What would you say a c section is compared to?

[Knackered90s]

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!

I had a category 1 emergency C section (under GA) - it was a bit of a blur but I seem to remember that the worst of the pain was over within a week and was manageable with ibuprofen and paracetamol. They say that full recovery takes 4-6 weeks. Be careful of driving as your insurance is unlikely to cover you if you drive before 4 weeks and some companies won't insure you until you are 6 weeks post section.

I had an emergency and an elective. I definitely recovered quicker after the elective. But that was because I was better prepared second time around. It is major surgery so just be sensible. Rest. Take your pain killers regularly even if you don't think you will need them. Don't be trying to doing everything five days post surgery.

I pushed myself too hard after DC1 and ended up very physically and mentally ill for a long time afterwards. After DC2, I slept all day for two weeks solid (I did the night feeds to be fair!) and bounced back.

@MixedUpFiles

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.

Couldn't agree more with this! I hate the western attitude of "get on with it" after childbirth. In other cultures women are properly looked after post childbirth and encouraged to rest.

I had an elective caesarean 6 months ago. Was doing the school run 2 weeks PP. I had my appendix out at 24 weeks and the recovery was agony. I prepared myself for a similar recovery but I was pleasantly surprised. Stopped with the paracetamol and ibuprofen around 10 days PP. the only thing that got me was the burning sensation when turning to pick DD up.

I had a vaginal birth 4 years ago with episiotomy and forceps, 3L blood loss etc and it took me weeks to recover.

I had an elective section due to severe sciatica and previous back surgery.

The pain of the section was nothing as bad as the sciatica.

First few days are tough as you feel like you can't do much, but by day 4/5 I was up and about, albeit slowly and able to do jobs around the house and look after the baby.

As others have said keep on top of the painkillers.

Oh and I had hardly any post-partum bleeding, apparently the surgeon had done a good job of getting rid of that for me.

2 emergency sections here. 2 very easy recoveries with no need for pain killers. Dc1 was in nicu, on day 3 someone asked what pain relief I'd had and was it controlling my pain, the answers were none and what pain? Turns out I was meant to know I needed to return to the postnatal ward at specific times for food and medication. Shame no one mentioned it. By the end of week 2 with dc2, I was walking the 3 mile round trip with the buggy to pick up dc1 from preschool.

The 75 hours of dc1 smashing his oversized head into my sciatic nerve was hell on earth however. So labour with a badly positioned baby is worse than c-section recovery in my experience.

I'm sure it varies from person to person. I know somebody whose anesthetic stopped working part way through their cs so er... that sounded difficult.

Thanks everyone!!! Really good to know!

@Nichola2310 yes I’ve also suffered sciatica .. what an awful pain that is!

@bravefox yeah that doesn’t sound fun. I’m pretty sure I’d have an epidural, I’ve have an epidural before and it only worked 1 side (during labour 1) and that wasn’t great, so I’m hoping that won’t be the case this time. I also woke up during my gallbladder surgery but only briefly and I lived to tell the tale haha

I found emergency more painful recovery than my planned one

My planned one I can’t compare to anything but I don’t recall any pain or difficulty at all really and this was only last year

I was surprised how very weak and out of breath I felt doing even the simplest of things like walking a little way or getting out the shower but I agree the sooner you are up and about the better you feel, but also take it easy and not over do it!

I had hip surgery as a child and my emergency c section has been a doddle with regards to recovery. Because of having the spinal tap I was immobile for a day and then barely mobile for 2 days. Had the op on the Monday and did my first slow walk round the block by the Friday. Baby is now 2 weeks old and I'm walking for about an hour a day, no pain relief. So first week was hard and I needed lots of help from midwives while I was in hospital and then my partner when I got home but after that feel remarkably ok. I should also add i lost 3 pints of blood because of a long labour prior to the section and think that impacted my recovery.

Had 3 C Sections - 2 emergency’s 1 planned. All absolutely fine and was up and walking as soon as I could feel my legs again although a bit tender. Worst part is having to inject yourself for a week after it but even that’s not too bad.

My appendix burst and I got peritonitis. Elective C section recovery was much much smoother.

But oh my god the trapped wind was diabolical.

@Littlegoth

But oh my god the trapped wind was diabolical.

I second this, the trapped wind is like a contraction! Arm yourself with peppermint tea, colpermin, anything that relieves gas!

Peppermint tea.. good shout!!! Thank you!

I had an emergency section and honestly didn’t feel much pain afterwards. Granted the hospital were keeping me dosed up on painkillers but after I left hospital (1 week) I really didn’t take many painkillers. Compare that to the pain of labour and I felt like a train was trying to depart through my bum hole!!

I think everyone has different tolerances to different types of pain maybe. Or at least that’s my experience.

I had an emergency caesarean which was much easier for me than my to VB

I think maybe I'm an exception considering how quickly everyone else recovered! I had an EMCS, was on really heavy duty pain relief for a week then continued paracetamol/ibuprofen another week. It took maybe 4 weeks to feel better and 6 months to feel properly healed! But then I had other circumstances which delayed me probably.

I've had 2 vaginal births and an elective caesarean. The c-section recovery was awful, I felt like I'd been sawn in half, and was not expecting to feel as dreadful as I did.

My first poo post c section was much worse than the section itself. Thought I was going to die

I had a crash section after a 28 hour labour a 0/10, do not recommend this combo

However, the csection procedure itself was fine and and after about a week I felt fine to sit on the floor etc - i kept accidentally pulling my stitches because I kept forgetting about my scar.

If you’re having a planned section it should all be much less stressful than my experience - and mine wasn’t that bad! good luck!

Oh yes and TAKE THE LAXATIVES THEY OFFER YOU. for the love of all that is holy

@KnitFastDieWarm note taken pal! Poo pills on the list.. Thanks!!