Four weeks after a c-section, what activity is usually OK?

[CheeryHedgehog]

I am 4 weeks post csection and feeling in the dark about recovery and what activity is ok/not OK. I had limited info other than don't lift anything heavier than baby and have had mixed messages about walking from HV / midwife.

Other than a small infection which has been treated with antibiotics my wound feels pretty good and I've not needed painkillers recently. I've mainly been resting but have started evening walks with husband (he pushes the pram).

With everyone going back to work now though I'm desperate to start doing stuff in the day for my mental health but feeling cautious about doing something that could set recovery back? but thinking if driving is allowed in 2 weeks I should be ok starting to mobilise more now, doing light bits around the house?

Wondering what other people's experiences of recovery have been or any useful resources around what's OK to do when?

It was around 4 weeks I started building up my walking after a very inactive pregnancy. Don’t overdo it but having a decent walk everyday will really help you feel better physically and mentally.
I also started baby wearing around then too so you don’t necessarily need to use the pushchair either .

I did quite a lot of walking from earlier than that after both my c sections. For me it was super important to be outside and a bit active.

I think after 4 weeks you should be fine doing most everyday things and longer walks, just don’t go from zero to all out at once. By that stage I was back to normal in terms of walking long-ish distances, lifting, occasionally doing short gym sessions etc. and I went skiing 7 weeks after baby was born which was completely fine (obviously taking it easier than I otherwise would but there was no pain whatsoever).

I didn’t drive for six weeks but I was walking three miles a day within the first couple weeks. I joined the post natal class when my son was three weeks old (the HV suggested it). I can’t remember when I joined the gym but I went back to work when he was five months and had been going at least two/three months by then. When my Dd was born 20 months later I did the same this time pushing a baby and toddler back up the hill home!

25 years ago, I had a long time planned section.
In the country she was born, few women drove. I asked the obstetrician how long I should wait before I started to drive again. She advised me not to drive back from the hospital and give it another week. I'd been on the ward for 7 days and was going stir crazy.
I had a really uneventful recovery and was back doing most things within about 10 days.

If you feel good, I think it’s fine to start walking. I went out for a short walk every day after my ELCS and was pretty much back to normal by 4 weeks although I didn’t start exercising properly or running until 7 weeks postpartum I think, having been given the go ahead by my doctor.

I was driving ten days after my section and walking and pushing the pram everywhere after three weeks. Just listen to your body and do what you’re comfortable with.

By 14 days I was driving , visiting our horses and doing the school run for our older child . I was out and about before that with someone else driving .