Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To ask about you elective csections and recovery?

73 replies

DigOlBick · 22/10/2021 20:05

I’m having one next week and I am absolutely terrified! Had an induced vaginal birth last time so this is a complete unknown for me.

I’m so scared of the actual surgery and also the recovery after. I’m a massive wimp.

OP posts:

DoNotGetADog · 22/10/2021 20:10

I had 2 CS. One emergency, one elective. I was absolutely fine both times. Up and about early the next day each time.

I would say go into it with a positive mindset and don’t think you won’t be able to do things for ages afterwards - in all probability you will.

Crazylemon86 · 22/10/2021 20:11

I had 2, one emergency and one planned. Both went really well and recovery was fine. I was up and about fairly soon after both. The planned one was really relaxed, they even asked what music I wanted. I was spoken to the whole time and it wasn't long until I met my baby.

TurnUpTurnip · 22/10/2021 20:13

I had 2 emcs they were both fine tbh, I was up and about straight away and back to normal after about a week

Original poster

DigOlBick · 22/10/2021 20:14

I ideally want to be home the next day! Is getting up as soon as you can the best thing todo?

OP posts:

MuchTooTired · 22/10/2021 20:17

Easier said than done, but try not to worry about it. I was the same as you, but mine was complete magic. I was utterly convinced that I would feel everything and the anaesthetic wouldn’t work, so the anaesthetist spent a load of time reassuring me and triple checking I was numb. The whole team made me feel like I was in complete control of giving birth, and nothing happened until I was happy to go ahead. I had my own little team and both of my babies had their own. It was a calm and quite jolly experience for the most part!

Recovery was fine, I was out shopping after 5 days and back to driving at 2 weeks. I’d definitely recommend keeping up with the painkillers afterwards, and popping a maternity pad over your scar on top of your knickers to protect it whilst you’re moving around - it’s utter bliss.

All in all, although it was terrifying before I’d had one, if I were to have any more children I absolutely would have another section again.

Good luck with yours, not long to go now! 💐

ShanghaiDiva · 22/10/2021 20:17

Ime medical staff are keen for you to get up and about as soon as possible.
I had my dd in the morning and walking around (very gently) in the afternoon.

habibihabibi · 22/10/2021 20:19

The actual CS is over so quickly, its literally like unzipping a coat and voila baby.

Suzi888 · 22/10/2021 20:20

I had one elective c sec breech baby and yes I got up as soon as they advised I could, catheter out, showered etc. (I think you have to urinate too). So drink lots of water.
It hurts (of course) but it’s bearable, just a bit miserable! You should be fine to go home the next day as long as you move.
Take some leggings with you for just a little support, to hold you /support you. I’m so squeamish and liked the feeling I was being ‘held’ so that nothing wobbled about! Good luck!

SparkyBlue · 22/10/2021 20:22

@DigOlBick no one here can really predict you will feel. Ive had three c sections all were emergency and I had my tubes tied on my third (well the c sections themselves were planned but I was always in premature spontaneous labour) . I had amazing recoveries and had no issues and on baby 2 and 3 I was able to stroll down to the nicu to see the baby no bother the next day. However everyone is different and ive known people to have experienced real discomfort for weeks afterwards .

Glitterblue · 22/10/2021 20:22

I had an emergency one but I found it surprising ok. I was like you, and absolutely terrified at the thought of surgery. I've got to have surgery again at some point and I'm so scared of that but managed my c-section. I had mine on the Sunday and wasn't up until the Tuesday but that was because I was so ill with pre eclampsia. Being completely honest, the things I found worst were the first shower and getting out of bed, but it was really my own fault with the shower because I refused to have help. As long as you keep on top of the pain relief, and get moving as soon as you can, you'll be fine. I felt perfectly OK after a week - obviously I still had to be careful and it did still hurt but a week was a huge turning point for me.

RavenclawsRoar · 22/10/2021 20:23

Mine was absolutely fine and much easier than my other, vaginal birth! They will get you up and about and home ASAP. I was home the next day with mine and this was pre-covid. I'm booked in next month and they've given me the info pack which basically says they don't want people hanging around due to covid. Worst for me was the morning after - that was the most painful time but they do give you painkillers and every day the pain reduced a lot. Within 2 weeks I wasn't even taking paracetamol.

TurnUpTurnip · 22/10/2021 20:25

Yes they like you up and about, people say you can’t lift for x amount of weeks but I just got on with it as I was a lone parent so didn’t have a choice and all was fine no issues

Original poster

DigOlBick · 22/10/2021 20:26

I’m worried I won’t be able to lift my own baby as he’s such a giant!

OP posts:

Pinkchocolate · 22/10/2021 20:27

It’s natural to worry but try and remember that more than likely things will run smoothly and you’ll be home within a day or two. It’s such a common surgery.
I’ve had two and my advice would be don’t rush to “get back to normal” and do everything, take all the help you can get and enjoy the time in your little bubble. I found the recovery a bit harder than the posters above but by keeping on top of the painkillers it’s manageable. I’m sure you’ll be back to normal in no time. Wishing you lots of luck.

Bonsaibreaker · 22/10/2021 20:27

2 vaginal births 1 agreed c sec.

I would choose vaginal birth simply because of the recovery and pain.
C sec was in hospital longer.
Very painful.
Could not lift.
Big scar and now no feeling in that area.
Now I am older and a bit fatter I have 2 bellies.

hells456 · 22/10/2021 20:28

I had an emergency CS, then an elective the 2nd time. Both times I was up and walking after a couple of hours. The only pain relief I had after were high strength paracetamol and aspirin as I'm allergic to morphine, but I was quite comfortable on those. The hardest bit of recovery was getting into or out of chairs and I needed to lightly press my hand against the wound for support to do it for a few days. The lovely part of the elective was that my baby was put on my chest for me to hold while they sewed me up, I hadn't expected that. I had no trouble breastfeeding or any difficulties with recovery at all.

SRK16 · 22/10/2021 20:28

Loved my ELCS. Great experience. I was up and about (slowly, and with discomfort) later the same day. It was painful/uncomfortable the first few days but nothing unmanageable. Personally I wasn’t back to normal for a while, but the worst of it was over in the first week or two. It’s all a bit blurry but I went out for lunch after a week so couldn’t have been too horrendous!

LadyCleathStuart · 22/10/2021 20:33

I've had two, up and walking very quickly after both. In hospital two nights with the first but only one with the second. Could lift baby fine, more pain with the second than the first but MW said that was likely due to scar tissue. Pain was still totally bearable though, the birth after pains were worse than the wound pain both times.

I loved both of mine they were beautiful and peaceful experiences and I wouldn't change a thing about either of them.

Panda2021 · 22/10/2021 20:34

Yes absolutely hard to know how you will be, I had two - 1st emergency and was ok at the time, found recovery painful but managed ok and scar heal great. Second one planned- absolute shit show - had multiple infections for weeks after, had to have additional surgery, had a drain in stomach and generally was in terrible pain for about 4 months. Scar is nothing like first and overhang etc. One massive massive piece of advise I have is after 4/5 weeks starting massaging your scar and stomach all around it and keep going for weeks- stops scar tissue forming and less likely to have issues if need a future section x this was likely why I had issues second one so hopefully as it’s your first it will be a breeze . Keep taking pain relief, bring peppermint tablets in for referred wind pain that’s super common after x

TerribleZebra · 22/10/2021 20:36

One emergency and one elective here. Tiny scars and recovery very quick. Up and about after 24 hours. Self administered morphine drip 1st 24hrs and then paracetamol. Last baby was 5kg and had no probs lifting him. Driving after 4 weeks. You'll be fine - good luck

Shapesandcolours · 22/10/2021 20:59

I had one a few weeks ago. Much easier experience for me compared to vaginal delivery - from birth to recovery! It's honestly fine - I was up and about same day - slowly but with pain relief so not sore at all. And went home the next day - have a toddler and have managed just fine. I have had no pain (you get a week's worth of strong painkillers and I didn't even need them all) and have found it a breeze. The whole thing has been night and day compared to first vaginal birth! I wouldn't be scared at all - it will be fine.

PrincessButtercupp · 22/10/2021 21:01

Oh yes, very straightforward. My first one I went home and did the hoovering next day (not recommended! But I really was fine) you'll still be bleeding a lot after though just like a vagina birth so you don't get off too lightly!

Twinmumandtoddler · 22/10/2021 21:24

My c section was twins so obviously a bit different and more intense. Elective section and it went well.

Definitely don’t expect to be out in a day- you really need to rest and be in hospital with the good pain relief (morphine or whatever it is in the syringes they give you ). I remember the midwife asking if I wanted to go home after one day- I could still barely move or walk. I did end up going the next day though but only because they didn’t let DH stay and I was too fed up of constantly buzzing the midwifes to pick up/ put down my babies to feed. I was okay holding them, but couldn’t get out of bed to pick them up.

I’m surprised how many on here were so active after. I almost fainted walking to the toilet in the hospital. I found it quite scary being so immobile. It’s like with a natural birth, you know it will be hard but you never know exactly what to expect.

You will be fine. Just take it easy. Buy massive knickers- if you are a 12, by a 18-20! Adult nappies are good in those early days too as they are soft around the waist.

Overall it was a very positive experience. I loved the cuddles with my babies in recovery.

One thing I wish I did sooner was to sleep on the sofa for a bit, as I found getting out of bed horrendous. On the sofa I was able to sort of roll myself off easier and didn’t need to use ab muscles so much.

You will be fine!

Original poster

DigOlBick · 22/10/2021 22:24

How long did it take for belly’s to go down?

OP posts:

Pinkchocolate · 22/10/2021 22:35

@DigOlBick

How long did it take for belly’s to go down?

After a few months it’s went down with my first. With my second it went down a bit after a couple of months but it’s never fully recovered.

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread