How long did it take you to recover after C-section?

[laurent23]

Just that really!

I'm booked in for ECV at 37 weeks due to having 2 very young DC I'm trying to avoid CS.

If it comes to it, Ill be having ELCS at 39 weeks. Just wondering what's the recovery time? I.e not struggling to pick up children, when did you drive again? etc..

I know everyone is different but looking for some real life experiences to gain some perspective

I don't remember it being a long recovery....
Crash section around 4pm.
At some point that evening I was wheeled to see DD in NICU
I walked to see her the next day.
I took all the painkillers they offered just to make sure I kept topped up!
Think we were in hospital for 4 days. Day after release... so day 5 we were shopping in Tesco..... not something I'd recommend but in my fuddled brain at the time seemed like a necessity !

I started Pilates once I'd past the 6 week mark and that really helped to get my core strength back.

Good luck!

Initial recovery was quick. I was walking gingerly around mothercare buying premmie clothes less than 48 hours after the op, walking a fair distance around the hospital to get to nicu in the following days and driving (with my insurer's blessing) at 10 days. It felt much much longer until I felt "back to normal" but I could function pretty well soon afterwards.

Wow ladies there are so many positive experiences on this thread I'm so glad I posted it's put me so much more at ease!

DD is breech currently so it's looking like an ELCS at week 39 if she doesn't turn so I was hoping to gain some anecdotal perspective. Thanks for all you're replies!!

Good luck op!

Similarly to others I had a quick recovery, off painkillers by day 5 and basically felt fine, walking a couple of km by a week later. Managing household chores by then as well. Avoided lifting for a bit longer although did do toddler bathtime which obviously involved some lifting.

The reason they get you up asap is to reduce risk of blood clots and increase circulation to aid healing. Also the pain relief in the spinal lasts up to 18 hours so it's good to get up before the pain peaks.

I would advise ask for all the morphine you need for the first 2 days. You will feel loads better before you know it.

I’ve had 4, recovered quicker each time, so by number 4 I was driving a week after the section x

I was driving at 3 weeks post ELCS. I had mine at 1pm and got myself out of bed the next morning for breakfast.

@CharlieAteThePies

I kept the catheter for 24 hours and didn't move, which was fab. I wasn't in a rush to get home though, as it was like a mini break. DH stayed with us, so did the lifting/changing baby.

I'm cynical about moving quickly afterwards. I think that the nurses want you up and about to get the bed back and so they aren't answering a call bell all the time.

They want you up and about to reduce the risk of a blood clot.

Believe it or not, nurses don't mind answering call bells.

ELCS at 39 weeks

DS was born at 10am, kept the catheter in overnight, taken out at 8am and helped out of bed, and was able to walk
Had a shower unaided at 9am and was packed and ready to go home by 10am

First trip out for lunch when DS was 4 days old - walked 10 mins to the pub using the pram as a bit of a Zimmer frame!

Ready to drive after 2 weeks, back doing gentle exercises at 6 weeks and running at 8 weeks (well, run-walking)

That's interesting to know re spinal wearing off @SnackSizeRaisin

I was in labour for 26hours then had emc at 4.30am I was up and about and in the shower by midday I don't remember the pain being anything major but when I first stood up it felt very very strange

Booked in for a planned one in October sadly wanted VBAC but not advised hoping it's will be alright as I will have a 15m old at home

@CharlieAteThePies that's very strange comment , they get you up to reduce risk of clotting

I didn't need to move though. They put inflatable boots on me that had a timer and kept squeezing my calves. Actually a lovely kind of massage lol

I had that too @CharlieAteThePies. For 24 hours, didn’t move and still have a numb bum 3.5 years later 😄 I lose half my blood volume though so not standard practise!

*lost, obviously!

I'm two weeks post c section and feel pretty normal apart from my scar being tight and trying to cluster feed newborn

Those first few days were tough, they took my catheter out quite quickly and I couldn't pass urine so I needed another one. I was quite determined to get up and about so I could get out of the hellhole that was the post natal ward but I overdid it and once home I ended up back in. I did have an antepartum haemorrhage and my haemoglobin was shit, unknown amount of pre operative blood loss so I was struggling with breathlessness, fatigue and trying to establish breast feeding. Get people to help you. If they think they can come to hold your baby whilst you do the tasks like making food tell them to bugger off basically and if they aren't willing to feed you or do a chore don't let them through the door, that's what my midwife advised me anyway

Oh and the after pains of your uterus shrinking back are rather painful I found, I didn't feel labour pains but I imagine they are a mild version of contractions and took me by surprise!

@abeanbaked

Oh and the after pains of your uterus shrinking back are rather painful I found, I didn't feel labour pains but I imagine they are a mild version of contractions and took me by surprise!

Oh man that was awful. Far worse with DC2 which no body warned me about. I needed the pain killers just for those.

2 weeks first time (emcs)
9 weeks second time (crash section under general anaesthetic)

I've had two. Most recent one was 14 weeks ago. I feel completely normal now. I walked about 3.5 miles at 5 weeks and it was too far, as I felt a bit achy afterwards. I did the same walk about a week later and I felt fine. I've found recovery easier this time than I did after my first section.

@ShowOfHands

Disagree completely with a pp. Getting up and about ASAP is key to recovery and this is well documented in research.

I was out of bed within a couple of hours both times, catheter out within 3hrs, showered and dressed after 5hrs. Went home 12hrs after my first. Back doing the school run 4 days after my second.

I took things easy of course but I was at home with 2 children on my own 4 days post birth and I was fine to get on with it.

Very similar experience. I was on my feet as soon as my legs allowed (couple of hours?), catheter out shortly after. I only had some pain when sitting up/down, nothing when walking. Only took painkillers for one day as I realized I didn't need them. I took it easy for about a week but then I was absolutely fine. About driving, I didn't know I couldn't and so I just did it about 4 weeks after the c-section (but technically I think I was able from much much earlier, I have an automatic car).

I’ve had two elective , both at 39 weeks.
With both I was up out of bed as soon as catheter taken out. I did need strong painkillers for first few days but once I kept on top of them I was feeling great !
Drove at 5 weeks after first ( had no need to drive anywhere !) second I drove after 2 weeks.
I was basically feeling back to normal after a week on both.
With your kids being so young , you do have to be careful not to lift them for first 6 weeks . Though you may feel fine after a couple of days, you have to remember that you have a lot of internal stiches that need to heal.
You will be fine , I enjoyed both sections , great knowing when baby will be born so you can plan around it!
All the best

1st a few months
2nd I was doing food shopping at 2 weeks

I learned the second time:

To get up as soon as I could feel my legs and keep moving, slowly and gently of course but as much as I could.

Keep on top of pain relief, even if you feel ok.

Say yes to help, even if it's a cup of tea!

Good luck