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Pregnancy

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Original poster

C - Section Recovery

18 replies

lolabanola · 11/09/2010 21:39

Hi,

I have a c - section booked for the 24th due to a low lying placenta. Could anyone please tell me how quickly I can be back on my feet? ie, how long will I be house bound for? Also I have to go abroad 6 weeks after the c - section and will be travelling alone with my baby, is it reasonable of me to think I will be able to do this?!

Many Thanks!

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Meglet · 11/09/2010 21:44

The guidelines seem to differ but it's unlikely you will be up to driving for about a month, I always waited for 6 weeks until I'd had my post natal check.

IME I was barely out of pyjamas / showering regularly at 6 weeks after my first cs, there would be no way I could have gone anywhere apart from the supermarket.

You don't have to be housebound after a cs, but you have to let your body recover.

Can you postpone your trip, even with a good cs recovery you will still be worn out from looking after the baby.

MarkStretch · 11/09/2010 21:45

My advice to you would be to take it really really easy for the first couple of weeks, if you overdo it you will really feel it.

And also, keep taking your painkillers even if you feel ok and like you don't need them. I kept thinking I was fine and would skip taking my painkillers/anti inflammatories and would regret it later.

I flew with my dd 5 weeks after she was born by emergency c-section and was fine but made sure I had someone at either end to lift my bags, buggy and baby seat.

Having had a planned c-section with DS last year I would say my recovery was much quicker than with an emergency so you may feel ok quite quickly.

Hope that helps.

Original poster

lolabanola · 11/09/2010 21:47

No, sadly there is no way I can postpone the trip! I did read that planned / elective c - sections have quickier recovery rates than emergency ones ... hoping that this is the case anyway!

OP posts:

mummynoseynora · 11/09/2010 21:48

It seems to vary hugely

I have had 2 emergency sections - and was up and about really quickly with both - felt back to normal within 2/3 weeks MAX - that includes no pain killers or anything and starting to go for walks and things....

my sister however has now had 3 and each time has had a horrifically slow recovery - after her second I remember at 6 weeks post section she was able to move with less ability than I did 24 hours after the birth

The only recommendation I would have would be to make sure you do slightly LESS than you feel able - if you don't its very easy to over do it and then push back the recovery.

Original poster

lolabanola · 11/09/2010 21:49

Thanks MarkStretch ... good to hear that someone else has also travelled soon after having a c - section ... good idea about having someone there for bags etc.

OP posts:

paddyclamp · 11/09/2010 22:25

I was driving within a week of my c-section and it didn't give me a days pain! Was on paracetemol only after about 2 days!

It is possible!

Haliborange · 11/09/2010 22:29

I was up to walking a couple of miles within 3 weeks of my first section, but recovery times are extremely individual and even though I felt better I certainly wouldn't have lugged anything heavy about. I also recall that having the baby in the sling for more than an hour or so was uncomfortable for a couple of months.

I'm all for just getting on with things (I got up for a wee wander within a few hours of the op both times). You do have to watch it though. I went to the shops round the corner when DD1 was 4 days old, nearly collapsed on the way home and was bounced back into hospital for another night.

kiwidreamer · 12/09/2010 08:21

I would say get up and moving the day after the operation but still take it easy. I found my recovery fine, within two weeks I was cautious but almost normal, each day walking up three flights of stairs to our flat but very very slowly! The worst thing would be to push yourself too far and end up with an infection and back in hospital which happened with a friend of mine. Take arnica and hypercal tablets to aid internal healing as well as your pain meds, keep moving (every day moving not long walks or anything for the first few weeks) but dont lift anything heavier than your new baby. Good luck!

EleFunTess · 12/09/2010 08:28

I was fine - mobile and active - 6 weeks post both my sections (one emergency, one elective) but I could not have travelled alone with a child/luggage etc so soon. Absolutely not. You really shouldn't be lifting anything heavier than your baby at that stage (and even then, you will need to exercise caution). If you push yourself too hard, you may end up injuring yourself. It's a very deep wound and needs time to heal.

ttalloo · 12/09/2010 08:32

I was up and about and moving comfortably within three days of each of my planned CSs, and by the time I was home I was in no pain, and lifting the baby with no trouble.

Having a planned CS definitely helped, but so did the fact that my obstetrician glued me back together. It might be worth checking what method your surgeon uses - gluing is apparently the best, followed by stitches. Stapling is the hardest to recover from.

After six weeks, though, I am sure you will be fine to travel - but I'd get as much mileage as I can out of being a new mum and having had a CS, to get airport and airline staff to help as much as possible!

Good luck!

BTW, in case this should happen to you, one weird thing about having a CS is that on both occasions after mine I got an awful pain in my right shoulder, which turned out to be trapped wind. The nurses gave me peppermint tea, which cleared it up in no time!

DetectivePotato · 12/09/2010 08:43

Driving isn't recommended until you are at least 6 weeks. It is daft to drive sooner! It can affect your insurance for a start.

MumtoF · 12/09/2010 09:18

You can drive as long as you get permission from your insurance company, some require confirmation from your GP. Most people drive at 3-4 weeks. I think going away 6 weeks after would be fine but would have the baby in a baby carrier/sling and only wheely luggage. Avoid lifting at all costs as people i know who lifted have had twinges indefinitely.

Recovery varies from person to person but key is to be mobile but take it easy. So walking short distances frequently - too far and you will get pain. Also, keep an eye out for an infection. They are not necessarily obvious straight away but if your incision looks redder or swollen than it did this may be the start of it. If you wait until it starts to show classics signs such as weeping it is more difficult to knock it on the head.

You need to take really good care of yourself for the 6 weeks pre trip and you will be fine.

missp2010 · 13/09/2010 21:52

Are you visiting family or friends? I went on holiday when DD was only three weeks (emergency cs). But we drove (went to south france) and I was with DH and my Mum and Dad so I didn't really do much at all while we were away. At the time I felt my recovery was slow but in hindsight I realise not many people would go away with a three week old, and I actually felt pretty good. I had an elective with DS and had a really rough time, even though most say that planned cs are easier. However, I'd say that by six weeks I was feeling ok, not great by any means, but still ok. So recovery can vary from cs to cs let alone with different people!

I'd say it really depends on what you will be doing while you're away. The travelling should be fine provided other people can lift and carry your luggage.

Use it as a good reason to do nothing at all in the first few weeks!

Chynah · 13/09/2010 22:04

I have had 2 ELCS and had no pain whatsoever from them. Recovery was quick and good and was driving within 8 days (Ask your insurance co if you feel OK - many have no policy at all regarding surgery and will let you drive if our GP Oks it). I was back out running 5 weeks post surgery both times with no problems.

SkiHorseWonAWean · 14/09/2010 07:14

Guidelines shmidelines.

Only you will know how it goes. I did "too much" at first because I had to walk to the town hall to register his birth the day after I got out of hospital (crazy local laws!). As I hobbled along the pavement I was overtaken by oldies with zimmer frames!

However, I drove after 10 days and was back riding my horse at 6 weeks.

The "no driving because of insurance" thing is a myth.

Claz1001 · 14/09/2010 09:30

I found recovery very quick and flew long haul at 8 weeks post op with no problems at all. It varies a lot person to person, but I would imagine you will be fine after 6 weeks. First week is a little sore but after that things improve quickly, at least in my experience.

SuzieHomemaker · 14/09/2010 09:45

As everyone has said it does vary from person to person and IME c-section to c-section. My first was an emergency after a very long labour and I was in a lot of pain afterwards. Not really surprising, no one would prepare for an operation on a leg by going for a long run before hand.

The two others were both elective and the pain was much less. After the third I went back to work after 4 weeks.

Do take all the pain relief that is on offer. You dont get a prize for not using them and it is not a sign of weakness or a sign of how you will be 6 weeks later. Taking the pain relief will help your recovery.

tabouleh · 14/09/2010 11:58

All car insurance is invalid if you have been medically declared unfit to drive.

Therefore after any operation you need to ask you doctors when you will be ok to drive.

You can then check with your insurance company whether they have a blanket ban for X weeks or if they are happy to go on medical advice.

The risk of driving after a C Section relates to emergency stops. The force required to execute an emergency stop can cause damage to the wound.

You will need to make sure that your travel insurance company is aware that you have had major surgery otherwise you will invalidate that insurance also.

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