C sections - when does it get easier?

[LadyHalesBroach]

I am 10 days PP and desperate to see the wood for the trees.

I had an ELCS due to long term injury sustained during a car crash of a vaginal delivery five years ago. But it feels like by taking back control through an cesarean this time round, I have lost control in the rehabilitation.

The haemorrhoids, the milk blisters, the swollen ankles (no I wasn’t given thinners despite family history of dvt), the sleep deprivation, the hours of cluster feeding - I can take all of that, it’s not my first picnic. But the excruciating pain on my right side, quite deep inside, is other level. I so much as cough, or move my right leg to far, I am in eye watering pain. I’m using compression aids, hot water bottles, paracetamol and ibuprofen.

I am desperate to feel normal again. To be able to get off the sofa without having to be lifted off.

I love my new baby to death, but oh my god I want to get off this ride now.

You should have a number that you would have called if you’d gone into labour or has your waters break etc - usually called triage? Or midwife assessment unit? I would ring that number and describe the agony you are in. Also please make sure that ‘painkillers every four hours’ is alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen as you can’t take paracetamol every four hours around the clock (please do tell them if you have been doing though).

If only risk factor is the c/s no blood thinners is normal but if you are immobilised by the pain which mentioning that.

What am I reading. Although in covid times it doesn't even surprise me anymore, sadly!

You should not have been discharged from midwife care, OP. Call the OAU and tell them you're unwell. It sounds like you may have an infection or internal damage after the cut, don't be fobbed off. You may need antibiotics. Don't wait because once you develop an infection if untreated it can be dangerous and you will end up admitted to hospital.

I had a planned section and several weeks on antibiotics with infections, but even with that I never felt what you're describing, not even in the first week after. Please get checked quickly and insist on it xx

Worth not which

And how the hell did they let you go home with no clexane injections, that's totally bonkers!! xx

It's absolutely NOT normal not to be given blood thinners post CS. They used to put women in stockings years ago, they don't do that now but you are offered blood thinner injections usually for 7 days, OP, most likely clexane. This is regardless of your DVT risk factors. You should be checked for clots as well.

OP definitely get checked. I woke up about 8 days after mine and still couldn't move etc. I was lying in a puddle of custard that had come out of the wound and I took 5 months to fully heal.

Get yourself checked out.

I think you are describing the same thing I had after my last c section. Was eventually admitted and no one seemed to know what it was. Suggested deep bruising and I got some very strong pain killers. After five weeks I was ok again. I’m 10 months pp now and absolutely fine. I went to an osteo who specialised in pelvic pain and they moved me about a bit after week four and it really helped. They said it was scar tissue pressing on nerves as there was a lot of swelling.
I really couldn’t walk for three weeks without screaming when I moved my leg, couldn’t enjoy the newborn bit as I was so worried I was going to be in pain like this forever. Wishing you well and congratulations

I got admitted after calling 111 who sent an ambulance that took me straight back to the maternity ward as they needed to rule out an infection. It may be worth giving them a call as if it is an infection they can treat you in maternity and you can stay with your baby

OP I don't want to worry you but I had similar excruciating pain where I felt like I was being stabbed, I accepted it as part of recovery and didn't want to cause a fuss for fear of being made to feel silly (midwives in hospital had been v dismissive and scornful when I was struggling to move post surgery so I felt like I was making a big deal of the pain). Pain eased in first few days but then came back with a vengeance about day 9 or 10. My midwife luckily was on the ball and called my GP to get antibiotics that day, my scar was infected although nothing was visible (no pus etc) there are several layers stitched inside so i presume the infection was deep. She said if it'd been left I prob would have needed IV antibiotics in hospital. I was out of pain as soon as antibiotics kicked in. There were several points in aftercare and discharge from hospital when in hindsight some alarm bells should have rung but in my experience the aftercare just isn't good enough, please keep asking if you feel that something isn't right. At my maternity unit there is a gynae/obs a&e, is that an option where you are? Or can you still present at maternity since you're so recently discharged? Best of luck take care.

@PurplePansy05 agree with you, two years ago I was in stockings (recommended for at least 10 days if I remember correctly) AND injections.
Make sure you keep an eye on your legs becoming different sizes etc op.

I do think a bit of moving around is good to prevent certain problems, but for heavens sake a supermarket shop is too much on day 10 after a CS.

I do think a bit of moving around is good to prevent certain problems, but for heavens sake a supermarket shop is too much on day 10 after a CS.

Eh?

Why on earth not if you are up to it? By day 10, I'd been down slides at soft play, several day trips, had guests over for dinner, was back doing light chores, was able to sprint after my toddler, had sex, been for country walks, shopping, restaurants etc. And the supermarket (day 3, no pain). I'd have been climbing the walls of forced to stay in when I felt fine.

I certainly don't think we should push ourselves to do things our bodies aren't happy about, but I'd we are led by how we feel, then recovery can go at our own pace.

I had a crash c/s under general, after pushing for 7 hours---felt like death for the first 72 hours afterwards, but even after about a week, I started feeling more like myself. To be that poorly after almost 2 weeks doesn't sound right at all, Op. Take care!

@PurplePansy05

It's absolutely NOT normal not to be given blood thinners post CS. They used to put women in stockings years ago, they don't do that now but you are offered blood thinner injections usually for 7 days, OP, most likely clexane. This is regardless of your DVT risk factors. You should be checked for clots as well.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng89/resources/royal-college-of-obstetricians-and-gynaecologists-risk-assessment-tool-pdf-4787150509

See pg3

They rejig VTE risk assessment reasonably frequently.

Props to those who called it: I have an infection. Managing it at home with antibiotics from GP and will go back in a few days, glad I don’t need to be readmitted. GP was shocked I was discharged by Busy Midwife.

SO glad they found out what the problem was, OP! And I’m glad GP was appropriately shocked.

All the best for your recovery

Fingers crossed you heal quickly OP once the Abs kick in. Keep an eye on it, anything gets worse, get back to hospital.

Just came on today you've probably got an infection. Mine felt like a Chinese burn after 10 days... it took 3 rounds of antibiotics and 5 months to stand up straight! Hope you're feeling better soon.