C section recovery

[Caterpillar0]

I'm having one shortly and would really appreciate any any advice on aiding recovery. I've read arnica is good - is that in tablet form? as a homeopathic treatment? cream?

Also I've seen c section belts on the Internet. Are they useful?

Can you bath normally?

And will the cradle breast feeding position (the only one I've ever used) be ok, say with a pillow over the scar?

Thanks

[Caterpillar0]

MyDarlingYoni - I think I've managed to create something similar by taking the side off an existing cot. Much cheaper. Hope it works...

[Stangirl]

I've had 2 ELCS and never used a belt. Off pain meds in 3 or 4 days (though really needed them during that time). Used a My Breast Friend pillow and usual hold (not rugby). Most annoying bit was how "tight" the stitch became before it was removed - felt like I was bending over a really nasty serrated plastic knife whenever I stood up - didn't stop me walking up hills pushing the pram before week was out though. Didn't use any arnica or anything.

Big knickers here too.

Oh and with the second ELCS I had a 17 month old and was picking her up from the day I got home.

PS I'm old and unfit so it's doable for some people of all types.

[SleepyCatOnTheMat]

Make sure you take a natural laxative, e.g. Movicol, as the painkillers will make you constipated. I didn't go to the loo for 6 days after my CS and when I finally went it was excruciating.

It is major surgery, don't feel you have to be Superwoman afterwards (you wouldn't be expected to be after any other major abdominal surgery). It took me far longer than two weeks to recover from mine, I still needed assistance getting in and out bed several weeks later and was going to my GP's twice a week to have the wound dressed until DS was 4 months old (it got infected and took ages to heal).

[SleepyCatOnTheMat]

P.S. My scar still aches sometimes four and a half years later!

[mikkii]

I've had two planned sections due to placenta praevia. After the first I was ready to drive after 5 weeks so waited the normal 6, after the second I was much keener to get back to normal (she was number 3) and I wanted to get my life back having been so restricted during the pregnancy. I was driving after 3 weeks.

Big knickers are the most important, lactulose too as everything (inside and out) has been disturbed and can be tender.

After the second section I drank loads of water overnight so I could wee and get the tube out, the problem was they took out the catheter and an hour later I had to beg to be mobilised as I was desperate for a wee!

[newbie6]

Hi

I had an EMCS and healed very quickly. I honestly thought it was okay and like you had heard horror stories. First few days I felt a little tender but was up walking about and able to take baths etc. I took all the painkillers offered to me but was off them after 5 days. Was back riding my horse in 6 weeks and would not mind if I had to have another one. Obviously everyone will be different but best advice would be to take the painkillers and move about as soon as you can so you don't get too stiff and sore. X

[Fruitbatyogi]

I went home 24 hrs post ELCS on the tube, husband had the babe in a sling..
I was out of hospital sooner than any of the other first time mums I knew.
No problems with breast feeding
10 days later I was going for 5 mile walks with the buggy, midwife, are you ok, me I'm fine, her are you sure, me well I walked to X and back earlier (2.5 miles away) mw - ok you really are fine.

It was a totally positive experience.