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

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

so 4-5 days seems to be the norm! i was born via csection, but thats because I'm a twin and my sister was footling breech. my mom stayed 7 days! (25 yrs ago)

my ob said I could stay anywhere from 2-4 days, depending on how I felt - all up to me.

My section is sched for 9/16 @8am and I was hoping to go home on 9/19 bc it's DH's birthday - I thought it would be special for him to bring his 1st baby girl home on his bday. Now im starting to rethink, maybe spending his bday in the hospital with me will have to be just as special

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

My c-section experience was wonderful from start to finish. The recovery was easy and pretty pain free (more discomfort then pain) and by 2 weeks I was feeling my normal self.

That said everyone is different. Some people have horrible c-section recoveries and horrible vaginal recoveries. My friend had a vaginal birth and had a horrible recovery so it's all dependent on the person.

You will be fine!

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

I had an emergency C at like 6am, so I was under general anesthesia, then had a morphine drip, so day 1 was a blur, but by day 2 i was up and out of bed, and took a shower by myself that night. I was supposed to stay a few days due to some complications I had, but was doing so well, they let me go. My baby was transferred to another hospital, so maybe that just pushed me to get better and get out. In fact, I remember PUSHING myself to get up and out of bed as much as possible, but it helped, and it got easier. Roughest thing was the gas in the belly, but ask for something for this, you should do just fine.

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

I was fine. I had DD at 8pm and the next morning they had me get out of bed to use the bathroom. I remember it was hard to get out of bed, but by the end of the day, I was walking around (a little more slowly than normal) and was doing ok.

Keep up with your pain meds, and get your DH to get you a stool softener (sorry if TMI). I was sitting cross legged in my hospital bed by day 2 - my family couldn't believe it.

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

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???

I had 2 and they went great!! So great we are planning on a 3rd

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

And I asked to stay an extra day because of the pain. The insurance company has to pay for it. Most hospitals try to push you out but be aware that you can stay. I went in on Friday afternoon and stayed until Tuesday afternoon!

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

Whenever I tell someone IRL that I had a c section they act like they feel bad for me, but honestly it was not bad at all. I did have some pain getting in and out of bed and standing up from a sitting position but I just did it slowly and sometimes asked DH or whoever was around for help. I definitely was able to care for DD from the get go. You just have to take the pain meds they give you and walk walk walk the hospital corridors!
I had DD on a Wednesday morning and went home Saturday morning.

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

this is going to sound CRAZY to a lot of people but my 2nd scheduled C was a breeze to recover from! i am still amazed-i am 5 wks PP and feel totally and completely normal! i was out and about by the third day i got home
i know that's not the norm but you never know!
p.s. take the pain meds in the beginning!

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

For me, it really wasn't that bad...I never took anything but Motrin, and as much as it hurt, I got out of bed the next day...I took it slow, and that first time s*cked...

But by the time we came home (in Thursday out Monday), It was there...just there...it hurt getting up and down, but nothing I couldn't handle...

And it never interferred with me being able to care for DD.

I did have a scheduled C-section, i have heard from people who had emergency c-sections, that the recovery for them was worse. I think that has to do a lot with the stress / trauma your body is under immediately preceding the surgery..

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

It truly wasn't bad at all. I was up/on my feet & going to the NICU by 7pm that night (had DS at 830am) & w/ DD was up the next am (had her 930pm). With DS the worst was the gas pains; felt like I was being stabbed & couldn't breathe; but they took care of that & I was fine then.

You just can't lift anything heavy (laundry; push vacuum, etc.) for a few weeks & the area tends to be numb for a few weeks.

But otherwise no issues at all; I totally felt like myself by the time I got home from the hospital

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

My recovery was actually pretty good. I didn't take any of the pain medicine once I was home. I had trouble getting in and out of bed because we don't have a headboard or anything so I couldn't get the leverage to get myself up and out. So I slept on the couch for almost 2 weeks which was fine...I was much more comfortable.

I was driving everywhere at 2 weeks. I'm going to say I felt 100% prob around 6 weeks, but now that I think about I think that had more to do with the fact that that is when I finally stopped bleeding...my incision was feeling good (I had gotten a pretty bad infection) and so I felt good.

It never interfered with me taking care of DD. Maybe it took me a minute longer to get to her in the beginning but I still satisfied all her needs. My DH went back to work a week after I came home so it was all me, except for a few hours between when he came home and went to sleep. I did all the overnight feedings as well.

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

The recovery while in the hospital for me was the hardest. Everyday it gets better and better! Try not to think about it ~ it will drive you crazzzzy! You will be fine and everyone is soo different! I had a hard time getting in and out of bed so I stayed on the couch as much as possible (since it was more comfy for me) Overall I think my c-section was a good experience!!! Good Luck!!!

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

I think the more you push yourself to walk around, even though it hurts, the easier and better you will heal...

I was up the next day b/c I had to walk downstairs to see DD who was in NICU- thanks to Beth Israel in NYC for making me walk instead of getting me a wheel chair.. great!

I went back and forth a few times a day over the time I was there and I was hunched over.. but it got better every day- and by the time I discharged I walked to the car!

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

ETA: I had her on Thursday and I went home Sunday morning.

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

I also have a heart problem and had a scheduled C/S. I don't want to scare you or worry you , but honestly, I was in soooo much pain for almost 3 weeks , never felt pain like that in my life (even though I got up and walked around A LOT next day bc the nurses kept telling me it would speed the recovery and make things easy )
I do know that everyone has a different recovery and some women don't feel any pain at all after 2-3 days or a week.
My DD's godmother who also had a C/S had a huge party at her house 5 days after the delivery and she cleaned the house (bathrooms and the kitchen and all) and got everything ready for the party all by herself.
So you never know.

Message edited 8/26/2009 3:05:52 PM.

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

For me, not at all and it wasn't a planned c section.

The first couple of days are the roughest. I recommend taking the drugs they offer you and take it easy.

I felt pretty darn good after two weeks. I hope the next ones goes just as smooth.

Good Luck!

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

The first day is the worst, but as long as you get up and walk walk walk it is fine! I am almost 12 weeks pp on my 2nd section and feel fine ! good luck

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

Mine was a failed induction turned csection.

I had a great experience, up walking the next day and doing stairs no problem 4 days later. I will be a scheduled csection for #2.

My biggest fear was the epi and it was cake!

Good luck and feel free to FM with any questions!

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

For me, it was excruciating minutes after I was glued back together (yes, they used dermabond on me) and the epidural wore off.....they had to give me 2 doses of morphine to contain the pain. I was ok for awhile until that night, the nurses force you out of bed. I remember the GUSH of blood that came out and how I was shaking uncontrollably. It was the weirdest feeling.......after that, when I was home, it wasn't bad, just very sore, as if someone kicked me in the stomach.

I was freaked out, just as you are. But I was more freaked out about the IV (which took them THREE times to get in, I was hysterical crying) and the epidural. You honestly don't feel anything during the c-section, just pushing.

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

I think it's different for everyone for sure but I can tell you that my C-section recovery was the WORST!! I was in a lot of discomfort, forget taking care of the baby in the hospital......I was incapacitated the first 2 days, getting in and out of bed and showering were all a nightmare. It just wasn't comfortable at all. That being said, each day was better than the last and within a few weeks I was feeling more like my old self. You will be fine......no matter what you will heal, it will pass, and you have a beautiful baby in return.

EDIT - Mine was a scheduled C-section as well

Message edited 8/26/2009 3:35:58 PM.

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

My csection was a peice of cake. From start to finish. I would do it again and again over vaginal birth.

Everyone responds differently. In the hospital I took all the meds they would give me, I felt awesome. I was walking the am after the surgery. Drs and nurses could not believe I had a csection. I just felt so great. When I came home I felt just as good. I mean, a bit of tightness or burnign pain for a while here and there, but nothing major. I think the key is getting up and out of bed asap, which they will make you do for a better recovery.

Are you generally good or bad with pain?

FM me if you want to know or ask anything at all. Please dont stress!!!

Message edited 8/26/2009 4:01:18 PM.

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

For me, it wasn't bad at all. I was out of bed and walking around the next day..the nurses thought I was nuts I never needed anything stronger than motrin for the pain, and I got sent home a day early. Within 2 weeks, I was pretty much back to normal, just taking it easy.

Don't stress it...I didn't let myself worry about, and it didn't really hit me until after that I had had a major surgery lol. And I wanted to go home as quickly as possible, so I focused on that.

Good luck.