today, I'm walking around a bit more without as much fatigue as yesterday or previous days.

irisheyes317 · October 2014

How far out are you from your c-section? How has your recovery been so far?

I'm 12 days out. I've mostly been feeling pretty good, so I have to remind myself not to push to do too much or I really start feeling it. I went off the Percocet last week, and I've mostly stopped taking ibuprofen now. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow to see how things are healing and hopefully get the clear to drive again.

No new signs of great progress here. But every time I think I am done bleeding, I overdo it a bit with walking or other activities and it starts back up again. I'm hoping that does down soon.

slsl509 · October 2014

I bled for a good 6-8 weeks after DD, sorry to say. I'm afraid that will happen again this time. I had no idea that I would bleed that much after a c-section. I didn't read the chapter on c-sections my first go-round.

@Littledear84 - I was wondering the same thing. I have an ab binder from a different surgery that I cannot find anywhere now of course.

TheFutureMrs.O · October 2014

How far out are you from your c-section? How has your recovery been so far? 3 weeks today. It's getting better each day. But still a ton of swelling above incision - still so super puffy. Not sure if I shod call dr office or not about it. Anyone know if it's normal to still have this this far out?

What have your major struggles been? Have you had any great new signs of progress in your healing?
Major struggle is not being able to pick up 17 month old DS. He doesn't understand. And also having 3 different people stay at our house to help me with him.
Progress includes finally taking the steristrips off the incision yesterday.

I had the urination pain as well. It's subsided this past week.

angeltennis3 · October 2014

I am less than 12 hours out :-( my pain is pretty good right now since I am still on high doses of pain meds.

Right now I am still wrestling with the fact I had surgery. I am nervous to go home, honestly. However, I just got out of bed for the first time on my own. My nurse said I did an unexpectedly amazing job of moving on my own this close to the section. She may just be saying that to motivate me, but I am glad I did it. If hurt like hell but it is part of the recovery process.

ashie0610 · October 2014

TheFutureMrs.O said:
How far out are you from your c-section? How has your recovery been so far? 3 weeks today. It's getting better each day. But still a ton of swelling above incision - still so super puffy. Not sure if I shod call dr office or not about it. Anyone know if it's normal to still have this this far out?

What have your major struggles been? Have you had any great new signs of progress in your healing?
Major struggle is not being able to pick up 17 month old DS. He doesn't understand. And also having 3 different people stay at our house to help me with him.
Progress includes finally taking the steristrips off the incision yesterday.

I had the urination pain as well. It's subsided this past week.

@TheFutureMrs.O‌ I still have puffiness and swelling above my incision too. LO will be four weeks on Friday. This didn't happen with my first and I'm scared it will never go away, but I think it is normal.

haboobjob · October 2014

9 days post-op. Recovery has been okay so far. DH is home for 2 weeks while I recover and has been taking care of everything so I feel pretty blessed. I am probably not taking it as easy as my doctor would like me to... she told me to stay in bed for the most part. I feel pretty itchy and and uncomfortable. With the LO and lack of schedule, I haven't been diligent in taking medication in the proper amount of time so I'm feeling a lot more pain. Swelling has gone down significantly all around my body, mainly just around the incision now. Just dealing with uncomfortable numbness and general pain at the incision site. My check up is next Monday and I can't hardly wait. I just want them to look at it and say it looks fine so I feel reassured and stop being anxious about it.

I'm seriously struggling with not being able to be as active as I used to be. DH doesn't want me to do anything but focus on me and LO. I just feel guilty not taking care of anything when he is taking care of all of us.

irisheyes317 · October 2014

@littledeer84 I have been using a Bellefit band. I found it made a huge difference in feeling more mobile and less like my insides were going to fall out, especially in the early days. I'm still wearing it daily now and it still helps with posture and reducing soreness. As a bonus, my stomach has shrunk back much more quickly than I had expected. I'm not sure if the Bellefit did that but I'm sure it didn't hurt!

BreandMikewedding · October 2014

I tried my belly bandit one day. You can flip it backwards and use it as a pp support belt. I didn't feel like it made any difference and it was actually uncomfortable. I will try it again soon to see if it's any better.

MuffinMom14 · October 2014

I'm still wearing the band they gave me at the hospital. I have a belly bandit but it's too small because I underestimated how fat I'd still be, apparently.

swizz09 · October 2014

So I am now 13 days out from my c section. Last night I had the most terrible pain around my lower ribs that would shift if I moved. I couldn't believe how much pain I was in. Is this a result of things "moving back"? It was the first time I had taken Percocet in a few days it was that bad...

k3montel · October 2014

Littledeer84 said:
@FamousEa‌ Yes! Not every time but pretty often. I see my doc in two days so I plan to ask then...I can't decide if it is from the catheter or the kidney stone I might still need to pass.

Yes!! Sorry, I know I haven't posted in a long time. I had my RCS 3 weeks, 2 days ago. I have been having that pain for several days (maybe a week). I have been drinking cranberry juice bc my mom said it helps, and it really has made a difference.

So anyway...it's been just over three weeks since my RCS, and I'm feeling pretty good. Still sore, it almost feels like bruising when I touch certain areas of the scar to clean it. I'm just exhausted...my son is 2 years 8 months, so napping when baby girl naps is next to impossible.

ETA: sorry, quoted the wrong post! I meant to quote the one about pain when peeing.

LightBright515 · October 2014

I'm 17 days out and feeling amazing. My OB and I are satisfied with how my incision came along and the swelling is pretty much nonexistent.

I go back in 4 weeks for my pelvic exam.

I'm done taking any pain meds. My actual stomach is still sensitive to the touch, so my only struggle is having the bands to my undergarments rubbing me wrong.

I haven't worn my waist cincher recently, but it's almost too big!

angeltennis3 · November 2014

starla487 said:
I'm three days out. The swelling in my legs and feet is no freakin' joke. I mean, not being able to get up quickly is a bummer, but I cant freakin' walk anywhere. I was told this was "normal" after surgery. Sigh.

@starla487 I am in the same boat. I couldn't believe they thought this was normal. In fact, they kept telling me it wasn't even that bad. I can barely bend my legs and they are some massive sausages right now. It is awful.

MuffinMom14 · November 2014

angeltennis3 said:

starla487 said:
I'm three days out. The swelling in my legs and feet is no freakin' joke. I mean, not being able to get up quickly is a bummer, but I cant freakin' walk anywhere. I was told this was "normal" after surgery. Sigh.
@starla487 I am in the same boat. I couldn't believe they thought this was normal. In fact, they kept telling me it wasn't even that bad. I can barely bend my legs and they are some massive sausages right now. It is awful.

It took me two weeks to really look normal. I just noticed yesterday that my shoes fight right again. I mean, I'm still fat but my legs from the knee down look normal.

AmandaJean12 · November 2014

SPurp13 said:

angeltennis3 said:

starla487 said:
I'm three days out. The swelling in my legs and feet is no freakin' joke. I mean, not being able to get up quickly is a bummer, but I cant freakin' walk anywhere. I was told this was "normal" after surgery. Sigh.
@starla487 I am in the same boat. I couldn't believe they thought this was normal. In fact, they kept telling me it wasn't even that bad. I can barely bend my legs and they are some massive sausages right now. It is awful.
It took me two weeks to really look normal. I just noticed yesterday that my shoes fight right again. I mean, I'm still fat but my legs from the knee down look normal.

The day I woke up and had ankles again I celebrated. Don't worry. Eventually you will stop having feet that look like blimps.

slsl509 · November 2014

I found my abdominal binder! i wore it one day and it's been sitting on my bedroom floor ever since. Laziness FTW. I'm pretty happy with how much my scrotum belly has shrunk in 2 weeks. I only look 4-5 months pregnant now. I was quite sore after all the walking and activity of Halloween. Not bad enough to take anything but noticeably sore.

Shellysliv · November 2014

16 days post c section. Incision spot itches and burns a little bit too. I get some aching pains when I move in a particular way.

Glad to here about everyone's peeing issues. I too was having some pain off and on, glad to hear I was not the only one

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