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Childbirth

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

Original poster

C section recovery

32 replies

Hazyhayz · 06/07/2018 22:11

I just had my baby boy 5 days ago via emergency section. I stayed in hospital for a couple of days after delivery but im in even more pain now than i was then. Im keeping on top of my pain killers, but they are not doing much but making me sleepy.

I couldnt even have a shower because i was crying in pain DH had to give me a bed bath. I cant stand up and today even holding my baby was too much.

Any tips on getting through this recovery time and when does this ease up a bit?

OP posts:
itchyknees · 06/07/2018 22:13

Do you know why it’s hurting? First time I had a reaction to the staples used and it was like I was on fire. Are you trying to do too much?

itchyknees · 06/07/2018 22:14

Are you running a temp? Have you seen the midwife?

Coco2891 · 06/07/2018 22:14

Have you spoken to health visitor or a doctor about this? - I know it's fresh but I wasn't in that sort of pain 5days after . Get yourself checked out ASAP xxx

Moonflower12 · 06/07/2018 22:14

It shouldn't get more painful in my experience. It might be worth mentioning it to either your GP or to the Midwife.

Congratulations on your little boy. Thanks

IceCreamIceCream · 06/07/2018 22:15

I’ve just had my second and experienced a very bad infection with my first section and it sounds similar to your experience- ok recovery then agonising pain a few days later. Can you take your temperature to check? If the painkillers that they have discharged you on aren’t enough to control the pain then really you need to be seen at the hospital again. Hope you can get some help, it’s a really hard time.

Coco2891 · 06/07/2018 22:16

It might sound over cautious but I'd call 111 in the morning and get an appointment with an out of hours GP at your local Hosp

Coco2891 · 06/07/2018 22:17

Get checked out as soon as you can you shouldn't be in more pain now - I didn't take any painkillers after and was walking about dealing with an 18konth old as well as new baby -let us know how you get on x

Thesearmsofmine · 06/07/2018 22:17

Are you due a midwife visit? How are you feeling apart from the pain? I would get checked over.

I have three c sections and my second and third took time to recover. I was in a lot of pain, had to have DH shower me and help me to sit up in bed and a chair next to the bed to use to ease myself up slowly. So it can be normal BUT it is worth being checked.

DiabolicalMess · 06/07/2018 22:24

Defo get checked. I was up and about shopping etc at day 5, just having paracetamol after hospital discharge day 3 both c-sections. I know the pain can be agonising when you first get up for a while, does it ease once you're up and about it does it stay constant? I do understand I was incredibly lucky both times with my recovery and people do heal at different rates. You are still quite early days, but do get yourself checked over to be on the safe side. Congrats on the new baby 👶🏼

Waitingonasmiley42 · 06/07/2018 22:29

Definitely doesn’t sound like a normal pain level. By day 3 I was hoovering and changing beds (obviously I know this is not recommended but just using this as an indication of pain level) definitely still had discomfort but not enough to stop movement. Don’t take any chances and get yourself checked out.

ShowOfHands · 06/07/2018 22:32

Agree with everybody. 5 days in and DH was at work. I did the school run (2 mile walk) and looked after the baby without painkillers. I was slightly delicate but not in pain or needing help.

SmallestInTheClass · 06/07/2018 22:35

I was in pain like this, no infection or anything but if you are really struggling or have other symptoms get checked. I could barely do anything for weeks, would not have driven for at least the minimum 6 weeks. Could just about change nappies but was hard with my 2 year old. It does get better but be kind to yourself and let others take the strain. You have had major surgery and won't be getting much sleep so will take a while for your body to recover. I had friends who were fine within days so it does vary a lot. Congratulations on your little one!

Canshopwillshop · 06/07/2018 22:41

I don’t think this is normal. I’ve had 2 c sections and was fully functioning within a couple of days. It’s shit if you are in pain though, get checked out.

TokyoSushi · 06/07/2018 22:42

Yep, I was like this, I even posted something similar in 2013 asking how could it possibly still hurt so bad?

Just check you don't have an infection etc and then if you just keep on top of your mess and power through for a few more days, I remember by day 10 it felt a million times better! Thanks

TokyoSushi · 06/07/2018 22:42

**meds not mess!

Original poster
Hazyhayz · 06/07/2018 22:43

I spoke to midwife today and she checked the wound and said the bruising had come out alot but everything looked fine and healthy.

I cant change babys nappy at all, any movement hurts at the moment. I assumed this was normal as midwfe today didnt seem concerned, but maybe i didnt make clear how much pain I was in.

Im breast feeding so need to be careful with what pain killers I can take, im currently on co dydramol.

So maybe i should get checked out sooner just to be on the safe side then!

OP posts:
Changing70 · 06/07/2018 22:49

My last csection was 15 years ago and I’ve had 3 in total.

If you’re in that much pain, you really, really need to get checked out.

I had slightly longer stays in hospital (between 3 - 5 days), but apart from the first day back at home, I remember becoming mobile and free of pain very quickly.

Some of what you are feeling could be related to hormones, but I would 100% agree that you need to be checked.

Lots of congratulations on your newborn 💐.

itchyknees · 06/07/2018 22:56

Day 5 is THE toughest day I reckon, it’s when all the hormones go haywire and so things may hurt more than usual. But what you’re describing doesn’t sound normal. Was it planned, or a rush job after labour? I think this makes a big difference.

melse2964 · 06/07/2018 22:59

It took more than 7 days for the pain to ease a bit and i was same cudnt stand up it was horrible cudnt even feed my baby
Just have plenty of rest and speak to midwife ..u mite need stronger pain killers

Glitterkitten24 · 06/07/2018 22:59

It shouldn’t hurt that much. By day 3 I was moving easier and not clock watching til the next lot of painkillers.
Get checked out. Congrats on your new arrival!

choccybiscuit · 06/07/2018 23:04

Sounds very similar to what I had with my third section which was by far the worst. I had a haematoma (sp?) which is bruising all around the wound, under the skin. it was extremely painful to move. The midwife recommended arnica cream for the bruising which my dh put on twice a day for me. It did improve but it took longer than my other sections.

Lsnowe · 06/07/2018 23:43

I had a planned C sec a few months ago. I was really surprised how much it FUCKING KILLED!!! Owewweee! Apparently this was normal. By day 6 or so I was gingerly walking, bit more comfortable getting on/ off toilet.

If I have one again I will set alarms to remind me to take pain meds and just take to my bed horizontally for a week.

CookPassBabtridge · 06/07/2018 23:53

Sorry if said already but have you been for a poo yet? A big chunk of my pain was trapped wind from when they pump your womb full of air, it is SO painful. After I'd done a poo and taken some peppermint capsules to get the wind out, I went from hobbling hunched over in pain to walking upright and able to do stuff overnight.

PramCush · 07/07/2018 07:06

I was like this - I rang my GP and hre prescribed codeine. The pain went away instantly. Only needed it for two days, then I was fine. It'll just help you get on top of the pain. You poor thing x

PramCush · 07/07/2018 07:08

I would prioritise getting the proper medication over the breastfeeding.

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