BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I'm trying to plan help after the baby is born. My mom thinks I should be on bedrest and will need help 24-7. Am I naive to think I will be functional (able to walk around) after a week or so?

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

After? I was up walking around about 20 minutes afterwards, as soon as the epi wore off I felt pretty good, and I had a whole bunch of stiches.

IMO a vaginal delivery is pretty easy to bounce back from. But thats just from my experience.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

From what was explained during my childbirth class, there is no bedrest necessary, but you are recovering from delivering the baby and you could have a hard time getting around for a few days with a vaginal delivery.

Some people are up and about hours after, some a day after. It's hard to say since everyone heals differently.

Most hospitals only keep you for 48 hours for a vaginal delivery.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

If everything goes routine, once they pull your epidural you can walk around.. I showered in my delivery room after i had my son, it's and odd sensation the first time up-but no biggie.. But, if mom's offering to help 24/7 GO FOR IT!!!

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I never heard of bedrest after a vag-delivery. Actually, you aren't even on bedrest after a c-section (just limited activity).

I don't think you'll need help 24/7.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I think everyone is very different in the way they handle things. - It's completely subjective -

So, while you may not MEDICALLY have to be on 'bedrest,' if you are the kind of person who generally needs/wants a lot of help, then I'd say you might need someone there 24/7 ...........
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Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

i was up and walking to the bathroom as soon as i could feel my legs again.
im not gonna lie, i was sore, but bedrest- naaa

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

No bedrest was necessary but I wasn't supposed to lift anything heavier than the baby. You weren't supposed to drive until your follow up appointment either.

I don't think 24/7 care is necessary at all if you have a normal recovery. It's a nice to have or maybe annoying to have depending on who it was .

The hospital usually wants you up & walking by the first day.

Message edited 1/5/2009 11:24:56 AM.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I was up after the epi wore off and when I got home I was up and at it the entire time - doing laundry you name it. The only thing I was told not to do was drive the car for 2 weeks which was torture but I survived. If you are planning on BF you do need some rest so your body can do what it needs to do to produce enough milk etc but thats just sitting down not lying in bed.

Good luck

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I was walking around right after I had the baby. They had me walking and going to the bathroom right away. That was at 1:30 am. In the morning, they took me off of IV, and I was up and about on my own. I was perfectly fine by myself at home. No need to be on bedrest.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

Rest? What's that? My son is almost 7 months old and I still haven't rested.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I was walking 5 minutes after I gave birth and didn't have so much as an advil for the delivery/PP. Bleeding PP isn't all that fun, and you're sore, but bedrest seems extreme. You get your 2 days at the hospital and then your rest is over

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

you should be perfectly functional within hours assuming there are no major complications. i showered about 3 hours after giving birth. i did my hair, walked around, etc.

i didn't need help when i got home. people helped by bringing food, but that was it. that's why i never really understand baby nurses--it's totally manageable with just you and DH. (nothing against anyone who is getting one--that's not my intention).

i was 3 days PP when i brought DS home and we took him for hour long walks (it was summer). i did laundry, made the bed, cooked, etc. i was a little sore, but that went away within a few days.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I was walking around immediately after. I don't think you'll be in bed 24/7.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I was fine as soon as I left the hospital which was two days. I was walking around the next day after that.

I do remember being a bit uncomfortable down there( I wouldn't wear jeans or anything that rubs too much) but other than that I felt fine.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I had a v birth with an epidural on 12/30 around midnight. I was out of recovery and in my room around 2AM. The nurse helped me to the bathroom to monitor my level of pee and "clean down there". They then just had to help me up to pee one more time and I slept (more like dozed) until around 6AM. By that point, while yes, I was still uncomfortable, I was ready to be up and shower and get down to the nursery to see my child.

I was also very very antsy to get home and start "a routine". I was discharged the morning of 12/31 and by that time, felt like I had been walking around the hospital a lot. Since I've been home, I've had help but more so for the drastic mental and emotional change we are now going through. My family has been staying with us to provide the help.

I was told not to drive for 2 days and to see my doctor again in 6 weeks unless I have any major bleeding or infection.

Each day it's less uncomfy down there. Honestly, lack of sleep the first couple of nights was the hardest part. But bedrest? Never!

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

i had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery with one small stitch. i was up and around within a couple hours of delivering. left the hospital 24 hours later.

i wouldn't worry about it!

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I had a v-brith 15 days ago, I was up and about the NEXT day, I was a bit uncomfortable for the first two-three days, and then I was back to normal...I have a nurse now, and to be honest I think it was the biggest waste of $$$ ever. I see it helping for someone with a c-section but for a v-birth I don't think it was necessary at all...

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I had DS at 9:59pm and was walking around by midnight and I had a second degree tear with stitches.

So, no. You most likely will be fine.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I was on strict left side only bedrest for 6 weeks while pg with DS b/c I had preeclampsia. I ended up having muscle atropy. I also had a c/s b/c DS was breech. So I took the 4 days in the hospital and had a baby nurse at home for two weeks. It took me about a week to be able to walk normally again. I do not think that my PG and after was the norm.

Message edited 1/5/2009 10:15:09 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I also think (personally) that this is the best time to let DH jump right in if he's around. Keep the $$$$ for any extra hired help if your family can help out a little too.

My family has also been here since 10 days before his birth and I am starting to go stir-crazy with them here LOL.

Message edited 1/6/2009 8:58:16 AM.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I think it depends on your delivery.

With DS I had an episiotimity and I was very sore from pushing almost an hour the next day. I move around but was really slow.
With DD, I had on 2 stiches I think from the episiotmity and felt great.

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

Re: BTDT Moms: Were you on bedrest after vaginal delivery? How long was recovery time?

I was up and walking around after both births within a couple of hours. This was even with having pre-eclampsia with my first child.