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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Best recovery tips after emergency section

15 replies

Drama87 · 15/02/2019 06:47

I had an EMCS on Tuesday, I'm just after some tips on how to speed up recovery and be as comfortable as possible during this first week? I've yet to sleep (yes, 3 nights and counting!) So tips on sleep positions would be most welcome! X

OP posts:

Celebelly · 15/02/2019 07:43

I was comfiest on back and propped up by pillows in first couple of days. I'm now six days post section and able to sleep on my side (weirdly one side only) for decent lengths of time now.

moleeye · 15/02/2019 07:45

I found that getting up and walking around made my recovery super quick

Am booked on for #2 in 3 weeks and plan on doing the same again. Lots of walking

Hope you are on the mend soon!

Bobfossil2 · 15/02/2019 07:47

I had a million pillows on the bed so I was basically propped up. My husband got the baby for me to feed in the night as I couldn’t lift her (but she was enormous so you might not feel quite that way).
Sleep wise I slept on my back but when I finally did sleep on my side I put pillows under my ‘bump’ as it hurt my scar to have it flop to the side (awful)

Keep your scar clean and dry. I kept a sanitary towel across it for a few days - sorry I know that’s a bit gross!

Don’t make the mistake of feeling better and doing too much as you pay for it later. Remember that you’ve had major surgery.

Bobfossil2 · 15/02/2019 07:48

And yes, don’t stoop when you walk. Stand up straight.

TheSatsumaConsumer · 15/02/2019 07:55

Congratulations! Don’t overdo it - no lifting or stretching; the less of this you do the better the body can heal. I am 12 weeks post section and only now can lie on my side to sleep! Back has been comfiest by far.
Watch out for signs of infection and get treatment as necessary. I have found showers to be better than baths as baths were quite sore for a while on the scar.
Walking is good as per pp suggestion, but listen to your body and go carefully if it hurts at all. I got so fed up of being at home and tried to do normal things such as shopping after a week or two but it was really sore.

ThursdayLastWeek · 15/02/2019 07:59

If you are breastfeeding, it’s great to be able to do it lying down. That meant for me not too much shifting around in the nights.

Doing a bit of walking is good if you can, but don’t be martyr and try to get back to normal ASAP. The longer the recovery, the more bulletproof it is.

Don’t be afraid to ask your GP for painkillers if you need them.

Hadalifeonce · 15/02/2019 08:00

Compression pants really helped me. They kept everything in place.

WoodyOak · 15/02/2019 08:00

Fiber to help you poop... be prepared to spend a while on the loo - don't rush it!

Hold your belly when you laugh, cough or sneeze!

ThursdayLastWeek · 15/02/2019 08:02

And congratulations!

TwoBucksPizzaSlices · 15/02/2019 08:04

I've had an emergency c section and an elective, and the recovery time was drastically different for both.
I found walking almost intolerable after my emergency - just take it real slow. Sleep on your back and second what a PP said about holding your belly when you cough or laugh or sneeze - I legit thought my insides were going to fall out when I laughed.
Try to do minimal well, everything, for the first two weeks.
Just be kind to yourself basically, you've had major surgery, healing takes a while.

Oh and pain meds, keep on top of them. Even if you think you're feeling better, just keep taking them for those first few days. It makes a world of difference. Don't try to be a warrior!

Original poster

Drama87 · 15/02/2019 12:47

Wow, all fab advice thank you!! Xx

OP posts:

Gluetap · 15/02/2019 12:52

Big knickers! The bigger the better so they don’t irritate your scar.

FirstTimeBumps · 17/02/2019 14:14

I second PPs who say move. I'm 6 weeks post EMCS and feel pretty much back to normal, apart from soreness on belly but I think that's my actual stretch marks not incision. I was moving from 5/6 hours out from surgery and was out down to shops on day 3 although I did try and get to the big shopping centre in the first week and had to tell myself it was too far. I honestly owe this to my quick recovery but also know I got lucky, I think my surgeon did a brilliant job and my scar is extremely low so maybe that comes into it. Do as much as you can but no more x

Harveyrabbit76 · 17/02/2019 14:21

Congrats! Take regular painkillers, sanitary towel on scar, lactulose or stool softener. Accept as much help as possible x

missanony · 17/02/2019 14:26

I used a new clean and dry washcloth every day to Pat the area dry and would make sure to lay flat and let the air get to it for 10 minutes after showering.

I also put a maternity pad on the inside of my knickers where the scar is to provide a little extra padding.

I did walk around but try not to overdo it. No lifting anything heavier than the baby.

Enjoy your little one.

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