C section recovery

[Avondale91]

Hi all,

I’m soon-to-be first time mum and considering an elective c section for versions reasons.

The bit I’m finding hard to get good information on is the recovery and what to expect there, and I’m conscious of the impact it may have on early days of motherhood. That said, I’m very fortunate and my other half is taking a significant amount of time off work too, so there will be a lot he’ll be able to support with / we’ll be able to do together.

From others experiences of c sections (particularly elective), how limiting was the recovery and for how long? How long was pain relief necessary? From when could you manage gentle walks with the pushchair? How long before you were able to exercise normally?

And were there any day-to-day activities that you found impacted recovery? For example, I’m wondering if I plan to sleep downstairs for a while to avoid stairs whether it would help.

Really keen to hear your recovery experiences! Xx

Easy peasy. Natural birth recovery was horrific physically and mentally.

I’ve had one vaginal and one c section (emergency). Recovery from the vaginal birth was significantly easier. I’m still not right 5 months after the section.

My first was elective due to breech. I have a low pain threshold and for me it was absolute agony. I had to sleep upright for a couple of weeks, and I couldn't have looked after the baby without my other half. I think I'm in the minority though. I had a vbac for my second, and despite deep 2nd degree tears due to shoulder dystocia and a dr sticking an arm up to free her, recovery was a cake walk - I know I was lucky both in our outcome, my very short labour (so I wasn't remotely tired) and my lack of pain after. It was just a little sore when I walked too far or sat in certain ways. I almost opted for a second elective due to the known recovery element, but I'd have had no chance of caring for ds1 properly, so went for the risky (for me painwise) option.

Good luck!!

2 planned sections.

1st one very straight forward quite a lot of blood loss in hospital 48hours. The worst part was the catheter, I hated it, having to carry it around and a newborn in the other arm. Paracetamol for the first few days, laughing and getting in and out of bed the worst parts. Recovery easy very little bleeding after.

2nd one also very straight forward a lot less blood loss again hated the catheter got out of hospital the next day (about 30 hours after section) dressings had changed this time was very thick and made the wound feel a lot more secure! Recovery slightly longer but again felt normal in about a week.

I recovered really well from my emcs and the midwives were saying they hadn’t seen anyone manage to walk upright the day after before! I drove after two weeks and did a kit day at 3 weeks pp. I couldn’t do any heavy lifting for months and my life involves quite a lot of heavy lifting, sex was agony especially the orgasms so I didn’t bother, and the scar area was numb and twingy for several months.
I had an unplanned VBAC for my second with and episiotomy and the recovery was so much quicker. The scar was a bit numb and twingy for serval months but didn’t bother me as much, sex was fine and I could lift things. The labour was fairly long and hard work, god the muscle aches from pushing afterwards but overall my VBAC was much better and if (highly unlikely) I do it again I would aim to VBAC again.

Hi @Avondale91 congratulations on your pregnancy! Yay!
I had a c section in October. I was in labour for 18 hours but didn't dialate enough, it was becoming too much for me and bubba so had an emergency c section.

How limiting was the recovery and for how long? First couple of days i had to have a catheter and a drip for meds as i had got a temperature during labour.

How long was pain relief necessary?
I took painrelief for about a week.
I was also on blood thinning injections which i had to do myself for 6 weeks.

From when could you manage gentle walks with the pushchair?
About 10 days.

How long before you were able to exercise normally?
12 weeks

And were there any day-to-day activities that you found impacted recovery?
No lifting heavy laundry, hoovering, no driving and wrap up if you need to go out.

I had a semi elective 8 days ago (!) after failed induction. I was in hosp for 4 days after as my bladder didn't work for first 24 hrs.

Pain is bad, 7-8/10 for me and I went to GP for more pain relief. Thus is partly exacerbated by having a nasty cough that pulls on mu scar tissue thus far.

The worst thing is getting from lying to upright.

I had two elective sections. I found the pain quite bad for the first 3 days but still manageable. I was able to go for a walk to the pub for lunch by day 5. No issues getting up the stairs. Getting out of bed is hard so make sure you don't attach a baby crib to the side of your bed!

I was able to drive after a week and I wouldn't say there was anything I was unable to do after the first week.

@SamanthaVimes in terms of your bodily functions or pain? I haven't had any births as I am very fearful and have been reading that the c section can pull on the pelvic floor. I already have pain in the region so am worried that surgery would make it worse.

I had an emergency c-section but recovered really quickly, home in less than 24 hours and no complications. Was up and about walking after 24 hours, I did find lifting a bit tricky but made sure to ask for help when lifting baby.
If you do and you recover quickly ( completely aware sometimes people take longer/have a much longer recovery), I'd say still take it very easy. I forgot as I felt well and ended up being really sore for a day or two because I overdid things, So even if you feel well, make sure you rest a lot!

I had an elective section with my second, not going to sugar coat it I found the first 24-48 hours pretty tough, they gave me some dihydrocodine (a moderately strong opioid) which I definitely needed and took regularly for the first few days. After that it was still tender and certain activities were difficult for a few weeks-getting out of bed for example. But I remember I went to an afternoon party for my grandmother on day 5 and felt fine so was definitely manageable. Regular exercise was maybe a good 6 weeks. All in all a good experience though and would have another.

Honestly I think it really depends. I had an emergency section and for other reasons was hooked up on pain meds for about 24hrs, but then fine on ibuprofen after that. I didn't do any heavy lifting but within a week pretty much walking ok and just twinging when I turned. I'd recommend a changing table so you don't have to bend for nappy changes.

Zombie