Recovering from a C-section

[ktchang77]

Hello,

Just wanted to ask if anyone has any tips/advice on recovering from a C-section. I had an emergency c-section last week and was in hospital for a few days. My scar is healing well but the past couple of days it has been quite sore so have been taking pain killers. My right leg is still a bit numb from the aneanestic but I can walk ok, or so I thought Yesterday I'd thought I pop out for a bit of fresh so walked to the corner shop. On the way back I lost my footing and took a bit of a tumble. Ended up grazing my elbow and knee. I just broke down and cried all the way home. I felt so stupid. My husband has been great but I just feel so frustrated that I can't do very much.

Did the hospital not send you home with 2 weeks worth of drugs? I had 1 anti inflamatory (can't remember the name now) and paracetamol which I had to take together for 2 weeks. After that I had no pain. Perhaps ask your GP?

My friend just had a 2nd CS, this one was planned but her first was an emergency. She said that recovery from a planned section is much faster so give yourself a break. I remember it took me about 3 weeks before I could walk confidently to the shops. Before then I looked like a real invalid going ever so slowly down the street.

Give yourself a break. You've just had major surgery so it's going to take a while to recover. I can appreciate though that you feel like you're going mad staying indoors all day.

Pain is the body's way of tell you to slow down and not do so much. I have had 2 c sections the first I did to much to soon and it took me much longer to recover. The second I took it easy spent ;lots of time at home getting to know my baby getting the feeding right taking all the help I could get. I got better quicker despite now having arthritis and a four year old.

You don't get this time back with a new born try and sit and enjoy it.

Oh poor you falling over. I think you need to take it easy a bit more. You also need to keep taking the painkillers until they run out, and take them regularly, not just when you can feel some pain. Arnica is supposed to help the body heal inside, although I didn't take them, I think I would if I had another c-section. Lots of water and healthy food and vitamins too.

Taking Arnica definately helps, i had a sackful of meds given to me on discharge-ibuprofen, paracetamol and codeine, and was told to take them regularly so has not to get any pain breakthrough.
Go easy on yourself, you've had a major operation, take it easy.

I had an emergency C-section 14 weeks ago and the best advice I can give you is to take it easy, dont worry about housework and rest, rest, rest. I ignored all of this advice and my wound is still open. My wound actually reopended the day I was coming home so I dont think that I caused the damage, but I have put too much pressure on myself to get back to normal and would urge you to remember that you have had major surgery, so its only natural that you wont feel yourself for a while.
Take your painkillers regularly until they are finished, even when you feel ok.

I like to get out and about so I found going for short walks for some fresh air was good - but get your DH to push the pram!

Oh and, congratulations!

Oh, go easy on yourself - but - unlike everyone else that has posted here, I would say that if you aren't the type to sit about 'healing' then don't feel you have to.

I walked a mile to the shops and back a week after my emergency c-section - it wasn't quick and it was uncomfortable, but it was OK and great to be outside and doing 'normal' things.

Of course don't overdo it - but the advice they gave me in hospital was that if it hurts stop doing otherwise do as you can.

Shitty that you tripped, but that could have happened anyway - and hormones will make you feel more weepy.

Chin up - you'll be back to normal in no time

harnerina - How did your wound reopen as you were coming home? Did you not have stitches to hold it in place?

I had metal staples that held the wound in place. I had to go back to have them taken out 10 days after I left the hospital. There is no way that wound could have opened.

Cote, my staples were still in when the wound reopened. It reopened in two places. One hole has now healed and the other, 13 weeks on, is still getting packed and dressed every day by district nurses. I am totally fed up with it. It has been infected twice but now appears to be pink and healthy, but is taking ages to heal properly. Really gets me down sometimes as I miss loads of stuff cause Im waiting in for nurses every day...sorry didnt mean to hijack this thread!