C-section - now can't move?

[movingmelly]

I had an unplanned c section on Tuesday, spent one eve on ward and then they sent me home. Thing is, I can't move!
I can't lift myself up from a lying down position, I am totally reliant on husband for looking after the baby and doing everything else. When I move at all it's truly searing agony, and I can't look after the baby in any way.

I didn't know it was going to be like this - is this normal? I feel like I've had a really bad reaction to it and all my abdominal muscles are destroyed. I can shuffle walk once I'm upright, but to become upright need lifting by my husband. Is this normal?
A bit worried they've missed something, can anyone advise?

Er, this is NOT normal? Searing agony? No way.

Call the docs, or 111. I had 2 sections and never couldn't move or felt searing agony at all.

@grassisjeweled

Er, this is NOT normal? Searing agony? No way.

Call the docs, or 111. I had 2 sections and never couldn't move or felt searing agony at all.

I agree, uncomfortable yes, but searing agony absolutely not right. I was discharged from hospital 20 hours after an EMCS. Was able to walk fine etc, getting up out of bed is a struggle as your muscles aren't there to help you, but you should be able to move with support or kneeling first etc. All in all I reckon I was a good 6 months recovery before I felt back to normal after my section, but I was never not able to do what i needed to.

Was able to walk fine etc, getting up out of bed is a struggle as your muscles aren't there to help you, but you should be able to move with support or kneeling first etc. All in all I reckon I was a good 6 months recovery before I felt back to normal after my section, but I was never not able to do what i needed to.

I was off the next day too but found it bloody painful & hated the restriction for the first few days. Although I felt normal after 3 months but I was really strict & didn't lift anything too heavy.

I don't remember searing agony but everyone is different. I have a VB with no time for pain relief & found the crowning & recovery a breeze whereas the contractions were awful.

@movingmelly how are you doing? Have you been able to get checked out?

Hi All!
Thanks so much for your comments.
Ive made slight improvement but still very reliant on help, unable to lift baby etc.
It turns out that c-sections are being discharged from hospitals early, because of Covid. I wasn't sent home with any pain relief either (just advised to take paracetamol and ibuprofen) which I think has really held back my recovery.
Midwives seem concerned but more about my being discharged too early rather than my incapacity at this stage (day five post-op)
I guess I'll just have to take it slow. I don't know who they think these husbands and partners are who they refer to as being able to help you - mine is particularly amazing, but he is human, and having to basically be the sole parent for 24 hours a day indefinitely is a pretty rough ask.
I honestly think if I'd been able to stay in a bit longer and had some decent pain relief options offered, that I'd be more healed by now.

sorry to hear that @movingmelly. I had mine a few yrs ago & it was normal practice to be discharged the next day with paracetamol (wasn't offered anything stronger).

However I was very lucky that my DH gets good pat leave & I have lots of family support.

Normal OP. I was shuffling like an old lady for a good couple of weeks after mine. God i can remember that weak feeling in my abdomen so well. Just like someone removed your muscles and they aren’t even there anymore. Makes me feel a bit queasy thinking about it now.

It’s the type of pain where you think it’s never going to get better; but honestly it does and it gets better really quickly, Almost overnight improvement at a certain point that just makes you sigh relief.

It doesn’t last forever; in a few months time you’ll be thinking ‘recovery wasn’t as long as it felt, actually’.

I agree they are quick to discharge at the moment. You can have more pain relief at home though which your GP can prescribe.

There are quite a few useful little videos on youtube explaining how to get in and out of bed after a c-section on Youtube.

@candlemasbells the op can take 1000mg paracetamol every 4 hrs and 400mg ibuprofen every 4 hours minimum as the otc dosage. She can prob also take codeine if needed too

I was given diclofenac because I can't tolerate codeine. I needed something stronger because I was on my own with newborn and toddler and had to be able to function. Good luck, OP, it WILL pass. And congratulations on your baby!

Glad you’re feeling better. I had a planned c-section on Tuesday and am only ok due to the strong pain relief, lots of rest and taking tiny walks (just to the loo/shower).

I was discharged after two days, so had stronger pain relief in hospital.

Pull yourself up with a long scarf tied to the end of your bed if possible!

I feel much better 5 days later, the pain hasn’t been bad. More the feeling when I stand/walk. It just feels strange!

A long hot shower really helped yesterday too.

I plan to continue to rest lots (hard with two bigger kids!) and I think each week will see me feel more normal. I plan lots of skin to skin, feeding baby. Not a bad plan!

[quote StarCourt]@candlemasbells the op can take 1000mg paracetamol every 4 hrs and 400mg ibuprofen every 4 hours minimum as the otc dosage. She can prob also take codeine if needed too[/quote]
You have to spread the maximum doses per 24 hour period out evenly, so you can take paracetamol every 4 hours but then you'll have to have a long gap until the next 24 hours.

I’m day 4 post CS and I can get myself in and out of bed, can walk around the house, up and down stairs etc. It’s uncomfortable and takes me a little while but it’s not painful like you’re describing . I would definitely get checked out just to be safe.

I’ve had an EMCS and a planned CS. I am also a health care professional who works with post op patients.

This level of pain is NOT normal on day five or even on day three. You should be able to get out of bed without help and manage your baby from day two if you have an appropriate level of pain relief and using the right bed transfer technique (yes - roll onto side, legs out of bed, push up through the arm you’re lying on, DON’T attempt an ‘an crunch’ lie to sit).

Glad you’re in touch with your midwives OP but to anyone reading this thread who thinks this level of incapacity is ‘normal’ post-CS may be masking something serious if they believe what’s been written on here multiple times.

I agree with some of the others that it shouldn't be painful like that, and to get it checked out. That level of pain isn't right at any stage of recovery.

I found getting up and down for the first 36hrs to be painful, but by 48hrs, it was more just awkward, like my body didn't want to cooperate. But within 3 days I was moving fine, and getting up/down with minimal pain.

It's normal to be discharged Street 24-48hrs, and most women are not given any additional medication on discharge and just told to use ibuprofen and paracetamol. I asked for coedine because I wanted to be sure I didn't have any breakthrough pain, and they were fine with that, but I wouldn't have got it unless I asked.

I hope you are feeling more on the mend now.

I honestly had barely any pain following my EMCS last year, it was more uncomfortable at times than painful but I was up and out of bed as soon as the catheter was out and I kept as mobile as possible from there on in. I walked to the car fine the next day without any pain or discomfort but everyone is different.

I agree with taking painkillers on schedule, whether you feel like you need them or not. My maternity dept sent me off with a bulk load of paracetamol, ibuprofen and a bottle of morphine - I never touched the morphine though as never needed it.

I really hope you're feeling better now OP, but if you're not I think getting a prescription for better pain relief would be a good idea - it will allow you to move around more, which will in turn help you get going.

Also - I had stacks of pillows on my bed for weeks after my c section - I couldn't lie flat at all. I basically slept upright for the first couple of weeks (also helpful for feeding in the night).

You need to be taking the paracetamol and ibuprofen - if you were in hospital it’s likely paracetamol is all you would be given after the first day but it does actually help. Are you still in pain even with taking it or are you not taking anything? Sorry, not clear from your posts. You might need a prescription for something like difene.

I’ve had an EMCS and a planned one.

The EMCS I felt like I’d be run over and couldn’t stand straight for a few days. I was wrecked!

My planned one was a walk in the park,standing straight the next day and even the midwives were amazed how able I was. Totally different experience.

Don’t overdo it when you are able to move more