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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

C-section: how long did it take to recover?

31 replies

Hotchocolate86 · 02/10/2018 20:25

I had a c-section yesterday morning which had a drain put in. I was allowed up this morning, the catheter and drain are now out and I have had a shower. I am struggling with the pain though. Can anyone share their experiences of how long it took to recover from their c-section? I am struggling to get baby out of her cot in hospital, to get myself sitting up in bed etc and also I’m not sleeping well so am queasy with tiredness.

OP posts:

sallysayshi · 02/10/2018 21:19

A few weeks to feel back to normal. Although still felt tight in the incision area. Walking around for those weeks still hurt unless I used painkillers.

I was suprised at how little support you try with your baby after a c section. It was really difficult for me to get him out the cot and then back on the bed and in a breastfeeding position, was made to feel like I was a chore if I pressed the buzzer to be passed the baby.

Make sure you have lots of painkillers for your home and also recommend having a pillow under your seatbelt when you drive home as it's going to hurt!

DaisyChainsForever · 02/10/2018 21:22

My DP went back to work after 3 weeks and I was just feeling confident picking up/holding DS at that point. It was Months before I got any sensation back in my tummy area, over a year now and parts are still numb. Make sure you get plenty of painkillers prescribed before you leave hospital.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 02/10/2018 21:31

I bounced back really quickly but I found it so much easier out of hospital as the cots were at totally the wrong height, you aren't encouraged to move around much so that I was spending time in bed which caused everything to lock up and of course, the lack of support unless your partner can stay with you.

With sitting up, go up via your side rather than directly, it makes a massive difference if you aren't already.

cakesandphotos · 02/10/2018 21:33

Mine took about 8 weeks before I could wear anything other than leggings but I got an infection. It does get better. Take the pain relief regularly, even if you don’t feel like you need it

Kintan · 02/10/2018 21:35

I had an emcs after a three day induction and while it took about 3 weeks to feel normal again, I do remember I suddenly turned a corner on day 8 and knew I was on the mend. Congrats on your new baby :)

rhnireland · 02/10/2018 21:51

I felt very sore the first week and needed plenty of pain killers, I was sore and achy the 2nd week and occasionally needed a milder pain killer. By week 3 I was generally fine.

I do think getting mobile (carefully) as soon as possible made a massive difference.

Smurfybubbles · 02/10/2018 21:56

A few weeks to feel back to normal! Remember to walk and stand tall so straighten out as much as you can and avoid hunching! try move as much as you are comfortable with, I was walking the wards as soon as they took my catheter out to get the blood flowing back around my body again but obviously don't overdo it.

You get very little support in hospital which, I was discharged 24 hours after having DS and was so much better off at home! Hospital beds are awkward to get on and off and the cots are up too high or too far away. You'll feel better when you're at home!

Stay on top of your painkillers even if you're not in pain. I took mine religiously for the first week which kept the pain away, I more just felt stiff!

This time next week you should hopefully feel miles better, oh and congratulations

fabulous01 · 02/10/2018 21:59

The first few day was hard but once I got the thing out of my wrist it was better.
Big pads on my scar.
Bloke went back to work after 5 days and I had twins
I bathed twins in bathroom sink, avoided lifting and no ironing or hoovering. No family near by
Just take it one step at a time, don't push yourself, don't drive until you feel more than able and take help if offered

gothefcktosleep · 02/10/2018 22:03

Goodness... at least 4-5 weeks. It does get rapidly better. Be patient with yourself though and careful getting in and out if the car, climbing upstairs etc. Take it easy. Stand up straight though, helps with recovery.

Here’s a warning though: you continue to heal for a while after so you might experience some lower abdominal discomfort down the line.

Marlowmum35 · 02/10/2018 22:04

Hi, best piece of advice I had after my c section was how to get up. From laying down. So roll onto your side then use your top hand to place in front of your chest and push yourself up. Takes so much pressure off the incision and tummy muscles. I think it took about a week for me to start feeling less pain. Take your pain meds regularly. I remember thinking I didn’t need them until they wore off then had to wait for them to kick in again. I even set an alarm after that xx
Oh also, take any help you need, doing anything hoovering washing will only prolong your recovery xx

ConsiderHerWaysAndOthers · 02/10/2018 22:07

Never felt in pain, only sore and achy but I did keep in front of it with painkillers for the first 2 weeks. Are you getting proper pain relief? If you need something stronger then make sure you get it. Walking and standing up straight will also help although initially it’s not pleasant. I didn’t have a drain though, did you have additional complications?

SputnikBear · 02/10/2018 22:12

The pain wasn’t bad, I only had paracetamol for a fortnight. It took about three weeks to be able to sit up unaided and I started driving again after 4 weeks. However my physio advised me to do no actual sit-up exercises for a full year. The year is nearly up and parts of my tummy are still numb and feel weirdly bruised and tender.

Canshopwillshop · 02/10/2018 22:22

I had csection with both and was up and walking the day after and lifting baby etc because even though they said not to, my babies were crying and the midwives were busy.

With my first I was fine and took my recovery at home slowly, it took a good 2-3 weeks. With my second I tried to get back to normal within a couple of days, stopped painkillers, was trying to lift etc. Bloody stupid as I was in agony, did my back in and was out of action for 2 weeks! Take it easy.

chipsandgin · 02/10/2018 22:23

Big yes to the getting up advice above, give yourself time to recover- get someone to pass you the baby every single time you have the opportunity to do so - for weeks if you can. Don’t kid yourself you’re fine - every day you feel better but you won’t be yet. I fucked up my abdomen massively the first time by doing too much too soon - a lot of the damage was repaired the second time, but I wouldn’t recommend that as a course of action! Take it easy, take time to recover & good luck & congrats

BumpInTheOven · 02/10/2018 22:27

I felt massively better after c-section due to bad PGP and was up and around from the next day... coughing hurt like a b**ch for a month but generally only a bit of pain at 2 weeks, to niggles at 3 weeks and by 4 weeks no pain at all... was able to run by 8 weeks x

Stinkbomb · 03/10/2018 00:14

Def take the movicol offered - 1st post section poo is horrific.
Seriously though, it does take weeks - it is major abdominal surgery, after all. Try to bath with tea tree oil as often as poss, and rest as much as you can - easier said than done with a newborn, but so important.
1st time, was still painful to walk 4 weeks later; 2nd had a secondary post-partum heammorrage (sp) 1 week after because of walking way too much to be with & feed my DD in NNU which was about 1/2 mile away and midwives wouldn't take me after day 2, so 'walking' both ways 8 times a day so could rest as much as poss. The had the heammorage and they to,d me off for doing too much!
Anyway, give it time, and rest up but also move little & often, to the loo etc.

Original poster

Hotchocolate86 · 03/10/2018 17:32

Thank you for all the replies. You have all been very helpful. I have made a new post since getting home. Has anyone had an experience like this?

I had a c-section Monday morning. I was discharged from hospital today and completely fine when I left. By the time I got home I had bad ache like a muscle ache all down my right arm and have noticed my right shoulder blade hurts too. No stabbing pains. Just a bad ache. I am now terrified it’s a blood clot. Does it sound like a normal pain?

OP posts:

Chocolatecoffeeaddict · 03/10/2018 17:36

About three days for the intense paims to fade. And for all pain and tenderness, about a month. I've had four sections. Although it's important not to overdo it, you do need to try and do things where possible and it can actually hinder your recovery by staying more sedentary.

ConsiderHerWaysAndOthers · 03/10/2018 17:45

If in doubt call your community midwife and ask them to come round and check you. I don’t know about the arm pain, hence why it’s a good idea to check with a professional, but shoulder pain is very common post section- it’s actually trapped wind! Peppermint tea or capsules (check if you can take the capsules if breastfeeding though) should help as well as moving around as much as you can.

Theweasleytwins · 03/10/2018 18:04

I had a scheduled on with my DT, managed to change one nappy in the first 2 weeks 😅also had difficulty walking up the stairs in that time too

Was in hospital for 4 days and couldnt stand up straight

Didnt really feel better until 12 weeks and scared to have sex for about y months

Smurfybubbles · 03/10/2018 19:16

The pain you describe sounds like it could be trapped wind from the operation. Drink some peppermint tea which helps. You need to get farting

If it gets worse contact your midwife!

Original poster

Hotchocolate86 · 03/10/2018 20:57

Thank you. I thought trapped wind would be sharp stabbing pains. Can it be like a muscular ache in that case?

OP posts:

TraceyBond · 03/10/2018 21:02

About a week to stop feeling stiff, paracetamol after that. The midwives all commented about how well I was moving, I put it down to being a horse rider and having a good core.

Chocolateandcarbs · 03/10/2018 21:31

It’s veey painful, lots of gentle walks and accept as much help as you can. All I did following my c sections was feed and change the baby for a few days. I started feeling a lot better around 10-14 days but I got I’ll agajn after my first section (heavy bleeding) and the second time an infection. It’s major surgery, but it will improve drastically quickly if you rest as much as you can (and take painkillers on a timetable).
Congratulations too!

Muffin3 · 03/10/2018 22:07

Hi I had a c section 6days ago and started to feel so much better on day 5. If possible get someone to hand you the baby as much as possible and keep your pain relief constantly topped up
I’ve tried to keep everything I need for during the days downstairs so I’ve kept stairs to a minimum

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