C-Section Recovery #2
Warning: This post is about my c-section recovery (hence the post title…). Don’t read if you’re squeamish, are eating a meal, or have no interest in c-section recoveries. Thank you, Management
(Please ignore the fact that Gracie’s feet are above her head. It’s been a long day.)
Gracie was my second c-section. When I was pregnant with Bean, he was breech for my entire pregnancy. I tried everything my doctor suggested to get him to turn on his own – including laying with my feet in the air on an ironing board – but little man was mighty comfortable where he was. At the end of my pregnancy, we did a procedure in the hospital called an EVS and the doctor tried to turn him using his hands. It was incredibly painful for me and though Bean did move a little bit, he went right back to his original position by the time we finished the procedure. Stubborn little Beaner. In the end, there was no choice but to do a c-section.
I was a little nervous about the idea of being “gutted like a fish,” as my husband so eloquently put it, but I really loved my doctor and trusted his judgment. I felt like I was in great hands and, ultimately, I just wanted what was best for my baby. So, c-section it was. And I was really lucky. I had a wonderful experience. The procedure itself was quick (about 10 minutes until they pulled Bean out and then another 20 minutes to finish) and my recovery, though long, wasn’t nearly as painful as I had heard they could be. So, when I got pregnant again with Grace and my doctor said a c-section was recommended again, I wasn’t entirely bummed. These days, a lot of doctors won’t do regular deliveries after a mom has had a c-section because of their medical malpractice insurance and the risk of complications. Plus, it hadn’t even been 2 years since my first c-section, which made the risk factor somewhat higher if I decided to have a natural delivery. We had had such a good experience the first time around, I wasn’t too worried about doing it again.
My doctor told me that the second c-section was actually easier than the first, but I was still a little skeptical. This time I had a toddler waiting for me at home and I was sure that would complicate things. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find my doctor was right. The second time has been much easier in some ways and a little harder in others. Overall though, I’d say I’ve had two really positive c-section experiences.
This time, I got to experience the one thing I missed about not having a natural delivery the first time. I really wanted the surprise and shock of going into labor. With a c-section, it’s all scheduled and planned. You show up at the hospital at a certain time, just like for a regular doctor’s appointment, only you’re there to have a baby. That was nice, but it wasn’t the excitement that comes with the surprise of going into labor. With Gracie, I did get to experience that. I’d been having some symptoms that told me I might be in labor and when I discussed them with my doctor at a routine appointment, she sent me straight from her office to the hospital. Still not exactly thrilling, but it was pretty exciting to all of a sudden hear we were getting ready to have our baby in a matter of hours.
The procedure itself this time was just as easy and quick and the doctors and nurses in the operating room made it fun by talking to us and taking pictures of our new baby girl as she was born, which we didn’t have last time. It was actually a FUN procedure to have – isn’t that weird? And the recovery this time is even easier than it was the first time.
In some ways.
The first c-section I had was difficult because the recovery felt so foreign to my body. I didn’t know WHAT was going on and so everything seemed dramatic and scary. This time around, I don’t have that to deal with. I knew what to expect about the recovery going into it. What I’ve found about the second recovery is that I push myself more to recover quicker than I did before. For example, I remembered that my doctors told me the first time around that the faster I could get up and walking after the surgery, the faster the recovery would be. But because I wasn’t used to that kind of pain when I stood up, I felt like I was doing something to hurt myself when I tried to walk. So, the first time around, I didn’t walk for about three days. This time though, I knew that pain was normal – painful, yes, but very normal. I knew I wasn’t hurting anything and that I just had to push through it, so I was up and walking the morning after my procedure this time.
Same thing with the shower. The first time, my nurses had to help me with my first shower because I didn’t know how to handle my body after surgery. It was hard to stand, it was hard to maneuver, and I didn’t know what could get wet and what I had to keep dry. This time around, I asked to take a shower on the second day and my nurses and Chris said no. Their main concern was my ability to walk and move. What if I fell in the shower? What if I got stuck in there and couldn’t move? What if I overdid the effort and bled too much? So, when my nurses left and Chris went home to take a shower to check on Bean, I hobbled into the shower on my own and took a shower. I knew this time what I was physically able to do more than I did the last time.
BUT. This has also been what has made my recovery this time a lot harder in some ways. Because I want to get up and going so fast this time and because my incision doesn’t hurt, I feel like I should be able to do a lot more than I really should be doing. I came home feeling great and moving around really well, but what I didn’t think about was that there is internal healing that has to happen. I wasn’t sitting, like my doctor told me to do. I wasn’t resting, like my doctor told me to do. I wasn’t going slow with my recovery, like my doctor told me to do. And so I started bleeding internally, like my doctor told me I would.
Worse than that (to me, anyway), my bowels decided to kill me from within. Seriously. I won’t go into detail, but let me just tell you that my bowels tried to kill me. So, not only was I bleeding, but I was sick on my stomach and in a lot of pain.
Had I done what my doctor told me and taken it easy from the start, I am 100% confident that my recovery this time around would have been relatively uneventful and quick. I started out that way. I felt really, really good until I tried to overdo it too quickly. So, take my advice if you’re going to have or end up having a c-section, listen to your doctor and your husband when they tell you to sit down and heal for a little while.
I am now doing as my doctor originally told me and I’m taking it easy. My feet are up. My Dad has spent a few days here with me and the kiddos to give Chris a chance to go up to his office a few days this week and he has done my laundry for me and cooked dinners and cleaned up. And, of course, there’s Chris who is doing pretty much everything and more that he did during the last few months of my pregnancy. Knowing that I’m in good hands has helped me to kick my feet up and rest. And, I’m happy to report that the bleeding has stopped and I’m feeling better every day.
28 Comments
Alaina
I truly truly appreciate this post because with my heart condition, when we do decide to have a baby, mine will have to be by planned c-section, and the idea of it scares me to death. And I’m not one to sit down and not do anything, but, I’ll keep all of your words in mind. That, and I’m worried about how much you feel when they’re doing it…because I am the squeamish type 🙂
Life of a Doctor's Wife
Thank you – as always – for your honesty. This is the kind of thing you just never hear about! And unless a doctor has gone through it herself, I don’t think even she would be able to warn a mother against this. Glad that you are putting your feet up and getting some help. Hope the healing goes quickly!
Catherine M.
(I love that photo of you two!! Two gorgeous girls!)
Breann
I had a c-section 4 months ago after 26 hours of “non progressive” labor. Having had an appendectomy – I would prefer a C section ANY DAY! I do remember how uncomfortable it was to get in and out of bed and to try and sit up to hold the baby, though. It’s hard to take care of a baby AND recover from surgery. You are doing great!
Casey
I had my c-section after an induction and 15 hours of labor. (Oh and Chris, I call it getting “gutted like a fish” too). I am excited for the next one because I was so stressed going into the first one since I didn’t know I was having one and had already gone through labor for so long.
I’m glad to have your honesty on the subject. It will definitely help other women who are going to go through another c-section.
Thanks 🙂
Oh, and Grace is beautiful.
Nikki
Thanks for the post, Katie! We are going to start trying for a baby this fall, and I’m already doing research so that I feel confident in whatever decision I make. I’m glad that you are allowing yourself to rest a bit for a quicker recovery. I wanted to ask, how is Bean handling being at home all day now?
deepali
Thank you for posting this. I’m due to have my 2nd c-section in two weeks and with a toddler running around at home I worry about my recovery. I realize I will need to rely on family to help out. Plus knowing your body’s healing process a bit better this time around, wonderful insight, thanks again.
Jen @ Caved In
I was more scared of my recovery than the actual csection. The first 2 days were killer but after that I felt great. So great I was doing stairs and home and my normal activities. Until I got put in Time Out by my mother. She said I was doing much too quickly and she was right. I had internal bleeding as well and had to start taking my pain meds, which I had avoided until then. Doctors: 1 Jen: 0
Katie, you’re so lucky Chris was able to take time off to spend with you and Gracie. Mike had to go back to work the day after I got home and missed out on some serious bonding time.
Ann G-B
I am so glad you posted this! I will have to have a c-section if we can do it again. Our hospital doesn’t do it any other way. And I am happy to skip the labor… but I wondered about the second recovery. Do keep us posted! And keep those adorable baby girl pictures coming!
Chloe
Thanks for this post. It will be of great help for future moms (cough, cough, me, cough, cough).
Waiting for Bulgaria
I found that my one and only c-section (which was not planned) wasn’t all that bad. I was literally walking 6 hours after because my son was in the NICU. I took a shower about 24 hours later. I didn’t ask permission – I waited until there was no one with me and I did it. There was a lot of time after I had my son that I was home alone (my family all had to go back to work), and so I was forced to do things. Even though my son was 5 weeks early he got to come home with me, so I was up and down and out of bed feeding and changing diapers from the get go. My husband took a while to get used to the whole diaper thing. In retrospect, I probably pushed myself a little too hard. I had some cramping, etc. that I shouldn’t have had, and when that happened I slowed down (out of fear). But I also definitely think that the sooner you get moving the better off you are. And I felt that the pain wasn’t bad at all. It was probably equivalent to what I’ve felt a couple days after a really hard work-out.
Lindsay (Young Married Mom)
Glad to hear you are feeling better. And it’s great to hear a happy c-section story–they really get a bad rap!
Julie S.
This is the post I have been waiting for! I am planning to have #2 by c-section this fall, and the first was pretty traumatic. Glad you are feeling better and resting! 🙂
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
I think people tend to forget that a C-section is indeed a major surgery – and an abdominal surgery at that. You get so caught up in the baby that you forget to take care of yourself. Glad to hear its been going mostly well though. Since most women these days do end up having a repeat C, your words will encourage many.
Amy
Thanks for your honesty– letting us “c-section clueless” readers in on the truth of recovery 🙂 I hope you can continue to relax & that the rest of recovery goes quickly and smoothly!
Kim T
Just wanted to say, that although I delivered my two daughters they “typical” way, I don’t know the excitement of going into labor either. I feel a wee twinge about it, so I know what you’re saying. My girls are 8 and almost 11, so I guess it’s time to move on. But there’s a small part of me that wonders if i’d still be pregnant if wasn’t induced with both of them. Strange side fact – my mom was induced with all three of her girls and my sister was induced with son. Not sure why our bodies don’t want to go into labor. Congratulations on your sweet girl and big boy.
Erin
Thank you thank you thank you for posting this!! I’m having a repeat c-section in June and have been really nervous about it! This makes me a feel a little more prepared!
Abby @ They Lend Me Their Hearts
I had a c-secion with my 3rd because he was breech too, and overall it went really well! Although my abdomen was sore, my crotch felt great! haha
Teresa B.
You have a beautiful family. After having had 2 vaginal deliveries, my 3rd kid was a c-section. That was rough, but I’m glad my husband could take off for the 6 weeks to help out and drive me everywhere!
Kat @ Living Like the Kings
I know what you mean about feeling good and then overdoing it. I thought that the after birth (although mine was natural) was going to be terrible so imagine my surprise when it was painful, but totally doable. I was told to “take it very easy and not do anything house-wise” for 2 weeks. Yeah right. I think I vacuumed the first day home. Which led to a lot of pain the second day home. I’m wicked happy to hear that you’re taking things easy now! It’s an important part of recovery and it’ll fly by…or so I hear…
Tressa
I also had to have two C-sections with my children. It was 23 and 21 years ago. I’m sure things are alot different now a days. Had gallbladder surgery in 2002 that hurt a whole lot worse. And the scar from it is far more wicked then my C-section scar! I’m happy your close to family so your Dad can spend days helping you 😉
Alyssa
Thank you for posting this. I had my 1st naturally and am so worried I’m going to need a C-section this time around. Hopefully I don’t but at least now if I do I know someone who thinks it wasn’t that bad.
Andrea
I haven’t commented in a while, life gets in the way sometimes, but I am still reading every time there is a new post, dont you worry! I had my second c- section almost 18 months ago now and I completely agree it is much easier than the first, although still not a walk in the park. It also made me feel better that you weren’t able to take pictures when Bean was born. I’ m not trying to be mean by saying that, we have pics from when our first was born but when the second was born the hospital had changed policy. I was upset that we couldn’t take pics the second time but knowing that someone else only has ‘the moment’ pics from one child, I know its not a big deal and I shouldn’t have ‘mom guilt’ about it. So thank you for that. Hope you are up and at ’em soon, but not too soon! I did stay swollen longer the second time around, I don’t know if that normal but at least you are prepared, just in case.
Barbara Manatee
My 2nd CS was TONS easier than the first time. With my first, it was twins and I was really sick. I had to be put under for the delivery, my husband couldn’t be in the room, I was horribly sick for days afterwards from the drugs, blood pressure and then the csection.
When I got pg the next time, I thought about a vbac for about 5 minutes…but then remembered what a nightmare the first time had been that I decided if we could have something planned (and hoped it would go as planned), it’d be so much better. So we opted for a repeat CS and all went as planned and it was great. I will never forget seeing my son being held up and hearing “Its a Boy!” (we hadn’t found out the gender beforehand with him unlike our twins).
Aside from not being able to pick up my two 2 year olds after that delivery, I felt great compared to the firs time around.
****
April is Autism Awareness Month. I’m blogging all month long about Autism.
Carrie
We plan to have our second soon, and because my first was a c-section, our 2nd has already been recommended for another one. So how has your toddler handled not being able to be picked up? That’s actually my major concern… my abs were so soft and weak after the first surgery, and my toddler is above average for height/weight that I’m worried the next kid will mean I have to forgo picking him up 🙁 How are you handing it?
Elizabeth
Loved you;r story, I could so relate.
I’m glad your second c-section went easier but I was sorry to hear about your internal bleeding. I know what you mean though about wanting to just get out and do things.
I think telling your story like this helps other women overcome some of their fears so thanks for that.
Great story and I’m glad you’re feeling better 🙂
Jessie
Great post and very informative!
I’m expecting my second daughter in March and that will make my oldest baby girl 17 months old when new baby gets here. I had a c-section with my first and my recovery (even after 18 hours of active, hard labor) was pretty good. Like you, I worried about the things my body was feeling and like you, I really didn’t need to. Either way, I recovered quickly and very well.
I can’t decide if I want to try a VBAC. So far, that has been the plan and I’ve found a midwife willing to help me through that, even if it’s not guaranteed. However, there is still a part of me that kind of wants to just schedule a c-section and go for it. I can’t decide which side I’m more attached to; giving birth vaginally for the first time and successfully completing labor, or scheduling a c-section and not having to consider or deal with all the ‘what ifs’ and ‘might not works.’ Does that make sense?
So my question to you is pretty simple because it’s something about the second c-section that I haven’t been able to find information on.
How was your recovery ONCE YOU GOT HOME and still had a toddler to raise? My husband will be taking 2 weeks off of work to help with the new baby and that will help a lot with our first daughter, who, like I said, will be 17 months old. But how was it for you, as a mom, to take care of a young toddler while healing from a second c-section AND taking care of a newborn?
Any advice or pointers you can give me would be greatly appreciated and I promise I’ll take it all to heart! I’m just looking for moms in similar situations so I can accurately grasp the whole picture of both decisions, you know?
Anyways, thanks for writing this!
Rachel
I’m about to have my 2nd c-section on Sept 24th. Only for me, it’s been 7 years. I remember the pain well, but some things are foggy. Thank your for posting. I enjoyed reading 🙂