Emcs recovery time?

[OpheliasWeepingWillow]

Wise women of Mumsnet - I had an emcs 2 weeks ago and am still fairly wobbly on my feet. For example, the last three times I have gone for a walk this week I have almost fainted and it's been a bit disturbing.

When should I be able to do stuff normally again? Am not in a lot of pain and scar looks healthy...

Is very frustrating.

I think I had a very good recovery from a planned section.

At 2 weeks I was driving again as no pain, but I couldn't walk far, I certainly couldn't walk fast, and I appreciated a buggy to just sort if balance me when walking.

How far/fast are you trying to walk?

After my emergency c section I was ok after a week although I could only waddle at a very slow pace. The feeling faint bit might be anaemia due to blood loss so you could get some iron supplements or pop to the doctor who can check this and prescribe some.

I could not have attempted 3 walks two weeks after my EMCS!

I was wobbly for a good 3 weeks and not happy lifting anything heavy for 5 weeks. I didn't drive until 6 weeks, on my HV's advice but probably could have driven after 4/5 weeks.

Take good care of yourself and don't push it, my midwife said that womb infections can happen a few weeks after a section if you strain yourself.

Hmmmm am just trying to get to local shops / cafe / round the block with buggy so not far. Stairs seem to defeat me too in terms of making me lightheaded.

I hate being in any way incapacitated! Will check with dr tomorrow re anemia or similar which could be causing this.

Is very hard to know how much I should be doing and how much rest I should be getting IYSWIM...

And possibly

I would say that at only 2 weeks after the op you should still be resting a lot. Not too much walking or standing.

It is rubbish though, I felt such cabin fever. I live in a second floor flat so couldn't get out by myself as I couldn't lift the pram or car seat down the stairs (you're right, stairs are the worst bit). I tried to make sure I had a visitor every day and got them to take me and the baby out! But I hated not being able to do things by myself.

All I can really say is that you must be kind to yourself and it will get better very soon!!

2 weeks after my EMCS I could only just about shuffle to the end of the road and back, and had to rest afterwards! Stairs are definitely the worst, we had to move into the spare bedroom to avoid an extra set of stairs in our 3 storey house. I echo MrsHende look after yourself & you'll be better sooner

Argh. I need to work out how to stop worrying and be more chilled out about this recovery period. So difficult though with a tiny baby and stuff that needs to be done.

As long as you dont overdo it for the first 2-3 weeks, you should recover really well and be back to normal within the month.lol, but i know what you mean, you just want to get back to normal asap.xxxx

I recovered really well from my emcs but I don't know if that's because I had no labouring period first iyswim so my body hadn't gone those extra rounds. I just started with gentle waddling around using pram for support and got DH to push pram up hills and generally tried to take it easy. Mostly I had a lot of people shouting at me to SIT DOWN DON'T DO THAT. Sounds like maybe anaemia if mostly lightheaded so definitely check with GP.

For what it's worth, I recovered really well and never had any pain from the scar itself but when it's cold or I do too much my whole tummy really aches.

Congratulations on your baby OP hope you're otherwise feeling well and excited to get to know your new baby

Congratulations on your lovely snuffly new baby.

1st emcs 3 years ago - about and about, walking couple of miles a day after 2 weeks, driving after 4.
2nd emcs, 4 months ago - Still some pain on walking until 9 weeks, and didn't dare drive until then. Having a three yo to chase after probably didn't help though.

Oh i feel your pain.

I had an elcs under ga ten days ago now, and i'm still really really feeling it. I haven't actually been out yet since i've been home and it's a helluva struggle up and down the stiars - but then i do have an infected scar and am anemic too. Joy.

I'm trying to rest as much asispossible, but next week is a busy one and i have lots of things i have to do, so am building upto doing that by a quick trip to Asda tomorrow with everyone!

I found walking any distance slow and difficult until at least six weeks after my section. I was upset at how much longer it took than I expected. Two weeks is such a short time. It's very difficult and frustrating I sympathise so much. My advice is don't do activities that leave you light-headed until you feel fitter, take it slowly even though you don't want to. Promise you'll get there!

I made a very big effort the next day to get up and move, it was hard work and tiring but I was determined to recover as I dont have any family close by to help out with my eldest and I wanted to be back to normal as soon as possible. I even walked home from hospital 3 days after EMCS, i'm only 5 mins away and I was stuck on the ward while it was a glorious 30oC outside so I was desperate for fresh air.

Go easy on yourself, we're all different and as other people have said check there's no underlying causes for your lightheadeness but i'd recommend moving and walking around as much as possible, maybe set yourself targets each day 5mins, 10 mins, 20 mins. I found that worked for best for me in regaining full mobility