When to get out and about after a c section?

[mrsshears]

I had dd3 last friday by c section, slightly unplanned as we didn't know until the night before we would be having a section.
I stayed in hospital for 3 days and am recovering quite well,still taking the painkillers etc but feeling quite well.
This was my first section so i'm unsure how long i should wait before going out,i don't want to do too much too soon,i know its a bit of a how long is a piece of string question but how long did you wait?
Thanks

It depends what you are going out to do!

I went out for a very short slow walk the day after I got back from hospital (I was in 2 days) - then built up daily from there. It really depends how you feel, BUT do bear in mind that if you overdo it, it sets your recovery back so do be careful.

see how you feel an hour or two after any gentle exercise - it's easy to think, 'oh, this is fine....' while you are out and about, but then a few hours later realise that actually it was a bit much.

(also, don't let anyone think because you are moving around that you don't need bedrest anymore. A mix of gentle 'exercise' and proper rest is best for recovery)

I went to the supermarket about 5 mins walk from our flat when Dd was 4 days old, and built up from there. I was with DP, dd and a friend, I'd say make sure someone comes with you until you're confident.

I found a 5 min walk a week later left me shattered. 6 weeks down the line and I walked 3 miles yesterday without problems. Take it easy and prepare to be v tired and sore much more quickly than you anticipate.

Good luck x

I started slowly at first (limited myself to pottering around the house for the first 2 weeks), then built up my activity levels from there. Probably felt nearer to normal stamina around week 5. I'm 8 weeks post-section now and am still being careful not to over-do things, as I can feel whacked out I do, and DD usually has one feed at midnight then a 4am feed.

What I'm saying is major surgery/childbirth + crazy hormone levels + hungry baby = one tiiiiiiiired Mamma .......

Take it slowly and build up. Keep an eye on your blood loss - if you do a bit of walking and your blood loss increases it generally means you've done a bit too much.

Thanks everyone, really helpful advice.
Dh has said the same as you have all said and we have decided to make a first short trip on saturday,which will be a 20 minute walk around mark's to treat ourselves to lots of nice prepared food for the following week,other than that i'm not going to make any plans.
Dh has another week of work too so i don't actually need to go yet either, so i will make the most of him while he is still off.

It took my two weeks to get out the house after my first c-section, which was an EMCS after long labour (and I am a single mum who only had support when i got home from a friend who stayed the first two nights, after that I was on my own). This time - c-section scheduled in 3 weeks - I will definitely take it as easy as I need to as it helped me recover last time and there's so much else to deal with with a newborn!