Positive recovery from c section

[Sparks654]

Hi Ladies

I am feeling nervous about the prospect of major surgery and wondered if anyone could give me a positive story about their c section experience. Reading up all about catheters, bleeding etc is quite scary!

Thanks

I honestly found it ok. I had an emergency C-section (2 years ago tomorrow!) after failure to progress and baby starting to show signs of being in distress.

The catheter was inserted after anaesthesia was started, so other than a bit of light touch I felt nothing. It was removed the following morning. It was quick, easy and painless. Bleeding stopped very quickly after only a couple of days. During the operation itself I only lost an average amount of blood (400ml). Pain wise, I found it manageable on paracetamol and ibuprofen. If I stayed still too long (more than a couple of hours) I'd get stiff and achey, but even hobbling around the house helped prevent that. The only problem I did encounter was that as I over did it, my wound got infected. But (despite what my husband says...) I had minimal help, so had no choice.

I’ve had 2.
I was up, showering as soon as the spinal wore off and home in about 24 hours post section.
No drains, not much bleeding, pain really well controlled.
Breast fed straight away too.
I went at my own pace but made sure I took the pain killers and made sure I had a high fibre diet to avoid constipation.

The operation its self was a lovely experience, the radio was on in the corner, it was calm, controlled and the theatre staff seemed to be just as excited as we were.
I was in and out in a very short time.

I was pushing the pram through the snow taking my older child to school at day 10 as my dh had gone back to work. (I had no other help or support).

All together a great experience! You’ll be absolutely fine.

I had two planned c-sections due to hip/pelvis issues - was easier than I expected both times I came off painkillers quite fast and was able to do pretty much everything I needed to do (even when I had a toddler as well) after a few days. The difficulty of c-sections is they go through a lot of layers so you can have problems if any of them aren't sewn up neatly but as long as that's the case recovery can be quite quick.

Like @Brandnewskytohangyourstarsupon I found both a relaxed experience (even if my second was, technically, 'emergency' because I went into labour 8 hours before the planned c-section!), I chose music to put on during it and it was generally pleasant.

It's much easier to recover from a planned one than the sort that happens after you've been in labour for hours and hours (maybe a day plus) when you'd be exhausted and possibly also feeling disappointment about not having had a the birth you planned for (although I don't think any mum should do herself down about that at all).

My main tip is make sure someone is with you in the recovery room - I sent DH off to call people with the news and he was gone for ages with me sitting there rather bleary with a newborn and in retrospect I'd rather have had him there.

I had one elective c section and one vaginal birth and the vaginal one was a much worse recovery!

You do have a catheter for usually up to 24 hours after (depends on specific hospital policy) but it's great cause you don't need to get up and go to the toilet. Removing it took less than 10 seconds and was absolutely fine. Bleeding is usually lighter as they kinda suck a lot out of your uterus while you're in theatre.

First time they get you out of bed you might feel like you are ripping all your stitches open but it rapidly improves the more you potter about. You can't use your stomach muscles for a bit so have to pull yourself up or roll over to get out of bed. I found that the most difficult thing tbh. Otherwise, I was back driving again 3 weeks later and healed absolutely fine!

I've had 2 and honestly they were fine - my second was for twins and I had the catheter out as soon as feeling came back and I was on my feet visiting my babies in NICU. Driving within 2 weeks x

2 x emcs here, both with very easy physical recoveries. With my second, they took the catheter out as soon as I got to the ward (six hours afterwards). I showered. We went home the next day and the day after that, we went out for lunch.

Pain was minimal (I wasn't taking pain killers), by the end of week 2 I was back doing the 3 mile round-trip school run pushing the pram.

I've had an EMCS and a planned one.
Home the next day with both.
Only had paracetamol and ibuprofen with both.
My biggest bit of advice is to make sure you take the pain relief regularly so you keep on top of the pain. My nurses were really slow at giving pain relief and when the last dose wore off, that was the worst part for me.

I didn't find the bleeding after either that heavy.

And get lots of rest when you get home, which can be hard but you will feel it if you try and do too much too soon.

I had an 'emergency C section', although wasn't so much an emergency, just that I never went into labour.
I had a very positive experience. The actual surgery was very chilled, we had my music playing, my husband was sitting with me and at one point I got a little nervous so he just showed me videos on his phone. Baby was placed into my arms and was breastfeeding on me whilst I was being stitched up. I was up and walking after about 6 hours. I didn't have much pain at all, just ibuprofen and paracetamol was enough for my entire recovery. The catheter was honestly my favourite thing, after 9 months of constantly needing to pee it was lovely for 12 hours of not needing to!
Eat lots of fruit after surgery and accept stool softener to make going to poop easier as this can be a bit painful after an abdo surgery. I was up and running 5ks 6 weeks after my C-section and I drove again after 4 weeks. I had some slight pain, mostly getting up from bed, for 1 week and then I was completely fine.
Not sure how far along you are but I truly believe that being extremely fit and active in my pregnancy is what made my recovery so smooth! Do as much walking, swimming, light exercise as you can until baby comes and it will definitely help!

I’ve had four c sections and they were all fine. Sore for a couple of days (perhaps four days for the last one) but otherwise up and about, and looking after my other little children at the same time.

Without a doubt some women have a difficult and painful recovery but I don’t think that is the normal or expected experience.

Well you bleed regardless of natural birth or csection, the bleeding is from the placental wound not the C-section. Catheter is a godsend, don’t have to worry about getting up to pee when you’re at the sorest part and feeding/snuggling your newborn! It’s gone then within 24 hours and you can gently get moving. Moving is the best thing for recovery, staying in bed for days makes it tougher.

I had 2 emcs. In the second I also had a PPH. But I feel positive about my recoveries both times - in the grand scheme of things it really isn’t long that you’re incapacitated for. By 3 weeks I was back to normal both times and doing quite adventurous & active stuff, both dc were ebf and although I have vague memories of feeling pretty rough for a week or so after dc2, the lovely I’ve just grown a baby feelings were much stronger and are my overwhelming memories of the time. I can honestly say I have zero memory of catheters - it just didn’t register.

Best advice I had was keep taking pain killers and do half as much as you feel you can, then you won’t overdo it.

I had a planned section. It was a lovely, calm experience. I walked to the surgery, got on the bed, everyone was lovely, kind and reassuring, I was given a numbing agent on my spine then they injected the anaesthetic. They checked repeatedly to make sure I couldn't feel anything from mid torso down before getting started.

Recovery was easier than I thought it would be. I recovered quicker than a number of vaginal birth NCT mums which I wasn't expecting. I got by fine on paracetamol but I did ask the Dr to discharge me with a small amount of stronger painkillers in case it got worse at home. I didn't need them.

I had a catheter in for 3 days because I had a 'lazy bladder' from the anaesthetic however, I had no issues with it being in, removed and then reinserted. I was up and about quickly and going on short walks by day 4/5. I felt stiff more than anything like if I walked straight I'd burst the wound but nothing like that happened.

I would opt for one again if I had a choice in the matter.

Don't stress about it. The day can seem overwhelming but it's not too bad. The worst part of the actual surgery for me was the feeling of my legs going dead. You will feel nothing else ☺️.

The first time you stand up is painful yes, but once you get used to the pain its manageable. In a week or so you will feel much much better.

Good luck!

I had an emergency C-section with a general anaesthetic due to a placental abruption, so I'd also lost a lot of blood, but my recovery was very straightforward once I'd got over the nausea after the GA. All I remember being painful was getting in and out of bed.

I had a lovely, calm C section, it was my best birth. I'd never had surgery before and was terrified beforehand. Honestly, it was an unexpectedly good experience.

With the recovery, it might be one of those things where it's sensible to expect the best but plan for being out of action anyway. Fill the freezer, try to arrange help, especially if you have older kids. My recovery was smooth but it did take a few weeks. If you're fine, which will probably be the case, you'll still benefit from having everything pre organised.

I had two planned c-sections due to various issues and both were absolutely fine. I breastfed both kids successfully for a year each afterwards. I think a planned c-section is infinitely easier than the risks associated with natural birth. So Many of the mothers I know have really scary natural birth stories but I don’t know anyone who has had a bad time with a planned c-section.

I had two planned and honestly feel like my birth stories and recoveries were waaay better than those of my friends that had vaginal births think the only scare mongering done is by those in the nhs as it costs more than a vaginal birth.

I had a really positive experience, the worst part was the waiting around all day and the short walk to theatre. Don't worry about catheters, I didn't feel a thing when mine was taken out (I asked to keep it in overnight because I was a little unsteady on my feet).
By day 3 I would say I had 80% of movement back, I could bend etc and within the week I was confident enough to be left in the house alone

Mine was really good. The incision itself was quite small as baby was only 3lb so I imagine that made a difference.

Not sure what you mean by bleeding but vaginal bleeding wasn't any more or less than when I had a vaginal birth. Didn't bleed anywhere else.

I was in for 3 days but that's only because baby was in NICU.

Catheter was no bother and was out a few hrs after the birth.

Take an extension lead with you to charge your gadgets.

I had a planned csec as dd was breeched. It went seamlessly, My scar I thought was a work of art. no overhang at all. and even though it was painful as hell, staying on top of painkillers is the only way. I could not do any exercise for 4-5 months. but after 10 month, all flat and concealed under knickers.

Mine was 5 years ago now but I would choose it again. Just be gentle with yourself at the start and ask for help. You'll soon heal and it will be so worth it. My surgery was quite relaxing in a weird way, I'd done a bit of hypno birthing and stayed really calm. The radio was playing and they all introduced themselves beforehand.

My scar is so neat too. I hope it all goes well so you.

Planned c-section was so enjoyable compared to my first (emergency c-sec). Was relaxed going in, staff all calm and it’s such a routine procedure. I actually found getting a root canal was worse! Recovery was easier second time round, but I think that’s because I knew what to expect. Best way I can describe it is when you do loads of exercise and then ache and just want to lie down and do nothing! The first time standing up can feel a bit tight, but as long as you keep trying to stand up straight and not hunch the healing will start straight away. 🌷

Mine was a really calm experience and very quick recovery with very little pain. The worst part was walking into the operating theatre with all the people and machines there etc - the rest was fine.

i don’t have the “overhang” that people sometimes mention and my scar faded very quickly so now you would not be able to tell I ever had any surgery.

i had an EMCS with my second and despite the circs surrounding it (DD was very poorly and was in NNU straight after delivery) my personal recovery was very straightforward and I found the process to be less traumatic than my first delivery. Walking again as soon as I was able and despite the delay was breastfeeding as soon as I was able. The worst part for me was definitely the trapped wind after! Felt worse than labour pains so I’d definitely have some windeeze to hand just in case!

Oh and my scar is so faint 2 years on, it was a purple line for ages and literally disappeared one day! I have a tiny pouch above but then never had the flattest stomach in the first place!