C-section Care

I don't mean to be rude... but what do you expect? The OB sliced thru your 3 layers of skin, the thin sheath that covers your muscles (fascia), thru 2 layers of MAJOR core muscles... ripped the two halves apart as far as their arms could possibly go, then sliced into your uterus where your baby was (good thing the fetus wasn't nicked or your other organs). After the baby was pulled out, they take out your uterus, stuff in rags to clean it out and get the placenta, rearranged your uterus and intestines to fit back inside your body, then they sewed up all those layers they sliced thru.

If you have a fever - go to the ER
If you have severe cramping or constipation - go to the ER

Both are signs of major, and sometimes fatal complications.

If it's not that bad... then be sure you hold a tight pillow against your lower abdomen when you get up from laying o sitting position, cough or have bowel movements. Increase your liquids and fiber and make sure to walk around a lot.

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The hospital sent me home with an abdominal support (see link below). If you don't have one buy one on line or something. It really did help. If nothing else have someone get you support top underwear, that has a similar effect. I had some pain with my first incision (I was also moving too much). Took it easier with my second. I had very little pain, but then it was scheduled and that had something to do with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Postpartum-Support-Belt-28-34-inch/...

I didn't have much pain after my staples were removed, but a bit more the second c (sutures, but then again it was the second time). When I walked around too much (especially stairs!!!) that really triggered it - are you moving around a lot? If so - don't!! Lie down as much as possible. (Easier said than done, realized.)
Good luck.

I kept a clean wash cloth shoved between the empty flap of skin and the pelvic bone up against the incision. You may need to change it often if you are still oozing fluids through the incision or doing a lot of sweating. You want to keep it as clean and dry as possible to keep if from souring and getting infected. If it is healed enough to use soap and water, I would wash it at least twice daily and pat thoroughly and gently dry. Once it is completely healed shut, you might try some baby powder in the crease to help keep it dry. Do not use it though until it is healed shut and no longer oozing. Do not use regular bath powder!!! I would recommend the Johnson and Johnsons Medicated baby powder. It contains zinc oxide that will help clear up the redness.

I have had 3 c-sections with staples and have never had any pain after they were taken out just a little discomfort. They were all taken out 1 week after I was released from the hospital. I was also in labor for 20+ hours with the first then had the emergency c-section; the other two were planned. First I would definitely call you doctor. You might be doing to much and need to rest more. I would also see about getting some stronger meds.

Did they give you a girdle? I didn't have one after my 1st c-section, but I did after my 2nd & it seemed to help with pain management/support.

When you go up and down stairs, carry a small pillow and hold it under your tummy for support. SEVERELY limit any unnecessary movements.

Make sure you are alternating your narcotic meds with Ibuprofen so that they overlap.

If you labored the pain will be worse, like others have mentioned - I bought some serious control top granny panties and kept a pillow pressed there constantly. Get some serious rest - no quick movements or wandering around - SERIOUSLY. Take it easy! Walk slowly and carefully. Also, watch for pussing or oozing - that's a sign it's infected - go in right away if it is!

Good Luck - Congrats on the new baby! Take it easy and let others HELP!

Tell your Doctor.

I had an emergency c-section and one with my 2nd child.
I never experienced that.
BUT... for my situation... my Doctor did not use staples, but sutures. Which dissolves away on its own, and he used 'steri-strips' on my external suture.

If you still have pain even with pain meds, then tell your Doctor.
You need to look out for infection.
The pain should not be getting worse... but better.

Recovery time for a C-Section is 6 weeks.

You need to take it easy and allow your body time to heal. If you try to do too much, it will take much longer. Stay on top of the pain by taking the meds before you start hurting too much. Also, you need to make sure to splint your abdomen before getting up from a sitting/lying position. This means using a small pillow pressed firmly against your abdomen whenever using those muscles at all. Hope this helps.

Did you have a scheduled c section or did you go through labor completely and then ended up having one? This makes a huge difference, I had both my babies via c section the first not planned and that one left me in a lot of pain afterwards. The second was planned and the pain was probably 2/3'rd of the first time. I suggest just taking it slow. I bought those control panties that are high and felt much better when my tummy was tight, also if you are taking your doctor presbribed meds and they arent enough ask your doc if you can take advil in between, it helped me a lot. Just give it a few more weeks you will feel much better.

With my second C section, I had a bigger baby than the first, but they didn't make the incision much bigger than the first who was a pound littler; they just pulled him through and made me very bruised and sore! It felt much less supported than after the first C-section, 2 years earlier. I went online and bought a abdominal support belt that velcros around you and holds everything still. All that movement and jiggling of the loose skin felt just horrible and painful on the incision, expecially after the staples were out.

So get a support belt, if you can! Othewise, tight support granny panties might help some, and on days I was still seeping any fluids from the incision, I would use a sanitary pad stuck onto my undies, across the front, as a "bandage" for the incision, that way, nothing was taped to me and pulling more on my sore loose skin.

Definitely try to only do stairs once a day - once down in the morning, once up at night for the first week+ - they are very hard on the muscles in that area. Also, try to only pick up the baby, not the big kids - I know that is VERY hard - but try to sit on the couch, and let them sit right next to you , climbing up themselves, of course, ask them to help you do thing - fetch a diaper or wipes, bring a book to read, etc. It helps them fel important and included, and it helps you move around less!

Take it as easy as you can, especially the first 2 weeks....let others help - I know it is hard to just sit back and heal, you want to do it all as super mom, BUT you have had a MAJOR SURGERY, if you hubby had just had his whole abdoment cut open to remove a large benign tumor, lets say - think about how well you would be taking care of him and what he would and wouldn't be doing - that is how you need to care for yourself, now, by asking and letting others to do things for you!!!!!

Speedy healing!

Jessie

I was given a band type thing from the hospital that held me in and seemed to work well!!

Keep moving. I know that is exactly what you don't want to do, but my nurses made me after both of mine and it really helped. You're in the tough part, but it will be better soon!

I had two sections and each time I used an abdominal support wrap for the first few weeks....I bought it at the hospital pharmacy and it was Medela brand. It just sucks you in and the support feels great.

my c-section incision was very hard to heal. it seemed like it look so long and i had pain like that too. I thought perhaps i had an infection but the dc said i did not. relax, do not push yourself too hard and it takes time to heal. I had so much flab and lack of support as well, it just takes time and rest. good luck!!

Call the Dr. When I had mine out I felt no pain and felt totally supported. I would just call to make sure nothing is wrong. Don't carry anything and be careful until the Dr. sees you.

Hi K., Pain is basically inflammation and possibly infection. I use some amazingly safe, simple, and effective natural oil products to deal with that. Let me know if you would like some specifics. I'm needing to get out to my friends farm in Waconia for some fresh cow's milk and butter on Sunday. I also echo all of the wonderful responses below. Most important is a hgih five for your new baby! Congratulations!

I had 4 C-Sections and I'm allergic to most pain meds. I used moist heat and I held a pillow across my belly for support when it hurt the worse. Both of those things don't sound like they would help, but it did and kept me off pain meds. Good luck!!! And Congratulations!!!