How long to feel 'normal' after c section?

[eandz13]

My c section is 3 weeks away, I've had 2 vaginal deliveries prior and was cracking on with normal household stuff and going out and about to the shops within 2 days of being home. I've gathered I'll be in far more pain and have to take it much easier after the section. When did you feel able to do usual day to day things such as laundry, going for a walk, carrying supermarket bags, getting on hands and knees to play with toddlers etc without it being agony/wincing at the thought of your scar opening? If something aided your recovery significantly, what was it? I'm scared that I'm going to be pretty much bed bound for weeks when I have 2 older children who still need me!

I’ve had four c sections and the recovery really has varied.

I’d avoid all laundry and housework for several months but you should be able to get on the floor gently for things like jigsaw puzzles straightaway. It will depend how heavy the bags are but I’d avoid carry anything for as long as possible. The recovery is one of those things where you don’t realise how far you have come until you inadvertent overdo it and take a huge step back.

My top tips are to put a cushion between your stomach and older children when cuddling them as it protects you scar whilst allowing maximum snuggles. Also use something (ideally someone’s arm) to pull yourself up rather than anyone pulling you up, as it allows you to control the speed and how you feel.

Good luck.

Just to add that I’ve usually felt quite sore for the first week, a bit uncomfortable at times in the second week, and raring to go by the third week. I’ve always been able to be put in shops or similar within the first week though but, as I said above, the key is to not feel things are fine and overdo it.

Also, accept all the painkillers. It’s easier to keep on top of that than to end up in real pain.

I actually went shopping the day we came out of hospital (2days after section)
I would gently sit on the floor to change dd bum from when we got home, but be very gentle getting back up, the midwife actually told me off for acting 'normal' so quickly and said I had to take it easy.
As for household stuff and carrying stuff, a long time, months even. I had days where I felt good and days where I couldn't even move.
Just give yourself lots of time and don't pressure yourself

We were going out for coffee and short walks by day 4 or 5 although I felt a little bit bruised and out of breath (just like I was really unfit). 10 days post section I walked 2 miles to the village along footpaths and back again - probably slower than usual but perfectly comfortably. By 2.5 weeks I was happily doing long walks with baby in the sling. At 3 weeks I did a fast walking park run with the pushchair. At 4 weeks I felt able to do some very gentle gym exercises (literally was an excuse to have an hour to myself and go out somewhere different). I ran 5km in one go (a bit accidentally) 6 weeks post-op.

I’m under no illusions that this is normal and know I was really lucky to have such an easy ride!! I think being physically fit and active right up until he was born helped a lot. As did moving around early on.

Didn’t feel like myself for 6 weeks. I left the house for short walks after a week and husband went back to work after 2 weeks and I coped but I didn’t feel normal till week 6. I don’t know if it was mind over matter I was terrified I’d split scar.

@eandz13
I am 4 weeks post first section
I was hoovering and making soup etc on day 3 basically acting normal I'm v independent and a bad patient' however at 2 weeks post section an infection started so I've really paid for it as doing too much to start has ruined and really prolonged my recovery I would of been driving etc by now but still resting my wound is 80% better now but it was really painful and gunky

A few weeks. I over did it too thinking I was fine and ended up with heavier bleeding for another two weeks.

They say the heaviest thing you should lift is your baby. I had a 2 year old after my last section and it was definately hard, but try not to do too much as you could set yourself back a bit.

I'm 2.5 weeks on now and feeling 95 percent of the way there I'd say. I can do everything with the baby, and have been able to since 24 hours after. I can do most things around the house, but I'm still being wary of anything that involves heavy lifting, twisting etc - so I can do laundry but would avoid lifting a full basket of wet clothes, for example.

I'm able to take the pram out for a walk, but not feeling ready to push it uphill for any long stretches just yet, so I'm picking my routes carefully.

I don't feel ready to lift my toddler yet but I'm definitely getting there, maybe another week.

This is my second section, the first was similar in terms of recovery. But my first was an emergency and my second a bit complicated so I suspect if everything is straightforward for you, you may recover quicker than me.

I was feeling completely normal after 3 weeks.

I had a really difficult emergency section after a long labour, but the recovery was actually a bit better than I expected. The first few days were really tough (but we were in hospital for a week anyway). I needed help to walk / shower and couldn't even lift the baby. However, within a week things started to improve really quickly, and I was able to do a short walk around the block at about day 10. I was driving at 5 weeks and pretty much back to normal by then.

I'm having an elective section next month and feel quite relaxed about it.