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Childbirth

C-Section recovery

15 replies

MariaMum3 · 18/03/2015 11:50

Hi there, I just had a CS and came home after a day and was quite mobile. But then I seem to have a set back and I have been laid up in bed with agonising pain for a few days! Is that normal? I would say I have a high pain threshold!! I'm on top of my painkillers. This is my 2nd CS with my DD and my 1st was with twins just over a year ago. From what I've read this length of recovery is unusual, is that the case? Thank you!

OP posts:

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WrappedInABlankie · 18/03/2015 11:59

I did the same with you after my first came home after a day as was mobile standings straight Ect after hours of the op then weeks later I couldn't stand up straight was in agonising pain. Turned out that;

A - they'd left a non-disposable stitch in either end and not told anyone, Hv/MW wasn't even aware I had a section.

B - due to A I had an infection.

Could it be either of those?

Congrats on the birth btw!

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tiredvommachine · 18/03/2015 12:00

I've had two C sections, last one being 7 weeks ago and I didn't feel how you describe with either of them.
Are you still being visited by your midwife?
I'd mention something or ring the helpline for the maternity unit and run it past them.. Hope you feel better soon!

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GreatJoanUmber · 18/03/2015 12:08

I've had three c/s - sounds to me like you were trying to do too much, too soon.
It might be that just when you came home, your body was still full of the heavy painkillers / maybe even some leftover anaesthetics you got in hospital so you were 'feeling good' and trying to carry on as normal. But, it's a fricking major surgery, and you're not meant to be fully mobile after a day, so your body probably faltered from all the strain.

Seriously, take it easy. Don't try to be mobile and do too much. Personally I have found the physical recovery harder every time.

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blowinahoolie · 18/03/2015 12:15

Agree with GreatJoanUmber. OP, it sounds like you've just overdone it since you got home. How come you got home so quickly? Usually it's at least two days before you get discharged, is it not?

It's major abdominal surgery you've just had, so really you should be holed up in bed taking care of yourself. Have you got plenty family support in place?

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WrappedInABlankie · 18/03/2015 12:35

Blow you can discharge yourself whenever you feel ready and the babies had their check done, they couldn't get me in to his check till the morning after but I walked and pushed DS down to where it was done before we came home.

If you feel ready for it then you can, personally being at home is far better than being in hospital .

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blowinahoolie · 18/03/2015 13:37

If I go down the ELCS route, I'll be taking the full quota of rest in hospital, as much as I can possibly get. It will give me a break from being at home with everyone else, so I can properly rest. Leaving early to me seems madness WrappedInABlankie.

I was speaking to a friend today who was saying the local hospital recommend you stay in for three full days. I'll grab that with both hands for the peace and quiet, it will be like a holiday break compared to being at home whilst recovering.

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WrappedInABlankie · 18/03/2015 14:41

Ill be having a ELCS this time and I'll be leaving after the night like I did with DS. It's not madness really lol and I wouldn't bank on peace on quiet it's very likely you'll be on a ward with 3 other woman and their screaming babies, Their visitors/phones/laptops/tablets etc. It's loud very loud.

I was high risk (cat-1 section, cardiac issues following the birth RHR 140, palpitations, my BP was 140/120, DS was jaundice, not feeding well albeit All these settled around 7pm/12 hours after I gave birth hence why I could go home the same day) and I wasn't even allowed my own room.

At home where I'm in my own bed/living room/garden, can control the noise, don't have to listen to other people's children scream, their phones Ect and I could shut my door without having someone fling it open because they wanted to chat, take my temp, let me see the other 3 women staring at me was bliss and far better. I could also watch what I wanted on TV without paying the £5 a day!

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blowinahoolie · 18/03/2015 16:08

It depends if you've already got other DC at home though. I've got two DC at home and I know I wouldn't get a moment's peace. I'll take the screaming and noise any day in a hospital environment, at least I don't have littles ones coming up to me asking to do stuff and I'd feel obliged to if I'm at home, IYSWIM?

I stayed in after the birth of my eldest for five days (out of choice!) to get lots of help with breastfeeding, and really enjoyed it. I was able to just rest without having to do the washing, dishes etc. Was in pain with stitches, but getting the peace to relax was lovely.

It will be my last baby so I want to get plenty of rest before coming home. I hardly get a break as it is.

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WrappedInABlankie · 18/03/2015 16:14

I'll be going home to a 3.2 year old and dp is under strict instruct he'll be doing 95% of what needs to be done, luckily DS helps with putting the tablets in the dishwasher/washing machine turning them on, putting things in the dishwasher, climb in and out the bath/turn the shower on get on the toilet himself etc so the heavy lifting isn't a lot

we'll be watching films for the first week though and I can do things like colouring, read to him, watch films. No doubt I'll be taking him to the park as its metres down the road lol.

For me coming home is much better the only plus side of the hospital is the bed moves up and down lol

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blowinahoolie · 18/03/2015 16:28

You're at an advantage of having been through it before Wrapped, this will all be new to me so I'm a bit panicky and would cope better being on my own when I know I'll probably be in loads of pain. I get very snappy when in pain, and don't want DC to be around me when I'm like that. It's not their fault. A few days rest at hospital will be the best thing in my situation.

Glad you've got it all worked out before, having a plan makes a hell of a difference when you're recovering from any form of childbirth. :)

I think having family support in lots of supply is also great, I do have it, but unsure of how much of it I will be able to get.

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lotsoftoast · 18/03/2015 16:31

I was home in 28 hours - you couldn't have paid me to stay any longer! My DH did everything the first few days - but I was very lucky and have had minimal pain all along

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WrappedInABlankie · 18/03/2015 16:36

Honestly the pain isn't that bad, some people made it out to me like it was the worst thing in the world and when I had it I found it wasn't that bad.

I was taking just co-codamol and paracetamol once I was home.

I hope your birth goes really well and it's not to bad. Hopefully you'll get your own room! I'm paying for mine for the night I'm in there lol

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CunningCat · 18/03/2015 17:08

Op, get some professional advice.

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blowinahoolie · 18/03/2015 17:38

Thanks Wrapped hope you're right! Sounds like your birth will be fine as you know what's coming this time round. Good luck with everything, and put your feet up when you get home with your new baby

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MariaMum3 · 18/03/2015 19:23

Thanks everyone!
I will check with the midwife tomorrow.
I actually couldn't bear being away from my boys (twins and dp), that and I couldnt sleep on the ward and I felt fantastic. Clearly the meds and happy hormones, as I laboured before the c-section. In retrospect I should have stayed longer and certainly shouldn't have been so active once out.
Thanks again, Mx