Warning - details in this post might be a bit grim / gruesome.
This c-section recovery has been far far far more difficult than my recovery with either of the boys.
Firstly, I think that the problems started when I was given the Spinal anaesthetic. I don't think that I was given as much / enough. It took a very long time for me to feel numb , compared to very quickly both times previously. I could also feel alot - I felt the catheter go in for example, and I felt every touch. It didn't hurt but I felt it - I didn't feel it last time. Also the spinal wore off *extremely * quickly, within 3-4 hours. The pain as a result of that was excrutiating and has taken a very long time to get on top of, and when you're in pain it's no fun. It's finally beginning to subside but it's over a week and I expected to be alot more mobile than I am, by now.
Secondly, they messed up my staples. They didn't put them in very well. When I had them removed on Monday they commented on the fact that the wound isn't healed properly. They've now covered it in steri-strips but it's very hard to keep it air dry given the excess skin and whatnot and I'm concerned about infection. Another thing is that the wound seems alot bigger than my previous c-sections.
Third....the catheter that they put in irritated my bladder. I had 3 days of horrible pain and cramp and spasm and burning and had to be checked for infection. There is none, it's just irritated but omg it hurt. I had to take some OTC medication to calm it down.
Fourth - the most horrible to date - constipation thanks to all the painkillers.. and not really touched by the stool softners that they gave me.... led to an extremely long, unpleasant, painful visit to the loo the other day (I'll spare you the worst details). The outcome was the most hideous and painful and horrific and disgusting and gross thing I have ever known - PILES. OMG they are horrible and I can't sit down for the pain.
Combine all of the above and I'm a sorry state really. I want to be better! We went out to some shop yesterday and I got as far as a few feet inside the door and had to sit, discomfort from all these nasty ailments preventing me walking comfortably. I want to get better already!!!!
Meanwhile Tabitha is just delightful :) And if I may boast, the best sleeping / feeding baby you could ever hope for! She has herself on a 4 hour schedule which is just *brilliant* for a breastfed tiny newborn.. getting 4 hour sleep stints at night makes the world of difference to exhaustion, you just don't feel it so much if you can get that long spell. Yay Tabitha, long may it continue!
Posted by katie at July 7, 2007 01:29 PM