ELCS questions - post delivery

[Northernbeachbum]

I'm hoping for an ELCS which my midwife can't see as an issue, it's my first so there's a few things I was wondering about

• what are the most comfortable clothes for after the c section? Dress and above bump leggings seem most likely?
• 11 weeks later, if I do exactly as I'm told how much walking am I likely to be able to do (family event I want to manage expectations)
• how soon could you go swimming?
• I've got arnica, fybrogel, peppermint oil on a recovery list, is there anything I'm missing

Physio - the Pilates classes I went to were taught by physios, and the post natal ones were taught by the hospital's woman pelvic floor physios, who hand out the post CS exercise sheets you get when released.

Baby shower - my idea of hell. Could you meet your friend half way and suggest an afternoon tea out somewhere, with the hope that noone in their right minds wants to play pass the packet of nappies etc in public ?

You'll see an NHS physio while still in hospital.

I was up and about within a couple of hours of each section, discharged after 12 hours. Never really struggled and was doing a several mile school run on day 4 with dc2. Back running at 9 weeks. That was with emergency sections too. 11 weeks in, the whole thing was a distant memory.

I was extremely lucky and everybody is different.

The baby shower wouldn't be my thing at all but no idea how you politely discourage it.

I think your plan is achievable too. Salt baths helped me too. I found the pain in my back from the spinal was worse than the scar but I think I'm odd in that respect. But I'd be prepared for that. Just had to find something the right height to change the babies.

No advice on the baby shower though. My idea of hell.

Like with another poster, my problem was residual SPD, not the section. Maybe I was used to pain/discomfort after almost 7 months of spd hell, but I'd say residual spd (which had about 90% gone) was worse than my section pain after about 4 days. If only the section, I think I'd be back up to full mobility within maybe 2 weeks. At my 6 week check, it only hurt if I poked my tummy hard, then it felt slightly bruises.

Well the ELCS got approved yesterday afternoon for June so I will be making sure to write down all your helpful tips.

Post natal Pilates sounds like a great plan for after I'm ok'd for exercise again, there's a class in my village you can take the baby to so will be ideal when DP is back at work

I had an ELCS. I found long nighties with front buttons fab for feeding (M&S do some great ones). I was out and about on day 4. Had a great recovery which I mostly put down to taking all the meds they threw at me ;) honestly though from start to finish mine was a wonderful experience. Daughter now 3. Wishing you the very best of luck.

Thank you @IamMoana, great to hear you were out and about on day 4!