C Section Recovery

[TwittleBee]

I had an emergency C Section 9 days ago but been left without any after care so not sure about recovery etc. I was discharged from my hospital after 20 hours (a whole other story) so I'm wondering if I've missed the chance to be told about aftercare?

I do feel fine, initially I had some horrendous swelling in one leg and ankle but that's gone now and I had an allergic reaction to the dressing but I removed it and it's gone down now. My cut seems to be doing well, does feel swollen and hot to touch though.

I guess I'm just wondering if there's anything I should be doing? When I can I return to exercising? Is running okay sooner than weights?

Currently I am only experiencing pain if my toddler catches me in that area, if I lift stuff or walk for too long.

But overall I guess I am surprised at how physically fine I feel? Does it hit you later on?

If it's hot and swollen, it sounds like it could be infected. You need to get someone to look at that. When I was recovering from mine, I was told no lifting anything heavy for 6 weeks.

I would ring your GP for some advice. You should have been seen by a physio after your c section to give you a few exercises to keep you safe. You're not meant to lift anything heavier than your baby for 6 weeks, nor are you meant to be driving. The external scar is just about 1% of what's going on, the inside is what is truly trying to fix itself. You really really really need to rest.

As pp said, if it feels hot and swollen it’s probably infected, I needed antibiotics for mine and a special dressing.

You shouldn’t be lifting anything but the baby and I couldn’t walk very far for the first few weeks. I was back driving after 3 or 4(as far as I can remember, definitely before 6)

I used to gently Blowdry the area on cool to get it fully dry after showering, I also used to stick a maternity pad to the inside of my knickers so it absorbed any moisture and kept the wound dry

As pps have said please please rest and go to the gp for some proper advice or just call the midwife team at the hospital where you were (eg the postnatal ward was where I was advised to call). I had to give myself injections of anti clotting medication for 10 days afterwards (as did everyone I know who had a section). The healing process is long and you need to take care. Who knows you may be lucky and heal very quickly but personally I was still experiencing bleeding for around 3-4 4 months and lochia for almost 6! (Mind that is an unusually long time). There are many simple advice sheets on exercise available from various hospitals / healthcare sources on the most simple google searches. Definitely no running or strenuous exercise for at least 3 months.

Any problems, go to your GP or a walk in emergency centre pronto. You sound as though you're doing well, though heat from a wound can mean infection it is also a sign of healing. You're only a few days post op and can't expect to feel wonderful all of a rush. However, all sounds good to me. Don't overdo it!

Congratulations

Try to rest as much as you can for the first few weeks. I'm 6 weeks post cesarean and only just managing walks and driving. I probably could have done these things earlier but wanted to take it slow especially as I have a toddler to look after also. Last thing I wanted was to end up in hospital again!

I wasn't offered any physio, I think this depends on where you live. And in terms of medication I was advised to just take paracetamol and ibuprofen which I did for 2 weeks. I didn't need to inject myself either as someone else has mentioned, as I wasn't considered high risk of clotting. Saying that I did need these injections after my vaginal birth 3 years ago so it just depends on your circumstances.

I was advised signs of infection are..hot and swollen feeling, high temperature, wound leaking fluid/blood.

After care is virtually none existent. It’s major surgery but I was just discharged the following day with a leaflet and never examined by a doctor again. It’s disgraceful how little support there is for recovery but that’s a whole other thread.

I was told 4 weeks for driving, 10 weeks for exercise and take it easy. No sit-ups or exercising the abs for at least a year, and get checked for diastasis as that needs to be addressed before you work your abs otherwise you’ll make it worse.

@Ariadneesweb are you in the uk? That is crazy to be discharged so fast. I’m in the Republic of Ireland and I was kept for four nights and I had the option of a fifth.

I was given medication and all the attachments for the breast pump I was hiring. A prescription for more pain relief and the anti clotting injections.

Public health nurse came to see me on the Sunday(I got home Friday evening) she did the heel prick on ds and checked my wound. Another visit on Tuesday to remove dressings, one on Friday, one the following monday and then weekly for 2 more weeks.

My wound became infected and they gave me special dressings for it. I also saw my GP at 2 weeks pp and they checked the would too. Saw them again at four and six weeks and they rang a prescription for antibiotics to a pharmacy near me when I needed them. I feel like I had enormous support, especially compared with what’s being described here.

I was discharged the next day without any advice. MW came for 2 visits to check my wound but that was it really. Mine never felt hot but did feel swollen. I would say go to gp or ask MW if coming soon as I would rather it be nothing than left unchecked.
I didn't drive for 5 weeks and no excercise for 12 weeks.
Considering that it is major surgery I felt fine after about a week, just made sure I took it steady and rested when I could

Yes I’m in northern England. Had the CS at 10pm on Thursday and was sent home at 4pm on Friday with paracetamol and anti clotting injections. The midwife came out a few times to examine me and remove the stitches but I was never seen by a doctor until the six week post partum check, which didn’t involve a physical examination. In fact my wound has never been seen by a qualified doctor since the actual surgeon stitched it up. It seems to be depressingly common.

God that is terrible

I've got my anti clotting injections, although only got given 10 days and was told on discharge i would need 6 weeks worth due to being a high risk?

I overdone it today. I took the bus to town to get my hair cut and foolishly then walked to the PILs for a cuppa but that usual 10 minute walk took me 20 minutes and I'm now paying the price. MIL did drive me home thankfully, she was horrified I walked to hers.

The health visitor checked my wound a couple times. I didn’t drive for six weeks but was going out by day 5. Not walking much until a couple weeks then by three weeks joined postnatal class and walked a mile there, a mile into town then another mile home. Otherwise I’d go stir crazy!
But sounds like you should get your wound looked at.

I had to use a medicated wash for a week
I think? Twice a day.

Didn't drive for 6 weeks but was up and about in a few days.

Once I had my six week check I started on post natal Pilates, did that throughout my maternity leave and it really helped my recovery x

I had EMCS and I didn’t get any information when I was discharged either I was in hosp for a week with an infection.. but I was just told no driving for 6 weeks , my stomach felt horrendously painful I couldn’t move for two days in hospital and I’m still in pain around my scar now 5 and a half weeks on and also the area is still swollen and tender , I didn’t actually expect it to take this long to recover , I still have to be careful with bending down also... so I don’t think it will hit you later on unless you over do it , my midwife said you will know when you have as your body will let you know, and it does as I was trying to do too much at first. You could ask at your 6 week pp check about exercise I think I will as I’m gutted I’ve had to be inactive and can’t shift my baby belly ! X

I got no advice whatsoever either. Please raise this with Pals when you get the chance.

It sounds like you are doing great I was still in a lot of pain at that point and just shuffling. It does sound like your wound may be infected, is the community midwife checking it? I ended up with lots of infections and wound didn't close until 17wks so try to flag this up ASAP.

Oh and congratulations.