Recovery after CS - what should I do?

[babybouncer]

I've had a ELCS three days ago with DD (second child, but first CS) and am now home after hospital (thank god!), but with V little physio advice. I was given a leaflet (which has DRAFT written across it!), but all it talks about walking/standing tall, pelvic floor muscles, driving and not lifting.

What I really want to know is what to do to manage pain - I have been given voltarol and paracetamol, but how long should I take them for? Regularly or just when I feel I need it?

Are there any exercises I can do when my back aches after I've been standing for a while? When I sit, is it best to put feet up or not?

What about reaching for things, especially picking things up from the floor - is there any technique for it?

Also - when will I feel human again?

I just alternated the pain killers.. I had to proper keep on top of them tho.. After about a week a felt much better and after 10 days I was right as rain back driving and shopping etc.. Hope you feel better soon

I would take the painkillers regularly until they run out and then keep going with paracetamol if needed. Back aches will reduce - presumably you've had a spinal block and it can really be sore for a bit. Plus you can also get a lot of trapped wind and can even feel it up in your chest and round your back so take lots of wind relief tablets too. And sorry if tmi, but have you had a poo yet? If not, get your DH out for some lactose and drink lots of water, you don't want to strain to go to the toilet.

Re picking things off the floor, I was good after about 3 days, but still using arms to support myself kneeling down and keeping top half very straight, but my SIL couldn't manage it for about 3 weeks. Things on the floor stayed there unless someone else got them.

Hi, I've had two c-sections first one emergency second elective. Just be careful and don't over do it as you can soon feel exhausted without realising and it is awful, like you are getting flu! Main thing is as fashioneaster has said, drink plenty of water, eat dried fruit etc anything to get those bowels moving as you do not want to strain and for some reason the bowels don,t want to seem to work for you after a c- section, don't worry it gets better but the first time can be hard. I was pretty much back to normal after a week or two, stick with it, it does ease off and get better I promise, it's just at the time you don't feel very human do you! take it easy and alternate the pain killers, I seem to think I had anti inflamatories and pain killers so alternated with them through out the day. I didn't do any exercise just went about day to day life doing what I felt I could do and leaving what I couldnt to someone else! And don't be making tea for the visitors, just point them in the direction of the kettle,you are not there to entertain,you are supposed to be looking after yourself and your new baby !

Hi, I've had two c-sections first one emergency second elective. Just be careful and don't over do it as you can soon feel exhausted without realising and it is awful, like you are getting flu! Main thing is as fashioneaster has said, drink plenty of water, eat dried fruit etc anything to get those bowels moving as you do not want to strain and for some reason the bowels don,t want to seem to work for you after a c- section, don't worry it gets better but the first time can be hard. I was pretty much back to normal after a week or two, stick with it, it does ease off and get better I promise, it's just at the time you don't feel very human do you! take it easy and alternate the pain killers, I seem to think I had anti inflamatories and pain killers so alternated with them through out the day. I didn't do any exercise just went about day to day life doing what I felt I could do and leaving what I couldnt to someone else! And don't be making tea for the visitors, just point them in the direction of the kettle,you are not there to entertain,you are supposed to be looking after yourself and your new baby !