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Original poster

What would you say a c section is compared to?

64 replies

Knackered90s · 19/04/2021 14:27

I’ve had gallbladder removal, 2 vaginal births, adult tonsillectomy (gnarly!).. possible c section for this baby.

Could you compare pain/recovery to any other type of surgery or life event to make it more relatable so I can understand what I might be in for?

Thanks!

OP posts:
Amz6219 · 19/04/2021 14:35

I don't think you can compare tbh! I've had excision of endometriosis and all sorts of things but nothing is comparable.

It is tough and painful for the first few weeks and staying on top of painkillers is a definite, but I felt better after a couple of weeks and once I was able to move around more.

You will be given blood thinners (injections) to take home for a few days afterwards too - I got my husband to do it, like ripping off a plaster!

I would say the pain is like cut glass, it's like someone is rubbing cut glass across your stomach... and getting up and down is hard work (particularly from bed - I slept propped up for a couple of weeks)

You still get the same PP bleeding as well, which for some reason I didn't think I would (how naive!)

Sorry, I haven't made it sound particularly pleasant there... xx

Original poster
Knackered90s · 19/04/2021 14:39

@Amz6219 haha you havnt but I know the reality is major surgery so good to know! Thank you!

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 19/04/2021 14:42

I had an ELCS and it was a lot better than a vaginal delivery , was out of hospital faster , didn’t need any pain killers after day 3 and was driving etc within a fortnight .

Original poster
Knackered90s · 19/04/2021 14:45

@Floralnomad fab! I’ve always ‘bounced back’ after surgeries and vaginal births, 2nd birth I was out 6 hours later making brews and loving life!

I realise it’ll be different this time recovery wise though, just want to get an idea of what the pain will actually feel like and how hard it’ll be to navigate that along with caring for two young children.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 19/04/2021 14:48

Our first one was 6 when I had the section but my husband was back at work after a couple of days ( 20 yrs ago) so aside from my mum doing the school run I was doing everything else

AllTheWorldIsGreen · 19/04/2021 15:09

I've had three c sections. One emergency 'crash', one fairly relaxed 'emergency', and one elective. They were surprisingly relatively pain-free so long as I took my painkillers regularly. No blood thinners either, just painkillers after, diclofenac and paracetamol. I discovered that paracetamol is a great deal more effective than I had previously given it credit got. I was more afraid of the thought of pain and I had vivid imaginings of my wound bursting open. And when I had DC number 3 I was PETRIFIED of extremely bouncy DS2 jumping on me and rupturing me. Which didn't happen. The sooner you're up and about the faster you recover.

auldmaw · 19/04/2021 15:13

Hi! I've had my gallbladder removed and an emergency section.
In some ways the immediate recovery was similar - limited movement, struggling to use your core, sleeping propped up etc... but I definitely recovered much faster from my section than the gallbladder surgery.
I was on my feet the next day after the section and out and about visiting by day 9 (with my husband I've got to say, not me carrying car seat). Although this did take it out me. I felt great very quickly after my section and because I felt quite 'normal' I was carrying on like I hadn't just had major abdominal surgery. I had to consciously remind myself to slow down.
Gallbladder surgery felt like my entire core was battered and bruised for much longer. Section felt more localised to lower core.
I don't recall having an awful lot of pain around my wound, more like occasional shooting pains across it. But nothing unmanageable. My freedom of movement returned much faster than after gallbladder surgery and I was driving within 2 weeks.

I realise I've been very lucky. Had a really positive experience of c section and recovery with a very faint scar!

MixedUpFiles · 19/04/2021 15:16

I had an open myomectomy which is basically a c-section incision. For the myomectomy I was prescribed 6 weeks of rest, mostly in bed at the start By the end I was to have worked my way up to being able to go for a short walk.

My csection was similar, actually probably harder because there was so much scar tissue from the myomectomy, but the instructions were, basically, get on with it.

It’s absolutely insane.

Original poster
Knackered90s · 19/04/2021 15:17

@AllTheWorldIsGreen sounds great thank you! Yes I’ll have an 18mo around the time of mine so something to consider (being excitable). With my gallbladder removal the top incision bust open about a week later, it was ok though, just have a whopping scar there now. Pain was bearable. I’m hoping it’s a bit calmer than vaginal birth, my VB have been intense and painful (recovery great though) and lots of screaming so I’m actually quite looking forward to the possibility of it being a nice calming experience for some reason.. I might be very naive about that though!

OP posts:
ArtfulScreamer · 19/04/2021 15:18

I had EMCS and both rear lower wisdom teeth removed within a year.
Wisdom teeth was more painful and uncomfortable but overall recovery was quicker.
EMCS wasn't really all that painful unless I forgot and twisted at the waist to pick something up but overall recovery took a little longer.
It'd be a bizzare choice to be given but I'd rather have a C section than my wisdom teeth out again Grin

Roszie · 19/04/2021 15:21

I had all my babies vaginally with no pain killers and still think the most painful thing I ever did was having my tonsils out.

You'll be fine.

Original poster
Knackered90s · 19/04/2021 15:35

@ArtfulScreamer ah I’ve had my wisdom teeth out too! It didn’t bother me you know Hmm but vaginal birth woweeee horrendous haha

@Roszie yes, tonsillectomy was absolutely grim! I’d also opt to labour than do that one again Grin

@auldmaw great to know! The most painful for me was the shoulder tip pain to be honest, I got an infected top scar and even that wasn’t too bad, I was walking out the hospital about 4-6 hours after being on the operating table, in pain like but just got on with it. Hoping this would be similar!

OP posts:
MindyStClaire · 19/04/2021 15:42

Don't have much to compare to, but I've had a relaxed ELCS and an EMCS with some minor complications, including an extra incision internally. I would say it was sore and uncomfortable rather than painful. I was definitely not one of those who's running around Tesco the next day, and it did take the 6-8 weeks for my body to feel normal again, but it was fine.

Chelyanne · 19/04/2021 15:43

I'd not had any surgeries prior to my cesarean with breech twins, had 3 older kids too (9,4,2). Tbh I found it much easier than I expected. I was up walking within 12 hours despite heavy blood loss and being kept in recovery for around 8 hours, did feel like a lead weight but didn't need any pain relief. I felt pretty normal the next day and was back doing most things as soon as home. My wound did get infected as my stitches didn't dissolve but that was painless and sorted out with antibiotics and removal of the stitches. I've had foot surgery since and was told not to be on my feet more than 20 mins with that, it's amazing how much I can get done in 20 mins lol. I hate to be laid up doing nothing, it's torture.

calamityjam · 19/04/2021 15:46

1 crash section and 3 electives. I recovered the same as someone who had given birth vaginally. No pain relief after 24 hours and home taking care of the other dcs after each one

JohnnyEnglish · 19/04/2021 15:50

Everyone is different but my c-section was a much faster recovery than my natural birth with ventouse and episiotomy. I caught norovirus as leaving the hospital which was quite severe and really pulled the stitches as I projectile vomited causing something bleeding. Even so it was a very smooth and quick recovery driving after 10 days. Don’t worry. It can be a really easy operation. Good luck and congratulations on baby.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 19/04/2021 15:51

Had two - both ELCS - I was home in 24h with paracetomol and walking to the pub 5 days later. I wouldn't really say it was painful, more very achey, like when you have really overdone exercise. I think I had to be a bit careful what I did for 2-3 weeks maybe.

Compared to some others on here I was obvioulsy very lucky. I strongly suspect that having a planned section rather than emergency (cleaner op, no additional damage from labour), not overdoing it afterwards, having DH do part of each night so I got enough sleep, and keeping on schedule with the paracetomol and ibuprofen (take them every 4 hours for the first few days - don't wait til it starts hurting) made a lot of the difference.

Toelopeornottoelope · 19/04/2021 15:54

I had a timer set every 2 hours (rotating paracetomal and ibuprofen) one of mine, I recovered quite well, quite quickly. The only one was agony, I couldn’t walk/shower/pee/move without being in terrible pain for weeks. It felt like my stomach would fall out if I sat up straight or moved.

Lelophants · 19/04/2021 15:56

For me the actual experience was very 'weird' but also nice and controlled. Afterwards, like have a bad back and bit hard to get up, but in womb reason. And sore stingy scar for a bit. But that was it!

Lelophants · 19/04/2021 15:56

Womb region

auldmaw · 19/04/2021 16:01

@Knackered90s oh my word, I forgot about the shoulder tip pain til you mentioned it.
You'll be absolutely fine Smile

RuthW · 19/04/2021 16:02

I had a bad vaginal birth the same day as my friend had a section. We were on the same ward. She was worse for the first 2 days then she overtook me. She was back to 'normal' in 6 weeks where as it took me 6 months.

Ineedaneasteregg · 19/04/2021 16:04

I had a very emergency c section.
The day afterwards I wasn't allowed to walk much, had to be wheeled to see dd.

I also ended up needing compression stockings as my legs swelled up a lot the day afterwards.

But honestly I don't remember much physical pain, I actually kept forgetting to take my pain killers.

I did get really bad shoulder pain the week afterwards which I was told was connected to the c section.

Overall it was less bad than dental surgery but it physically limited my movements for a few weeks.

elliejjtiny · 19/04/2021 16:10

I've had 3 straightforward vaginal births, 1 crash section and 1 elective section. Post c-section pain for me was like period pain but a lot worse to begin with and like normal period pain after a couple of weeks. I think the worst part for me was that when I was propped up in bed I was nearly pain free but then I had to get up, sort out the baby, sterilize the bottles etc. I remember bursting into tears when the baby cried and I had to get up in the first few days. I found routine helped a lot. With my first c-section I was in a complete muddle but with the 2nd one I managed to time it so that when the baby needed feeding I would change his nappy, feed him and then go to the toilet myself and then wash and sterilize the bottle ready for the next feed. That way I would get a couple of hours of not having to move before the baby would need feeding again. Also always ask for help and get your birth partner to put everything within easy reach, including the baby.

Flappityflippers1 · 19/04/2021 16:14

I have had a crash section which was like being hit by a train, I wasn’t right even when I was pregnant second time (3 years later)

Had an elective 4 weeks ago, the first few days were hard and keeping on top of painkillers is a must (I had paracetamol and diclofenac). By the end of week 1 I was pretty mobile, now 4 weeks in I can walk to the local retail park, do light housework etc - however I can only do one thing a day or my scar stings.

Overall recovery has been great, I have never had any other surgery so I don’t have anything to compare it to.