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Original poster

C-Section Recovery

31 replies

Seamummy89 · 09/12/2020 20:12

Hi all,

I am due to have my fourth child in April. This will be by elective csection due to previous birth trauma.
I will have three other children at home 6,8 and 3 years old. My husband will be off work for one week, and I have help for the school runs for the second week.
Week three I will be on my own. Does anyone have advice or experience of this situation? I have to drive to the school which is in the next town to where we live.
Many thanks :-) x

OP posts:

ny20005 · 09/12/2020 20:15

You won't be able to drive unless you can safely do an emergency stop. I've had 2 sections & had fairly quickly recoveries & I wasn't driving by week 2 😬

PriceEmUp · 09/12/2020 20:15

Get help.

Honestly, your recovery will be longer and much more sore if you are continuing daily life as normal. You need to do as little as possible for at least 4 weeks, then start having little walks maybe start being able to lift a few more things other than baby.

Honestly I can’t stress it enough, you must do little, to do more. It will be hard after the 6 weeks let alone on your own at 3 weeks, you could end up damaging your incision internally or externally.

AnnnaBananna · 09/12/2020 20:16

You’re unlikely to be able to drive after 3 weeks. My hospital said 6 weeks and my car insurance wouldn’t cover me to drive against the doctors advice.

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WankPuffins · 09/12/2020 20:18

Get help if you can.

You never know how you will recover. My first two sections I was driving after two weeks.

My third one 4 months ago - i thought I was dying. I couldn't stand up after two weeks without crying and went no further than the bathroom for almost 4. There were no complications - it just took a hell of a long time.

HopeAndDriftWood · 09/12/2020 20:18

Yeah I’ve been told to expect six weeks after a c section, so you wouldn’t be insured. Any chance DP can do school runs?

Pipandmum · 09/12/2020 20:19

I sticknto the rules: no driving for six weeks. I walked everywhere.
Any other that can take your kids to school in the short term (you could return the favour at a feature date). Can your husband adjust his work schedule to at least drop the kids off?
You should be the priority, not the school run.

PriceEmUp · 09/12/2020 20:20

@WankPuffins me too. I was so sore for so long but my recovery was straight forward, had no infections, the operation was better than average apparently. It was just so sore afterwards I could barely walk for weeks.

Tearsfortiers · 09/12/2020 20:21

I think that unless you experience complications you should be fine. I had an EMCS. I had an episiotomy so felt like I was recovering from a vaginal birth too. I was quite happy walking into town pushing the pram after seven days and was driving by day 10. Just listen to your body and don't do too much.

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 09/12/2020 20:24

I would get as much help as you can as you have other children and you will be doing more work with them than you think you will

I was driving at two weeks with both my c sections (fully insured) but you’ve no idea how you will feel so i would plan for 6 weeks, anything less will be a bonus

GirlCalledJames · 09/12/2020 20:24

You shouldn’t lift anything heavier than the baby for six weeks so if you pick your 3 year old up often start finding other ways to do it already, e.g. sitting down on the sofa and hugging from the side.

Baldrickneepheid · 09/12/2020 20:26

I was driving after 2 weeks post section, doctor said it was ok phoned car insurance they said they were happy if doctor was x

doadeer · 09/12/2020 20:28

I couldn't have driven. It's a big operation they go through a lot of layers that need to knit back together. Can your husband have any more time off?

Hercwasonaroll · 09/12/2020 20:29

You'll be incredibly lucky to be driving after 2 weeks.

The slightest infection can set your recovery right back.

I'd recommend help for at least 6 weeks.

After my EMCS I couldn't drive for 10 weeks.

Baldrickneepheid · 09/12/2020 20:29

@PriceEmUp

Get help.

Is this true, I was up and about no problem after a couple of days, healed amazingly well, now I'm worried I did damage!!

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 09/12/2020 20:30

Didnt damage mine baldrick

Its good advice to take it as easy as possible but people vary in their recovery

Quillink · 09/12/2020 20:36

Definitely plan for 6 weeks. I had an elective CS with my final child (best birth experience of them all BTW, no regrets despite long recovery) and needed the whole six weeks and more to recover. A woman on my ward was on her third CS, up and about within hours. It's unpredictable. The nurses said that a first CS often means a longer recovery time. It's a big op. I was totally unable to look after my other DC for weeks so please plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Original poster

Seamummy89 · 09/12/2020 20:37

Thank you everyone. I do have a choice in the matter. I am choosing the section based on a very traumatic third vaginal birth which left me with PTSD for at least 18 months following his birth. I have the section booked in but if it really won’t be viable as DH can’t take any more time off work then I may have to re think. X

OP posts:

Quillink · 09/12/2020 20:45

My penultimate birth experience was what made me opt for CS too. Please prioritise your well-being if you can. A calm, quick CS was such a different and less dramatic experience. It's difficult but you and your DH do have time to plan. Your mental health matters.

Original poster

Seamummy89 · 09/12/2020 20:48

Thank you. This was my reason for a lot of research and making the choice to opt for a csection this time around. Need to look into more help for the recovery. :)

OP posts:

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 09/12/2020 20:51

Is this true, I was up and about no problem after a couple of days, healed amazingly well, now I'm worried I did damage!!

Wasn't for me. I was back to normal very fast after my first section and had no adhesions or issues with my second. Was back walking 3 miles a day with the pram with dc2 by the end of week 2 and again no problems.

The issue I found was our insurance company refused to discuss, it was 6 weeks regardless of individual circumstances. I've had very easy recoveries both times, no need for pain killers and was mobile as soon as the anesthetic wore off (both emergency sections).

Where do the Easter holidays fall in relation to your due date Op? No school run would make things much easier.

Original poster

Seamummy89 · 09/12/2020 20:53

Planned for 9th back to school on the 12th could have done with it being start of the two weeks for Easter, typical! I will speak to family and work out school runs for a couple more weeks if need be. Thank you

OP posts:

pringlebells · 09/12/2020 20:56

Get help if you can, avoid anything strenuous

Drbrowns · 09/12/2020 20:58

I’ve had three. Never a problem with recovery. Driving by week three on my third for school run, and week 4 on my second. You need to move from the minute you’re allowed stand after it, walk little bits every so often, the more you move the easier recovery is. The longer it takes you to move the harder it is.

Simplyunacceptable · 09/12/2020 21:01

You shouldn’t drive after 3 weeks, you’re not supposed to for 6 weeks.

I’ve had 2 c-sections now. First one I was fine after the first 2 weeks, like nothing ever happened. Second one my wound opened (through no fault of my own) and started pouring blood so I was readmitted to hospital for 3 days. Had an infection, needed antibiotics for weeks and I was in pain for about 4 weeks. Still get the odd twinge now tbh and he’s 4 months old.

With both I needed my DH to help me get in and out of bed and onto and off the loo for the first week. You can’t lift the toddler for 6 weeks either, that’s worth noting. Nothing heavier than baby.

LJC1234 · 09/12/2020 21:03

I felt good by week 3 after an emergency C section but I still couldn't have driven . I waited till 6 weeks

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