C Section Recovery

[Nichola2310]

Hi, just wondering how I’m doing at recovery. I had a planned c section on Tuesday lunchtime. I only stood out of the bed twice on Tuesday and the catheter was removed early Wednesday morning. Therefore I managed numerous bathroom trips Wed but I’m extremely hunched over and in quite a lot of pain. I had vicious after pains for a few hours today. Tomorrow eve (thurs) is my potential discharge time and I don’t feel at all ready. I haven’t been able to lift my baby in/out of his cot either.

I know it’s important to try to keep moving, so I’ve really done my best.

Does my recovery sound slow though?

[Geordiegirl1988]

You should be moving more

[Geordiegirl1988]

Apologies , I mean moving around is best for blood foe and stopping blood clots. Most mums can move about after 24 hrs . You need to try and do short walks and keep your blood flowing to prevent clots . I had a section and was good shopping 48hrs later

[LaPufalina]

Following because I had a section at lunchtime and standard discharge is next day... only stood up once so far but need to visit loo soon!

[Geordiegirl1988]

There is no reason why you can't lift your baby though

[Waitingonasmiley42]

Everyone is different and handles pain differently. I was able to pick baby up from cot, go into shower alone and move gently 6/7 hours after elective section. On the other hand I struggled badly for days after previous emergency section.

You really need to try and keep moving and focus on standing straight although your body doesn’t want to. It’s so hard and I’m sure you are doing a great job.

[NotTakenUsername]

Are you taking adequate pain relief? What have they said in the hospital?

[Geordiegirl1988]

You must be at a hospital with adequate staff as I had no choice but to lift and see to my baby 12 hours after section ! I'd never have dreamt of asking for help as the staff were so busy.yes I had pain but my baby needed me so I just picked her up ..

[Geordiegirl1988]

Keep on top of pain relief and dontcallow it to wear off . Ask for it earlier rather than when it's worn off.

[AssassinatedBeauty]

I was forced to be much more mobile than I would otherwise have been, as I had to be able to walk on my own to the SCBU otherwise I couldn't see or feed my baby. It actually really helped with recovering mobility, and I was able to walk there (a fair distance) on my own after a day and a half. However, I was on lots of pain relief! It sounds like whatever they're giving you isn't enough if you're still hunched over and getting a lot of pain.

[NotTakenUsername]

I’m not sure that’s helpful Geordiegirl1988. Op is obviously struggling and your post comes across as a bit unkind.

[Cheeseaddict1]

I was in a lot of pain after my emergency section. If you're in too much pain to pick up your baby ask for better painkillers. I was given just paracetamol and ibuprofen but it just wasn't enough and I needed something a bit stronger a couple of times a day for the first week.
Don't suffer in silence xxx

[DuggeeHugs]

The advice I was given after my second CS was to walk tall. It made a huge difference as I didn't do that after my first and my recovery that time sounds similar to what you're describing.

As others say, keep moving. Take regular little walks. I found it helpful to avoid twisting motions for the first few days until I felt more settled. Are you getting regular pain relief? Keeping up with this helps a lot too.

If you're struggling to lift DS do you have someone at home who can support and help you with that? DH did most of the cot lifting for the first few days at home with DC1 (EMCS) and it helped immensely. Walking poles when going up and downstairs were also a real help that first week.

Try not to think too much about how others recovered. My second recovery was quicker and easier than my first. Both looked really laborious to my friend whose recovery was almost pain free. We're all different

Congratulations on your new arrival

[TroubledLichen]

Congratulations on your baby!

What are you taking in terms of pain relief? At the very minimum you should be alternating ibuprofen and paracetamol; I was given diclofenac instead of the ibuprofen though it’s stronger. Ask for oramorph if you’re in a lot of pain, I had a prescription written up by the consultant just in case but never felt like I needed it. And stand up straight, do not hunch and move more. I was doing laps round my room the day after my section and it helped massively. Avoid any twisting or bending though.

[Nichola2310]

I was in severe pain with sciatica before the section so now I’m dealing with both the sciatic pain and the section recovery. For context they used a wheelchair to bring me in for the section as it would have taken me too long to walk. I’m taking a huge amount of pain relief (I think 4 different types) but only getting small windows of relief.

My husband is with me and is doing the lifting, nappy changes etc so I haven’t been bothering the staff too much.

[Thistles24]

I couldn’t stand straight after my section- as the days went on I was convinced I’d been stitched too tight. Turns out I had fluid pooling around the scar, which was a lump about the size of a grapefruit. I was able to walk, and not in pain from the surgery, just that horrible right feeling when I tried to stand straight. However, the more I walked, the smaller it got. Maybe check incase you have similar that’s causing issues.

[Snitzelvoncrumb]

Speak to the midwives about different pain relief. I struggled with my second C sect and needed different pain meds.

[nhssecretary]

You'll be more comfortable at home less distance to toilet etc
Go home if baby is ready to be discharged

Re the pain it gets a lot better approx 4 days after
I was so badly hunched after mine but I was walking within 12 hours
I had a GA for mine so no help from an epidural and it was brutal I was black all down the front
The after pains are horrendous you are right

Do you have adequate pain killers or the best they are willing to prescribe? Have you been to the toilet and opened Howell

[nhssecretary]

Sorry, bowels.

[gilmoregal]

Personally I was much happier once home as found it much easier short distance to the loo and lower bed to get in and out of and you're just so much comfier in your own environment.
Also my husband couldn't stay so had a really difficult night having to lift, change baby etc.

It sounds like you were in a lot of pain prior to the section and that's why you're having such a bad time of it. Keep up with your pain relief take it regularly as prescribed, if you're on multiple like you said try alternating so you take something every two hours. I personally found the pain relief at hospital useless they we're going much longer than 4-6 hours and I was having to ask as I'd end up back in awful pain but once home could manage this much better.

Do try and move around though, even just a little. Also I found baths really helpful, i didn't use any products in there except lavender Epsom salts to encourage healing, but found the hot water comforting. Try hot water bottles/wheatbags for pain relief too. I lived with a hot water bottle rotating from stomach to boobs.

Lots of people will say they were up and running about the next day and to get a grip, we're conditioned as women to think we should get on with it but after any other abdominal surgery this isn't the advice so don't beat yourself up and be glad you have the support of husband.

[Her0utdoors]

As pp asked, have you had a good poo yet op? It makes a world of difference in my experience! Are you on any medication that can cause constipation? Iron supplements/ opiate type pain relief? Drink loads and loads of water to get things moving if things haven't.

[Nichola2310]

Thank you for all the advice. I has the baby last night on my own and while it was very painful I managed lifting feeding nappies which has helped my confidence.

I’ve been drinking water constantly thanks to the heat of the hospital but I definitely need to ask about something to get my bowels moving as I’m pretty sure I’m on more than 1 medication that causes constipation.

[gilmoregal]

Get movicol over the counter, lactulose will cause cramps which you absolutely don't want when you're tender enough! Abdominal surgery makes the bowel sluggish then you take pain killers which will mostly constipate... it's a nightmare.

Also windeze are amazing, I had awful wind pain every time I ate it would go right up to my shoulders. I know lots of women say the wind pain after a section is horrendous. So get your husband to get some in today.

Congratulations OP!

[mouthkisses]

I found the day after my sections to be really bad and wondered how the hell I was ever getting home the next day, but both times the next day has been so much better. Moving around, even if you are hunched and holding your internal organs in place, really helps.

I found recovery from my emergency section to be easier in a way, I think it was the adrenaline!

[mouthkisses]

Also, any pain in shoulders or sharp pain in back could be trapped wind. They'll have these peppermint capsules which help you get rid.

[genivert]

Geordiegirl1988 that post doesn't help op at all and comes across as extremely judgemental - op needs (and has now got) practical suggestions and some support.