C-section recovery

[Yahdayah]

Not quite AIBU but I’m after as much advice and as many suggestions as possible.

Second c-section is imminent and I’m so scared of the recovery. Does anyone have any advice, tips or suggestions? I struggled first time round so would like to be more prepared.

Honestly, I still am so shocked I recovered so well from my section. I was pretty mobile within the week and I stopped taking pain relief after 6/7 days as I found it was making me more foggy headed than anything else. That said, I was in hospital for 5 days afterwards (my son dropped a lot of weight) and that could have helped as I wasn't needing to be up and mobile as quickly, if that makes sense?

Good luck

My first c section 13 years ago I really struggled afterwards. Was in a lot of pain still 2 weeks after. Was in hospital 6 days and didn't want to be discharged! After 2 weeks it improved massively tho.

My one 4 years ago was fine. Was up and walking about 12 hours after. Home 24 hours later. School run a week later with pram.

Take the painkillers regularly. Take it easy but don't just sit. Get up and walk around as soon as possible. Try and stand up and move even if it's only a dozen steps every few hours. It will help.

Just don't do any lifting or do too much too soon. Definetly don't lift the car seat with the baby in 12 days post op just as you have stopped bleeding because you will probably bleed again for another fortnight. I did that. It didn't hurt but was frustrating and I was sick of the sight of maternity pads.

I ended up buying jeggings to wear after the first fortnight so that there was no zip against my scar. Alternatively the jersey hareem pants that could double for pyjamas.

I think I took fybogel to avoid constipation.

I took crocs clogs into hospital in case I had to wear compression stockings as they wouldn’t work with flip flops.

Got DH to do clexane into my stomach as it hurt less than thigh.

Only ever had paracetamol and ibuprofen after day 1. Took my own in.

Great thread. I have 2nd section coming up in May. Hoping it will be calmer than emcs at 27 weeks with my first son

Agree with all tips to prevent constipation. I would recommend taking Fybogel (high fibre sachets which you mix with water and drink). They help to prevent you getting blocked up.

A cushion to put underneath the lap part of the seatbelt when travelling by car for the first couple of weeks.

You can definitely get shoulder pain after a c-section! It was far worse than any wound pain.

Stop the codeine/tramadol as soon as you can, post-op constipation makes it all so much worse! (Surgery itself causes constipation, but the opioids definitely make it last a lot longer).

And yes definitely get up and about as soon as possible and as much as possible - it will help the gas reabsorb, get your bowels moving, and the longer you shuffle about hunched over, the more your muscles will tense up and the worse it will be.

Ladies. I’m 10 days post-section and up and about almost normally with no need for any further pain relief. 1000x better than vaginal for me, which left me with a 3rd degree tear, physio on my pelvic floor for 4 months after, a haemorrhage, blood transfusion and PND.

Take all pain relief offered immediately after; opiates included in addition to ibuprofen & paracetamol. Try to rest and take it slowly for first week but after that, get up and moving if you are able. Best of luck!

My c section is on Tues too OP, so this is a timely thread. Although I'm not sure if it's relaxing bedtime reading!

@sashkin - I have only just got rid of the shoulder pain, which certainly was more painful than the op wound when it came on (not straight away, a few days ago after). Even with that, I still found the whole experience miles better than a ‘natural’ birth!

Thank you all so much, I had a bit of a meltdown earlier as I’m getting myself so worked up about it, but hearing your positive stories and all the advice, suggestions and tips have helped.

Tomorrow is my pre-op and I plan on going to the shops on the way and picking up peppermint capsules, a feeding pillow, something for constipation and more pillows. If there are any other must haves I’d love to know! I won’t be going anywhere that sells c-section underwear unfortunately but the huge briefs I have are very comfortable and go over my belly button.

I was worried hat they wanted me to get up so soon after the surgery, last time it was about 32 hours; that may have been a disadvantage to my recovery it seems.

Once again, thank you all.

Yes to do whatever it takes to avoid constipation.

I stayed on top of painkillers and found the whole thing much easier to recover from than I expected. Until I became constipated on day 7. I've never felt pain like it. If I were to have another one, I'd eat laxatives like smarties afterwards!

Oooh good luck @ElsaMars I hope it all goes well for you

I’ve had 5 c sections. 1 emcs And 4 elcs. All very different recoveries. #2 was by far the worst due to placental problems and that made the recovery very hard. #4 was similar but #3 was pain free! I think as long as you go into it with an open mind and aware of what the post op period is like you will be well equipped to deal with it

Take all the pain relief offered Plus laxatives and peppermint water afterwards and try to mobilise as soon as you can after the op as that really helps

Don't carry your baby in car seat out to the car then climb over to put the seatbelt on when leaving hospital. Don't get the bus to a big shopping centre & walk around for hours on day 4post section. Don't climb the stairs every 5mins for things you have forgotten. (These were all rookie mistakes I made which i paid for) however, do use loads of pillows to help you sleep a bit more upright and avoid having to try an sit up from lying that was the worst part for me! Good luck x

Use a post-partum wrap! It really helps hold everything in place and helps your organs and muscles back into position. I wore mine at night for 10 weeks and my stomach is flat with no overhang.

I hated oramorph, it made me hallucinate spikes growing out of baby DS's face so I only had one dose and was fine on ibuprofen and up and hobbling walking 2 hours post-section. Use lactulose immediately for your first poo even if you don't feel constipated, it felt awful!

I used this but only the tummy bit.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01LL04Q48/ref=pd_aw_lpo_121_bs_img_1?tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&refRID=7XPF03SFKABG7EM4F98B

I had a good recovery after my EMCS

Physio visited me a couple of days after birth and told me how to sit up/shower and get out of bed etc. Made a massive difference as I was able to change the way I moved.

Plan ahead for not being able to lift things heavier than your baby. So hoovering etc is a no go. I left my pram in our hall built to male things easier. Bending was hard so much easier to change him on a changing table than the floor.

Check with your insurer what their rules are for CS and driving. Some insurers allow it but my insurer wouldn't let me drive until I had passed my 6 week GP check.

Yes yes yes go comfy, soft loose clothing and big pants.

Good luck

I've had two - first one I was scared of moving and left it a while before getting up. Recovery was slow and hard going and I admit I felt sorry for myself (despite being thrilled at being a mum) stuck in a dressing gown. Second time around I had made a vow to myself that it would be different. I got up at 6am the next morning and showered, then dressed. It made the world of difference.

So my advice is try to get mobile asap, if you can. Obviously don't rush but the sooner you can, the better you will feel.

@DeltaG The shoulder pain oh yes! It was a bad case of trapped wind and agonising.

OP make sure you have plenty of mint tea and green tea in just in case, as it really helps clear trapped wind. Plus any other remedies you can think of.

Good luck!

Just a positive note - ELCS here and it really wasn't that bad at all. I was bracing myself for awfulness but was home the next day with just paracetomol/ibupforen and out for a walk by the weekend. Getting up was a little sore for 3 days or so but ony on the heavy ski day scale. So you could be lucky like me ...?

I do think not being overtired helps A LOT so ELCS probably very different from EMCS after traumatic labour, and make sure your partner is doing all the nappies for the first few days especially at night.

It is generally a good idea to take your meds (paracetomol/ibuprofen) on a schedule for a few days - don't wait until you need them. Painkillers are much more effective if pain isn't allowed to get too high.

I was driving 5 days post c section. Insurance company said nonissue as long as doctor hadn’t denied it (direct line). I never drove far but hubby fell down stairs and broke leg when I was 7 months gone (bloody men) so it was necessary.
I also swore by my cossato changing table- it’s nice and high (no bending) and perfect for storing everything neatly downstairs so you’re not up and down them all the time. Oh and it contains a nice high bath- again- no bending.
Good luck and best wishes!

Don't stress. I was 38, unfit, overweight and a first time mum with a breach baby. I knew it was going to be a C-section but didn't get over anxious. I found it a doddle. Sure, there is a little pain...like any 'injury'....it hurts a bit. I was tender, sitting up etc was a bit uncomfortable but to be honest, once I had my son in my arms, I truly did forget about the discomfort. I had a 5 day stay in hospital due to a complication with my son, but once home I was back at work within 3 day....pushing a hoover around etc.

Maybe its just me, I do have a high tolerance to pain but I didn't find it a big deal at all. Stay relaxed....focus on your baby and do the exercises etc they advise - I am positive you will be fine :))))

Take all the drugs offered and then ask for more.

Huge pants.

Make sure you get one of those electric beds that move up and down in hospital

My second was much easier and quicker - I'm on day 10 and pretty much back to normal. Last time I was in agony for weeks! Good luck! X