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Childbirth

How soon can I get back to normal after ELCS?

11 replies

GiveMeVegemite · 04/10/2013 08:29

I had my baby boy on Tuesday by ELCS

I had previously had an emergency section and found the recovery awful. I was bed bound for at least a week, could barely manage my stairs for 2 weeks and couldn't walk around without severe pain for about 3 weeks. Basically it almost put me off ever wanting another.

However, this time around I felt ready to go home after 24 hours and asked to be released early. Am home, had a shower yesterday with minimal pain, have been walking around ok and am in sooooo much less pain than I was the first time around. It's only been 3 days and I feel better than I did 2 weeks after my emergency section.

I don't want to push myself, so was wondering if anyone could share their ELCS recovery experience?

Thanks!

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Tiredemma · 04/10/2013 08:32

Honestly I felt brilliant after my EMCS- My previous two deliveries were both vaginal and my recovery was actually longer.

I was discharged from Hospital on the Monday and had my bathroom ripped out for refurbishment on the tuesday so had to get up everyday with DP and go over to a friends house (she was on holiday) to spend the day there. I was more than able to walk around with no problems etc.

I spoke with midwife and GP and returned to driving 2 weeks after DD was born.

DD is 4 weeks now and other than light bleeding (still using pads) I do not feel any different to how I would normally.

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Tiredemma · 04/10/2013 08:32

Congrats on DS by the way!

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GiveMeVegemite · 04/10/2013 08:40

Thanks for sharing. I want to get downstairs and back to normal for my 16 month old who is constantly crying and screaming "muuuummma", not understanding why I am upstairs in bed! I will try and get down there today and see how I feel :)

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Tiredemma · 04/10/2013 08:42

In my defence though- I didnt have a 16month old thrown in the mix. I have a very capable 10 year old and 13 year old who helped me out in practical terms (ie - "go and fetch this- go and do that".

Dont overdo it!!

best of luck.

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PseudoBadger · 04/10/2013 10:33

Thanks for this thread, I'm having an elcs on Monday after a previous emcs at the end of a thirty hour labour - so am hoping my body will cope better this time!

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GiveMeVegemite · 04/10/2013 11:01

I can't believe how much better I feel after the elective pseudo
Obviously the operation still isn't great, but I was eating lunch 3 hours post op, walking around sterilising bottles 16 hours after the op and was home 24 hours after!

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PseudoBadger · 04/10/2013 11:04

I'm very pleased for you, that's wonderful!

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PseudoBadger · 04/10/2013 11:04

And congratulations!

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Floralnomad · 04/10/2013 11:07

I can honestly say that I was back to normal within a week , driving by 2 weeks and out and about every day . Congratulations .

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peanutMD · 04/10/2013 11:10

i was the opposite had DS by EMCS and felt fine hours later but with DD i had an ELCS and took 2-3 weeks to properly recover.

i think its an individual thing but dint push yourself too hard as if you burst a stitch or tear your scar it can be a disaster and make recovery much longer than 6 weeks.

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GiveMeVegemite · 11/10/2013 16:24

Thanks ladies. It's day 10 now and feeling great :) apart from major sleep deprivation!