Recovery after Emergency C Section

[Soapie92]

Hi,

I’m just looking for some advice and tips. I just had an emergency C section, baby was 38+3.

Just wondering what people’s pain was like afterwards and any tips to help the pain & also recovery time?

Congratulations

I had an emcs with baby 1 and it did take a few weeks before I was able to do a lot of things again.

Just try and take it as easy as you can.

Hope you’re doing okay Soapie, was it today? Are you still in hospital?

It was fairly painful but nothing you won't be able to handle. My best advice would be to drink plenty of water as that really helps with healing and generally making you feel better and keep taking those paracetamol. I was sceptical about the paracetamol, I thought, I've just had major abdominal surgery and thats all I get?! However, I really noticed when I stopped taking them, they have a cumulative effect so take them.... set an alarm!

If you need extra pain relief don't be afraid to ask for it. I needed oral morphine on the second day and it made such a big difference.

Don't fall into the trap of letting other people shame you into doing too much too soon.... I got so many comments of "oh I had a c section and did the Tesco shop the next day" which made me feel pathetic as I could barely move for the first two weeks! Listen to your body and don't overdo it.

When getting up in bed, swivel your whole body rather than twisting at the waist. Get your partner to pick the baby up and pass it to you. If you're breastfeeding then try the rugby hold, that way baby isn't lying across your incision.

If you need to cough or sneeze it helps to press something (like a cushion) against your stomach to stop it hurting.

Also cantaloop pants are amazing if you can get hold of some - they have a panel in which sits against the incision. Otherwise i just wore my husband's boxers!

Congratulations!

Take all the pain relief you're allowed, and take it before you feel like you need it.

Move, but move slowly. Don't let yourself seize up, as then it's agony to get walking again.

Hold a cushion or something over your wound when coughing or laughing or pooping. It can be sore.

Take peppermint for any bloating. Peppermint tea is good.

Don't try to do too much - ask for things to be passed to you etc and don't feel lazy. It's pretty major surgery and you need to recover.

Don't try sitting up from lying on your back for a while. Roll onto your side and shove yourself upwards. Your stomach muscles are wrecked for now! They will recover.

Drink prune juice or eat dried fruit or something for purposes of pooing... its really painful to push, so try to get your poo really soft and almost falling out of you (sorry to be so gross!).

And again, congratulations! You will feel better once day, even though it feels like you've been hit by a truck for now.

Don't fall into the trap of letting other people shame you into doing too much too soon.... I got so many comments of "OH (other half) I had a c section and did the Tesco shop the next day" which made me feel pathetic as I could barely move for the first two weeks! Listen to your body and don't overdo it.
This so, so, so much.

Some people seem to think there's some mum of the year award for who can get it and about first, how quickly can you start exercising (I know someone who was running 5-10km at 5 weeks post section and seemed to adore the fawning from silly people who felt it was a good thing to start doing high impact exercise before being signed off from major abdominal surgery 🙄).

On a more practical note, maternity leggings can be great, but only ones with vertical or no seams over the bump. ASOS do some good ones. Men's pyjama bottoms and nursing tops were a staple for me.

Try and get some decent sleep. Every time I had a decent stretch I felt better. Depends on feeding and partner supporting but hope you have this.

findyourself some knickers that don’t rub against your scar. Use silicone plasters. Take it very easy - I stayed in bed pretty much for a fortnight and it was least four weeks before I. Like so more than shuffle Abkut the house. Been happily walking in the park since about six weeks. 12 weeks on now and it’s just the massive overhang and pic discomfort to deal with now.

Don't overdo it. I felt like I should be doing more, my wound got infected and I put myself back a week. Rest and let others do everything. Your job is to feed the baby, cuddle the baby and love the baby. Everything else can be done by someone else. I hope you're back to normal soon, it really does go fast!

Annelovesgilbert yeah it was today and I am still in hospital, Baby is in neonatal unit just for them to keep an eye on him.

Thank you all so much, that is great advice. They gave me strong painkillers for me to get some sleep, so still not really feel any pain

Huge congratulations on your new baby! Must be really tough not having him with you tonight but try to get as much sleep/rest as you can. You’ll have him in your arms soon.

Mine was an emergency too and I didn’t have a clue what to do or not do or expect so good thinking to ask and I’m glad you’ve had so much great advice.

Make sure they keep you well dosed up. You’ve just had the one surgery where you and everyone else will expect you to just get on with things and you have to resist the urge!

Peppermint pills are amazing, the feeling of thar weird trapped wind pain is something else but it will pass in about 48 hours.

Keep hydrated, eat well, expect to ride a wave of emotions and just accept them as they come and go. You’ve grown a person, had major surgery which is a huge ordeal and your baby isn’t with you right now. That’s a lot to come to terms with. Take it slowly. Ask for help. Don’t let them turf you out before you’re ready.

Congratulations! Hope everything's ok with your little one. I agree with everyone - the first two weeks are hard, and please just stay in bed and spend time with your baby. You've just had major surgery. I felt a bit of pressure from my OH to get up and going, but my midwife gave him a telling off saying that if I'd had a kidney removed he'd be bringing me cups of tea in bed for months!

Keep on top of your pain - take your paracetamol/ibuprofen on a schedule, and don't let the pain creep up. Get biscuits and snacks in your bedside table. When my Oh went back to work I asked him to make me tea and toast no matter what time and leave it in my bedside table - even if it was stone cold when I woke up it meant I felt taken care of. With hindsight he could have made a thermos!!