Csection recovery 10wks PP

[New2020]

Hi all,

I had a csection 10 weeks ago..hospital care was really really poor and I was up the same night caring for the baby and lifting her and sitting on the edge of the bed for hours because the midwife told me they were too busy and I basically had to move things myself. I got no sleep and think this is why my recovery has been so slow.

I'm really worried as 10 weeks in im still finding the area sore and tender. It tends to be worse as the day progresses.

I'm taking it easy and not really heading out for walks even though I'm itching to. Last time I did the two ends opened up slightly so I've been letting them heal.

It's really getting me down as other mums tell me they feel great and I should be fully recovered by now

If you've had a csection did you feel normal again by 6 weeks?

7 weeks post section here. I'm certainly not bouncing down to the gym any time soon but can get out for regular short walks with the buggy or with baby in sling, wound is still sore depending on what I've been doing and I'm trying to take it easy when I can (I've got a 2yo as well as the baby which doesn't help). Tbh, there's not that much to do at the moment so I'm quite enjoying getting to laze on the sofa when I can.

It's major surgery and it's different for everyone both in terms of the surgery they did and how you heal naturally so try not to compare yourself to others - easy said than done though!

To be honest your care sounds fairly standard and I’ve had 3 c sections, unless there was more to your birth I’m not sure if it’s anyone’s fault your recovery is taking longer. I usually still feel gassy and tender at that point but your wound should not be opening up if you are keeping it dry and it’s not red, itchy or oozing. Have you tried support garments? There’s also a silicone gel you can buy online for scars and my hospital recommended scar massage from 6 weeks+.
It can feel a lot worse if you’re stuck inside when you enjoy being out, could you drive somewhere and then sit on a bench with a book? I’m sure you are actually achieving more and improving more than you’re giving yourself credit for.
Has your health visitor been any use?

Almost 10 weeks post C section here. My skin is still very sensitive around the scar, I can still only tolerate granny pants that go up to the armpits (sexy..), but other than that I am going for daily walk of 1 hour with the pram, doing all of the housework, and doing all the maintenance on 3 fish tanks (think carrying buckets of water). I started going outside with the pram around 2 week mark, I was still sore and struggled to negotiate curbs with the pram, but it got gradually better. Going for those walks did me good.

Re hospital care, was same. I ended up putting the baby in hospital bed with me and putting up the side of the bed, and just stayed awake enjoying baby cuddles and letting him suckle all night.

The wound shouldn't be opening at this stage, so if it is, run it by your GP. Otherwise try to get out for walks, it will make you feel better, both mentally and physically.

I’m 5 months post c-section with my 3rd baby,albeit an emergency one after trying for a very long time,post natal care similar to yours,first two babies were vaginal deliveries. I was utterly floored at how awful and slow and painful the recovery was. I first managed the school run,which should be a 10minute walk,when baby was 7 weeks. It took me 40minutes and I was utterly wiped out. I spent the day sitting and lying down to recover,same for about a month. At 4 months I could manage an extra wee walk with the pram at lunchtime,as well as school run morning and afternoon. I found the absolute best thing was to have a few little lie downs throughout the day,just to be flat and let the tummy rest properly. I read a thread on here when I was about 10weeks post section with women saying they were bouncing back and were driving within 2 weeks and walking the dog with the baby in a sling-it made me realise I should stop reading threads like these as I just cried! 5 months now and I’ve started doing a little yoga in the mornings, and enjoying 1-2 hour pram walks,albeit slowly with the other kids. You will get there, just a day at a time.

I had an emergency c-section and felt absolutely fine two weeks later. I don’t think that’s normal though? Maybe give your GP a call OP?

Your care sounds very normal to me, I did everything for my babies as soon as I was out of recovery.
However I felt fully recovered by 4 weeks later at the most. I don’t think it’s down to your care, but maybe you should be further along in your recovery, however everyone is different

First section, had lochia for several weeks but all else was ok.
Second section I felt like shit nearly 12 weeks post section. Wound opened up, antibiotics galore and then the general itchiness, soreness etc.

Both sections 90% back to normal after a week or so, fully ok by two weeks. I'd get it checked out if I were you.

I'm 7 weeks post c section. It's hard! I said only just now to DH "I'm still getting sore by the end of the day". This is my second section but first was 19.5 years ago so I can't remember what it was like to recover tbh! I'm actually finding this thread very reassuring that I'm not back to normal. DH keeps saying "you've had major surgery you will be sore!" And encouraging me to rest more.

9 weeks pp and I'm still sore. Still wearing high waisted pants and maternity trousers that are high. Still hold baby very high up as when I try relax holding baby in lap he would be sat on my scar and its painful. I do minimal bending down still and wouldn't even think of lifting anything heavier than the pushchair! I do try get out for a walk daily, on days I do I feel worse! Don't even want to think about doing anything in the bedroom yet!

Your postnatal care was standard. I only realised how hard c section recovery was after I’d had my second by VBAC.
My wound was fully healed by 6 weeks but I was still in granny pants and it was tender. I certainly wasn’t doing heavy lifting or vigorous exercise.

Op was it an emergency c section? Your recovery will vary if it was planned VS emergency. Took me about nine weeks to feel a tad normal after an emergency, I was induced and had failed forcepts, exhausted was an understatement.
My wound was open at one end, I use to go to the doctors weekly for it to be checked. This was my insistence, not theirs. I did have an antibiotic cream and tablets as I did have an infection.
If I overdone it I would need to spend the next day in bed to gather energy.

Be kind to yourself.