Post caesarean questions...

[BeeBread]

I had a CS 10 days ago. It was my first CS (DC1 was a vaginal birth) and I have a few questions:

(a) baby bump: I still look very pregnant and am 43 inches around the middle. I can't remember how long it took after DC1 to stop looking pregnant and start looking chubby instead but I wondered whether it takes longer to get back to normal after a CS?

(b) I don't seem to have had much by way of afterpains and worry that my uterus isn't contracting as rapidly as last time. Are reduced afterpains a feature of CSs?

(c) I find that I am having stomach cramps - well, along the whole abdomen really - if I spend time sitting rather than laying down, stretched out. I can accommodate this while DH is on paternity leave but it will be harder next week when I am looking after both DC. Did anyone else have this? And how long did they take to go?

(d) I am slowly getting better at getting myself from a laying down position to a sitting position but again wondered how long it took people to get this "ability" back?

Any insights would be very welcome. Thanks!

Hi, Congratulations on the birth of your baby! I had a CS 3 weeks ago, my first one too, here's my experience in answer to your queries...

(a) my tummy is looking about 4 months prego at the mo 22 days post CS, 1st baby though so not sure what's normal.

(b) I had a lot of after pains whilst feeding.

(c) Could these cramps be afterpains that are feeling different because of the CS? I know that numbness around the incision is normal so is it possible that the afterpains may feel different? I've gone through phases of having pain, some days nothing some days I feel I need pain killers. Yesterday I did the Tesco shop and felt exhausted and sore afterwards.

(d) By 14 days post CS I felt I was able to move pretty well, only felt it more when I would get out of bed after a few hours sleep. A second time CS mum told me in hospital to stay as mobile as possible to help speed things up, obviously don't over do it but it's worked well for me.

The uterus takes longer to contract after a c section so that's totally normal. It took me a few days to get normal movement back but my twins were in SCBU so I didn't have to move about too much which probably helped.

I didn't have after pains but I took all the pain killers I was offered which may have had something to do with that!

It took me about 2 weeks for it to be preferable to get into a sitting position, get out of bed and go to the bathrrom than to just wet the bed!!! :o

It does take longer for tummy to go down - but will happen over the next couple of weeks.

With my first c-section I had agonising afterpains but after teh second none at all.

14 days onwards I could sit up reasonably easily.

Your tummy will go down it just takes a bit longer. In the space of a week i went from wearing jeans with the button undone (and part of the zip) to having to wear a belt with the same jeans. Think it was about the 3rd week this happened. I didnt get afterpains while feeding but i do remember walking brought on pain in my scar (still does if i overdo things) and my twins are 18 months now.
The skin round my scar is still numb and the doctor said it might always be like that

Thanks ladies, I feel less of a freak now despite the enormous baby bump. And, luckily, have today felt a bit better in the mobility stakes so hopefully I'm reaching a turning point.