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Postnatal health

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When will I feel normal again after C-section

32 replies

gills22 · 19/02/2025 23:01

Hello All,

I am hoping you can advise.
When did you start to feel semi normal again after labour/ C-section???

I had an emergency C-Section on Sunday evening after a failed induction and I am struggling right now. I knew if I needed one it would be painful but this is beyond what I expected. It's a daily struggle and the meds are not helping.

I just need some help and advice on how to get through this recovery period.

OP posts:
Scutterbug · 20/02/2025 22:36

I’ve had four and I think a week in you start to see a huge difference.

Disturbia81 · 20/02/2025 22:39

1 week feel a bit better, 2 weeks feel much more better, and then quickly from there.

Lunamoon23 · 23/02/2025 13:48

You have my sympathies. I'm 10 weeks post c section now and remember the shock the first week at just how debilitating it was. I just want to tell you, how your feeling is completely normal.
I'd say by 4 weeks I was feeling a lot better, by 6 weeks, pretty much back to normal but still being mindful of the fact I was still healing.

My advice would be, rest. I know it's really difficult with a newborn but I'm hoping you have support at home, stay in bed, just move little and often to toilet and shower, otherwise, rest. Have your partner do anything required downstairs, eg: cooking dinner, etc etc. rest was so important to my recovery.
Second, stagger your medication, so 2 paracetamol, 2 hours later, 2 ibuprofen. (I'm unsure if you've got another stronger, if not and your really struggling, contact your midwife and ask for something, if your not breastfeeding, your partner can do to the pharmacy and ask for co-codimal)
Eat healthy, and stay hydrated. But most importantly, REST. I know there is this pressure to be back to normal asap, but you've just had major abdominal surgery, it will take time to feel better and that's absolutely fine. And take this time to just enjoy soaking up the newborn cuddles, because before you know it you'll be back to normal and have little downtime. ❤️

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 23/02/2025 13:56

You really have my sympathies.

I came home the day after my caesarean without any pain medication and I was totally unprepared for how painful it actually was. I'd never had any kind of operation before. I think it was about day 10 that I started to feel human again. Being able to sleep in a position other than propped up on my back was like heaven!

Anyone who thinks a caesarean is easier than a vaginal birth is deluded.

Congratulations, OP. I hope you're feeling more comfortable now.

Chanel05 · 23/02/2025 14:01

I've had category 1 and a category 2 emergency sections. After my cat 1, it took 5 months to feel fully healed and normal again. After my cat 2, I felt normal after 5 weeks.

SnakebitesandSambucas · 23/02/2025 14:33

I've had 2 one under GA and one spinal. But I found a post partum binder helped. Supported my back as well as feeding. Pace yourself and take the meds. Glad your getting the spasms looked into. Stop comparing yourself to another women who was running marathons etc. your body is yours and recovery is different.

sofasofa42 · 24/02/2025 08:35

It gets easier by the minute. Keep up with the drugs.
I found everyone talking about 6 weeks really unhelpful... but 6 weeks to the day I felt normal again.

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