Recovery after C Section

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How long before you recovered? I had my CS last Monday and went out a short walk yesterday and got my dressing removed - since then I've had a lot of pain and feel like I'm set back days.

Also how much should I be doing at home?

I had an elective Csection 4 weeks ago today. For me it was really rough first 4 days crying in pain when I got up to walk to the toilet and when sitting down. I wasnt given the correct pain relief and until it was changed I was in agony. Once the new one was given I was able to walk a lot easier and was able to pick up my baby on my own.

I felt generally ok after about a week. Still sore if I walked too long or sat still for too long .

By 2 weeks I was pretty much completely healed and without pain. My scar was completley healed at this point and only had pain if I tried to pick up something that was too heavy. I was doing basic household chores at this stage such as cooking and doing the washing etc. but not anything like hoovering or mopping.

By week 3 I was doing pretty much all the household chores as normal but having a lot of quiet time in the day as very tired from lack of sleep from breastfeeding rather than from anything to do with the CS.

Hi,
I gave birth in December just gone and I recovered from my c section about 4 weeks after birth. I could feel he stretch everytime I bent down or just getting out of bed. You are very fresh from surgery so naturally you will feel the pains. Your body will give you signs that you are doing too much so you will feel like a throb or dull ache. Just relax as much as possible and try to not lift anything heavy. My scar became very itchy but apparently this was a sign of healing. Once you have had your 6 week check up you should be on the mend, if the pain does become too much I would consider visiting the GP or talking to your midwife

I'm due for a planned c section in 3 weeks due to baby being breech and I'm more petrified for the recovery than the actual procedure because im worried I will struggle to get out of bed and move around after hubby goes back to work after two weeks of paternity

I've had two EMCS and recovery after the first one was much easier as there were several complications during the second one. We all recover differently, so I would advise to just listen to your body and do as little as possible. There is a definite improvement after one week, then two weeks.

It was pretty painful for the first few days. Especially when I coughed, sneezed or laughed. Day 8 was the turning point for me when I suddenly started feeling ok again. One thing I'd advise - even if you start to feel better, keep up the painkillers for the suggested amount of time as you'll really notice if you don't! Hope it all goes well. I had an emergency c section and in the grand scheme of things it was all fine in the end.

I had an EMCS and a planned one I have to say a felt a little uncomfortable afterwards. I.e. I wasn't going to run a marathon but on the whole I was fine. 2nd one I didn't have any pain killers. Think I only took a couple with the first because I thought I was going to be in pain but the pain never came.

I think everyone is different. Friend likened her contractions to orgasms, and never took so much as an aspirin giving birth to 4 children

I had EMCS 5 years ago, I was going for short walks in about a week.

Having said that, you have to stay on top of your pain killers - don't let it start hurting, I was given paracetamol and diclofenac (did the hospital give you anything before you went home?) which I just took every 4 hours or whenever I was allowed.

Do as little as possible for the first few weeks around the house other than caring for baby. I did too much too soon and ended up with an infection in my scar about 4 weeks after surgery.

Take it easy!

Okay amazing! What's the best way to get up and out of bed and out the car etc?

My second CS (ELCS) was 13 days ago and I'm pretty much back to normal apart from lifting heavier objects like my toddler and having the strength in my abdominal muscles to sit straight up from prone. I'm also not walking as far yet.

The second night was the worst and I kept up painkillers until 2 days ago. I tried very hard not to twist at all during the first week and accepted every offer of help going.

Recovery hasn't been linear - the first week felt like one step forward, two steps back each time I tried something extra, but that changed in the last few days.

If you're still in week one I would say avoid bending and lifting. Take time to lie flat during the day to rest the muscles. Get others to take responsibility for household chores if possible, and assist only with the bits you feel able to do. You'll soon be back in the swing of things. And congratulations on your new arrival

I had an EMCS and despite a very straight forward recovery (no infection or scar issues) I found the pain for the first few weeks very hard to cope with and my mobility was very affected.

For the first couple of weeks, I needed my husband to help me lift my legs in and out of the bath to shower. I had to take a break halfway up the stairs. The pain sometimes took my breath away. I definitely wasn't walking anywhere! After 2 weeks, I was finally able to carry my baby up the stairs (slowly) but still not doing much. I was super grateful my mother came to help in the 3rd week when my husband had to go back to work.

By 4 weeks, I felt more or less ok, just exhausted and very out of shape. By 6 weeks I was driving again and able to lift my baby in his car seat. By 8 weeks I was helping my husband do some light redecorating, stripping wallpaper, painting skirting boards etc. I got twinges then, but nothing major.

I only felt 'normal' several months later.

I really credit my straight forward recovery with how slowly I took things. There's no reason to rush back to normal, you've been through a lot.

Stupid question - but could you walk upstairs straight away?

I live in a first floor flat with a narrow staircase and no lift. I've no idea if I'm going to need a c section yet - it's too early - but I'm a bit worried about how I will get upstairs if I do need one! Staircase is too narrow for husband to be able to carry me up and frankly who knows how heavy I will be then... 😳

If walking up the stairs is a no no, how about crawling or shuffling up on my bum? I know I know...dignified...kind of resigned to dignity going out the window during labour anyway tbh!

Ok, this is not a boast but perhaps just to show that for some c section recovery can be relatively easy. I used a mix of ibuprofen and paracetamol painkillers for about a week but nothing after that. I was up and about 2 days later and walking my other children to school after 4 days. Lifting was harder but I found wearing 2 pairs of specialist c section knickers helped as it felt as if everything was being held in. Also bathed in Dead Sea salts to help wound healing. Mine was also elective so the whole experience was very calm and quite different from an emergency one and I think this can significantly effect recovery.

MrsB I used a pair of walking poles to get up and down stairs for the first few days. It was DHs idea and worked really well as it stopped any pull on my abdomen

DuggeeHugs just wanted to say congratulations on your new arrival! We've been on the same ELCS boards for months, and so pleased it all went well for you!

Thank you Olivers

The surgeon told us afterwards we made the right choice as the cord was round her neck three times!

How are things with you? Hope all is going well

Mrs bendy baker, I got home 3 days post csection and was able to get up our narrow, quite steep stairs, but had to take it slowly. I certainly couldn't carry the baby at the same time, but I had a particularly large baby. I'm sure others found it easier!