Oh my goodness, last night was hard!! C-section recovery is WAY worse than vaginal. Sutton was having a hard night - not a big deal, except that I couldn't get to her. I couldn't sit up, roll over, barely move without help.
HELP!!!! I need some advice from those of you who have had C-sections. Advice? Tips? Words of wisdom?
I'm so spoiled to being able to come home and just take care of the baby...which is a big challenge by itself. I'm NOT used to not being able to do that very well. This is quite different.
I'm all ears.
2 comments:
Emily,
Congratulations on the safe arrival of your precious little lady.
I can totally relate to your frustration with the aftermath of having had a c-section - but you are so right that when you are in the heat of labor, your first priority must be the safe arrival of your child. I don't know if you question whether or not you could have done it vaginally now, but DON'T - it is already done and now you have the pleasure of joining the c-section club - and you will survive...I promise!
I am not sure what symptoms you are experiencing, but I will tell you what I have experienced with my two c-sections and what has helped the most.
With my first c-section, I had some weird gas pains in my shoulder - like everytime I tried to lay down/get up, it would hurt so badly that I really thought I was having a heart attack...in my shoulder! My doctor recommended two things that helped with that pain (and made it easier to lay down/get up): 1) put a heating pad over the place where you feel the gas pain and 2) take GasEx.
I must confess that I HATE to take medicine ever, but the GasEx came to my rescue and I think I only had to take one or two doses before the pains/gas subsides. (I was told that the gas pains were from air entering my abdomen during surgery and it was working its way out of my body...kinda weird, huh!?)
And speaking of medications, I would recommend keeping them in your system and not trying to ween yourself for at least 7-10 days. Again, I HATE to take medicine and tried to ween myself off the motrin way too early after having had LeeAnne and it was cause for some undue pain and frustration. I think I stayed on some type of Motrin (even if it was just one pill every 6-8 hours) for the first 3-4 weeks.
My doctor recommended not lifting anything over 15 pounds for the first four weeks after I had LeeAnne...I made it for three before a minor accident made it imperative that I lift my child. That night I took some extra Motrin as a preventative measure.
After my first c-section, the doctor (a different one) told me I could lift Ruthie as soon as I felt like it...of course, she was much younger and a bit lighter - so listen to your doctor on that one.
My mom was such a blessing to me after both c-sections as she stayed with me and kept me on my medicine schedule and helped with Ruthie as much as she could for those first two weeks or so. I don't know if you have family/friends who can help with your other children, but if you do, it will be a blessing to you in the long run. Try not to feel like you are a burden by asking them to help you - if they can help you for a couple of weeks now, it will be a serious assistance in your healing properly and being able to resume all your motherly tasks more quickly.
And as for the rolling over/getting up, etc., ask for help as much as you need it - Dustin had to help me sit up/roll in bed, for at least the first week or two. He was such a prince as he helped me patiently. And be encouraged...you WILL be normal again. It just takes some time.
I hope those things were encouraging to you...please feel free to write if you have any other questions - I am by no means and expert, but I have a little experience in the c-section recovery department!
Prayers for the best!
Daphne
Congrats, she is beautiful!!!
C-Section Recovery Kits and Products
www.TheRecoveryKit.com
Recover quicker so that you can focus on what truly matters...baby!!!
Check out the Abdominal Compression Binder by Belly Bandit. C-mamas love the support that it gives along their incision lines. It helps with the feeling of their "insides falling out". It also gives great support while coughing, walking, and breastfeeding. Also, when worn for 6-8 weeks following surgery, they get their pre-baby bellies back faster than ever!!!
New customers can receive a 20% discount with coupon code: new20off
Good luck to you!
Post a Comment