Overdid it--now what?

This is only the 2nd time I've posted--still new at this and confused. TAH and lots of repairs on 4-16. Practically no bleeding in the hospital--none since I came home until tonight. I move around great--slow but great. Been to movies, out to eat and Wal-Mart over the last week. Drove some yesterday and today. Tonight I had to buy groceries and just had to get out again because I was doing so good. Never knew Kroger was so big...My husband (who has health troubles of his own and limited activies) and my kids 2, 10, &15 went to load and push the basket. When I got home, I was hurting from being up too long and had started spotting. (First Time) My dh said it looked a stitch from inside had pulled away and it was bleeding. By the way, dr used my c-section scar and I had an episiotomy. I'm scared now and hurting. All the dr said was go home and don't lift anything heavier than a dinner plate and no driving for 2 weeks. No other instructions. No stay down or why. I need some basic truths about why and how long I should stay down. Should I swallow my pride and stay down (of course) but how long, and should I call the doctor or chalk it up to a hard lesson learned? Keep in mind it is now wee hours of Sunday morning--2 1/2 weeks post-op. I'm just worried about scar tissue problems later now and damage I may have done by being at Kroger for 2 hours standing up. Suggestions on how to back up and behave?

Hi, Atokahutch,

I'm sorry you're in pain, and spotting. Many of us learn about "over-doing" the hard way, which makes us human.

Your best bet right now, as you've already figured out, is to rest. I can't tell you how long, but you need to recline, with your feet elevated. It's OK to get up and walk around the house now and then, and you don't have to stay in bed (reclining on the sofa, feet up, is OK too) but I'd avoid restaurants, Walmart, grocery stores, and movie theaters for a day or two.

You can print out the following links, and read them while you're resting, for ideas on how to proceed with your recovery. As a general rule, approved activities during recovery are resting, drinking water, walking and resting:

http://www.hystersisters.com/bore.php

http://www.hystersisters.com/light.php

http://www.hystersisters.com/dhfaq.php

http://www.hystersisters.com/care.php

My doctor told me to spend the first two weeks after my surgery in the reclining/feet elevated position. After that, he told me I could slowly and gradually begin to resume normal activities.

It can probably wait until morning, but please do call your doctor about the possible broken stitch, and the bleeding. Call sooner if you're not feeling well, of course.

Again, I'm sorry you had this experience, and I hope you'll be feeling better soon.

Sending healing hugs,
Helen

hi
i am close to 4 weeks post op and my dr made it a point to say how around the 3 or 3 week point that the staining or spotting will be more and its the stitches dissolivng and to call if as heavy as a period . at first i assumed i was overdoing it when the cramping was also accompanied by the spotting which really is mild. I continue to walk and havent lifted anything more than a couple of pounds altho having a disabled husband i HAVE to do more and cant be a full fledged princess like i WISH i could be, With my 16 year old sons help and careful to rest if i feel likei might have overdone i think i am doing ok. I dont think some cramping is unusual as u start to use muscles that havent been used and are tender but Slowly and let your body tell you. Aside from a 2nd week of horrendous bowel pains which were worse than labor pains i feel i am making a good recovery, altho i still am sleeping lots.
i made sure when i first started some activity around the 2 week point when my dr said if i felt safe to drive i could... i did and whenever it felt too much i stopped and lay low a few days and went back to it slowly again... your body will let you know if you listen, if in doubt call your dr about the spotting but all i have heard it is very normal unless its VERY bright red or heavy. what physical limits does hubby have? Mine has MS.
jandrie