Post emergency c-section blues

[Chester1980]

I ended up having an emergency c-section last week after my overdue baby’s heart rate was dropping when I had contractions as a result of induction. Initially I felt good considering it wasn’t the delivery I expected.

After being discharged I had to go back in due to a painful injury flaring up - making it hard to feed and hold my baby. Still, apart from the pain, I felt ok. I am often in pain in the night when the painkillers wear off and I have a gap until I can take more.

Midwife soon to be signing me off because the baby is feeding v well.

Today I’ve hit a wall of anxiety and I feel so low. Suddenly overwhelmed and alone. I can’t get tears out. When the bsby is asleep I can’t sleep. I also just found out one of my parents is quite ill (they live far away), but they hadn’t told me because I was heavily pregnant.

Any advice? How did others feel better if they had an unexpected emergency c section?

Hi OP.
I had an emergency section nearly 7 weeks ago after a traumatic and difficult labour.
Like you, I felt very low, around the same time as you. I was very worried about whether I was recovering properly as I was still in a lot of pain, but had been signed off by the midwife.
I went to see the doctor and just spoke it through. It made me feel a bit better that someone listened. I found by week 4 I felt more positive, especially once I could get out walking with the pram a little.

It’s so normal to feel low, especially when the labour is not what you expected. And you’ve got family worries as well.

How have you been today? Have you managed to leave the house at all?

Emergency c section was such a shock to me and my body- and emotions. I was in bits, and I think that’s pretty normal. But the good news Is it gets better. Like the poster above says it takes a little while but you will get there. It doesn’t help having other upsetting stuff going on. Just take your time, get back on your feet, in my experience it take a couple of weeks for you to even start. Hope your feeling a bit better xx

I had an elective last week but recovery has not been easy and we had some post delivery issues including time spent in neo natal. I've definitely had the blues and had a big cry out yesterday. Starting to come up for air now. Sorry to hear about your parent. Just hang in there, it will get better.

Thank you for your lovely comments. It’s good to know that you got through it.

I haven’t left the house yet - I’m a bit nervous about it....but also the weather has been absolutely terrible here!! Hoping to get out this weekend though.

I feel low today, but had a midwife appointment where I had a little cry. I feel like I need to good sob to get it out....I might watch a weepy movie or something! The midwife was going to sign me off, but has said she’ll hold off and visit on Monday. She talked it through with me.

She advised me to call my doctor about the painkillers wearing off in the night, and the doctor has said I can take an extra one to get me through.

@orangejuicer - I hope the cry helped yesterday and you feel better soon x

Yep- don’t let the painkillers wear off!
Honestly, it’s surprising how quickly you feel more and more like yourself. Be honest with your midwife and HV when you get one- you’ve just had such serious surgery but can’t relax and get well because you have a baby to look after! No wonder you’re a bit weepy.