Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

Im officialy three weeks away from my sched c-section and starting to freak out. We've had a sched c-sect since about 30 weeks because of my heart defects, my OB feels pushing *could* be bad news.

Anyway, im not afraid of the surgery itself - it's the recovery that freaks me out! Is it really that bad? Are you really out of commission and if so for how long?? I dont want to feel like I'm not there for , and I dont want my DH to have to do everything!! Is getting out of bed/off the couch really that bad?? Some people have told me they were back to normal in 2-3 weeks, another told me she stills has horrible pain when she sneezes TEN YRS LATER!!

Please tell me its not THAT bad!!

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

my recovery while in the hospital was horrible. By the time I got home I was fine.

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

Mine was nothing. Seriously. I was in pain while in the hospital, the first time getting out of bed suckked I won't lie. But I was fine by the time we got discharged and at home you would never know I'd just had major surgery. I had heard horror stories but honestly I've had toothaches worse than my c-section. Good Luck!

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

I was back to my old self for the most part ( aside from ome "soreness") the day I came home with both my pregnancies ...Going up/down stairs ( though you are not supposed to ) etc....

The worst part for me with my first pg. was gas pains at the hospital honestly...With my DD, I made sure I was given something for that from teh get go to avoid it and I was fine...Good Luck

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

Posted by Bops

I was back to my old self for the most part ( aside from ome "soreness") the day I came home with both my pregnancies ...Going up/down stairs ( though you are not supposed to ) etc....

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

I dont know i dont think it was that bad at all. I mean its surgery, duh, they cut you open. Yeah its sore and stuff.

I had complications and things afterwards and I'd still say it was no big deal. I mean i have nothing to set it against since I had never been in surgery before and I have never had a baby before.

I suggest you just go with it. I know my mind thinks things are a lot worse than they really are. You have to think of the positives. the baby of course, but also "hey its not like you can't walk" you are up by the next day "thank god for pain killers" lol and "can you imagine 20yrs ago" and my fav "its not like im the first" and i just sorta of talked my way out of the whole "this is horrible" thing. ETA: i believe if you think its bad, you find more and more negatives and it makes it worse, if you just deal with the negatives and see positives, its not as bad. (if that makes sense)

No matter how bad the recovery is no matter how bad it could possibly be... its pretty sure it not going be as long as or bad as 9months. hahaha that's how i summed it up.

1 yr later and its "not a big deal" in my mind. Labor, though... never want to do that again, ever! I never made it to my scheduled C/S .. AJ came early *sigh* and breech the whole time.

Message edited 8/26/2009 1:14:20 PM.

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

I also had a scheduled C sect due to health issues. Honestly, my recovery was SO much better than I expected. I was pretty much fine after 2-3 weeks. During those 2-3 weeks there was some pain, but the pain pills and not pushing meself too much really helped. There was def a few days of serious pain in the hospital, but mostly when I got up, staying in bed I feltpretty good. Again, the meds they gave me really helped. I certainly couldn't do as much as I would have liked, but it really was not bad at all. It's all very worth it! You'll be fine!

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

ETA


how long were you in the hospital?


THANKS for the info

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

For me, the day after was the worst. I think part of it was my fault though, I was up and sitting and trying to walk around, by that night I was in a lot of pain. I asked the nurses for more pain meds, and that made it a lot better.
Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds when you need them!
After that day, I was a lot better. By the time I went home I was feeling pretty good. By two weeks after, I was able to walk around no problem. By three weeks later, I was totally back to myself.

I spent pretty much the first two weeks in bed, as we have a lot of stairs in my house and I didn't want to take a chance of opening up the incision walking up and down the stairs. The babies stayed in the room with me, and we were all just fine.

ETA: Babies were born Tues. evening, we went home saturday.

Also, don't feel bad about DH doing everything, LET HIM!!!

Message edited 8/26/2009 1:14:22 PM.

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

I had ds on a Monday and came home on Friday. I could have come home on Thursday but wanted to stay the night bc ds was recovering in NICU from surgery.

It wasnt bad at all. Are you in pain..yes but take some pills and you will be fine. I had my section at about 1pm and the catheter came out at about 8 the next morning. I was up probably 15 minutes later and walking around.

My best advice...you dont get an award for being drug free....at least take motrin...it did wonders for me!

Good Luck!!

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

My babies were born Monday I left on Friday but was there 1 day longer since my preemies were in the NICU-I had a c because of preeclampsia. My Dh cam to help me shower the 2nd day and that was great. Prepare you DH for that. Mine was fine but we had been through a lot of gory stuff together before.

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

i had one and the recovery wasnt bad at all for me..i was sore but the pain killers did the trick..im actually happy i had to have one b/c as i sat there for 17 hours in the hospital while being induced, I could hear the women screaming who were giving natural birth..when i heard them say c-sect..i was like Yah!!!

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

It wasn't bad at all!!! Make sure you take the meds and just take it easy. The worst is when your baby cries in the middle of the night and you want to jump up and get her but you can't. You have to get up slooooowly or yes, it does hurt. It wasn't terrible at all and by 2-3 weeks later I felt almost fully recovered!

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

Posted by sweetsurprise09

ETA


how long were you in the hospital?


THANKS for the info

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

For everyone it's different - I've talked to friends who have had vastly different experiences.

For myself, the recovery was a breeze for both my pregnancies. YES, the first two days afterwards are difficult. But the key is to get up and moving - and, for me, I think it really helped that I was walking 3-4 miles a day up until the day I delivered - that helped me get my stamina back quickly.

By day 3, the pain wasn't significant. By the end of the first week I was completely mobile, taking my new DD and my 4 year old to the playground, out to restaurants, the mall, etc.. in fact, the day I discharged, 3 days after surgery, I remember coming home and cleaning up around the house. DH kindly yelled at me to go lie down!

Now, at almost 6 weeks post partum I feel fabulous, and have started working out...

ETA - for my first daughter, I stayed 4 days in the hospital. This time I discharged myself early on day 3. I just wanted to get home and was sick of the PB&J sandwiches they were giving me for every meal!

Message edited 8/26/2009 1:25:58 PM.

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

I had a crash c-section so it was a slightly different recovery, but not that bad. Getting out of bed the first time sucks, but you'll need to do it to get better faster. THe drugs were so helpful.
as someone else said... the gas pains are the worst, but they will give you something for that. You'll feel better at home in your own bed. B4 you know it you're doing better, playing with the baby and you forget everything else.
I was running up and down the steps a week or so later. The scar isn't bad either. I wear bikinis now and DS is not 3 months yet. Can't see it b/c it's so low.

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

I had a c after about 30 hrs of labor and 2.5 of pushing. I was FINE.

I was never in "pain" just felt like I was in a car accident...sore, moved slowly, tired etc.

One week PP and I was wearing prepregnancy JEANS... so that tells you how "fine" I was with my scar etc.

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

thanks for all the replies!! this honestly made me feel a little better!

annnd I have nothing against pain meds

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

Posted by sweetsurprise09

Posted by Bxgell2

For everyone it's different - I've talked to friends who have had vastly different experiences.

For myself, the recovery was a breeze for both my pregnancies. YES, the first two days afterwards are difficult. But the key is to get up and moving - and, for me, I think it really helped that I was walking 3-4 miles a day up until the day I delivered - that helped me get my stamina back quickly.

By day 3, the pain wasn't significant. By the end of the first week I was completely mobile, taking my new DD and my 4 year old to the playground, out to restaurants, the mall, etc.. in fact, the day I discharged, 3 days after surgery, I remember coming home and cleaning up around the house. DH kindly yelled at me to go lie down!

Now, at almost 6 weeks post partum I feel fabulous, and have started working out...

ETA - for my first daughter, I stayed 4 days in the hospital. This time I discharged myself early on day 3. I just wanted to get home and was sick of the PB&J sandwiches they were giving me for every meal!

PB&J???! thats a good way to get back to prebaby weight!

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

Have you ever recovered from a surgery before? Often that can help you judge. For me, surgeries are never good. I have very difficult recoveries and cannot take pill pain medications. they all make me throw up over and over and over again.
So for me, yes. It was that bad. But for others, they seem to not a real issue.
I had complications post-surgery and needed an additional surgery a year later for scarring issues.
In now way was I able to move with 2 kids on day 3. I was still in a lot of pain and having a real hard time. NOT to scare you, but again you can see everyone is so different.

I think you really need to speak to your doctor about all of this. Ask every single question inc. pain med plan.

I HIGHLY rec'd yoy bring your own pillow and use it when you leave the hospital in between you and your seat belt. Trust me on this one!

Message edited 8/26/2009 1:39:43 PM.

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

I am not going to lie. I had a tough recovery. I also cannot take narcotics so I could not "just walk" on the hospital hallways just on Motrin. I think that did slow down my recovery.

For a good 10 days, I thought I was ripping all my inside in pain just trying to go from laying down in bed to a sitting position. Doing that move was the worst!!! The fact that I was BFing every 2-2:30 hours reminded me how bad it was.

DH was off for 2 weeks. Just a few days before he was due back to work I wondered how I was going to make it. But as he returned to work after 2 weeks, I actually was able to take slow walks in my neighborhood with DS in the stroller. That did help me recover faster after that.

Re: Are C-Sections really THAT bad???

Message edited 8/26/2009 1:51:12 PM.