Recovery after C section

[mohara]

Hi - am hoping you all might have some advice......have just found out I am pregnant with DC3 (I have two DDs already, DD1 is 4 years old and DD2 is 20 months). This was a surprise (albeit a lovely one!) and so I am a bit shell-shocked at the moment .

I had two third degree tears during my previous VBs, and I have been advised probably best to go for an elective CS for any subsequent births. Do you have any advice on how long recovery should take after the CS? I know the usual 6 week period is quoted, but I am just wondering how likely it is that I will be able to cope with both DDs on my own (although DD1 starts school in August so I know I won't be able to drive and do the school run!).

DH plans to be around for about three weeks after the birth, should this be enough time for me to recovery fairly well and not be a gurning wreck?!

I started to feel more normal after the 4th week. Do you have a relative or friend who could come and stay (with a view to working and helping rather than being in the way!) for week 4?

Having had a VBAC the second time I'm sure tears, swelling and episiotomy were almost as debilitating so I'm sure you have an idea... the big difference is that you have to careful not to lift anything. So, your 4 year old will be fine as they can hold your hand and climb in and out of the bath, understand that they can't be picked up etc. but your 20 month old is trickier...

I think recovery time differs from individual to individual and may also depend on circumstances. I was on very strong painkillers right after my C-section so I felt no pain as such, just discomfort. I was up and walking within 24 hours, and stopped taking painkillers altogether after 5 days. I felt able to care for my baby without any help well before the 6 weeks were up. I even did a mini supermarket shop (and carried a couple of bags of shopping home) on day 10. Obviously if you can have a friend or relative stay with you, that will make things simpler, otherwise some small adjustments may need to be made to accommodate your recovery, i.e. no baths until daddy's home. In my experience, women often have a harder time recovering from emergency C-sections than planned ones, as they have to cope with the exhaustion of a long and eventful labour as well as the op itself.

It differs massively.
My CS was a disaster that required further surgery a week later. It took me over 2 months until i could even walk properly again, and it left me with bowel adhesions and period problems.
I had two previous VBs that were fine, and i would rather give birth vaginally 100 times than have one CS but then i didnt experience a 3rd degree tear so maybe my opinion is skewed.
Lots of people have very good CS experiences, mine was very rare.

Thanks so much for your replies - it's really good to have those different perspectives.
I am quite lucky in that DH works just 15 minutes from home, so bathtime when he gets in from work wouldn't be too late. And my parents are alos about 15 minutes away (and retired) so it means that I have plenty of support around.

I think I will find it quite difficult to just slow down and take it easy, as I am quite a 'get on with it' kind of person so I think what I need to take away from your advice is just to listen to my own body and act accordingly!
mosschops30 I hope that life isn't too difficult for you, your experience sounds really awful....

Have had 2 c sections - one elective and one emergency.

Elective - up and showered within 20 hours, by second day fully mobile, just took things v slowly. no pain at all (took paracetamol for 5 days). By day 3 when left hosp was able to do light chores around house - cooking, tidying. 2 weeks later i was able to drive.

Emergency - up and showered within 8/9 hours. recovery much like elective tho this time around i have a 2 year old to look after. Am currently 13 days post c section. Apart from not letting myself lift much i feel perfectly normal and mobile.

Trick is no sudden movements and take it at your own pace.

I had an emcs four months ago, couldn't move first two days, was released from hospital and did a brisk 2 mile walk on day four. Bit numb and a few sharp pains for about a month but was able to carry loads of washing up and down the stairs and do most of the normal stuff almost immediately. The only evidence left is a small scar.

Everybody's different, take it as easy as you can and listen to your body.

I had an ELCS 6 weeks ago and was able to manage fine by myself after 2 weeks, and that was with two other chn aswell (2 and 5). First two weeks were crucial I think in terms of resting and not doing too much, but after that I felt back to normal and drove etc. Now at 6 weeks I forget I even had the CS!

I'm 8 days post emcs and I have to say I'm feeling a hell of a lot better than I thought I would do. I was up and about within 10 hours, even if it was a very slow waddle to the bathroom, and by that evening I felt confident to walk from one ward to another on my own. Like most of the others have said, within a day or two I felt able to do everything, I just had to do it carefully. I feel a bit sore and tight but nothing that some paracetemol doesn't sort. I reckon if your DH is around for 3 weeks you'll be absolutely fine, especially if you can take the opportunity during those 3 weeks to have plenty of rest whenever possible - it will so be worth it in the long run if your DH can be run ragged for a few days at the beginning while you recover properly!

You have to remember that EMCS is NOT the same as ELCS. The recovery outcomes are far far better. I've had two. First i was normal in 2 weeks. Normal walking, lifting etc. Second I'd just had twins and a pph, recovered even better. It's fine. If it was so awful no one would pay for it!