C Section Recovery

32 replies

SMLSML · 21/05/2025 07:38

I had my little one last July via emergency c section. Is it just me that finds it crazy we're sent home within 2 days and essentially told to get on with it and take paracetamol for major abdominal surgery?! The pain of the surgery is so difficult, let alone then trying to look after a baby alongside this. Just really baffles me how maternity care is viewed/funded nowadays 😫 Also no funding for helping women to properly recover in terms of physio appointments and information on how to feel stronger. It's just mad to me 🫠

OP posts:

blackberryhill · 21/05/2025 14:06

If you stop and think about it at all it's a bit insane, isn't it. I had DS at 10pm at night on a Saturday and the only reason they didn't discharge me the following evening was because it was a Sunday night and they didn't have the staff available to sort the discharge paperwork. I was home by midday on the Monday (although they did send me home with codeine). To be fair I had a very easy recovery but lots of people I know didn't.

davidtennantstattoo · 21/05/2025 14:09

Whiteflowerscreed · 21/05/2025 08:12

I’m on day 10 since my third c section (2 emc and last planned).
My god most people have NO IDEA what it entails. My brother asked me last weekend if I were going to a family friends wedding (4 days after leaving hospital) like wtf no I can barely walk down the stairs, I’m gushing blood. I haven’t left the house. I can only just pick up my newborn. Why would I want to pack a weekend bag, hop in a car and put a nice frock on?! (Side note I politely declined said wedding when the invitation arrived so pls don’t worry that I was letting them down!7

C sections are brutal. I always reply on mumsnet saying avoid if possible. I am aware a vaginal birth is no walk in the park either. But honestly I have been zero help to looking after older children both times giving birth dc2 and dc3. Surgery takes you out. I can’t lift children into the car, into the bath. I can’t dress a crocodile rolling toddler.
I wasn’t able to hang washing out for a few days, hoover, cook, drive. It’s shit.

The only thing I’m grateful for is my husband stepping up, my church for cooking for us. My friends for doing play dates. We are so lucky. I would feel truly abandoned if it wasn’t for our village.

And I am whole heartedly grateful to the medical team who were so kind and reassuring every single time I went to give birth. Amazing, true angels.

its just the recovery that’s a bastard

It sounds like you have a lovely bunch of people around you. Hope you’re soon feeling less tender.

Missywelliot · 21/05/2025 14:14

Katemax82 · 21/05/2025 08:13

I was in a lot of pain afterwards too, could have done with the morphine tablets they gave me in hospital but I wasn't allowed to take them home for obvious reasons

I did get morphine for home. That was almost 20yrs ago. I was seriously pissed off with my "care", they probably wanted me out the door.

Post CS care is appalling.

beesandstrawberries · 21/05/2025 14:23

I was a single parent from the day my son was born (I left abuse during pregnancy). I had a C-section and because I had no one else to help and my baby would not latch on, I had to get up only a few hours after my major surgery to go and make a bottle for my baby. I was in agony, screaming out in pain at every move I made. I would never ever wish that pain on even my worst enemy.

SunshineIdiot789 · 21/05/2025 14:29

I live abroad and had a c section. It's the opposite here and they insist you stay a few days. I was begging them to let me go home after the first night. Crying, begging. Trying to sleep in a hospital is impossible. Every time me or baby dozed off, someone woke us up. The cleaning lady, the nurse doing the rounds, people bringing food, someone coming to check baby again etc etc. It was awful. I just wanted to be home. By day 3 I felt like a prisoner and told my obgyn I am walking out of the hospital. Which is when I found out my baby's wristband has a tag on it and the police would come if I tried to leave. Luckily she discharged me finally. I was going insane.

So maybe personalised care is the answer. Actually fucking listen to women and what they need.

Groundhedgehogday · 21/05/2025 14:43

I had an emergency c section in the midst of covid restrictions. Just left to look after DS by myself on a ward when I wasn't mobilised, pushed for discharge the next day as I needed DH's help! My favourite bit was when I asked for help with feeding they checked what area I lived it and said they couldn't help because there was only funding for the other area the hospital covered, when I said "fine then can I have some formula" then said "yes but we won't be able to give you the certificate for 24 hours breastfeeding." I was 40.

DH got better care and nicer treatment after having a vasectomy.

heresafrog · 21/05/2025 15:01

I was fine going home the next day after my elcs (have had 2) and paracetamol was all I needed. If anything I was fussed over with midwife and HV home visits a bit too much, they kept coming over for about a month after the birth when I just wanted to get on with things on our own.

What made the difference for me was having DH around to help for 2 months after - so I was fully recovered by the time he returned to work. It would feel crazy to me to be left coping alone with a baby (and with dc2, a toddler as well) after just 2 weeks.

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