C section recovery tips?

[Lotsofqueries]

Had my c section. 4 hours ago. Going forward I just wondered if anyone could share their advice/tips on recovery please?

Big knickers and peppermint! My gas pains were horrendous! Also if you don't feel the need to pee every time you feed baby go anyway. I almost went into retention as after 8 hours I still hadn't been to the toilet. Don't do too much, accept help that is offered but don't sit down all day. Congratulations!

I have found that people think c section, being so common, is easy. It's far from. It's a MASSIVE thing. Or it has been for me. People should be more aware of how difficult it is. Now on day 6. I am moving around at home but perhaps ought to venture down the road for a walk then? Peppermint worked a treat! Finding stairs ok as long as not too much and go really slow! Coming down I prefer to come backwards! How long until you found you could bend over/ bend down again? I feel no where near ready but am I just being too cautious?

My tips:

Attach something to the end of your bed to help you pull yourself up

Lie flat on your back for a period each day & when sleeping

Does anyone use belly bandid or some support like that? Did it help?

Don't lift anything heavier than the weight of your baby! At least until your 6 weeks check up!

You may find it easier to sleep in a semi sitting up position. I know I did for a while.

8 months on and I still don't feel 100%.

Oh and congratulations of course

Massive pants that come up above your scar area. When you get home and wash your scar, use v gentle antibac soap and after yr shower/bath, lie flat on your bed for a while so the scar area completely dries out. Helps prevent infections. A lovely nurse who'd had two sections told me that, it was a great reason for an uninterrupted lie down if nothing else. And take it easy - agree with the PPs saying get yr DP and co to help as much as possible. Don't be cooking dinner for your ILs because they insist on staying with you the day you return from hospital like I did

• sorry, projecting! And Congratulations!!

Don't lift anything heavier than the weight of your baby!

This advice always amuses me as my baby was nearly 11lbs

Haha crikey ravioli I reckon you must have needed assistance then!

DS was only 4lb 8oz (born prem) so it didn't affect my recovery to be fair.

Loads of great tips here and apologies if I reiterate ones I don't remember readying.

1. cover your tummy with your hand/pillow when you laugh, sneeze or poo!
2. as others have said don't lift anything heavier than the baby so plan ahead for things like getting ready for bed at night by taking things up gradually before bed
3. Keep things within reach, I had a changing mat upstairs and downstairs for convenience. It hurt bending and standing when downstairs to change DS nappy so I turned out dining room table into a bang changing station for the first couple of weeks!

4 Try to keep a variety of things near you, I kept some spare clothes and a spare blanket etc near me on the sofa so if I needed to change his clothes I didn't need to go upstairs

1. Accept any help offered! If people offer it'll be genuine. My MIL popped out to buy me a kettle when our's broke as I had visitors popping over to see DS once DH went back to work

6 in the early days take your pain medication even if you think you don't need it

1. Enjoy the baby cuddles/staring at baby stage, it's awesome and goes in far too quickly
2. If you are BF excitement with different holds to see what's more comfortable. If you are FF & have a Perfect Prep then move it from your kitchen during the day to bedroom at night, saves so much time when baby wakes for night feeds!

MrsChopper I've got arms like Popeye now and input from physiotherapy for my poor back!