Baby blues- worse after c-section?

[hairymcleary]

I had DS2 via elective C-section last Thursday (he was breech). It all went fairly smoothly- some drama getting the epidural sited and I got quite upset at that (it took an hour and a half to get it in and there was some discussion that I'd have to be put under, but thankfully they got there in the end). The first few days were fine- obviously in a bit of pain and not able to move a huge amount, but I spent 5 days in a private hospital and the staff were fantastic. DS2 is a dream baby- very chilled out, bfing well etc etc.
However, since coming home yesterday, I have been feeling very anxious, frequently tearful and unable to sleep. Slept for about 3 hours last night- despite the fact that the baby went down at 11pm and didn't wake til (whispers) 6am! I was not in the same situation unfortunately... had a couple of bouts of distressed crying, not able to get to sleep or when I did I would wake up with a jolt and unable to settle after that. In short, I feel like I have a terrible case of the baby blues- I am sick of being uncomfortable/ sore and am starting to become scared of going to sleep, because I'm finding it so hard to drop off.
I didn't feel like this after DS1, despite the fact I had a very long labour and traumatic birth with him.
My friend mentioned that she had heard the baby blues are worse after a section, as your hormones are a bit messed up because they didn't get the slow ramping up that occurs with labour. Anyone else feel like this after a section?

I wouldn't be surprised if it was more common after a section (though I actually felt more like this after my vaginal). I'd mention it to your health visit. Have you got enough support at home?

Congratulations on your beautiful baby!
Poor you, sorry to hear you are feeling rubbish, hopefully it will soon pass and then you can really start enjoying your gorgeous DS2. I don't think it's down to the CS though - I had PND after my normal delivery (DD1) and nothing after my elective CS, even though DD2 was a nightmare baby
Hope you feel better soon.

I'm sorry you're feeling down.
Women are at higher risk of PND after a traumatic or dificult delivery (rather than the actual mode of delivery itself).

I had PND after my emergency c-section. Related entirely to the dreadful/degrading treatment I had at the hands of my 'holistic' midwives in the birth centre & a really hard labour. The c-section was absolutely the best thing about the whole nightmare. My second was an elective section & it was the best day of my life - I was euphoric for months afterwards - I felt fabulous physically & mentally.

I felt extremely low after my first section. It developed into full blown PND by the time my DS was about 4 mths old. Your feelings could be those hormone-related baby blues, or they may be linked to exhaustion or just the anti-climax once you have given birth, are home and the whole big 'event' is over. Give yourself some time to heal, keep talking about it (on here, but preferably also to your DH or a trusted friend) and see how you feel in a week or two. If you are feeling no better, it;s worth seeing your GP, definitely.

Like sadminster, my 2nd section was one of the loveliest days of my life and I am still euphoric about the whole thing (and desperately broody again!) 3 months later. I don't know if it is c-section, per se, that can cause higher instances of depression, but certainly if this is your first experience of a section, it can be a big shock to your system. Everyone says it so much it has become a cliche, but it is a major operation, so be kind to yourself and get plenty of rest.

Oh, just saw that you only gave birth a week ago! You need complete rest and lots of TLC for a few weeks, yet. You're bound to be feeling a bit wobbly. Keep an eye on your feelings, but do give yourself some time.

thanks for all your messages... had a slightly better night last night, in that I managed to sleep for about 4 hours and didn't have any crying bouts. However DS was up from 2-4am and I didn't really manage to get back to sleep after that. Am seeing a post-natal counsellor on Tuesday, so hopefully that will help. I'm also wondering if it doesn't have something to do with all the drugs I was on in hospital...maybe something to do with them all leaving my system maybe?

I've never had the blues or PND, but I think you need to give yourself some time. Remember that your hormones are still going crazy (cs or no cs) and you are re-adjusting to life with a newborn. Not to mention that you have an older ds and your family dynamic is changing also.

Don't worry about asking for help from anyone. Mention it to your HV or Midwife, but hopefully this will pass with some much needed rest.

Do you have a support system of family and friends to come around and be with you for a few hours or take your ds1 out for a while?

Hope you are feeling better soon.

I had an ECS with DS last year. Felt like crap from beginning to end. Not helped by the fact they were remodelling the ward I was so in days aftewards (I'm a diabetic and was kept in) it was none stop banging.
You sound like you need a wee bit of a rest and to relax. I second MKG and MrsMattie. The CS is a major opeation and you could do with kind friends/family members if you have them to take DS1 out and if possible, look after no2 while you have a rest. This way you have no feelings of responsability while you lie down and you might be able to relax some more that way. (I could only sleep when my MIL looked after DS for an hour or so in my front room while I retired to the bedroom).
Hope you feel better soon.

I just wanted to say that i felt absolutely hideous after my EmSC. Really dark, really blue, absolutely at rock bottom, couldn't stop crying and had breathing problems that felt like panic attacks. For me this lasted for about 6 months but has gradually eased. I don't think it's normal that such blues last so long but I did my best to keep my blues to myself as people's reactions were not that supportive. Lots of oh! but babies born by CS have a lot less to go through, it's easier all round etc etc. You "shouldn't" be feeling like this, which hit a nerve with my stiff upper lip training and I started to swallow my grief. On a somatic level, I believe the body is in grief after a CSec. Deep cut to the uterus, no gradual birthing process, homrones all over the place. Can you get some chat time with someone professional if you feel really bad, just as time out for yourself to air how you feel, cry if you need to and generally let your feelings surface? I hope you feel better soon.All the best

Hello hairy, it is still early days, not only as your section was barely a week ago and also you just came home and are still adjusting to being on your own. Do you have a partner who can help and support you over this period?

I think after 2 weeks, your soreness and discomfort should be a lot better. Being mobile and confident of handling my baby cheered me up loads.

I have had 2 cs, first was crash under GA with baby in NICU/SCBU.