Mamas who have delivered

[chiwifey]

Do you feel so much better after delivery pretty quickly? I hit a serious wall today (crazy exhaustion, swelling of feet & ankles and my belly definitely grew a lot overnight) and I am trying to stay focused and know that this is temporary and I'll get my body back and stop feeling so uncomfortable.

I just need a pep talk, I think, ha!

[quinncat]

Yes!!! Pretty much immediately. My c section pain was nothing compared to the last few weeks of pregnancy.

[anotherdreamer]

I felt immediate relief on the operating table, when the first one came out. I didn't feel 100% right away, and was recovering from surgery, but a huge weight was lifted and my body felt sooooo relieved to have them out.

[2brides]

My first thought after they delivered Baby A was, "I can breathe!" Not "oh, how cute" or "I am so in love." No. "I can breathe."

I wasn't terribly miserable the last few weeks (I worked until 36w and some change and delivered on 37w+1d.) I was uncomfortable, but still functioning. Post delivery, I was hyped on adrenaline - I barely slept. My c-section wound was sore (I needed help getting out of bed), but once I was up, I was good to go (showering/walking.) Keep on top of your pain meds for the first few days. Less pain = easier to walk = faster recovery.

I was still slow moving for a few days after delivery and tired easily, but I got lots of chances to stop since we couldn't walk 5 feet without someone stopping to comment on them.

[ashb62]

Yes. I lost 20 lbs just from delivery (and that was with a ton of swelling still.) When I stood up for the first time after delivery, I almost fell over because my center of gravity had changed so much. Lol. It really is an immediate relief, though.

Hang in there, mama. Those last few weeks are so hard, but it truly is just a season. I remember feeling like I was going to be pregnant forever. I promise, you won't be

[thesportsgal]

I was doing pretty good (hadn't hit the wall yet and @feegan was getting mad at me but the pain has started in my legs and it is excruciating!! What is this, uterus growth? SPD? Do you think it's time to look into a support belt?

[anakah]

thesportsgal,get the support belt. I got one after I realized I was physically holding my tummy up while walking around. I didn't know I was doing it. It helps so much.

chiwifey, hang in there. After delivery is a whole new set of challenges but yes, physically speaking, the relief is fairly immediate once the babies are out.

[thesportsgal]

I have to wear this ugly thing? Seriously???

www.amazon.com/Maternity-Belt-NEOtech-Pregnancy-Support/dp/B009M2U0LQ/ref=sr_1_sc_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1434989785&sr=8-3-spell&keywords=pregnancy+supposrt+belt

[sarums]

Yep. I felt immediate relief as soon as the first one was lifted out during my c-section. I'd heard people say that, but it really is true!

[chiwifey]

thesportsgal I have that one and it sounds like I should start putting it to use!

[thesportsgal]

What about this? A little less cumbersome....

www.amazon.com/Bracoo-Breathable-Abdominal-Maternity-Support/dp/B009LA4VOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434997097&sr=8-1&keywords=pregnancy+belt

[anakah]

Jun 22, 2015 11:16:54 GMT -5 thesportsgal said:

I have to wear this ugly thing? Seriously???

www.amazon.com/Maternity-Belt-NEOtech-Pregnancy-Support/dp/B009M2U0LQ/ref=sr_1_sc_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1434989785&sr=8-3-spell&keywords=pregnancy+supposrt+belt

this is similar to the one I got from Babies R us. I didn't use the strap that goes over the top of the belly. Trust that you'll feel so much better with it.

ETA: tagging chiwifey,

[sugar4bri]

TBH, I didn't notice too much of a difference, but maybe I was just oblivious. I mean I had over 14lbs of baby and large placentas (according to my dr) so there was an obvious change. I had a rough recovery from my c section though, so I was more focused on that.

[mrsp419]

I know it was all relative, and of course I had C-section recovery pain, but I felt like a million bucks after I had the twins. I was SO SO miserable at the end (and I did not gain a ton of weight, so people always assumed since I was "smaller" than expected, I must feel better than expected. Nope). They came out, I came home, and it was like I had a new body!

And yes, get the support belt.

[carrotcake]

I'm prob the only one who didn't feel immediately better - my delivery was really rough and my c/s recovery was the most pain I've ever been in (and I had a vag delivery previously).

W both pregnancies it was the reflux and heartburn that dissipated pretty quickly that was the biggest relief. I also only made it to 34w, so I only had about a week or two of serious wall-hitting discomfort.

[sunnyb]

I second third and fourth getting a belly support band!
I think the biggest difference I noticed after delivery was that I felt lighter and more free in my rib cage. I Had a lot of cervical pressure in the end of my pregnancy (don't we all!!) but I didn't get the oh such relief feeling right away because I was preoccupied from my c section and felt just as much pressure. Now, at 8 days pp (and a few days before honestly) I feel so much lighter. It's inssne. I lost 30lbs immediately after birth and I feel like a feather!!

[Squishy622]

Jun 22, 2015 11:58:34 GMT -5 sarums said:

Yep. I felt immediate relief as soon as the first one was lifted out during my c-section. I'd heard people say that, but it really is true!

So sorry for the hijack - sarums sounds like you had your girls?! Many congrats and hope you are all well, fill us in when you have a moment!!

[chiwifey]

I am loving reading everyone's responses. Thank you all so much! I think I had a huge growth spurt Sunday and that's what caused so much discomfort all of a sudden. I saw many friends on Saturday and then saw the same group yesterday and they all commented on how much bigger my belly is. So at least I know it's not all in my head, ha!

I'm really grateful for this board! Thanks again for the stories & support!

[macchiatto]

Yes. I felt a bit rough from the drugs (and my epidural took a while to wear off) and delivery but within a day or two I was like WOW I can walk and breathe so much more normally again!!