Recovery time after planned c section

[Wondering1234]

Hi all, just wondering about recovery time etc after c section, I am due to be a bridesmaid at my sister's wedding 11 days after having a planned c section. Will I be ok? How long did it take people to feel human again etc?

[ShowOfHands]

It depends so very much on the individual. I was up and about very quickly. On day 4 after my 2nd, I was back doing the school run. A friend was still very much in bed and struggling.

The cs recovery wouldn't have been an issue after 11 days but tha cluster feeding, lochia and exhaustion were crippling.

I think you need to say you'll do what you can, even if that's sitting quietly in the corner being waited on and then see how you feel on the day. You need to accept that you might not be up to it at all but you just don't know.

[Mrswinkler]

Take it easy and you'll be fine. I was out on the bus pram pushing after 10 days.

[PatriciaHolm]

It's very much a personal thing I'm afraid. I was out to dinner 3 days later but others will have very different experiences.

[WatchingFromTheWings]

Just take it easy. I found a very good pair of support knickers helped. And co-codamol. I was out and about after 4 days on all 3 C-sections though I took longer to recover on the last.....probably cause I was 10 years older than when I had my first!

[Clickncollect]

Definitely a personal thing, others I know recovered quickly whereas I struggled - water infection, my scar split and had a haematoma, the incessant bleeding down below, cluster feeding, lack of sleep, spotty face! I hope you come out of it a lot better, good luck

[jimijack]

Recovery from the surgery was fine, quick, walking older ds to school pushing the pram through snow, unable to fasten my winter coat due to general lardiness at 8 days post section.

What was crippling was the bone drenching utter utter exhaustion, breast feeding every 2 hours day and night while caring for another child. I could not contemplate anything other than the school treck and my sofa.
Also pain, any length of time standing for too long meant my painkillers didn't really work.

My friend conversely spent the first month going from sofa to bed, needed the help of various family members 24 hours a day, as she couldn't manage anything alone.
People are different.

[Foniks]

It depends. I was making small trips a week after as soon as I left hospital and I went to a big event about 14 days after mine and I was ok, whereas my friend struggled for a good few weeks.

One thing I'd say though is to move as soon as possible. It's really difficult and painful but it really helps. I had no choice and had to get moving straight away as my DD was in SCBU so I was up and down between the wards numerous times a day from the moment I could move my legs. When speaking to my consultant after it all, he said he thought that fact I moved so much within the first few days really helped my quick recovery, and I felt it did too. I was the only c section on my ward who had a baby in SCBU so obviously moved much more than the other mothers, and honestly, I could see the difference in how we recovered because they were struggling to get out of bed a few days after. Moving helps a lot, but it's difficult and most people don't want to because it is painful for them.

[Wondering1234]

Thank you

[ShowOfHands]

Moving asap is good advice. And when you do move, stand up straight. Your natural inclination will be to hunch to protect your stomach. Try not to do this.

I was discharged 12hrs after dc1 and dc2 was born at 3.30pm and by dinnertime (6pm), I was up and doing gentle laps of the ward. I showered at 8pm too and had another walk before bed.

[mimiholls]

There's no chance in hell id have been capable of being a bridesmaid 11 days after, though that was more due the crippling exhaustion and shock of having a newborn rather than the cs. I think you're going to need to see how you feel!

[Extua]

I think it really varies. I was desperate to get moving quickly after my elcs (which was 18 days ago now) as I'd read that mobilising as soon as possible would help. However the pain was far worse than I expected and I had a burning nerve pain that ran all the way to my hip on one side. It was the most excruciating feeling I'd ever had - and my first birth was a face presentation with episiotomy and 3rd degree tear! I definitely had a sense while on the ward that I was seen to not be coping very well, but painkillers didn't touch this nerve pain.

I had DS at 4pm on Wednesday, by Thursday night I could just about hobble round the ward but it was hard. The first few days were really difficult at home, even just lowering myself onto the toilet was a challenge, and I couldn't lay down flat. In fact I'm still sleeping with pillows under my knees. Whereas I know other women who did not have these problems at all, particularly women who had planned sections. I'm 18 days post section today and the last 3 or 4 days have felt much more myself.

So in answer to your question you could be fine or it could be difficult! I went to a farm for DS1's second birthday on day 9. I was able to walk round with some discomfort but I had to walk very slowly and the two days after was in a bit more pain. I think you'll need to be able to sit down plenty and make sure you take plenty of pain relief with you for in case. I found alternating ibuprofen and paracetamol to be most effective. Make sure you can rest the day or two after. Also bear in mind you could still be bleeding - something to think about depending on the colour of your dress

[Blueskyrain]

I had an elcs a month ago. I had a difficult pregnancy so found recovery a breeze in comparison. I went out, even if only for a short distance every day from day 4, was back to having sex etc within 2 weeks.

I'd have been fine to be bridesmaid, but bear in mind it's a long day, so try to be gentle on yourself - you're unlikely going to be going crazy on the dance floor. Also bear in mind that you'll probably be feeling very emotional and not very body confident. I think c section tummies can take longer to go down and you'll likely still have a bump, so if you are very self conscious bear that in mind.

Tbh though, I think recovery from a planned section can often be quicker than for a vaginal birth, especially once that doesn't go to plan, so if you were planning on being bridesmaid 11 days after anyway, I wouldn't let it change your decision.

Though I'm aware I had a very easy section, didn't lose much blood etc. Some people have a much tougher time of it. Everyone's different.

[Wondering1234]

Thank you all