More scared about recovering...

So, I know the day will come and at the moment I am planning on getting an epi..or just dealing with whatever God throws my way...but I have to say, I think I am more scared of the recovery than the actual birth...please give me your frank opinions and experiences...I just want to be prepared for what I am in for. Thanks!!!

Re: More scared about recovering...

Well, just know that the pain is temporary and there are plenty of drugs to take the pain away. You will be fine. I was so worried about the pain and the unknown. I guess it must not be so bad especially when I'm doing it AGAIN!

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I had a vaginal birth and was pretty uncomfortable the first 24 hours. There was alot of swelling and some soreness from stitches (I tore a little). I suppose I should add: I pushed for almost 3 hours with a vacuum extraction, so things were a little more swollen than what I've heard from others who had no complications at all.....

By the time I left the hospital though, I felt pretty normal *down there*. I loved my sitz bath and used it often.

I think that with all the excitement surrounding the baby and bringing her home makes recovery easier. You don't have time to concentrate on anything else.

Re: More scared about recovering...

good question! maybe you would get more answers on parenting

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You said be Frank.. so here I go...

Who cares? Its recovery.. I mean you just had a baby... Once the baby is out.. its all down hill from there.. you have a new child who you will adore and love and everything else will mean very little.

Im terrified of the pain of labor cause I think it will feel like it will never end.. At least with recovery you know there's just time to make it all go away.

Heck 9months of all that we've been through, I can put in a few more weeks of discomfort. hahaha

Please note, I didn't mean to offend or toss this back in your face.. its just me answering a question that I once asked myself and how I slapped myself out of it!

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I had a c-section with #1 and recovery was not that bad. Thanks to modern medicine there are just too many drugs out there to take so you don't have to be in a lot of pain.

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My recoveries have always been ok, despite kinda tough deliveries, my last one in particular. I do think the joy you feel at having your little one - especially at that point when the baby is there - really can help. I always felt on a bit of a 'baby high' and know others who felt this way, too. I only needed to take Tylenol for some minor discomfort. If you are fairly healthy and active, I would bet that your recovery won't be too bad.

Message edited 8/11/2008 4:25:45 PM.

Re: More scared about recovering...

Posted by Xelindrya

You said be Frank.. so here I go...

Who cares? Its recovery.. I mean you just had a baby... Once the baby is out.. its all down hill from there.. you have a new child who you will adore and love and everything else will mean very little.

Im terrified of the pain of labor cause I think it will feel like it will never end.. At least with recovery you know there's just time to make it all go away.

Heck 9months of all that we've been through, I can put in a few more weeks of discomfort. hahaha

Please note, I didn't mean to offend or toss this back in your face.. its just me answering a question that I once asked myself and how I slapped myself out of it!

Re: More scared about recovering...

Let's see- I will be as honest as possible. You do really forgot all about it as time goes by. I had a vaginally birth and tore naturally(not bad though).

The first day or so was really uncomfortable and messy. I felt like I was bleeding to death. It was pretty gross. I was terrified of going #2. It was the worst fear. But by day two it felt a little better. They give you pain meds and this wonderful numbing spray which really helps. Plus the bottle of warm water you spray down there as you pee works wonderfully- no stinging, I swear.
Day 3 I finally got the courage to poop and they give you so many stool softeners it really is fine. Not bad at all...
I remember being irritated by all the pads out there since they have that special coating on top. I really liked the old fashioned kind since they didn't rub the wrong way.
By the time I got home, it wasn't bad at all. Still bleeding a lot but not really in any pain.
You will be fine!

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I thought the recovery was very easy. The nurses kept coming into my room and asking me to rate my pain and I was like "what pain??" I had no tearing, but a few "skid marks." I was out walking within days of birth and amazed at how good (and light) I felt.

Everyone has different experience, but it really wasn't bad.

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for me personally, i was in a lot of pain for at least 5-7 days after. the dr had to cut me and when she stiched me up i developed a hematoma so i think thats what cause so much pain. i was very swollen also. after a week i was prety much back to normal except i have a lot of trouble going number 2 still to this day (my baby is 5 weeks) if i dont take a stool softener. i dont know if its possible but i think the dr might have sewed me up too tight or something lol. my advice to you is make sure you get a perscription for some good pain killers, they become your best friend!

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I had a c-section...and it was painful for the first few days after...but by the time I got home I was feeling ok....and 2 weeks after I felt pretty normal. I have to say the contractions were worse than the recovery....but as soon as you get the drugs....you can't even remember what they felt like.

Re: More scared about recovering...

Re: More scared about recovering...

Honestly I was extremely nervous about it and it was fine. There is pain down there for a few days but it gets better. you are so consumed with the baby and lack of sleep that nothing really bothers you

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I had a c-section 6 days ago, and I am for the most part back to normal. VERY little discomfort (wouldn't call it pain), and as some of the PP's said, once you have your baby, and they can give you some drugs...it's allll good!!!

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Thanks girls...your words always make me feel a lot less nervous

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My recovery was pretty good. I was sore but it wasn't painful except for wiping and sitting...but just when I sat...not while I was sitting...does that make sense

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I had 2 vaginal births and felt great after each. I was a little sore but I was up and walking around with both within hours.

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Lets see recovery...here goes I had a vaginal birth with an episiotomy(sp?) and a vacuum extraction it was painful but I must say after three days and taking motrin every 6 hours as recommeded the pain started to subside. I was terrified to do #2 because I thought I would bust a stitch so I held it plus the iron pills caused constipation issues but I was given Dulcolax suppositories (worked like a charm). I was also told to use Tucks pads and Dermaplast (numbing spray) everytime I used the bathroom and I must say that really helped. I also sat over hot water and it helped alot as it draws out blood and helps your uterus contract (my mom told me to do this)and it also helped soothe. As far as the bleeding as soon as I left the hospital I was in my always ultra thin pads never once leaked through them its now three weeks after birth and I use panty liners. After two weeks I felt 90% better

Message edited 8/12/2008 9:40:15 AM.

Re: More scared about recovering...

I was terrified of recovery knowing I was having a c-section & I will tell you, I only needed Motrin the first day. Everyone is different, of course, but it was way smoother than I thought. I will admit that the restricted movement for a few weeks was getting on my nerves. But all in all it was a pretty good experience.

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DD was born vaginally and recovery wasnt bad at all. Sore and tiny bit uncomfortable b/c i tore top and bottom. The hospital gave me a spray to use that helped with the healing.

If you deliver vaginally, right after giving birth ask for ice and Witch Hazel.. it was a HEAVEN!!! It helped with the swelling and healing.

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To be honest, for me recovery was horrible. Am I in the majority? No. I had a significant tear and a bleeding problem in the hospital so I was in alot of pain. I would say by 1 week pp I felt alittle better and by 2 weeks pp I was able to drive and move around much better. I did not completely heal until about 8 weeks pp. Was it worth it? Absolutely! Most people don't have very bad recoveries. Both of my sisters had easier recoveries. One had two vagina births and the other 2 c-section births. I am sure you will be fine!!!

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my recovery has been wonderful! i was up and showering within 3.5 hours of giving birth and was walking around in my regular maternity clothes instead of the hospital gown.

i had dull pain for a few days but didn't need any meds after i left the hospital. i used the creams and sprays they gave me for a few days but haven't needed it since. i had an episiotomy but had zero problems or even pain from it.

recovery for me was easier than the last few weeks of pregnancy where i was so swollen it hurt to walk.

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never really thought of recovery being hard.. after reading these posts though, it gives me something to new to fear

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The recovery is NOT that bad. The worst part is trying to poo for the first time afterwards. I had a second degree tear and had stitches so poo'ing was an ordeal. Take stool softeners and it will all be ok!

Other than that, just make sure you keep everything clean, especially if you have stitches. They give you a bottle at the hospital that you use to rinse off after using the bathroom. It helps a lot!