What discomforts did you experience after your C-Section?

Question

Is there anything you would recommend to have on hand after C-Section?

Answer 1

as for the c section itself- I thought the worst part was the recovery right after. I was sooo numb that I could not feel myself breathing. It was a very scary feeling- I had a cloth with lavender oil on it and the only way I knew I was still breathing was by the fact that I could smell the lavender. I would bring something scented like that incase you feel the same. It was an unexpected feeling I was not prepared for (and I am no wimp) I also shook uncontrolably for about an hour after the surgery. I guess that is pretty normal. As far as the pain- I did not think it was that bad. Not nearly what I thought it would be. I was walking around the next day without assistance, but I did need someone to help me out of bed. The others are right- you will never take your abs for granted again! You don't realize how much you use them until you can't for a few days. Bring granny-panties because you want something to come up higher than your incision. My doctor said to put Mederma (sp?) on the scar to help it heal. The other thing that I did not expect was to have so much numbness around the incision site. However, I guess it is major surgery and there is alot of nerve damage. My son is almost 8 months old and I still have no feeling in the area, and the parts right around the numbness is still sensitive to touch. Hope that makes sense, but it is hard to explain. I would be sure to have someone help you out after you get home for a week. It will make a big difference. Also- if you have a two story home- I would camp out downstairs as stairs were hard to climb. Get stool softeners and take them everyday. I ended up with an anal fissure which is most painful. That would be my big must have- stool softeners- seriously.
And remember it takes time to heal- don't push yourself even if you are feeling good. Don't do any heavy lifting for at least 8 weeks. The other thing I remember is that it was hard to hold the baby close to me to nurse without causing pain so bring your boppy pillow (I personally like the My Breast-Friend better) to make it easier if you are planning on breastfeeding.

Answer 2

No carbonation!!! Steer clear of Sprite, Coke, etc. My C-sections were not horrible at all, but gas pains pushing on the incision line was rather, well, let's just say painful.

I used a heating pad some, but with the hormone changes, it wasn't extremely helpful.

The best way to a quick recovery is walk as much as you can. If you lie in bed, you'll feel stiff and sore, but if you move around, it's much better.

As far as the meds go, I took 2 percocets with the first and was very surprised that I didn't really need anything. The second required the regimented doses for 2 days ... still not the whole bottle.

Answer 3

Ooooooooh! When I coughed I had to hold a pillow to my abdomen! The vicoden helped, but made me constipated, that was WAY bad! So I stuck to Motrin. After the pain started going away, I noticed the incision was itching a lot! I guess it was because it was healing up. Anyways, I used cocoa butter on it every day. Just don't do too much. Any stooping, sweeping, mopping, or bed making is a no no for at least 3 wks, maybe more, depending on how you feel!

Answer 4

Well, its been 30 years since my first and 28 since my second... the first was TOTALLY unexpected....the second was planned... two totally different experiences! After the first, I, of course, knew what to expect for the second. I was a total b...ch after the first...mad at the world.... didn't want anything to do with my new baby or my husband.... that lasted until the day I went home from the hospital. All was fine and dandy then..... well, sort of...then I just experienced all the "new mom" scares..... but I'm getting away from your question here.... what you need to have "on hand" after...is excersize equipment!!! SERIOUS.... don't know which way they cut you (I got a bikini cut...not by choice...it was after all an emergency C-section and they didn't have time to ask me!) but either way...if I had it to do all over again I would do stomach crunches every morning (after I could stand it of course)... I am so sorry now that I let it go then...granted ..its been a long time but I never did anything about getting my tummy back to "normal" because I was ...A...Feeling sorry for myself...and B...didn't care about my looks.... and C...actually cared very much for my baby after I got over A and B and didn't have time for anything else but her! LOL.... lots of lotions...take care of that tummy.... it "falls" (just like everything else!) if you don't!!!

Answer 5

I had one 2 months ago. I healed pretty quickly and was'nt in much pain after 5 days. It's still numb at the incision though. The WORST thing was pooping for the first 2 weeks! The first time I went was like 6 days after the surgery at around midnight. I had put the baby in the swing and my husband was peacefully sleeping. The poop was so big and hard that I could'nt get it out.I tried for like 45 min and then I really got scared! I started screaming for my husband who of course does'nt wake up. Finally like 30 min later he comes running in the bathroom. I had him get the phone and I actually called the hospital because I was so scared. They said its pretty normal I of course believe there was nothing normal about this experience. To spare the gory details.... gloves were involved. This happened for about 2 weeks really bad. Now 2 months later I still have bleeding sometimes. I took the stool softeners they gave me but they really did'nt help much. I had a emergency c-section I was totally unprepaired for any of this. If you have one be prepaired for the poop problems. I hear it is really common! Good luck!


Here is my baby Landen!

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j90/ericajehle/P2160037.jpg

Answer 6

The biggest difficulty was sitting up in bed. I underestimated how much I really depend on my abdominal muscles to do such simple things. I ended up using my arms a lot to scoot up in bed or to roll over out of bed. In the hospital it was fine, since you can just push a button and the bed does the work for you, but at home you'll have to have a plan. It is especially difficult if you are breastfeeding in the middle of the night and want to be able to get to the baby quickly. Other than that, though, it was wonderful. So much better than a regular birth! Good luck!

Answer 7

I would reccomend having some gauze pads around. My c-section was leaking, and I got hysterical, but my OBGYN said it's perfectly normal to leak amniotic fluid from your scar, especially at both ends. I put some gauze up to it, and it was better after that. I would also reccomend to not lay flat for like 2 weeks. Try and have yourself as propped up as you can stand to make it easier to get up. I actually had a great healing time, other than that.

Answer 8

Hi there,after my caesar i actually recovered quite well, i was in pain but not what i expected,i could walk,hold and feed my baby easily.i suffered the most when the after birth pains set in so i took voltaren to ease them.If you can get someone to do the shopping it saves you tearing something you shouldnt!! i also rolled to the side when getting up. i recommend getting out and walking at four weeks if you can as a bit of exercise does help your recovery

Answer 9

Some one to help you out. I had a c section and was in a lot of pain afterwards. My boyfriend had to work everyday and I had no one around to help me and it was very hard. Other than that just make sure to take it easy and try not to push yourself.

Answer 10

i alternated a heating pad and an ice pack and just tried to take it easy. it is not as bad as a lot of people say, just try to get up, use the bathroom, and walk as soon and as often as you can. i think that helped me the most. and if you breastfeed, at least the first couple of weeks, it releases the "feel-good" hormones and that's better then any drug!