C section recovery and sleep

Where are you sleeping? Recliner, couch, low bed? What position do you or did you find most comfortable? I'm having a really tough and painful time sleeping during my c section recovery. I just cannot find one sleep position that allows me to feel some comfort so I can get some rest. Side sleeping and back sleeping are a big no no for me, hurts way too much. Sitting up on a recliner is okay but then my lower back and butt are killing me from being in that position for more than 2 hours at a time. Please share what works or worked for you. Thank you.

Message edited 11/9/2014 9:14:52 AM.

C section recovery and sleep

I haven't had a c-section yet. First baby due in April. But I had a myomectomy. Same muscles cut, nearly same surgery, although a little worse because they go in and remove the fibroid, plus no baby to show for it.

My recovery was rough, but I found the best thing I did was get a "husband" pillow, thats what we called it in college, not sure if its the official name, but if you google husband pillow it comes up. It's one of those angled pillows you lean against. It propped me up at an angle that I found most comfortable for recovering.

C section recovery and sleep

I had my c section on 10/14 and honestly never found sleeping uncomfortable when I got home. I slept on my back in my bed, for a few days they was able to side sleep. My recovery was great and I never really took pain medicine only Motrin in the hospital. Maybe try sleeping with a body pillow for added support on your side

C section recovery and sleep

I slept in my bed or the couch with my csection. Nothing was an issue. Stairs were fine for me and I didn't have any reatrictions other than exercise and heavy lifting.

Re: C section recovery and sleep

Re: C section recovery and sleep

Re: C section recovery and sleep

I propped a lot of pillows behind me in bed, practically sitting up, for about a week after I was home. I gradually took away pillows as I got more comfortable.

C section recovery and sleep

I slept with a pillow under my legs the first few days...takes the pressure off your lower back.

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I slept on my back but propped myself up from behind with several pillows. Side and stomach sleeping were not an option. I hope you feel better soon.

C section recovery and sleep

crashing, never had a C-section, but many abdominal/bowel surgeries and wish I had a recliner each time. I found that position was most comfortable.

C section recovery and sleep

What other things should be kept in mind for c-section recovery? I'll likely get discharged on Tuesday, and though I'll still be at the hospital with ds most days, what can I expect over the next few days? I've only been taking Motrin at the hospital so far.

And, tmi, but same as when I had my gallbladder removed, I'm afraid to poop! What can help?

Re: C section recovery and sleep

When I had mine, I was in the hospital for 4 days before I went home. Sleeping on the hospital bed was a nightmare, but once I got home my bed was SO much better and easier to get in and out of. I still had trouble for a few more days, and DH still had to help me get in and out of bed (or the couch) or it would take me forever.

The best advice anyone ever gave me, TAKE THE PAIN MEDS! They offered me motrin or Percocet. I took the Percocets. Don't be afraid to take them, and make sure you use them if you need to. I had an emergency c due to pre-e and on the third day I never asked the nurse for my pain meds. They gave them to me at 6am, but not again until almost 9pm that night. DD was in the NICU and my blood pressure had skyrocketed so they wouldn't let me go see her. Turns out my pressure went up again because I hadn't asked for my pain meds and was in too much pain.

Also, wear the belly band! It helps

Jess - what to expect? Expect some pain and discomfort for a while. Take things easy, don't lift anything heavy, go easy on bending over. The docs should give you a stool softener, and most likely they won't even let you leave the hospital until you have a bowel movement.

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Re: C section recovery and sleep

C section recovery and sleep

I'm 3 weeks out and sleeping on a low bed with a lot of pillows.
I am still feeling some pain when I over do it and still taking Motrin.
C section recovery sucks!!!

C section recovery and sleep

I took colace which helped

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Re: C section recovery and sleep

Posted by MrsS6510

When I had mine, I was in the hospital for 4 days before I went home. Sleeping on the hospital bed was a nightmare, but once I got home my bed was SO much better and easier to get in and out of. I still had trouble for a few more days, and DH still had to help me get in and out of bed (or the couch) or it would take me forever.

The best advice anyone ever gave me, TAKE THE PAIN MEDS! They offered me motrin or Percocet. I took the Percocets. Don't be afraid to take them, and make sure you use them if you need to. I had an emergency c due to pre-e and on the third day I never asked the nurse for my pain meds. They gave them to me at 6am, but not again until almost 9pm that night. DD was in the NICU and my blood pressure had skyrocketed so they wouldn't let me go see her. Turns out my pressure went up again because I hadn't asked for my pain meds and was in too much pain.

Also, wear the belly band! It helps

Thanks! Sounds similar to my experience. The hospital bed was the worst pain for me whenever I had to get up or lay down. I'm definitely taking the meds bc I'm still in pain but I am feeling better each day and hope to be off them soon. I have the belly band that the hospital gave me ans it's helping a little.

Re: C section recovery and sleep

Re: C section recovery and sleep

It will get better everyday. I used the pain meds at night which helped. Make sure you are getting up and walking during the day. The more I waled the better I felt and less stiff I got.

C section recovery and sleep

My recovery was not bad at all. I only needed to take the Motrin in and out of the hospital. Sleeping in the hospital bed was terrible for me. I slept much better when I got home.

My bed is very high off the ground so I used a step stool. I also propped myself up with pillows until I felt good enough to side sleep - which was probably only a few days.

I didn't have to go up and down any stairs but if you do just take your time.

C section recovery and sleep

I slept on my bedd, I took the pains meds as needed, but only really had a tough time getting in and out of bed. Once I got comfortable I was fine...

Message edited 11/10/2014 3:09:00 PM.

Re: C section recovery and sleep

I basically used a bunch of pillows and slept upright so it was easy to get out of bed. And I only slept on my back for awhile. It was annoying but made getting out of bed easily. I was so tired most of the time that I just slept!

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Sleeping in the hospital was the worst for me! I couldn't sleep at all. I remember taking a nap on the pull out couch bed because I literally could never get comfortable. When I got home getting in and out of bed was a little tough in the beginning but got much easier very quickly.

I used colace after.