How was your c-section recovery?

[BingerGiscuit]

Hi ladies, I’m being advised to go for a c-section due to some issues I’ve had in the past - it’s to protect me more than baby.
Just wondering how your recovery has gone, either planned or emergency. Is the scar tender? Do you even notice the scar? All stories welcomed - positive and negative! Thank you x

I had an emergency one two days into lockdown in March. It hurt a bit once the meds wore off for a couple days but then was just tender. Took a good 4 weeks for it to feel like it was healing but it wasn’t necessarily painful just uncomfortable. Have plenty of pain meds for when you are home and I found a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel helped when sore. I was up a ladder cleaning windows 3 weeks after it (I got told off by my neighbours who could see me and DP ) ) but I wouldn’t recommend this. I did find I couldn’t walk long distances for a good 6 weeks. I personally wouldn’t even question having another one, it wasn’t half as bad as I expected. In terms of it now, I don’t notice much however it occasionally itches. Hope this helps a little. Hope everything goes well for you and baby xx

I've had two. The first was planned (twins) and was wonderful - I never had any discomfort from it. I was mystified why the midwife insisted on discharging with painkillers.

The second was an emergency and was fucking awful to recover from. The midwife didn't remove the stitches properly and I ended up with a horrendous infection. The gp didn't spot the cause of my infection for nearly 6 weeks despite repeated swabs and antibiotics and accusations that I wasnt keeping good hygiene.

I had one last year and one the year before, first after failed induction and second elective, up and about later that afternoon, codeine for the first 24h then just paracetamol. Was able to potter around the supermarket on day 2/3 and from day 4 whilst I was tender when trying to sit up recovery was much quicker than I expected, scars fine

I had my third section two weeks ago.

The first two (one emergency, one planned) were relatively easy recoveries. This one is a different story. I'm surprised about the amount of pain I'm still in and I keep looking at the wound & feeling horrified! It's still very red and a bit weepy.

Undoubtedly this is because it's number 3 and already scarred skin takes longer to heal. However, the surgeon used staples to put me back together this time and I'm blaming that for a lot of my agony discomfort.

I'm trying my best to keep it aired and clean but obviously that's tricky so I'm just looking forward to the time passing and the wound gradually improving.

Mine was an unplanned C sec after a bleed during labour.
The c sec itself was wonderful. Recovery was very difficult, I had a few different infections. Felt very ill and very weak.
I was feeling more myself after about 6 weeks.
I had a red scar for around 2 years.
This isn’t everyone’s experience though. I have heard that planned c secs have a better recovery time x

Thank you everyone, that’s really helpful.

Any more stories?

Entirely unproblematic - emcs, up and catheter out 12 hours later, walking around town on day 5, don't rember any pain, scar healed quickly and nicely and 2 years on the only annoyance is occasionally it will itch but the area is still a bit numb so I can't scratch it!

I had a planned, private c-section years ago (twins - now teens). I went in on the Monday, our on the Friday. I didn't find it a problem at all. I expected to find it difficult to lift the babies etc but I healed very quickly (I was 36) and I am really pleased I had it. I was soon back to driving as soon as I felt well enough. Really pleased that I took that option tbh.

I had an emergency section following a long labour - it went brilliantly. It was surprisingly chilled given that it was unplanned and it still felt like a great experience. Recovered better than I ever imagined. Though obviously took things easy for a while. Scar very neat and low. I’d have no qualms doing it again and will likely opt for a c-section next time.

Currently on day 9 of recovery and honestly feeling so much better than I thought I would and I also had my right ovary removed during surgery.

The hardest part for me was getting up and moving for the 1st time, I definitely lay to long before moving so try and get up and about as soon as you’re able. After that it’s been good. I’m under no illusions I’m still early on but today I have tidied round the house, been a walk with the pram and made dinner and still feel fine.

Everyone is different and heals differently but my opinion is it’s no where near as bad as I had imagined x