What's elective C Section recovery honestly like?

[ADogRocketShip]

Have made request for elcs this time around due to my previous fucking horrific birth with DS1. My recovery from that birth took 4 months for me to walk far without pain, 5-6 months to have a comfortable bowel movement and god knows how long to consider DTD again!

How bad is elcs recovery honestly? What can I expect? All detail would be willingly received here as I'm so anxious to know what I'm in for ... my previous birth was such a shock in terms of how terrible I felt for months after that i just want to be mentally prepared!

How do you feel immediately after? How does the incision pain actually feel- is it bruised or sore?? Did you feel able to lift baby etc?

It must obviously vary from person to person but mine was nowhere near as painful as I thought it would be - both during the procedure and the recovery time. I was up and about the following day, taking pain killers but not shed loads of them. Was home three days later (with twins) and rearranged the nursery furniture as I didn't like the way DH had done it! I wouldn't recommend that, but that is to emphasise how well I felt at the time!

I had an ELCS after a horrific birth with DS, the procedure itself was wonderful, really easy, no problems at all.

Recovery after an ELCS does hurt. The scar feels like a really bad cut and you definitely have to keep on top of your pain medication.

I was quite mobile, although it hurt, within a couple of days and drove on day 10. I could lift the baby absolutely no problem at all.

With DS who was a forceps birth with stitches and incisions all over the place, the pain was horrific. This pain is so much more manageable, and at least you can sit down in comfort!

If I'm honest, the scar was slightly uncomfortable for a few months, and it does feel like you've had major surgery, but I'd do it a million times over rather than what I had with DS. You'll be fine! Good luck!

I had an emergency CS first time and an elective the second time. The elective was a breeze compared to the emergency - I was in quite a bit of pain after the emergency, but they needed to do quite a bit of rummaging due to a post partum haemorrhage and my placenta coming out in bits, which is probably what led to that.

With the ELCS I was up and walking a few hours later and home the next day with paracetamol and diclofenac only. I did a one mile walk another couple of days after that. I had a toddler at home as well as the baby who I was lifting again within about three weeks. I shouldn’t have been, according to post-surgical advice, but needs must and again, it’s an indicator of how pain-free I was.

IIRC, the sticky stuff left on my skin from the dressing was the most irritating bit! I think I ended up using nail polish remover, which was brave so near that scar!

I had an ELCS with my second after a third degree tear with my first. The section recovery was an absolute breeze compared to the tear. Yes you are in pain for the first few days but as long as you keep on top your meds you should be ok. I was discharged with codeine but didn't use it and managed fine on paracetamol and ibroprofen. The only thing I couldn't do was get down on the floor to change nappies for first week so DH has to do the which wasn't so bad!

I’ve only had one child via ELCS due to breech, so nothing to compare it too. But it was much better than I thought it would be.

Even though I had some unusual bleeding - which was my hormones nothing physical with the scar or anything - like my body got stuck on a withdrawal bleed from the pill.

My wound was very low and my only issue has been in growing pubes but I’m the only person I’ve met who has this issue.

Also because I didn’t go into labour I was completely taken by surprise by the after pains you still get those!

I was walking around the block 48 hours after op, at 14 weeks I’m now back jogging Pilates and yoga. My scar is numb and the margins tingle but the actual line is very neat.

I still had pelvic floor trauma from horrendous constipation though.

Varies massively I think. Both mine were emergencies (after 75 hours of back to back labour and failed forceps for dc1 and after about 8 hours of back to back labour for dc2) but it was very easy. I didn't need any painkillers post theatre with either, which I found out by accident as dc1 was in NICU and I missed all the drugs rounds sitting with him. With dc2 I just opted for no drugs at all.

I'd say the pain I felt was a mild stingy feeling, but nothing I felt needed pain relief for. I would recommend getting up as soon as possible and getting moving, again I found that out by accident as I had to walk myself to NICU which was at the other side of the hospital and it got easier and easier with each step.

With my second by the time we got to recovery, I had a shower on my own and was getting in and out of bed to look after dc2 all by myself. Because we'd been up all night and were in a private room with a camp bed, dh was fast sleep by 8pm and I managed just fine all night without buzzing anyone. Went home the next day and by the day after that was out for lunch and then dancing with dc1 at messy church. Week 2 found me doing the 3 mile round trip with the pram to drop dc1 off at preschool.

The bruising from the failed forceps hurt way more with dc1 and the botched mess of the cannula with dc2 was far more painful.

Had my 2nd section a week ago and feel great just keep up with pain meds and drink plenty water put your feet up when you can and you'll be fine.

I had 2 ELCS after a dreadful first birth. Recovery from the CS was a doddle in comparison to an episiotomy. With the CS was up and about the following day and after 2-3 days just took paracetamol for pain, it was more discomfort really. No problems lifting/holding the baby. I was back to normal very quickly. In comparison, after dc1 I couldn't sit/stand/walk/ go to the loo without crying for weeks! I still can't think about it without wincing.

My EMCS was after a long labour and had complications so I can’t comment on a planned section only to say it’s suposed to be much better and calmer

However the recovery is more surgical if that makes sense- very much abdominal surgery focused. Initially you don’t have much movement below your armpits, and it’s very hard to pick up your baby or sit up straight or move really!

The more you move the easier it becomes. Having no vaginal pain seems a bit weird but it’s all on the tummy. You can press a rolled up towel against your wound (not directly, over the dressing and clothes!) and press it lightly to contain the pain of laughing/ speaking etc.

Good luck!

😱wincing at nail varnish near scar😱

I had an elcs with my 3rd (polyhydramnious). The first night when the meds wore off was horrific, thought my innards were falling out. Was in for 5 days, oramorph touched the sides but didn't get rid of the pain completely. Was about 8 weeks before I even started to not feel any pain. I was sterilised at the same time so don't know if that made a difference. Had nothing to compare it to as my previous 2 had been VB.

I said at the time that VB was easier and less painful afterwards - and that was with a 3rd degree tear after the 1st birth and a shoulder dystocia birth with my 2nd (so venteuse & episiotomy & legs behind head/hands pushing down on my stomach and hands inside).

Everyone is different, I don't think you can predict how you will feel afterwards, some are up and about with paracetamol, some need something stronger.

I had a horrific natural first birth (natural in the same way that dying is natural if you ask me!!) and a very long recovery/some life long problems.

Elective c section was sooooo much better. Plan help for at least a month though. We had a rota of grandparents staying to play with our eldest.

Rest big style for 2 weeks and then slowly start to build it up.

Overall it was genuinely a magical birth and recovery was much shorter although obviously major surgery.

I’m 4 weeks on now. Was up and out of bed 8 hours after, was fine once home. Just paracetamol and ibruprofen for a few days, scars healing fine, just felt bruised for a while. Still got heavy lochia though, probably over done it because I feel so fine!

So relax and put your feet up whenever you can 😁

I was up and about and driving on Day 4. Bit of a twinge if I moved a certain way for a few weeks but nothing that impacted me looking after baby or moving about.

And trust me, i am not often fortunate in these ways.

But I was fine. Good luck. X

I had an emergency CS first time and and ELCS second time. The actual elective was really lovely-calm, skin to skin etc and was the best birth I could have considering I wasn't being allowed to go natural. Recovery I found really hard second time having a toddler at home. I needed lots of painkillers in hospital (including oramorph) and could only shuffle for a few days and then keeping on top of painkillers religiously at home. I also felt really sick all the time and couldn't eat properly for weeks. My scar also got infected so I also felt rotten but that was just one of those things. I was lucky as DH was between jobs so had 6weeks off with me. I needed lots of physical support certainly for the first month so would suggest getting family etc on standby. The hardest bit about recovering is definitely not having the time to rest when you've got another child to look after. The guilt was also hard as I couldn't lift my toddler, or let them climb on me etc. It's all forgotten now though and a small price to pay for a healthy baby and healthy mum! Good luck with it all.

Really not too bad. Obviously it hurts after but I found it manageable with paracetamol. No problem walking up stairs. First two/three nights I needed my partner to hand our DS but to be honest he was barely out of my arms. I started post natal yoga at 10 weeks and normal yoga at 15 weeks. I had severe pelvic pain and that has been a harder recovery than the c section.

My top bits of advice... lots of fruit and water after to make going for a number two as easy as possible.

Keep taking the pain killers on the schedule for a few weeks even if you feel better as it can creep up on you.

I found bath time uncomfortable bending over the bath so my partner took over this.

Obviously wear soft clothing over your stomach and scar. They aren't lying when they say wear big knickers 😂

I definitely don't have a high pain tolerance but was totally comfortable taking paracetamol, codeine and ibuprofen after the op. Sitting around in bed (even a few hours after the surgery) was only a pain level of 0-4. The pain peaked when standing up so going to the loo or showering was rough, but it was easier to bear knowing it will go away.

The hardest part for me was probably weeks 2-5 where the sleep deprivation, breastfeeding, lochia, constipation and surgical recovery all combined into one hazy ball of discomfort. That's when the birth euphoria starts wearing off and I was frustrated at not being able to do much, carry things or buy groceries.

By 6 weeks the pain was completely gone and around 8 weeks I was 100% back doing everything I did before pregnancy.

I've heard a bit about post c section constipation .... how bad is this?

I had constipation after my VB and it was rough so am rather panicked about it with CS too. I regularly take stool softeners so I guess ensuring I continue on those straight afterwards would help?

Sorry to be TMI - but you just can't push at all... so it needs to be super loose 🙈 I found lots of smoothies did it for me! But they do give you liquid laxatives to take too. I was on lots of iron and a transfusion which had the reverse effect! My poor bowels 😂

Lots of water, fruit and laxatives will sort you out !

I've heard a bit about post c section constipation .... how bad is this?

I never had any at all after 2 sections. I think limiting the drugs (if you can), fruit, water and movement all help.