Just had a C-section and had a question?

Question

I had a C-section on 5/24/07 and I have been home for a fdays and I am still so tired. I am getting about 5-6 hours a sleep which is more than I got while pregnant and I just have no energy. My incision still hurts pretty bad too, especially when getting out of bed. I am afraid the sitting up motion is causing damage.
Is all of this normal and when can I expect to have some energy again? I have cut down to only taking my pain meds at night cause they make me so sleepy.I would appreciate any advice

Answer 1

It definitely takes some time. The more you are having to do for yourself (cooking, laundry, etc.) the longer it will probably take.

I had my son by c/s 2 years ago and will be having my daughter by c/s later this summer. I remember the pain and the exhaustion, but the good thing is that it *does* get better, bit by bit. Just enjoy your new baby, and try not to let the housework bother you.

Sitting up won't injure your incision, but I do remember that it felt really bad. If the area around the incision feels really warm to the touch, get it checked out (it may be getting infected). The pain and tenderness around the incision will probably be there for quite a while, but it will fade and one day you'll wake up and be able to get out of bed without that twinge.

I didn't take my pain meds (except once to force myself to go to sleep because I was pushing myself too hard). They just made me feel too out of it and sleepy. I did take the Motrin my doctor prescribed because that was for the swelling and didn't affect me like the percocets did.

Answer 2

I had a c-section in the beginning of May and I was really tired to. My incision hurt at first too. When I was at the hospital the nurses told me to walk around as much as possible - so I did tiny walks which was unconfortable at first. I think the worse part about the c-section is getting up (couch, bed, anything involving stretching) . I was taking pain meds to - I tried not to but the pain became terrible - so I took it on a regular basis and it made me so tired and out of it. I would be talking to my husband and hardly even know what I was saying. I took alittle less pain meds each day - pretty much once I stopped I started feeling better energy wise. The only thing you may want to remember if you are in pain all day because you are not taking your meds you are going to feel drained. If you have any other questions you can email me directly and I will be happy to try to help you. It will get better :)

Answer 3

I don't know about the incision part. I've never had a C-section, though I did have a laproscopy...more painful than they say. Only thing is don't completely give up using those tummy muscles. It does take a long time to heal.
But as for the energy level. After my daughter, vaginal birth w/ a 4th degree tear. I'm still waiting....jk...it does get better. But if you ask me 6-8 wks isn't long enough I went back to work at week 7. I guess I started feeling better about week 10. I mean better, stopped feeling like I had been drug behind a truck. Though I'm still a little sleep deprived it has gotten better.

Answer 4

I am sure it is the pain meds causing your drowsiness! I had 2 c-sections, and this is not a comfortable thing! When you sit up you need to press a pillow into your abdomen to support your incison or yes you will cause damage. I did not support my incision with my 1st c-section and one night in bed I sat up and the incision broke open...I do not tell you this to scare you I can assure you it was quite painless and more of a hassell than anything else (it is only the first layer that opens and some fluid drains out).

With my 2nd c-section I developed bronchitis in the hospital...I followed all the directions to the letter supporting my incision with a pillow when I coughed and moved and I had no problems.

If you are up to it and it isn't too painfull a nice supportive pair of girdle underpants really helps hold things together and helps support your incision. If this is too uncomfortable just stick with holding the pillow on the site and you will be OK.

Remember your hormones are trying to get settled down after having a baby and so that may be causing your lethergy as well...just keep in mind that letheregy is a symptom of post-partum depression as well so please be a dear and have your husband watch you for signs (as you may be unaware of them yourself). I never trusted myself to tell if I was feeling PPD so I had my husband watch me like a hawk so I didn't spiral out of control.

Lastly congratulations!!! Things will get better I promise!

Answer 5

You JUST had your section. It's too soon to expect to be back to your old self. You may start to feel better in a few days, or it may be another week or two. The pain you experience while sitting up is normal. The energy thing: ya just learn to deal. Heck, you're getting A LOT more sleep than most new moms, so other than that, there isn't much you can do. Don't despair though, it will be better soon. Best of luck.

Answer 6

I had a section 5wks ago however i was pretty lucky with the pain and stuff cos i felt fine! However have a few friends who told me to expect lots of pain in the first 2wks and they even told me i wouldn't be able to get in and out of a car. Also that standing up straight hurts pretty badly too. Like i said none of this happened me however everyone is different. My wound is still healing and i am very tender on the inside. It will take ATLEAST 6wks before u are fully healed chic so take things as they come, plenty of painkillers and LOTS of rest!! U will get better but by the sounds of things this is all normal and part of the healing process!!

Answer 7

I had a c-section on august 10th, i was told that for 6 weeks i was not supposed to do much... when i asked "like what" they even said sweeping, cleaning, cooking, etc... not that i cant at all... but to refrain as much as possible... it will help you heal faster if you do not do to much.

It would be good for you to have help around the house... friends family or spouse... I know how difficult that can be... you WANT to be a part of it all... I did 2... but you have to relax to heal properly, and when your baby is sleeping, i suggest you get more sleep. lack of sleep can cause more pain and heal slower.

If you are breastfeeding, breastfeed and go to sleep with your baby... if you are bottle feeding and HAVE to get up to make a bottle, go ahead, but go to sleep with your little one...

also eating regularly will help you body with the pain... if your body feels nourished enough the pain feels less... you are able to tolerate more...

I did not take alot of the pain meds either... in fact i STILL have them in my med cubord. but try to relax in order to let yourself heal...

Answer 8

Generally it takes a month for pain to go away and recoup. However keep an eye on incision and if you have any vitamins leftover from pregnancy take them or get some.

Answer 9

it somewhat is plenty greater uncomplicated. I even have had 4 c-sections. the 1st 2, I did hard artwork for numerous hours and then had the c-sections. restoration for those took plenty longer than the subsequent 2. They have been planned c-sections and that i became into up and transferring interior hours of surgical technique and felt incredibly general with a week. and that i became into basically in desire of soreness killers for 2 days. That sounded greater like the restoration time of a vaginal transport to me. So, confident...it somewhat is plenty greater uncomplicated.

Answer 10

It is perfectly normal....They cut threw all your muscle and tissue it will take a little while for it all to heal completly!! Dont worry....Your energy will come..you just had a baby and surgery dont rush it....