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Hi,
I'm not sure where to post this question. I had a c-section plus a long labour 2.5 weeks ago and since have had no energy...my legs get tired very easily. It takes a lot out of me just to have a shower and i can't even carry my baby around for long at all cos i lose energy. I'm wondering if this common after a c-section/long labour?
thanks.
Hi, congrats on your new bubba :)
I had an emergency c/section and I found that I had barely any energy up until my 6 week checkup. But it got better once my scar healed up. HTH, and hope your feeling better soon
I also had a long labour and an emergency CS. It did take me quite awhile to get my energy back. A CS is major surgery, and with any other similar surgery you would be on bed rest for quite awhile after. But when you have a bub that doesn't necessarily happen. I think it wasn't till about 4 or 5 weeks after that I had some energy and even for a few weeks after that I needed to have naps whenever I could. Just take it easy (or as easy as you can with a newborn) and get as much rest as you can, your body has been through a major ordeal and it trying to use all its energy to recover.
I'm another that had a long labour and emergency c-section. I didn't get my energy back until about 5 weeks. My legs felt really week, i'd get a sore back, and I couldn't walk far, so it sounds like it's all normal. Just rest and you'll be back to your old self in no time :)
It's helpful to remember that a c-section is classed as "major surgery" and often takes a long time for your body to recover afterwards.
I recently had major surgery (different thing) and talking to my GP afterwards she said it's not uncommon to feel some after effects even a few months later. Your body is busy working to repair the surgical site. That's not to suggest that you will be as tired as you are now, but if you expect a slower recovery and rest a bit more when you can, take a good tonic and give yourself permission to heal at your optimal pace then it removes the psychological stress of "I should be feeling better by now"!
and dont forget that you are getting up numerous times at night to feed your newborn...that in itself takes a lot out of you.
The c-sect should be right in a 4-6 weeks, but you'll not be getting a decent nights sleep for about he next 1-2 years. My only advise is to try and sleep during the day when the baby sleeps...its mostly lack of sleep that will be making you feel so lacking in energy. Also if you are on pain killers still, they could be adding to it.
Thanks for your replies :) I've been meaning to get back on here, it's been 6 almost 7 weeks now since the surgery, my energy levels have improved slightly, I ended up getting some blood tests done and discovered that i had an abnormal thyroid, but had tests done again last week and came back ok now. My legs can still feel very heavy - every morning they feel heavy and by the end of the day they can ache. It has been a very slow recovery!