post C section advice

cicon · 04-16-2005, 07:52 PM

A few questions about what it will be like after my C sect:
1. How long does it take to feel "OK"?
2. Will I become more or less swollen (fingers, feet, etc.) after my C sect?
3. How long will it take for my stomach to go down to a "pre pregnancy" state?
Thanks so much!!!

Cynthia

**BC-GoMom** · 04-16-2005, 08:21 PM

It so depends....IMHO
I was begging to get up... they made me wait 8 hours

Most swelling goes away the first 2 weeks. My fingers have remained larger_ at the knuckle. The more you b/f the quicker everything goes down!

Pre pg- stomach... I don't know- I haven't found mine

My c/s were great. I liked the block instead of the epidural for pain control. My best advice.. move as quick as you can while you have the best pain meds so that you will not get as sore and develope adhesions.

Your milk may not come in as quickly with a c/s. So do your homework...

Great questions.
JenC

Dublin · 04-19-2005, 03:47 PM

I loved having a c-section. They had a catheter in so I drank so much water and didn't have to get up to pee. That was awesome! DS was in NICU for 4 days but my swelling was gone by the time I got home and I was skinnier than when I went in. I could move, carry him, the baby carrier, everything and didn't have the pain that some women talk about.

My stomach isn't the same but I credit lots of that to all the fertility meds that I took before him and after him.

Dublin

cicon · 04-20-2005, 04:31 AM

Question for you - you're supposed to move MORE to avoid scarring? For some reason I thought it was less!
Cynthia

FiletMe · 04-20-2005, 12:06 PM

I don't know what made me look on this board today, since I'm not pregnant (although I am over 35 and hope to be pg again soon!). I had to laugh at Dublin's comment about the catheter and not having to get up to pee - that was also one of my "favorite" parts of the c-section! The hospital I was in also left my epidural in my spine in for 3 days (I think), so the pain meds went through it rather than through my IV or by injections and it was wonderful - I could move around with minimal pain and wasn't loopy. I think it got me past that first post-op day where the pain is probably at it's worst but where you need to start moving around (like JenC said). It was uncomfortable but not miserable the first few days. I had my c-sect on Tues., went home on Saturday, and by Monday I was not taking any more pain meds. I do remember the swelling going down pretty fast (until my milk came in

and I think I lost almost all of my pg weight before discharge (I had gained about 23 pounds but was pretty puffy at the end). I never had a flat stomach and still don't, but I do have some awesome "racing stripes"!!

Mrs.H · 04-25-2005, 03:48 PM

I thought having a c-section was pretty easy. I was also told to mave as much as possible. During those first hours I shifted around as much as I could and was happy to be up and moving in 6 hours (not walking the halls). My swelling went down pretty quickly. My stomach has never been the same. I was back into my pre-pg clothes in about 12 weeks. (I gained about 30 lbs. with each pg.)

It does take a while to recover. Listen to your OBs directions. Take it easy. The less strain you put on your body in the beginning, the sooner you will have a full recovery.

smiley · 04-26-2005, 11:53 AM

Hi Cynthia!!
Unlike these women...I HATED my c-section!! My first was vaginal and I was running up and down the stairs 24 hours later (even though I had tons of stitches inside and out!)!! My c-section was just so different, I'm not normally a wimp but it got bad about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks after the surgery. My OB said I was probably doing too much, and put me back on pain meds. I think it was a combination of doing a 'bit' too much, rejecting my stitches and getting a tubal at the same time. Who really knows...I just know that if I ever have to have surgery like this again...I will know when to say 'uncle' and STOP!! That's probably the biggest thing...knowing your body enough to do what it tells you!!

oh...in hospital right after surgery..I was up at about 8 hours, and walking the halls the next day....no swelling at all really. pre-pg belly...hmmm, don't think that's ever gonna happen!! It's been 1 1/2 yrs since my op, and I'm wondering if you ever feel your belly again below they incision line!??

I hope this doesn't scare you...I just know I wish I'd talked more to anyone who'd had a section prior to having mine. I like to hear ALL the stories, and then pray for the best!!!! I pray yours is picture perfect!!! ++++ thoughts
smiley

04-16-2005, 07:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
cicon Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: boston Posts: 247	post C section advice A few questions about what it will be like after my C sect: 1. How long does it take to feel "OK"? 2. Will I become more or less swollen (fingers, feet, etc.) after my C sect? 3. How long will it take for my stomach to go down to a "pre pregnancy" state? Thanks so much!!! Cynthia

04-16-2005, 08:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
BC-GoMom BC:Preg+35/Gaming/Webkinz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Down South Posts: 4,872	It so depends....IMHO I was begging to get up... they made me wait 8 hours Most swelling goes away the first 2 weeks. My fingers have remained larger_ at the knuckle. The more you b/f the quicker everything goes down! Pre pg- stomach... I don't know- I haven't found mine My c/s were great. I liked the block instead of the epidural for pain control. My best advice.. move as quick as you can while you have the best pain meds so that you will not get as sore and develope adhesions. Your milk may not come in as quickly with a c/s. So do your homework... Great questions. JenC __________________ Mom of 6: DS - 10 yrs (IVF) DD - 8.5 yrs (IVF) DD - 7 yrs (Natural Surprise) DD/DS twins b/d 12/9/97 @22.5wks IC/PROM/GBS DS- 18.8 years -died Easter Sunday 2005 multiple disabilities since birth Mommy loves you all!

04-25-2005, 03:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mrs.H 5000-9999 post king of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Monroe, MI Posts: 9,760 Blog Entries: 1	I thought having a c-section was pretty easy. I was also told to mave as much as possible. During those first hours I shifted around as much as I could and was happy to be up and moving in 6 hours (not walking the halls). My swelling went down pretty quickly. My stomach has never been the same. I was back into my pre-pg clothes in about 12 weeks. (I gained about 30 lbs. with each pg.) It does take a while to recover. Listen to your OBs directions. Take it easy. The less strain you put on your body in the beginning, the sooner you will have a full recovery. __________________ Monica Claire Ann b. 8/2/01 Lily Grace b. 4/11/03 Tess Amanda b. 9/23/05

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04-19-2005, 03:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dublin 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,210	I loved having a c-section. They had a catheter in so I drank so much water and didn't have to get up to pee. That was awesome! DS was in NICU for 4 days but my swelling was gone by the time I got home and I was skinnier than when I went in. I could move, carry him, the baby carrier, everything and didn't have the pain that some women talk about. My stomach isn't the same but I credit lots of that to all the fertility meds that I took before him and after him. Dublin

04-20-2005, 04:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
cicon Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: boston Posts: 247	Question for you - you're supposed to move MORE to avoid scarring? For some reason I thought it was less! Cynthia

04-20-2005, 12:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
FiletMe 700-799 post 9 of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: midwest Posts: 797	I don't know what made me look on this board today, since I'm not pregnant (although I am over 35 and hope to be pg again soon!). I had to laugh at Dublin's comment about the catheter and not having to get up to pee - that was also one of my "favorite" parts of the c-section! The hospital I was in also left my epidural in my spine in for 3 days (I think), so the pain meds went through it rather than through my IV or by injections and it was wonderful - I could move around with minimal pain and wasn't loopy. I think it got me past that first post-op day where the pain is probably at it's worst but where you need to start moving around (like JenC said). It was uncomfortable but not miserable the first few days. I had my c-sect on Tues., went home on Saturday, and by Monday I was not taking any more pain meds. I do remember the swelling going down pretty fast (until my milk came in and I think I lost almost all of my pg weight before discharge (I had gained about 23 pounds but was pretty puffy at the end). I never had a flat stomach and still don't, but I do have some awesome "racing stripes"!!

04-26-2005, 11:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
smiley 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: West Coast FL Posts: 4,312	Hi Cynthia!! Unlike these women...I HATED my c-section!! My first was vaginal and I was running up and down the stairs 24 hours later (even though I had tons of stitches inside and out!)!! My c-section was just so different, I'm not normally a wimp but it got bad about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks after the surgery. My OB said I was probably doing too much, and put me back on pain meds. I think it was a combination of doing a 'bit' too much, rejecting my stitches and getting a tubal at the same time. Who really knows...I just know that if I ever have to have surgery like this again...I will know when to say 'uncle' and STOP!! That's probably the biggest thing...knowing your body enough to do what it tells you!! oh...in hospital right after surgery..I was up at about 8 hours, and walking the halls the next day....no swelling at all really. pre-pg belly...hmmm, don't think that's ever gonna happen!! It's been 1 1/2 yrs since my op, and I'm wondering if you ever feel your belly again below they incision line!?? I hope this doesn't scare you...I just know I wish I'd talked more to anyone who'd had a section prior to having mine. I like to hear ALL the stories, and then pray for the best!!!! I pray yours is picture perfect!!! ++++ thoughts smiley