I am six weeks postpartum. I think medically I'm not considered postpartum anymore, but I just read some book that said if you are still changing diapers and waking up in the middle of the night you are postpartum. So I was still postpartum from Selena and 9 months pregnant. :)
Unfortunately I still don't feel completely recovered. For me the c-section was a much harder recovery than my first daughter's birth, but considering how big of a surgery it is, it is amazing how quickly I have bounced back. I know lots of women have a lot of pain as a result, and require medications, but I was very fortunate and never experienced any pain. I took the prescribed ibuprofen for a week, but never needed the Percocet. The hospital gave me a support belt to wear and I am so glad they did and I highly recommend it, especially if you are like me and don't like taking medications. I wore it for about 5 weeks. If I took it off I did get a bit uncomfortable but when I put it back on I felt better. I think it really helped me be comfortable and aided in the healing process.
My scar is still a bit raised but it is getting flatter. If I poke about 2 inches around the scar it kind of feels bruised. If I poke closer to the scar it is numb. I've heard that it can take years to get full feeling back, so that is kind of weird.
I started running 5 weeks after Selena was born. I think I'm going to try at 8 weeks this time, but am not sure how it will go. I still feel some tugging on my scar if I over exert myself. I'm hoping that in a couple weeks that will go away. I'll probably wear the support belt. But I also feel that my stabilizing muscles in my abs, hips, and knees are weaker than they were after my first so I'm kind of worried about injuries. I was in much better shape during my first pregnancy than I was with this one. I'm going to have to take it pretty slow.
Emotionally it has been hard having two, and when two children are crying the postpartum hormones don't help. I've had a few meltdowns. My midwife is a big advocate of using magical fish oil to help regulate hormones and mood and I have noticed that the breakdowns I have had are on days that I have forgotten to take my fish oil for a couple days. So if I start feeling on the edge I start taking the fish oil and it does seem to help.
I totally know how you fell emotions-wise! I had my placenta encapsulated (dried, ground and made into little pills)and that has helped my emotions so much- but it is the same deal, if I don't take it for a few days my emotions pay the price!
ReplyDeleteHave you read Shiela Kitzinger's book The Year After Childbirth? I really recommend it! I also think that Natural Health After Birth by Aviva Jill Romm is amazing and has so much great info. And you are absolutely right- postpartum is NOT just 6 weeks! You are still getting your hormones regulated up to a year after birth and longer if you continue breastfeeding! Give yourself time and don't over-do it! Best wishes in your recovery!