How long did it take you to recover from c-section.

[DirtyBit]

I may have to choose between induction & c-section, or may not have a choice, I find out next week.

I really don't want a c-section as I'm concerned as to how long it will take for me to recover.

DP can only take 2 weeks off work, and then it will just be me and baby and lot of the time, will I cope?

So how long did it take for you to do normal, round the house things?
How long before you were ready to go out e.g. supermarket etc, accompanied by DP?
How long before you were comfortable enough to go out alone with baby?

Would appreciate some words of experience :)

I've had 2 emergency sections, after the first I was out of hospital in 3 days, after the second after 2 days.

DH was off on paternity for 2 weeks both times and by the time he went back to work I was able to do most things. I went round the supermarket with DH about a week after the CS, and to the local shop on my own then too.

My car insurance company said I couldn't drive till after my 6 week check but I would have felt comfortable driving after 3 weeks. Because I live in a rural area I couldn't really go out as in shopping or coffee with friends with DS's before being able to drive, but I did take them to the local play park a fair few times after DH went back to work.

My first CS was scary, I knew nothing about CS before going into theatre but the second, although unplanned ,was not so bad and I recovered a lot better and with very little pain from that one. You do have to take things easy but you will get back to normal fairly soon.

I felt fine on Day 3 of elCS (although being careful) and didn't even take a paracetamol from then on. I was driving on Day 10.

In comparison, I was in bed with horrible pain and unable to do anything, including caring for baby for three weeks after DD's "normal" birth. That was an induction, by the way.

Either way you are going to be sore for a while.

You cant drive for up to 6 weeks becuase of where the seatbelt lies. (Across your wound) Its uncomfortable anyway to even have your knicker elastic sat across it so invest in BIG knickers for the first couple of months.

I pottered a bit more each day but didnt hoover or carry big baskets of washing but DH did all of this either before or after work.

I put the washing out every day as ds was a summer baby and pottered around the garden then to the corner shop.

I was as scared as you sound, but actually i enjoyed my days with ds when DH went back to work when he had to. We got our own little routine going.
Please dont be scared, it will all be ok..i promise.

Took morphine for 48 hours.
On my feet at 12 hours.
Walked in to town on day 4 (bad move, but legal reasons).
Light housework (e.g., loading washing machine) on day 4.
Driving on day 10.
Sex at 2.5 weeks.
Rode my horse at 6 weeks.

I was in hospital 5 days and was better within 2 weeks, I was certianly walking around 3 miles per day at 2 weeks and back to normal in my body. I was 24 though and I took as long when 31 with a vbac. So would say it could depend on your age and general health already.

I was told that I wasn't insured if I drove my car within 6 weeks as it was major surgery. Check with your insurance company to be safe rather than sorry.

I've had two EMCS and I recovered quite well. First 2 weeks the most uncomfortable but both times then rapidly improved.
Drove both times by 4 weeks ish.

With 2nd even managed walking into town (40 mins), pushing phil and teds. Only had the baby as toddler at nursery. Too much to do both ways so got the bus home.
I always found hoovering the worst and both times was too uncomfortable to do it before 8 weeks.
Husband went back to work after 1 week both times. Had visitors to pop in and keep me company.

Hope it all goes well

Thank you all for your replies.

I had visions of being bed-bound for weeks, but it sounds as though it's not as bad as I thought it would be.

I think I'm just a bit scared as I haven't had much time to get used to the idea, after thinking it would be a vaginal birth for so long.

I almost hope I don't get to make the decision, rather than choosing what might feel like the wrong option afterwards and regretting it.

Thanks again :)