overdoing it after caesarean?

[wastingmyeducation]

What would happen, ie. what damage could I do to myself if I overexert myself three weeks after a caesarean? And how would I know if I had damaged myself?
What can I do and what shouldn't I do?

xx

[mumblechum]

I was doing everything as normal at that stage, ie driving, shopping, cleaning etc. In fact our house was on the market, dh in US and I was lugging the hoover up and downstairs to keep the house looking good for viewings.

I don't think you could do anything serious at this stage, you'll be pretty much healed up by now, but if you get sudden pains you need to stop and take it easy.

[Dropdeadfred]

I guess rupturing your scar is the main worry - but don't forget that you have been stitched in several layers...the most importan being that of your womb...(although not saying your top-skin one isn't important).

I think you would feel in a great deal of pain if you ruptured it though...just don't lift anythoing heavier than your baby is my advice ( athough if you already have a toddler you're not going to be able to stick to that)..Rest lots and take advantage of the 'medical advice'

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

I would say do most things that you would normally do, but if it hurts or feels odd, stop.

Everyone is different and heals at different rates, so I'm not sure there is a right or wrong.

[NotABanana]

I over did it and bled again for more weeks. Also had problems with the scar for a long time afterwards. Do as little as possible and take it steady.

[hattyyellow]

You do also run the risk of your scar getting inflamed and even infected if you are doing too much. I did lots of wriggling around and sitting and lifting awkwardly whilst trying to breastfeed my twins together - and ended up with inflammation and eventually infection .

[aquababe]

I guess it depends on what you mean by exert.

it all depends on your body if it is twinging then stop what your doing.

You have had major surgery aand it's always wise to err on the side of caution.
I don't want to scare you but at just 3 weeks it's still possible to do some not great things to yourself

mumble chum - wow your lucky to have healed so fast. I was still struggling to bend at three weeks past cs and too much would would speed up my bleeding.

[sykes]

I was back at the gym and riding after two weeks with both caeareans. I did take it gently though.

[Shooflypie]

I felt properly back to normal about 6 weeks afterwards. Prior to that I kept feeling great, doing mad bursts of hoovering then would start bleeding more heavily again.

Someone told me 'do LESS than you think you can' in the first 6 weeks or so. Once I actually did that, I felt my recovery was much quicker.

Now (9wks afterwards) I'm doing a class once a week + loads of walking. And feel good!

NB there was a recent thread which said you shd avoid any ab exercises like situps for 12 weeks post partum though, or you risk fixing the muscles into a separated position?

[jeanjeannie]

Hi - had my c-sec last Friday and today I've attempted some 'light housework', made lunch and tidied up. Almost normal stuff....but find it pulls to pick up DD1 who is 18 months.

I think it depends on how you feel as time progresses. Last c-sec I was crippled in agnony for weeks. I could barely move for the first week - i'd got an infection both inside (prior to birth) and out - and I'd managed to open a few stitches on the surface incision...so it wasn't a pretty sight. Needless to say recovery was slow and didn't drive for 8 weeks. This time round, less than a week later i almost forget I've had an op

Definately avoid ab exercises for a while but walking is great and helps if you have post baby, swollen and fat little trotters...like me Any sharp pains...then stop!

[Pinkjenny]

It depends on how your body copes with it. I came home after 2 days, and only took paracetomol for 2 days after that. However, we went to a retail park on Day 5, and I was so glad we had the car. I had asked the midwife that morning if I could walk to the shops, and she said not to. I was glad I had followed her advice.

I drove after 4 weeks, and felt completely fine in my third week. Agree with shoo - do less than you think you can.

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

When you ladies mention bleeding again, I take it you mean from your scars, and not lochia?

[NotABanana]

I mean lochia but I did have scar trouble too.

[minster]

I was pretty much back to normal at three weeks in terms of walking, driving etc but I couldn't push a shopping trolley & was still careful about what I lifted. You run the risk of injuring your back if you try to life too much as your abdominal muscles won't be fully healed yet.

[KristinaM]

my SIL overdid it ( lifting toddler) and ruptured her scar. she warned me sternly not to do the same

surgeon friend said its lifting and twisting that is the most risky

the scar may be healed by 3 weeks but the layers underneath are not

its only a few weeks - why take the risk?? there isn't a medal for the one first at the gym

[whomovedmychocolate]

If you overdo it (as I did by digging the garden 3 weeks post partum) you will start bleeding again and you will be in bloody awful pain. I tore an abdominal muscle when I was digging and was convinced there was a tear in my scar - but apparently it takes six months to a year for the muscles to repair so you do need to be careful.

[wastingmyeducation]

Thanks everyone. I'm not feeling too bad, but wasting the lovely weather because I can't hang the washing out, or lift my pram outside to go for a walk is driving me nuts!
Yesterday I felt very achy, but feel great today, so the walking yesterday obviously helped.
xx