Feedback from recent c-sections? (within the past year)

[sonrisa]

I'm not looking forward to the recovery. My last one wasn't typical. I thought I'd ask around for a normal perspective.  (I went with a one year window because that is when I remember feeling the discomfort had ended and I had fully recovered. If you are further out but feel it hasn't ended yet or want to give feedback, that would be great too.)

How long ago was your section?

Was it scheduled? If not, what preceded it?

How has your recovery progressed? (Meds? Pain? Discomfort? Movement restrictions?)

Any other thoughts or tips I should remember?

Thanks!

[JayhawkGirl]

I have thought about posting this same thing. I'm getting really anxious about my csection after a rough recovery last time. Friends swear the second is much easier, and I'm really hoping they're right.

[sonrisa]

Nov 20, 2013 11:32:41 GMT -5 @callmefia said:

Did they schedule it yet? What day are you going?!

Four weeks from yesterday if we last that long! (DD didn't, nor did I, nor did my mom. So I'm prepared to go early.) 

I like what I'm seeing here :-) My mantra is "This time WILL be better."

[MrsAxilla]

I had a scheduled C 6 weeks ago. Recovery was WAY better than the first one (I was induced and went through 24 hours of labor first). I took all the meds for about a week, then only Advil for another week or so. There were a couple of days when I took half a Vicodin at night, but for the most part I was fine with out them. I was cleared from all restrictions (except sex) at my two week appt. I didn't start exercising again until 5 weeks, but that was more laziness than because of the C.

Stay on top of your meds until you don't need them, especially in the hospital. I had one nurse who wanted me to take less two days after the C, but she was a bitch. No need to be a hero. You may want to hold a couple back in case you need them later. Like I said, I was done taking them regularly but needed a half a couple of times. Take it easy for the first couple of weeks. Get some Dermoplast. You mostly hear the ladies with episiotomies talking about dermoplast, but my inscision itched like crazy and that stuff is awesome. Don't forget the giant granny panties that won't rub on your inscision. I was back in regular panties about a month later.

Good luck! You'll do great!

[sonrisa]

Nov 20, 2013 11:49:50 GMT -5 @callmefia said:

pretend that worry is a leaf that lands on a river and watch it float away

That is brilliant. 

If I go early, I think they'll still give me a choice between a VBAC and c-section. I love the idea of a successful VBAC but just don't think I was made to birth babies.

[cazadore]

I'm new here and a little over a year past, but I'll answer.

How long ago was your section? August 2012

Was it scheduled? If not, what preceded it? No. not scheduled. I attempted a home birth, labored 18 hours total and pushed for 3 hours before going to the hospital.

How has your recovery progressed? (Meds? Pain? Discomfort? Movement restrictions?) recovery went very well. I was off Lortab after 4 days and managed on motrin for two weeks. The only lasting issues are localized numbness.

Any other thoughts or tips I should remember? Get up and walk the second you're able. I really think this made all the difference. I will likely have a scheduled c for this baby and I will make sure to walk the halls of the hospital as I did with my first. Oh and soap on a rope. I couldn't bend over easily the first week and had to call my H in several times to pick in the soap. :-D

Thanks![/quote]


Sent from my XT907 using proboards

[JayhawkGirl]

Nov 20, 2013 11:37:24 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Nov 20, 2013 11:32:41 GMT -5 @callmefia said:

Did they schedule it yet? What day are you going?!

Four weeks from yesterday if we last that long! (DD didn't, nor did I, nor did my mom. So I'm prepared to go early.) 

I like what I'm seeing here :-) My mantra is "This time WILL be better."

I like this. Can I share your mantra?

[runblondie26]

I'm a week out from my second c-section. Just got back from a trip to Target and the grocery store, so I'd say recovery is going well

This csection was planned, first was emergency. It was so much more calm and laid back this time. The first one was a blur of chaos.

The night before was like Christmas Eve. It was so hard to sleep with anticipation.

Recovery has been easy. I'm barely bleeding at all. First few days I needed a regular pad, now I'm down to just a pantyliner (bled heavily for about 8 weeks with my first).

I took Percocet the first 2 days, now I take Motrin at night since I get stiff without movement. No pain meds at all with my first. I assume cutting through the original scar accounts for the extra discomfort, but it's not incompacitating and I'm going about my normal routine.

Good luck with your repeat csection. No judgement on anyone, but in my case I'd take the csection over a vaginal delivery any day.

[runblondie26]

Oh, and ask for a belly binder at the hospital. I didn't with my first. The extra support really helps and my belly is flattening out faster too.

[rt2008]

How long ago was your section?  A little over 4 months ago.

Was it scheduled? If not, what preceded it? It was schedule because she was breech.

How has your recovery progressed? (Meds? Pain? Discomfort? Movement restrictions?)  I would say that the first week was horrible, as far as getting up and down, and the pain from my stomach muscles.  I sat with a heating pad on my stomach all week pretty much.  Luckily, they keep c/s moms in the hospital for 5 days after, so most of that week was in there while DH did all the baby stuff, lol.  


After a week, it got a ton better.  I was in zip up shorts and jeans by 5 weeks pp.  (Had to go a size up though).  I rotated Percocet (sp?) and Ibuprofen for the first two weeks and after that, I wasn't on any meds at all.  I could drive for 2 weeks, and I wasn't supposed to lift anything other than our baby for 4 weeks. But besides the pain from the first week after, I thought recovery was great and I'd totally do it again.  

Any other thoughts or tips I should remember?

I don't know if this happened to anyone else, or if it was just my weird body.  But they kept giving me Colace in the hospital.  Well, it ended up giving me the opposite problem, lol.  It was awful.  I seriously had to go to the bathroom every hour, which was bad, since I usually had to race up out of bed to make it there, which was painful in itself.  (prob TMI, haha).  So next time, I'm going to say no to the Colace, unless I think I reallllly need it.

ETA: everything is great now, 4 months out.  I started running again at about 8 weeks pp. I've run a few 5k's since then and have had no problems at all.

[eav2c]

Nov 20, 2013 13:28:05 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

Oh, and ask for a belly binder at the hospital. I didn't with my first. The extra support really helps and my belly is flattening out faster too.

How soon after did you start using the belly binder? I want that sucker on ASAP.

[runblondie26]

Nov 20, 2013 21:30:58 GMT -5 eav2c said:

Nov 20, 2013 13:28:05 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

Oh, and ask for a belly binder at the hospital. I didn't with my first. The extra support really helps and my belly is flattening out faster too.

How soon after did you start using the belly binder? I want that sucker on ASAP.

The next morning. The tech seemed aghast no one had given me one yet, lol. I've been wearing it 24/7 since then.

[runblondie26]

Nov 20, 2013 21:30:58 GMT -5 eav2c said:

Nov 20, 2013 13:28:05 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

Oh, and ask for a belly binder at the hospital. I didn't with my first. The extra support really helps and my belly is flattening out faster too.

How soon after did you start using the belly binder? I want that sucker on ASAP.

This is the one they gave me. I like that it goes over my hips too.

www.onlinemedicalsupply.com/p-11135-dalereg-abdominal-binder.aspx?utm_source=GoogleProducts&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=AllProducts&gclid=CKuU8_CF9roCFaTm7AodT34Atw#.Uo4Sz_q9LCQ

I plan to by a lighter weight one that is less conspicuous under clothing once things settle back into place a bit more.