C-section Recovery Advice

I had a really slow recovery to my c-sec. Everytime I moved I would feel like my insides were sloshing around. My scar also healed very slowly. I was on motrin since I was allergic to percocet and my daughter wasn't waking up if I took Tylenol-3. I think all I could do was take it easy and not move around too much or for too long. I know that doesn't help too much. I did deep breathing and little coughing exercises (very unpleasant feeling). I hope you feel better.

Y.

I had a C-section three times. The greatest advice I can give you is to rest and let your 15 year old daughter and husband help - in case your trying to do it on your own. Or ASK for help b/c they can't read your mind. My oldest 2 are 11 months apart. So I had just had a baby and my oldest wasn't even one yet. I was doing too much and got an infection. (Try not to climb too many steps). Also if you had any questions or feel that something isn't right or extreme pain, definetly call your doctor.

That sounds familiar to me (my son was born via c-section 9 months ago today) but if you're really concerned I'd call your OB's office. You may be trying to do too much. :-)

i had 2 c-sections within 2 yrs. i felt the burning sensation also. i thind you should talk with your dr. check your incision, look for redness and inflammation. burning can be normal however you should rule out infection. calling your dr. cannot hurt,let an expert check it out. i hope you feel better soon.

Hi L.,
I was out of commission for the first 2 weeks. My doctor prescribed the percocet along with Motrin which is a stronger medication than taking two percocets. I took that for two weeks straight. It was until then that i could walk like a normal person. We turned my living room into my bedroom because the pain to walk up the stairs was unbearable. I got a lot of help from my husband and my mother which i dont' think i could do without them.
I would have bunches of pillows in between my legs when i would lay down just for the comfort. and when holding the baby I would use that nursing pillow. they are great and would take the pressure off of my body just trying to hold him.
You are not alone just keep walking as long as you can and if 5 minutes is all you can do don't push yourself. You will get back to normal again and take it easy.
Congrats on your new baby!

I really feel for you! Although I wasn't in as much pain as you are, I do remember how much pain I was in when I got home. I remember taking a 600 mg Motrin as well for about a week when I was home. That coupled with the percocet helped me a lot. It gave me enough relief to get up and move around so that I didn't stiffen up.

Good luck!

My c-section was 3 years ago and I don't seem to remember being in that much pain. I don't even remember taking pain pills. I know for sure that I was able to walk around without pain. Anyway, the burning sensation maybe cause for concern. I'm thinking of a infection at the incision site.
I would call your doctor and ask what he/she thinks. Just to make sure that there is no problem.
Congrats and I hope you do feel better soon.

L.,

Please call your doctor. It is normal to still have some discomfort at this time but your discomfort doesn't sound normal. It may be an indication that you have developed an infection on the incision site. It may also be that you have overdone it once or twice and it is more painful because of this. It is best to call your doctor to be sure.

With both of my previous c-sections, I was only on prescription pain medication for about a week. During that week, I was able to transition from percocet to ibuprofen without a problem. Everyone is different, though, and your pain may be normal for you but call your doctor to be safe.

One more piece of advice which I received from my aunt after she had her c-section. Stay away from vacuuming and sweeping. They tell you not to in the hospital but she figured what could it hurt and found herself in intense pain afterwards. It's amazing how many muscles in that area that you use just to vacuum a room.

Good luck.

My first c-section was like that. my second not so much. Just try to relax and not push yourself. When you hold the baby try setting him on a pillow on your lap. That helped me alot with my second. Sleep with pillows to support you. Don't eat anything that will give you gas, but do eat stuff to help you go to the bathroom, if you havn't yet gone(that was the worst with my oldest daughter). Your son should have a checkup coming up so if your still concerned ask his doc or call yours. Good luck!

Hi L.,

Congrats on the new baby. Sorry you are still not feeling well. I also had 2 c-sections and I actually found that the percocet didn't work. I had my doctor write me a script for prescription motrin. That seemed to work much better.

I hope you feel better soon.

Hi L.:

I had 3 c-sections and I never felt like you. I would call the doctor immediately. The first 2 days were the worst and then it gets much better even being at home and doing things was fine with a perocet. It should not feel like that after a week in my opinion. I would definitely go get it checked because it could be infected or something and they will know what to do before you are in more serious condition and can't take care of the baby.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!!!!

Hi L.! I hear ya and feel your pain. I too had a c-section back in November with my daughter. Know that everyone tolerates pain differently. Remember it is considered a major surgery and it takes time to heal. It has only been a week for you. It took me about two weeks until I started to feel better. It is important to get up and walk around but if you feel tired then kick your feet up too. Major surgery is no joke and sometimes it kicks people in the butt harder than others. I did have a stich that did not disolve properly and it pulled my skin and irritated it really bad and I had to go to the doctor to have it snipped. I thought it was infected but it was just irritated. My doctor says often women think it is infected because it is red, painful and bleed a little, but indeed infections will produce more of a puss affect. (sorry to gross you out) They say you can return to work and lead a normal lifestyle after six weeks, but my body wasn't ready for that by any means. I would give your self a little more time to heal because it is so soon. If after two weeks you are still hurting go to your doctor. If however, you are concerned about something go now! I know you will feel better soon. Hang in there! Good luck and congrats on the new baby.

M. L.
www.scrappingwithmichelle.myctmh.com

Hi L.. I have three kids and my last child the thrid i had a c-section and i can say that was the worst experience i ever had i wish i knew about this site b4 because i never had anyone tell me what it was like to go thru a c-section. I felt the whole thing and it was just bad then after i was in pain i could barely move around and its been 7 months since and from time to time i get pains but not as bad and the doctors say it takes years for your insides to fully heal itself so i guess thats what i'm going thru now but in the beginning i was in so much pain but after a couple of weeks they kind of just slowly went away. so my advice to you is just give it time and if a few months still feels the same then you should just tell your doctor. Good luck And Congratz on your new BAby..

Jayda

my two c- sections were only 81/2 years apart but the second time it was a little longer with the pain. your body is not used to that after 15 years. but focus on your little one and you will see it was all worth it.

I agree, it sounds like you may have an infection. Call your dr. right away. After 5 days the pain should be starting to subside somewhat and you should be able to better maneuver around.