C section recovery experiences?

[beaniesunrise]

Hi all,

I had a vaginal birth my first time around and I’m considering an Elective C section for second baby.

Wanted to find out information on recovery and what to expect. How long was the recovery? How long did you take pain medication, what medication? Any tips e.g. heat for pain relief? Could you walk up stairs? If you have other children, how did you manage during recovery?

Keen to hear your experiences!

I think it varies. I had an elective second time following horrific vaginal birth and the c section recovery was definitely worse and slower for me. But I noticed whilst I was in hospital that others had c sections and were very quickly up and about and going home so I think I was unlucky.

I really had to rest for at least the first 3 weeks and couldn’t have driven for the first 6. I needed a lot of help with dc 1.

However, I do think dc2 is easier and more content as a result of an easier birth.

I had a C-section in 2022. She was my first baby, so can't talk about experience with another DC.

The worst pain was the first two weeks. This is where I needed to keep on top of the pain meds. They sent me home with morphine and I took paracetamol and ibuprofen every few hours like clockwork. If you don't keep on top of the pain meds you definitely know about it!

I could get up and down the stairs ok. Slowly, but ok. Can lift baby but nothing heavier.
You have to be strict with yourself and when people tell you not to lift things or do house chores like carrying washing and hoovering - don't do it! You will only make it worse for yourself.

I started to feel normal around 4-6 weeks pp. Didn't drive until 6 weeks pp.

My friend had a C section and didn't listen and did house chores and drove etc and she didn't heal properly and the wound kept opening up.

I'd definitely have another c section and wouldn't be worried about the recovery 2nd time round.

1 elective 1 emergency and another elective booked in 2 months.

for me first one funnily enough was probably the more difficult one - i think because i was adamant to prove i could still do it all and pushed myself way too far (went for a massive forest walk 2 days pp 😅) ended up with 2 infections but i do think it was my own fault, so don’t push yourself. overall i’d say i felt back to normal (mostly) within 2/3 weeks. was driving after 2 weeks with my second baby.

had a nearly 2 year gap and i think the best thing you can do to recover with another child is to keep a little trolley right next to you full of your toddlers favourite things! e.g. drinks, snacks, colouring stuff etc. will definitely be doing that this time as the worst part for me was toddler asking for things and me having to drag myself through the house in pain.

probably took max dose painkillers for 3 days then weaned off within a week. dyhydracodeine at first and then paracetamol.

It varies. I had an emergency C-section after failed ventouse and forceps and two days in labour so my recovery was slow and I was on morphine. I couldn’t/ didn’t drive for 10 weeks. My SIL who had an elective C-section recovered really quickly. I went on to have a vbac two years later and recovery was much quicker for me.

I’ve had two c sections after labour and honestly, labour was so much harder. The section was the nice bit!

I was up and walking after about 8 hours. I could have got up after 4 but you need to wait until the catheter is out. I was home the next day. The worst part of the op was feeling my legs go numb, feeling a bit sick after and the fact you’re lying in hospital immobile for a few hours after. Just make sure you keep moving about when you can. Tbh I wasn’t fussed lying in bed because I was with the baby.

Nice thing about an elective is you can plan childcare around it. As pain after is variable I’d make sure you have someone to watch your other child. The scar bit is sore and you need to walk around carefully, but really wasn’t that bad. You get codeine and take that along with paracetamol and ibuprofen. I felt perfectly fine but when the painkillers started wearing off would get a dull ache. After a few weeks there was no pain whatsoever.

Personally the idea of vaginal pain and complications is so much worse! I guess it just felt like a strong bruise around my scar, but each time I took painkillers the pain went away completely for me. I may have just got off really lightly both times, who knows.

For me recovery was fine but I haven’t had a vaginal delivery to compare.

My LO was born at 3am and I had a shower and was moving around by about 3pm the same day - had visitors and we sat in the hospital kitchen bit that evening (a slow walk there!)

once I was home I could do most things just slowly - worse being moving between sitting and standing. Once I was sat or stood I was fine.

went for a walk with LO in a carrier the day after I got home.

Im 9 weeks post partum and feel completely normal and have done since about weeks 4/5. Could have driven if I’d wanted to. I just have slight numbness on part of my stomach near the scar.

The worst part of the whole experience was the blood thinning injections you have to do for a week afterwards, actual recovery was fine. I never felt ‘in pain’ at any point, more like when you’ve pushed yourself at the gym and you get a bit achey the next day.

Also following this as I have a vaginal birth first time and am considering a c section for baby #2.

I've been told by numerous people that a c section is v. hard to recover from, and the issues around lifting have been mentioned, but that's it! Not sure what else to expect and plan for.

I've bought a second hand 'snugglebundl' to reduce the lifting and have been told to hold a pillow against the scar if coughing/sneezing. I'm considering getting a lighter car seat as ours is pretty hefty and I did struggle last time (had a v.bad tear so was told not to lift anything heavier than baby even after my vaginal), but seems like a big investment and not sure if it's worth it.

Keeping the toddler entertained is going to be interesting, I like the toddler trolley idea 😬