C-section - recovery experiences?

[HugosGoatee]

I am 35 weeks with a breech baby. Due to MH issues and anxiety about vaginal birth, I'm tempted to skip ECV and go straight for a ELCS.

DH is ATM not being massively supportive re this as he thinks the recovery from CS will be awful and much worse than worst-case scenarios from a natural birth. I don't think he quite realises the high percentage of vaginal births which end up with intervention! I'm a prime candidate for PTSD and even with my logical cap on I think an ELCS is the way forward.

Anyway if you have had an ELCS, tell me about your recovery please? How soon could you lift your baby? How long before you were up and about in the house? How painful was it and do the drugs work, and do they affect how alert you are with your newborn?

TIA x

I had an EMCS and ELCS and it took me a about a day or two to get up and wander slowly around each time. Then I gradually started a short walk up the road and built up from there over a few weeks. Take all the drugs they give you as they do help. I found stairs the biggest issue early on so I set up a changing mat etc downstairs swell so I didn't have to keep going up and down during the day when hubbie went back to work. I did find with my first csection that my milk was slow to come in as I guess your body hasn't produced the hormones like they would if you had a natural birth but it soon got going

Raven can I ask if there were reasons why your recovery after second CS has been much slower? I'm pregnant with no.2 after EMCS first time around and interested to know all the options.

thanks
x

Thanks for replies -QT thanks also for your post on my ECV thread, both your posts have been really helpful x

Could I be a pain and ask for answers from all to my specific questions at the end of my OP? Particularly the painkillers possibly making me drowsy and less able to cope with a newborn, which is something DH is concerned about. He had a hernia op a few years ago and was laid up in bed for a couple of weeks, he is very adamant that it was the worst pain imaginable and much worse than a vaginal birth could be

I had an elcs. Actual op was fine, theatre staff and midwives went all out to make it lovely for us. Breastfed DS in recovery less than an hour after he was born. Went to post natal ward in time fir visitors that evening (baby born about 10am)

Got out of bed the next morning, after breastfeeding baby all night. I regret not getting out of bed sooner, as I have been told that recovery is better the sooner you get out of bed. Getting out if bed was pretty horrid, felt much better after a shower. Was changing nappies and baby clothes by myself as soon as I was out of bed, although I was very stiff and found moving hard.

Went home on day 4, bathed baby by myself that evening (DH on standby!). Recovery was very quick after getting home, was running up and down stairs and sorting washing out within a week.

Walked several miles with pram three weeks post cs. Tbh I felt fine by then.

I would have loved a water birth or something like that, but that was never going to happen for me and I would have a elcs over a traumatic vaginal birth any day.

Oh painkillers - had morphine soon after delivery. Lovely stuff! Does make you sleepy but I was still in recovery at that point so not a problem.

After that Voltarol and paracetemol. Don't make you drowsy.

Ooh one more question - if you're in hospital for 3 nights-ish, how much time can DH be there? When is he kicked out?

Thanks Kicking for that positive story, that's what I want to hear!

I had an emcs. I hated hospital and discharged myself 17 hours after. The moment they took the catheter out, i was off! It was bloody stupid really but it tells you how soon i was 'able'. I could lift dd up and dress her and myself. I went for a wee on my own walking to the ensuite loo.

At home i sat on the sofa, dh and my mum did everything in the house but i got up and went to the loo, up stairs to bed etc. The painkillers didnt make me drowsy at all. I breastfed dd every 2 hours and although tired from a long labour then c section i wasnt impaired like a general anesthetic leaves you. For the first two weeks i shuffled round my house but then started trip to shops etc. I had baths from the outset not showers and needed help in and out and often needed help pulling my pants up.

It hurts. Truly. But you're not left in a wobbly fog like other operations. I was driving after 5 weeks.

Hi Hugo, I had an EMCS a couple of weeks ago with my first child and can honestly say I would go for it again over VB anytime, it was a great experience and I didn't even feel the injection when given a spinal block. I was up out of bed after 12 hours and left hospital after 36 hours. I lifted my DS for the first time I think about 24 hours after having it and have no problems doing so now, even giving a bath etc (first week was painful and had to be very careful but still managed to do pretty much everything, except push the pram, which I am just starting to do now).
The painkillers they give you don't make you sleepy as far as I experienced (not sure if it's the routine one given but I had Diclofenac), and you only take them for about 2 weeks before going to just paracetamol. If you take them religiously then pain shouldn't be an issue, and I was up and about and going for short walks almost immediately.

Do expect to be generally tired after the surgery though for at least a week, and you'll get constipation and trapped wind (my stomach is still not quite right). The only other thing is that backache has been, and definitely still is, a problem for me, not sure if this is common with everyone after c-section.

I'd definitely chose a CS again over a VB if I had the choice. I'm sure everyone heals differently but so far it has been absolutely fine and hard to believe I had major surgery only a couple of weeks ago.
Whatever you decide best of luck, hope it goes well!

I don't want to mislead you - when I first got out of bed, I felt like I had been hit by a truck and I cried, it was so horrid. But that is the worst bit, and it gets better very quickly after that.

Thanks all... even for the horror stories! I need to be prepared.

Still not 100% sure what to do - I have a scan next week, then if he's still breech (which I'm sure he will be, he's so wedged into place) I will need to meet with the consultant and decide what to do.

I was very ill with pre-eclampsia when I had my emcs at 8pm on a thursday. I had no problems lifting the baby (granted he was under 6lbs). I was on my feet next morning. 48 hours later I walked down to the shower - finally got the catheter and IV's out! (hurrah!)

I was home monday lunctime and walked about 1km to register his birth - don't ask - bonkers legal requirement! I was overtaken by pensioners with zimmer frames but I made it. Was also putting washing on type stuff.

Drove after 10 days feeling perfectly safe and was riding my horse at 6 weeks.

I took all the morphine they offered me because I felt it would be rude not to - but when I got home I was surprised I didn't feel the need for even one solitary paracetamol, I thought I'd be sore for quite a while.

The most painful thing for me was getting out of bed - I needed a helper for a good 10 days.

No sleepiness with painkillers, came home 2 days after c-section with paraceptamol & diclofenac - keep taking even if the pain not bad, gets worse if you miss a dose.

Could pick up baby and was out of bed 36 hours after op. Just take everything slow and stand/sit like you are doing squats - use legs and bum as much as poss.

Was 2 weeks before I felt I was mostly mended, although couldn't walk too far, wasn't driving etc. Was fine around house though.

Going up and down stairs sideways is easier in the beginning too.

Recovery varies enormously, as you can see from these replies, but the recovery from an ELCS is much, much better than from an EMCS and you are definitely doing the right thing in choosing that in a breech situation, where the alternative is a difficult vaginal birth, quite possibly with complications, or very likely an EMCS.

The outcome from a vaginal birth can be more difficult and painful than from a CS - it just depends.

I've had an EMCS after a long labour, which was awful with a long recovery time. I needed a morphine injection the next day as I was in so much pain and I couldn't walk for 24 hours.

I've also had an ELCS, which was a breeze, totally pain-free and I was up and walking the next morning. The only pain relief was paracetamol. Going to the dentist would be worse.

Both times I could pick up the baby straight away though - the medical advice was "don't lift anything heavier than the baby" for a few weeks. Also I had no problems breastfeeding either time.

TuttiFrutti makes a good point about the outcome from a vaginal birth. My friend has just given birth vaginally for the second time and has suffered very bad tearing in both labours. She was had corrective surgery when her first child was 9 months old but in her words 'never felt right'. She has just suffered third degree tears having her daughter and will need further surgery.

I'm not suggesting this is common, nor am I advocating elective sections when there is no apparent need - I'm just saying that 'natural' isn't always easy or problem-free after the birth...

I had a section for my twins - one head down, one breech. I won't ramble about my experience because I don't have time, but to answer your specific questions ....

How soon could you lift your baby?
I don't remember not being able to lift them. I could lift them from the plastic bassinet in the hospital while lying on the hospital bed immobile and with a catheter in, I just had to adjust the bed to get above them and pull the bassinet right alongside. I struggled a but to put them back, but buzzed a midwife to help. The midwives will help you if you need them to.

How long before you were up and about in the house?
I stayed in hospital for 2 nights. Showered the morning after my morning section. I thought the midwife was mad when she told me to go for a shower (didn't think I'd be able to walk!), but managed and felt so much better. Pottered about the ward on day two. Just took it easy for a few days at home - no hoovering, but could walk up and down stairs carefully.
How painful was it and do the drugs work?
They're effective! The local in your spine is not pleasant. But then you didn't expect it to be, right?! I held my DH's hand and thought of the babies I'd soon be holding and the tears fell, then it was all done and I laid down for the delivery. No pain at all during delivery, though you can feel movement. Kind of like when you lie on your arm funny and wake up with a numb hand - you can still use your hand but it feels somehow remote. With a spinal, you can't move at all, but you still have some sensation. Afterwards, you can have paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine. They work pretty well, though I did feel like I'd been hit by a truck for the first 24 hours. You still function though, and the euphoria of having babies negates a lot of the hit-by-a-truck feelings!

and do they affect how alert you are with your newborn?
I don't think so, but I've nit had a natural delivery, so can't compare. I was awake and alert through the operation and until I dozed on and off through the night. I spent the majority of the first night propped up in bed (still couldn't move legs!), with pillows either side of my raised knees, babies on lap, staring at my beautiful babies . The best night of my life. Once you're home on paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine, you'll be knackered, but it's nothing to do with the drugs (I don't think).

I had a pretty straightforward planned section. I lost a lot of blood and was on iron pills for a while, but other than that, recovery was quicker than I imagined. I wasn't bed-bound when I got home, I only stayed in 2 nights, I could walk and lift my babies once the spinal wore off (12 hours or so to completely wear off), and I was driving after 2 weeks (ring your insurance co - mine said I could drive when I thought I was sufficiently recovered to drive safely. Some people suggest once you can jump up and down you are sufficiently strong to do an emergency stop without hesitating).

Good luck whatever you decide

I have had 2 ELCS (15 months apart) no medical reason just don't fancy VB. to answer your questions:

How soon could you lift your baby?
Was lifting them from the moment they were born. Use the bed controls to help you get up and change nappies etc. You manage.

How long before you were up and about in the house?
As soon as I got home (2 nights in hospital) Had no help second time either as DH had to go back to work leaving me with baby and toddler - but it was fine.

Was back driving 2 weeks with #1 and 8 days with #2. recovered fast an started running again 5 weeks after both times.

and do they affect how alert you are with your newborn?
No - felt bsolutely fine and ven had visitors when #2 was 5 hours old. Newborns tend to sleep a lot anyway so you can rest a bit.

I had 2 brilliant CS experiences and no real pain either time (before or after)
and that's with minimal painkillers once I got homecos I kept forgetting to take them!

Some people don't have such good experiences though so think you need to read some 'horror toreies' to. Good luck.

Each person is different but I had a great experience with an ELCS.

I could lift the baby in and out of the cot on day 3. Before that OH and MWs helped.

I was up in the hospital on day 2, stayed in for 4 nights and then up and about as normal from day 7 at home.

I took all the drugs on offer at the hospital and had no pain. Took paracetamol at home for about a week to make sure I wasn't too sick to look after the baby. The only time I was in pain was when MW insisted I get up on day 1, very painful and had to tell her to go away!

I don't think the drugs affected me at all. The first two nights I hardly slept at all, I was all buzzy from the birth!

I was riding by week 7 so I am very pleased with the recovery!

I've had two c-sections - one "technically" elective (I wasn't in labour but baby was in distress so whipped out) and one true elective. Therefore, I can't really compare with natural births but I've had no problems with the recovery. You can lift the baby more or less immediately (you'll have to!) but the hospital bed is your friend to get you to sit up and lie down again. I was in hospital for 2-3 nights and as soon as I was home I was up and down and back to normal - they are encouraging you to get up and about in hospital as far as possible and after the first 12 hours or so you don't have a catheter so you need to get up and use the loo. The first two days or so I was pretty woozy (don't recall it affecting me with the newborn but I was a bit out of character with the midwives and family) - it IS painful but certainly in my case the drugs do work - it was the first time in my life I really understood what it's like to need medication - I could tell when they were wearing off and needed the top up. By my last day in hospital I was raring to get out and get on with it and felt pretty much back to normal. By my first day or two at home I was able to cut down the drugs and within a week I was off them entirely. Within about three weeks I felt absolutely fine and not driving for six weeks seemed ridiculous.

I had a crash section as it all got very hairy very quickly! I was wheeled to theatre asking was I allergic to anything and then put under with GA - this all happened at 3.30 in the early hours of monday morning.

Came round on my own (DP hadn't realised what had happened and was sleeping at home!) and felt slightly groggy but fine - obviously massive pain killers doing their stuff. Moved onto post natal ward in afternoon and didn't move anywhere as attached to catheter. Managed to BF 9lb baby with no problems - getting into position was fine. That night had to grab baby from cot by leaning over as couldn't reach call button and virtually threw him back in when done as couldn't move properly (have a tough little boy!!). 24 hours after section catheter was removed and I got myself to shower. I left 'Wednesday lunchtime.

Moving about was slow to begin with but I did it all by myself. I read somewhere that you mustn't lift anything heavier than your baby so abided by that. DP was home that first week, my mum came up 2nd week and did all cooking, cleaning and ironing and from week 3 it was just me and baby. End of week 1 walked about 1/4 mile and by week 6 was walking miles with pram. Didn't drive until after 6 week check and came off pain killers after 1st week. Took mainly paracetamol as diclofenec was bunging me up and could cope without it!

Took me a week to lay down flat but other than that no problems at all. it took about 3 years to get sensation back below scar line but I have a very attractive 'slash and grab' scar - if planned it will be much neater.

I had no mental issues about what some would describe as traumatic birth as I delivered a healthy boy and my wounds recovered well.

I would say take all help offered to you in first couple of weeks and then just get on with things. Your husband sounds like he is worrying and more often than not thinking is worse than actual!

Hope it all goes well.

Just chiming in with agreement about ELCS fairly easy recovery. I've had 2 - the second was more difficult as complications arose when my placenta didn't come away and I haemoraged badly necessitating a much longer operation. Both times I picked up and bf'd baby in recovery room and carried on being able to pick them up whenever I needed to (DS was 8lbs 12oz). Painkillers work well and first time round I just had a few paracetamol for a few days after birth. second time I took painkillers for a little longer but in all honesty establishing breast-feeding hurt a lot more than my abdomen. I was in hospital 48 hours and once home was walking about and up and down stairs fairly normally. None of my painkillers affected my alertness with the baby.