What is C section recovery like?

[crazychemist]

Hi there,

I’m only 13 weeks, so this is a bit early to be thinking about this! But it was going round and round in my head last night.... basically, what is it like when you’re recovering from a c-section? How long do you usually stay in hospital? Although I know people in RL who have had them, I feel too awkward to ask them loads of questions!

I had a really lovely water birth with DD1 and had hoped to have something similar this time if possible. But there are a few things that make it more likely I’ll have a c-section this time round (I’ve got mono-chorionic twins, and their placenta is anterior and low). Suddenly finding myself a little bit stressed about the possibility of caring for newborn twins and a 4yo DD who will probably be feeling a bit displaced!

How long is it until you can bend/pick things up relatively normally? I’m worrier I won’t be able to pick up my 4 year old for aaaaaages, and I have no idea how to feed twins if I can’t pick up easily. I’m guessing twisting is also out of action for a good long time? Do you have to have strong pain killers? I’m assuming yes, as they cut through muscle and all sorts. Worried about being dopey/poorly coordinated while looking after little ones.

My DH is definitely going to take his 2 weeks of paternity leave (he only took one day for DD, but that was absolutely fine that time), but I’m wondering if he should take more if it’s likely I won’t be fully recovered by then? You’re not supposed to drive for a good few weeks I think.

I would suggest you do a search, there are lots of previous threads on this.

I found it fine. I was up within 6 hours, looked after DS without help, didn’t need any more pain relief than paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine, and was discharged 24 hours after he was born (my choice). I carried DS in my arms from the ward to the car (a bloody long way, thanks DH!) with no issues. Within a few days I was able to do short walks, and by a week felt pretty much completely mobile, if a bit sore. I probably could have driven by 2 weeks but left it to 4 in the end (most insurers say ’on medical advice’ and the drs say ’if you can do an emergency stop without pain’).

Monochorionic twins are likely to be a bit early so expect to be in hospital for a few days at least.

I had an elective in 2017. I was first in so on post natal by midday, I was stood and walking not long after. I went home the following morning (I had gestational diabetes so I had to stay in the night before too. I was exhausted because hospitals aren't the easiest places to sleep).
Everything I read before hand said moving as soon as you can (sensibly) aides recovery and I found this to be true. I clearly remember sitting on the kitchen floor helping load the washing machine. We walked to the local shop about 48 hours after delivery, I pushed the pushchair which I felt helped make walking easier.
I didn't lift anything heavier than my DS though.
I think it's very much a case of do something but not too much, I couldn't get out the bath on my own and was careful.
I'm having another elective in September, overall I loved the experience and recovered well

I felt fine afterwards - a tiny bit sore but I’d do it again for my second. I was up and walking around within 5 hours (have to wait for the spinal/leg numbness to wear off) and the midwives kept commenting that I was walking as if I hadn’t had a section! My advice is to get up and try and be mobile as soon as you can - don’t over do it but get up to get a drink, go to the loo, have a shower etc. I was constantly offered a wheelchair to get around but declined all the time. Not having any help (DH wasn’t allowed on the mat ward due to covid) pushes me to do more than I should have if I’m honest in hindsight, I should have asked the midwives for some help with picking up my bags from the floor etc. I’m 4 weeks pp now and feel fab x

Hello I have MC twins too and had them by elcs. It was totally fine and I had a very positive experience and I had wanted a natural, water birth before I found out I had 2 on board.
My twins were in hospital for a week as they were a bit prem (35w) but I was up and about within about 24 hours I also managed to breast feed them both and express for top up feeds. When we went home, I was able to pick both of them up etc and we took them for their first walk in the pram at about 10 days old and I was fine pushing it. I didn't drive for about 5 or 6 weeks but I didn't really have too as we lived within walking distance of lots of places.I did have strong pain killers but only at the very beggining and I I didn't feel out of it. We were also on a special ward for early babies (transitional care) so I had lots of help with the twins feeding and changing etc. Bending and picking things up maybe a week or 2 but normal everyday things were fine. Also remember twins are normally quite small for their age so it wasn't like a had a 10lb baby to lift! OH had 4 weeks off though which was a big help- his company gave him 2 extra weeks as we were having twins -worth asking it was a big help he got 2 weeks full pay and 2 weeks statutory. I would call in any offers of help for cooking/helping with your 4 year old etc but I wish I hadn't worried so much about my c.s!

I had an elcs 7 months ago. I was home the next day. The first couple of days were a bit sore but fine. Bending and stretching was a bit of a trial but only for the first week I'd say. I felt fine after a couple of weeks. I'd definitely do it again if I have any more children.

My experience is very different, while I don’t want to put you off, standing for the first time was hell, I nearly vomited from the pain. I also still feel pain randomly from time to time 13 weeks on

That said I’ve spoken to friends with planned CS vs EMCS and all us EMCS found it worse, perhaps psychological, or maybe there are small differences in EMCS and planned

It will take me until I forget about it to think I would do it again

Mine was fine and actually a lot quicker than my "normal" birth which was somewhat traumatic!

My experience was the same as @BadAlice's, and mine was an emergency section. I was very pleasantly surprised by the whole process and recovery and would choose a section if I was ever to have another's

Varies dramatically. Dc1 I got up five hours later and got dressed. Didn't take pain killers and was walking to nicu within 24 hours. Stayed 3 nights because they wouldn't discharge me alone. Dc2, again very easy. No pain killers after theatre. Stayed 1 night. Went out for lunch and to messy church the following day. Was back walking the 3 mile round trip to preschool with dc1 by the end of week 2 pushing the pram. I literally bounced back.

That said I’ve spoken to friends with planned CS vs EMCS and all us EMCS found it worse, perhaps psychological, or maybe there are small differences in EMCS and planned

I'm the opposite. Both mine were emergencies and I've had the easiest recoveries of everyone I know, electives included. With my first, it was preceded by a very long labour, pushing, failed forceps and being cut hip to hip. Psychologically it was awful, physically fine. I think there are multiple factors at play.

I have had 3 c-sections (all elective and all for different reasons). Initially I found getting my head round having to have one was the most difficult. I felt that i 'failed' at having the 'perfect' birth. Once I accepted that it was outside of my control and as long as everyone is healthy it does not matter how they baby was born I found them very positive experiences.

With ds1 I was in 5 days - struggled mentally and with breastfeeding, missed out on a meal when I went into a ward and fainted the next day.

Ds2 - 3 days - I was much more aware of how to cope mentally and how to get the support needed. I took loads of food and coped well.

Ds3 - 1 day - a bit of a pro really. But I did far too much when I came home and my stitches became infected twice.

Mine was hideous!

I've had two vaginal births and one c section

Recovery was painful, it's major surgery.
After c section I needed emergency surgery 5 days later, couldn't walk or move properly for months. Left me with unsightly overhang. Had PTSD and still unwell with that 10 years on.
Didn't bond with baby due to all the above.
Successfully sued the NHS for negligence

Just thought I'd balance it out.

Everyone on MN thinks c sections are amazing and pain free

My friends who've also had both births would choose vaginal over csection every time

Just to add, I think with MC twins you are likely to be in hospital for at least 5-days to a week depending on how early they are. Amoungst my twin mum friends we were about average in terms of hospital stay. Mine weren't very ill or anything but they needed treatment for jaundice, a heated cot for 24hrs and then help feeding- 1 was tube fed for a few days. I think we might have been out a bit quicker had we formula fed but not by much. They were born at 35+3 and were 5lb which again was about average for other MCDA twins that we know.

BTW my c-section was with twins and I had a four year old at home. DH had a week off work but it was absolutely fine. I wasn't actually given any strong pain killers (I wasn't actually given anything until I complained and then I only got paracetamol but this was abroad!) but I didn't really need anything after 3 or 4 days.

I had an emergency section after a long labour. DD was partially in the birth canal and it wasn't straightforward, ended up with a difficult incision and they struggled to get her out. She was covered in bruises, and I remember the table rocking as they were trying to haul her out!

Despite that, the recovery was OK - I had oramorph for the first day, and was up and about to the loo (with difficulty) after the first few hours. After about 4 days I was able to get to the shower myself, and bend down to pick things up. Breastfeeding was fine - I used the 'rugby ball' hold to avoid my scar, it was very comfortable. I was in for a week as DD and I were both unwell, and by the time we got home I could get about OK really.

After about 3 weeks I felt pretty much normal and was driving at 5 weeks.

I had an emergenct c-section... recovery took sometime but the actual experience was quite surreal and so rushed. This time i am having an elective as 2 friends of mine had elective abd said its much more relaxed.

Both of my c sections were emergency’s so may be why my experiences are negative.
First I was up and walking a couple of hours later and recovered quite well, was still very painful but didn’t seem to really hinder day to day jobs.
Second was awful and found it very painful. The actual surgery was hard too, the morphine made me feel really ill and just wanted it over with to the point I didn’t care much to hold ds. I haemorrhaged after, needed oxygen and the surgeons were pushing on my stomach to get the clots out possibly? Could be wrong but obviously that impacted how sore I felt afterwards!

I’m now pregnant with ds3 and I’m quite scared to have another c section. I don’t know how I’ll cope with the recovery whilst juggling a two year old (8year old will be fine). Now contemplating a VBA2C but really worried about that too!

Two sections, one EMCS and one planned. The EMCS I had possibly the worst recovery possible. However the planned one I recovered within days. So many factors at play it's impossible to know which roll of the dice you will get. The same can be said for a vaginal birth too!

Lots of variety here! @clareykb, that's very helpful information about how long the stay is likely to be. I'm rather nervous about being away from DD for so long as I feel like it'll make the transition from being an only to a big sister that much bigger and harder for her, but I guess that's just how the dice roll!

Sounds like maybe an elective might be better on balance. I'm probably being a major wuss over this, if that's how they've got to come out, then I should just get on with it! I didn't worry about this at all with DD, I hoped for a vaginal birth and was lucky enough that it all went smoothly, but I'm just so worried about managing recovery with a 4 year old and twins who will very likely be premature.

Thank you all for telling me your experiences, it really helps to hear from people who have been there/done that!