Awful c-section recovery - jesus!! Is this normal?

[PocketRocket12]

Just that really.

It’s my second planned c section (breech babies). My recovery last time was sore but relatively plain sailing - felt normal ish after 10 days.

This time I’m 14 days post c section and still feel as bad as the day I left hospital. Painkillers round the clock which take the edge off but in constant pain. Walking at snails pace. No bleeding, wound looks fine but sometimes the deep pain in my abdomen takes my breath away and my tummy is still very swollen as it was at about 4/5 months pregnant. Been checked for infection at 11 days as I was sobbing due to sheer pain and they gave me antibiotics but said nothing worrying came up.

I guess my question is is this normal? It’s so tiring being in so much pain, caring for 4yo, looking after newborn. I’d expected some recovery but this feels so intense and long! Feel absolutely useless and frustrated as a usually active and healthy person.

Sorry for the rambling - kind comments much appreciated to help me feel I’m not going mad!

Do you think this is the difference between just a baby and caring for 4 year old plus a baby? It does sound pretty miserable though.

I've had 2 sections, the second was worse as I had a tubal ligation and couldn't take the prescribed painkillers, so relied on paracetamol.

Have you finished the antibiotic course yet?

That sounds like it's not quite right. My EMCS recovery took ages but planned CS was OK. I didn't do anything for two weeks though, I had help with my toddler so I was mostly in pj's.

Can you rope in help with your 4yr old and just rest and recover for a week?

I think that its worth getting checked out again.

I don't think it is normal but as above you have an extra child to look after so you are not resting, resting, you still have a responsibility. I upped Ds's nursery from one day a week (sahm) to 2 days but really I should have done 3 to make my life easier for a few months,

Pain wise it should be getting better. If you were absolutely honest with yourself are you doing too much? I know you know this but you have had major abdominal surgery. I had 2 C sections 3 years apart.

I was on bed rest at home for about 3 months during pregnancy so Ds got used to me being completely incapacitated and on the sofa so he would know I could not play with him. Dh made a lunch for him in the fridge and a snack box so I literally parented from a sofa. Dh worked from home (18 years ago) and was available if Ds needed him.

What pain meds are you taking? Because it should be doing more than just taking the edge off really.

My first was worse because it was an EMCS after attempted ventouse and forceps so there was more internal trauma. With the first I was on paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine for 2 weeks and then didn't really start improving pain wise much until after 3 weeks.

I did have more pain in some ways second time around due to the uterine contactions being stronger at the beginning, but in general no because I knew more what to expect and although it was another EMCS, I had less intervention prior to moving to C-section after failed VBAC. I had a toddler, but DH was around as well as DM so I didn't do much at home.

Are you overdoing it do you think? Is there any way you can get some more help with your 4 year old so you can rest more.

It's miles away from my own experience. My second elective (after EMCs) was a breeze and I was driving again 10 days PP, very little pain, I didn't really need painkillers after discharge.

I'd ask them to check you out if you're in severe pain, but these things can be quite individual unfortunately so it may be 'normal' for you. It sounds awful though, you poor thing

Thanks everyone!

Worth saying the midwives have been amazing - I had an ultrasound to check for any retained products, blood test to check for infection etc - all came back fine and doctor said “just a tough recovery”. But I honestly feel like I’m going mad!

4yo at school this week so I’m going to be really strict and do nothing all day until Friday and see if the extra rest helps. Have 1.5 days worth of antibiotics left so I’d expect that any possible infection would be cleared by now.

Childbirth is no joke!

I’ve been on dyhydracodeine, paracetamol and ibuprofen solidly for two weeks. I’m really good with pain and not one to make a fuss. I think I’m overdoing it but hard with DH back at work etc. Will be stricter about the rest in the day this week.

Oh poor you! Healing from a c-section is no joke. Make sure you rest as much as you can (I know it’s not always possible). Avoid bending over, lifting anything, twisting around until you’ve healed properly. Bring baby up to your level for nappy changes, etc.

Find somewhere comfortable to sit with baby and supplies nearby and take it easy x

You’re just overdoing it. You really need to lie in bed and rest. Your DP needs to take leave or you could end up causing yourself permanent damage if you don’t allow yourself time to heal properly.

It doesn't match my experinece - I had three c sections all within five years and thankfully recovery from all of them was straightforward, even the third one when I had a 4 year old and a nearly 2 year old to look after.

14 days is still quite early days I guess but I'd definitely keep pushing if you're not feeling better soon. Could adhesions be an issue this soon after surgery I wonder, or is that a longer term problem? I still get the occasional pains along my scar over a decade later, but it is very mild and it doesn't impact me luckily.

I’d go back to the GP and push for more investigations. Like the poster above, I had 4 sections in 6 years and I don’t remember the pain being that bad after two weeks. In fact I was back driving. They need to see what they can do to make you more comfortable x

Daytime telly and supermarket deliveries sound like a good idea for the next week. Pregnancy - operation - caring for toddler and baby is not easy. Better to be bored with taking it easy for a week or two, or even until new year, so your body heals nicely.

My doctor friend's advice was that some women might be up walking 3 miles the next day, but remember you have a lot of healing to do inside and really you should have a good couple of weeks gentle pottering at home, not out pushing the pram or exerting yourself.

I really really struggled for the first week. I physically couldn't get into my divan bed and had to sleep sat up downstairs on sofa or in armchair. The midwives were horrified but I physically couldn't climb into my bed and they didn't give me any advice on how to do it. I started to improve massively after my first iron transfusion when baby was 7 days old. I was walking just about normally at 14 days for my second iron transfusion.

It can be really tough, hope you've got help and can just get yourself sat on the sofa to rest.

I honestly don’t think there’s more investigations they could do if the OP has had scans and abx. I’m assuming swab as well for infection? I think OP what you e said about doing too much and not resting enough is probably likely. Keep an eye on things like no offensive smell though. Rest as much as possible.

And remember the same surgery can be different at different times.

I’ve only had one lscs which I thought was a breeze. But I’ve had three laparoscopy, two were fine and one was horrendous…..worse than the lscs. I was in bed for a week sobbing!

Thank you! Agree - happy to ring the GP again but I’m honestly not sure what more they can do and do feel like I’ve had tests and not been fobbed off. Maybe I need to give it another week resting much more. I haven’t been doing much - barely left the house and just been pottering about - but I could just be having a more difficult time this time. My discharge was very quick - home within 26 hours - and first time I was in hospital for 4 days which did force rest! I also am finding my stomach does look very big still so maybe everything is contracting slower than last time and causing pain.

The bloating could be trapped air which isn’t uncommon after abdominal surgery. Send your dh out to get you some mintec tablets/peppermint oil capsules. They’re safe to take alongside normal analgesics.

Hmm I wonder if you have in fact a large stool impacting on the internal stitches

This happened to me and I was in agony - the tablets for pain relief caused the constipation in the first place!!!

How have your bowel movements been?

It was hell on earth for me!

Personally I think it's 'normal' whatever normal is, at least in the scale of a normal recovery. I don't think it helps when on forums like this, most women say they recovered quickly and that's not always the case. I recovered fairly well but desperately needed the painkillers on time or I struggled. I also got an infection that the midwife fobbed off and the GP looked like he didn't want to look at, I had to buy my own dressings for it. It took me,over a year to lose that dragging feeling I had afterwards.

Yes I too had god awful constipation due to the dihydrocodeine. This could be causing it. The constipation was the worst pain not the actual surgery itself.

Thanks everyone! I’m going to be kinder to myself - 2 weeks is still early days I suppose! All tests have come back clear, been put on antibiotics which I’ve nearly finished, bowel movements all fine (I’ve been on lactulose - game changer!) and have been drinking peppermint tea but will also add in peppermint oil. Will commit to another week of proper serious rest and hope that really helps accelerate things. If not, will go back to GP. X

Just as an update, and for anyone who may have similar issues in the future, still in agony at 3 weeks. After many tests, GP suspects it’s nerve damage (definitely feels more skin level as apposed to internal) - it’s the equivalent to feeling set on fire at all times on my tummy above my incision, sort of level to my belly button. They’ve upped my pain killers but it really doesn’t take the edge off and the advice is to sit tight and wait as the nerves heal.

Totally exhausting and draining being in this amount of pain but hoping it will go! I may go back to hospital in a few days. Had no idea recovery could be this bad!

Have they given you a pain relief that helps with nerve pain?

I wouldn't say it was normal and I would be asking to get checked again, have you mentioned the pain is deep inside? Don't let them fob you off! I've had 2, and even with looking after a crazy toddler with the second the pain was not as you describe that late on.

Oh bless you OP! That is shit!

Nerve damage is awful. I do believe there are things that can be done if it’s permanent. But right now they are assuming you’re going to be the majority group where this is temporary.

Keep your fingers crossed. Try not to panic and relax and rest.