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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Agony after c section

46 replies

Horseshoe1 · 12/11/2016 21:22

I had an emergency c section early yesterday morning after a very traumatic and long labour. I'm still in hospital and confused because i feel in total agony (like to get out of bed is a nightmare- to change or even just lift my beautiful daughter would be impossible). The midwives are strongly suggesting I have to get on with it, and that I'll heal better if I push through and get used to the soreness. I just attempted this approach and found myself holding my baby and screaming 'help' as I was convinced I'd collapse from the pain. Is this really a state of mind issue? Do the painkillers not work for some people? The other women on the ward seem to be having a much easier time, and some delivered via section more recently than me. Any opinions appreciated. I'm meant to be going home tomorrow. DH is being heroic by the way, but I want to look after my precious first baby myself too - he is doing everything for me!

OP posts:
Heirhelp · 12/11/2016 21:24

I had this but I had pulled by stitches after running to pick up baby who could not breath. You have had major abdominal surgery so it will be incredibly painful and unlike any other major surgery you don't get to rest. What pain killers are they giving you? Are you breast feeding?

SweepTheHalls · 12/11/2016 21:24

I found it horrifically painful at this point too. Are you getting decent regular pain relief like oramorph? I had the nurses pass my DD to me if I didn't have a visitor with me. It does get better, take it all slowly and take all the drugs offered Flowers

mumonashoestring · 12/11/2016 21:29

Poor you Flowers

Are they giving you regular painkillers? If they're allowed to wear off you end up having more pain while you wait for themto to 'kick in' again.

Also,have they taught you how to sit up, stand etc without putting pressure on your stitches?

Heirhelp · 12/11/2016 21:30

If like my hospital they have just giving you a packet of paracetamol and Iburprofen then ask for something more. If they are not giving you what you need (I was told to discharge myself and see my GP for pain relief ) then ask to see the supervisor of midwives and complain that you are not getting what you need.

Heirhelp · 12/11/2016 21:32

Ask to see physio tomorrow to make sure you bare standing and sitting in the correct way, you will need help to stand as you should not be using your tummy muscles for this.

fluffandsnuff · 12/11/2016 21:34

Yup, horrifically painful. DS got stuck on the way out of the incision and I couldn't walk properly for 2 weeks- every other section Mum seemed to be doing much better than me! I had v little sympathy from MW. Drink oodles of peppermint tea for the wind. I begged for oramorph for the wind it was that bad.

Foggymist · 12/11/2016 21:34

You do need to power through a certain amount, the more you move the quicker you get better at it all. I remember being discharged from special care 25 hours after my emcs thinking there was NO WAY I could move let alone have to walk to bathroom or scbu. By the next day I was much more agile.

MozzchopsThirty · 12/11/2016 21:39

Sorry foggy but 'power through' is absolute fucking nonsense

Having listened to such fuckwittery instead of listening to my own body I ended up with a complete wound dehiscence at home and was blue lighted back in for emergency surgery

OP no one has to 'power through' pain, analgesia is there to help you, listen to your body, do what you feel able to and ask for support.
We heal in different ways and different pain thresholds
Good luck

MozzchopsThirty · 12/11/2016 21:40

Yes I also had to speak to a consultant midwife before I got any support
I wasn't even washed for 4 days

Fuckers!

BusyBusyBusy1 · 12/11/2016 21:41

You need better painkillers. I was on oramorph for 48 hours after. I could barely lift my head because I felt so weak (v traumatic EMCS and PPH). By 3rd day things improved and I could stop oramorph and stand and shuffle. I remember unsympathetic MW shouting at me 24 hrs post op to ' just stand up' -no way could I do it. Ignore MW and ask for more meds! Also press on wound when moving with pillow or towel.

HandbagCrab · 12/11/2016 21:43

You might need better painkillers than paracetamol. If it really hurts stop! Don't split your stitches trying to get through. Ask to see a dr tomorrow - they do come to maternity! I was ill after cs but once I got the right meds I was much better and went home. You'll know if you're feeling worse/ better don't let someone tell you otherwise. Hope you feel bettet soon

oldlaundbooth · 12/11/2016 21:47

I had a section and at no stage would I have described it as agony. As pp's have said, you probably need better meds.

Press a pillow to your tummy when you get up.

Bluntness100 · 12/11/2016 21:50

What pain killers are you on? I had both the self injected, timed morphine substitute intravenously, ( which I hated) plus as they had to cut me hip bone to hip bone due to some complications, I was also getting pain killing suppositaries twice a day, with some over the counter medication in between, but I was very very ill. Even with all that I could literally only walk on tip toes for a few days, as the sheer act of putting my heels down sent shock waves of pain through my body,

It does pass though and it gets better,,,,I'd say it was about a week before I asked them to stop the suppositaries and remove the cannula, even though I spent a total of a month in hospital after I delivered.

wibblywobblyfish · 12/11/2016 21:57

I've had two crash sections and at no point did I feel pain like you are describing after surgery. It sounds like you need stronger meds. I was home after 24hours and after 36 hours I walked 3 miles into town and back with a double buggy - that's how good my drugs were!!!

Penfold007 · 12/11/2016 21:57

I had a crash c section and yes it hurts like hell and pain relief/killers where of limited use. Battling through the pain and standing as straight as possible are my best tips. Be kind to yourself.

Original poster
Horseshoe1 · 12/11/2016 22:02

I had some oramorphs today on request, but not convinced they made a huge difference. However my midwife did admit she was late with my dose of ibruprofen and whatever the other thing is today, which has probably aggravated things a lot. Thank you, you have all made me feel more sane and I have asked to see the registrar and physio now. I am very emotional about it because I want to look after my little girl!

OP posts:
Bluepowder · 12/11/2016 22:05

Take your time and trust yourself to gauge your own pain. I was fine, just utterly exhausted to the point where I was too tired to sleep. Felt lots better after the dressing came off.

AidingAndAbetting · 12/11/2016 22:06

You shouldn't be left in horrific pain. You had major abdominal surgery and they were only giving you ibuprofen? Fuckers.

Get decent drugs and push for a consultant to look at you tomorrow if it isn't any better.

Flowers
Foggymist · 12/11/2016 22:06

Nonsense, riiiight, grand. It's a known fact that the sooner you get moving and the more you do (within normal intelligent reasoning) the quicker you get mobile after a cs. I said nothing about pain relief because I didn't have much pain, I was perfectly and clearly aware that my abdominal muscles had been severed but I took Difene day 1 & 2, and hobbling to scbu and back 10+ times a day hurt like a f*cker, but if I'd sat still it would've hurt for longer and my recovery would've been slower.

MozzchopsThirty · 12/11/2016 22:12

A known fact HmmHmmHmm

Righty ho then, I'll remember to tell all my patients that shall I?
I know you've had surgery but the quicker you 'power through' the better you'll be

Are you living in the 1950s???

If the OP is in pain and can't lift her baby 'power through' is horrible advice

BrianCoxWithBellsOn · 12/11/2016 22:13

It hurts like a fucker in my experience (2 planned sections) . The actual pain from the op was kept reasonably ok by painkillers but the pain from the trapped wind, well I was convinced I was dying. Second section I'd read up and had peppermint tea bags (midwives happily brought me a cup of hot water when asked) and it helped me frat the pain away (trapped wind, fresh internal trauma =agony)

The initial pain when you have to first stand up was excruciating in my experience (both times) I felt like I'd been sliced with a burning hot sword. That eased after a few days, getting less painful with each new movement.

Speak to your midwives, ask for more pain relief. Also ask for some peppermint tea (can DP get you some?)

It's horrible and rubbish but it does get better Flowers

SolomanDaisy · 12/11/2016 22:21

I have no useful advice as I wasn't allowed to get out of bed for a few days for other reasons, but I just wanted to say that the pain does get better quite quickly. You will be able to look after your baby surprisingly soon.

pinkpantsrock · 12/11/2016 22:22

i had c section and found these as a godsend m.johnlewis.com/cantaloop-caesarean-section-briefs-pack-of-2-white-black/p/587769

made my tummy feel really supported and could move around a lot easier

sm40 · 12/11/2016 22:30

The day after is the worst!!! I had morphine for the trapped wind! Tomorrow will be better and when you are up and walking. Let everyone bring the baby to you, plenty of time for nappy changing when you are on your feet again. I was sent home and told to buy painkillers from the shop!! I had minor surgery yesterday and was sent home with more stuff!! Get home, get walking slowly and it will (should) get better. Good luck x

insan1tyscartching · 12/11/2016 22:30

For me the first day after the section was the worst I felt like I'd been hit by a bus but the following day it was bearable. Hoping that you feel much better tomorrow too Flowers

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