Anyone that had a c-section after being on bedrest

If both of my twins are not head down when I go to L&D, I will be having a c-section. I have been on bedrest since January 8 and have no energy or strength left. I am worried that if I do have a c-section, the recovery is going to be even more difficult for me. Just taking a shower wears me out so how will I be able to get up and walk around after the surgery?
I am just wondering what others experience was if you were on bedrest and had a c-section. Did you think recovery was difficult?

 

Hi Traci,

I had a c-sec, after 9 weeks of bedrest. The recovery was difficult, compared to my other vaginal births. I was so physically exhausted, even doing light work around the house, and it took quite awhile to regain my strength. But I did go from complete bedrest, to taking care of 5 kids within about a week! I think you will find that you have some muscle soreness in the first few weeks. Hang in there, and try not to stress about it.

 

I thought the same thing...I was sooo worn out taking a shower or getting up to go to the bathroom....but after the babies were born my energy returned fairly quickly. It was amazing all the things I could do again. The c-section was hard for me (during the surgery), but the recovery wasn't bad at all! I didn't even have to take pain meds when I came home. Good luck!

 

My c-sec was after 8 weeks of bed rest and the last 2 weeks I was allowed in the bathroom and bedroom only. I was really tired also. The recovery wasn't that bad. There was pain but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I have no pain tolerance and I was impressed with how I felt. I hope the babies are head down though, good luck.

 

I think I recovered very quickly. I was on bedrest for 15 weeks, 4 of them in the hospital. Within 6 hours of my c-section I was up and gingerly walking. The next day I was up and around a little better and able to shower. I think it really helps to get up and around as soon as you can. And quite honestly, after being on bedrest for so long I just wanted to be up and around and to go see my babies in the NICU.

My girls were in the NICU for 5 and 6 weeks, and it was a long haul from the parking structure to the NICU. So that helped me build endurance pretty well. Once they were home I got pretty lazy in those early, sleep-deprived days.

But now I'm back on track, working out regularly, and getting very close to being back at my pre-preg weight. The hardest part for me was getting back into my work out and weight training regimen. But once I did I feel so much more energetic.

 

I had a c-section after 10 weeks of bedrest. All my babies were c-sections and I can say this one was actually easier than my other babies.

 

I had a best of both worlds delivery after bedrest and I really don't think my recovery was bad. I was feeling myself within about 2 weeks and started taking the babies for walks each day about a week after we came home from the hospital. The hardest part for me was the fact I couldn't drive so while I was free from bedrest I was still pretty much home ridden because I couldn't drive anywhere. I had horrible swelling after delivery (nothing during pregnancy) and my BP was high so I had to go to my OB daily to get my BP checked. This meant having to find a ride to the office and taking the babies with us or finding someone to care for the babies and someone else to drive me. My own energy level and pain level were not a factor but the continued driving restriction was huge. I had no idea I was going to be told I couldn't drive for 6 weeks, noone warned me about that one at all!

 

I did modified bedrest from 10 weeks on and around 22-24 weeks went to strict bedrest until I delivered by c-section, the last 3 weeks were on hospital bedrest. I was exhausted taking a shower too and only left my room twice while in the hospital for a ride around L&D. Anyways, I was exhausted but you push forward, your body may be tired but it will also tell you to get moving for those babies. My energy level still hasnt returned but that is probably because my 10 month olds still dont sleep through

 

quote:
I think it really helps to get up and around as soon as you can.


I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. I was on strict bedrest for four weeks and then had a c-section after being induced and going through 14 hours of labor. Not so fun. I was told horror stories about not being able to do anything for WEEKS after a c-section and was completely panicked. The nurses told me moving around was the most important thing. I was on bedrest for 36 hours after the girls were born but as soon as I was released to move, I was up and about. It probably took about 3 weeks to go up and down stairs at a good pace, but I was definitely up and moving and going up and down all day long. It was uncomfotable for a while in the beginning, but it's amazing what you can suddenly do if you have to.

 

I had a c-section after 12 weeks of bedrest, and I recovered pretty quick, get up asap. I would assume that having to go through labour for hours would be worse after bedrest, since you do need a lot of strenght for that. Good luck, you will be OK !!

 

I was on bedrest for my whole last tri and had a c section at 37 weeks. I was worried about the same thing. I wasn't able to pop up out of bed and do whatever I wanted, but it was a lot easier to get around after the delivery because I didn't have all that weight on me. The incision was sore, but it was nothing that percocet (in the first week) and Motrin (later on) didn't take care of.

 

I was on modified bedrest for 8 weeks and then had a c/s. I think as long as you are aware that bedrest really takes a toll on your body, you will do OK. I was really taken aback by that, because I had heard from so many people (moms of singletons) that they had bounced right back from their c/s. I didn't bounce right back -- I was exhausted and my back would be killing me after standing up for 5 minutes -- I could barely change a diaper. At first I thought this was because of the c/s, but eventually I realized it was really from the bedrest, and the overall strain on my body from carrying twins. The pain from the c/s was not that bad.

I did feel somewhat better after about 10 days, and much much better by about 4 weeks. You will do what you have to do, but it will be a lot easier if you have help for the first few weeks.

 

I was on bedrest for 16 weeks and had a C-Section at 33 weeks. I didn't feel wonderful after my C-Section but I'm sure no one probably does, bedrest or not I had to hit the ground running which was exhausting at times but not too bad. I think the fact that my guys were in the NICU I had to push myself a bit harder and get over the pain and exhaustion. It was just nice to be up on my feet again. You will do fine but just make sure you have some help lined up if they both come home with you!!

 

The day after my C-sec was the worst. It all happened so quickly, that I did not hear the part about the epi causing whole body itchiness as it wears off, so I did not sleep at all when I could have asked for some meds to deal with the itch. Plus, stay on top of the pain. You can rotate you pain meds so you can take them a little more often.

After that, I was fine. I was picking up my DS who was 13 months at the time in a few days and moving around just fine, much to the dismay of my mother. I actually came home a day early since they released us all as ok to go. After a month in the hospital...I was DONE.

 

I was on 8 weeks of hospital bedrest and then had a c section. Personally I had a horrible recovery and it took a good 6 weeks ATLEAST to start feeling normal again. I would say your best bet is to be prepared for a harder recovery and work from there. It is better to be prepared for the worst than to expect the best.

 

Hi

I had a c-section after 16 weeks of strict bedrest (and several hospital stays thrown in throughout). I think I had a fairly easy c-section recovery. I think I willed it that way, to some degree. I was so excited to not be on bedrest any longer and to have my babies in my arms after a very scary pregnancy that I got up and got moving as soon as the nurses would let me. The first day or two, I was sore and for the first few weeks I got tired/winded easily, but I was surprised at how well my body bounced back. Take care and I hope you have a great delivery, whichever way it occurs!

-Catherine

 

to be completly honest i was up and walking after me c- section 2 days later , i thought i did pretty good conced. this was my 1st c- section. my oldest son was born vaginally. i was in alot of pain afterwards but the key is TO MOVE AROUND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. WALK THREW THE PAIN AND IT WILL GET ALOT EASIER. but energy wise my boys are alomst 11mths old and i still have no energy, it takes all i have to get up and feed change and bathe them everyday. but i am also anemic so that may have alot to do with it! good luck too you!

 

I was on bedrest my whole pregnancy except three weeks of it. In fact, at the end, they wouldn't even let me take a shower as it put me into labor.

I didn't have a choice after my emergency c-section to take it easy. My babies were in the NICU and I have other kids. In fact, the day I came home from the hospital, I went to my daughter's volleyball game...after spending all day in the NICU. There was no way I was going to let a little pain...well..it was a lot as I had a complication since it was an emergency c-setion...slow me down. I had too many kids depending on me and my very sick babies in the NICU.

I agree that getting up and moving is the very best way to do it. Plus, if you don't you can have other complications with your bowels which causes other problems. Just get up and get moving...and take your pain pills. You will be fine.