cesarean question

I was on percoset in the hospital for the 4 days I was there and was sent home with vicoden but didn't need it, I just used tynelol being that I am nursing. The first week was hard because you arent suppose to go up/down stairs so I had to sleep on the couch. But within 2 weeks I felt like myself again. It really wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.


ETA: The worst pain was getting up out of bed for the first few times. The first time, they helped me up because they didn't want me to use my muscles but after that, they made me get up on my own. It felt like a very sharp pain across the front of my stomach but with the medications it was tolerable. Besides, they say the sooner you get up the sooner you get better so I dealt with the pain. Besides sitting in a bed all day STINKS!

The first few days for me were the worst. Getting up and down was tough. The hospital beds were great cause you could raise and lower yourself when you needed. I had morphine from the time the surgery ended (5:30pm) till the next AM around 10 when I had all my IVs removed. Then I moved on to percosets which I remember taking about every 3-4 hours the first 2 days then 5-6 hours the 3rd day. I did get my prescription for vicodin filled when I went home and took maybe 2 a day because like an idiot I couldnt sit still and hurt. I was breastfeeding but it doesnt have an effect on the baby other than making him/her a little drowsy. After about 2 weeks I was drug free and almost pain free.

Stairs were a pain, lifting my legs hurt, getting in and out of bed hurt, laying on my side felt too weird to do so I slept on my back which eventually started to hurt. I couldnt touch my toes for a while, getting off the toilet (sorry TMI) was a pain, anything low that I had to get out of was painful, drying my feet after the shower was annoying, putting on underware was annoying...

After about a month I was 99% back to normal. Little twinges now and then but otherwise normal.

Ill let you know how #2 goes in 8 days

Getting up and down was tough but by far the worst for my was when my body got distended with gas. My OB said it was OK for my to have a regular meal the first night. It's usually commonplace for a c/s patient to be on a liquid only diet until they 'pass gas' (yes, thats the medical term they use for it all over the maternity floor) but my OB didnt think it was a problem. I can tell you that it was a problem - being so filled up with gas and having it pushing against my incisions was by far the worst pain I ever experienced in my life - and I dont have a low pain tolerance. It was horrid. My best advice based on my own experience is, absolutely only have the liquid diet (broth, tea, jello, etc.) until you pass gas. Also get up and walk around as soon as possible and as much as you can. It will help alot too.

The first 24 hours you are still under the effects of the anesthesia so the 2nd say is when the pain really hits. I had Percocet the first few days and then they weaned me to Darvocet and sent me home with Motrin. It was fine, I really didnt need anything more at that point. Getting up and down was hard if I was sitting on my couch so often times I sat in a more upright chair. And I hated that I couldnt easily change positions in bed at night for awhile but I didnt find stairs or even lifting my son to be a problem. It's important though after a c/s to allow yoursef to heal so even when you feel better, dont overdo it physically, especially lifting.

Good luck to you. 6 months later I still have a quasi-numb belly area but they do cut through alot of muscle and nerves, it takes awhile for it to all to knit back together.

For me...I cannot take ANY type of Perosets without throwing up so I was on morphin thru an IV for 2 days.
I found my emotional pain much worse than any physical pain. I never had the gas pains- but 2 of my good friends did and they said that was the worst of it. I also swelled up like a whale.
My DH stayed overnight with me at the hospital every night and he helped me up and down. We developed a system. It hurt but laying down all day was worse on my back.


Are you asking because a doctor is rec'd you find out more info on c/s?

I didn't take any pain medication except 800 mg of motrin the second day and I only took it in the hospital because they kept coming in and giving it to me every 6 hours. Once I got home, day 4, I took nothing. I guess I am very lucky that I was able to not have to take a narcotic.

It hurt though - getting up and down was tough, and laughing killed! I was breastfeeding and had a hard time finding a position to hold an almost 10 lb baby that wasn't on my belly.

I was not allowed to eat solids until I passed gas, and for some reason I didn't for some time. I remember sitting in my hospital bed, looking at my DH and telling him I wanted to fart so badly! I had him Sunday morning and didn't get food again until Wednesday! Then I had a terrible case of the runs for 2 days, which was killer to have to get up quick and get to the toilet. I guess it was from all the IV's they pumped into me and the liquid diet I was on.

The best part for the recovery is actually getting up and walking around. I remember walking around holding my belly up. I had to wear baggy pants and granny underwear. I was back to my normal self at 2 weeks, and the numbness Elizabeth described finally went away, and Andrew is almost 8 months.

I knew I was 99% sure I'd have a c/s because he was breech, so I went in 100% prepared. I think having that mindset really helped me. It was also very important that DH supported me, not only physically, but mentally while I recovered and adjusted to having a baby in our lives.