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 pretty straightforward recovery. ELCS, up and about that evening which was uncomfortable and a little painful but nothing drastic. The most pain I was in was when I was struggling to pee, my muscles had kind of froze up so I really really needed to go but I couldn't. Not good but I managed. Kept on top of painkillers, only took the stronger ones occasionally if I knew I was going to be out and about. Felt fit to drive about 3 weeks after but my GP wouldn't allow it before 5 weeks (my insurer needed my GP to allow me). Didn't need painkillers after 6 weeks. Still have a numb bit of my tummy but otherwise completely unscathed.

Everyone kept telling me that a planned c-section was easy and I'll recover no problem.
Two vaginal births and heammorages, stitches etc and was up and about within hours feeling fine.

C-section I ended up in tears walking to the car getting discharged from hospital. Felt like my organs were going to fall out every time I stood up. Frightened to bend, shower, pick up the baby etc. First post surgery poo is terrifying so take stool softeners for a few days beforehand.
Took heavy duty painkillers for four weeks. Ended up with an infection and lots of scar tissue. It wasn't the easy ride everyone made it out to be. Especially being reliant for a few weeks on others for help driving/school run and picking up shopping.

Tbh I would take labour and vaginal birth any time over getting my organs rummaged through while awake.

I was in the shower (a few steps away) within about 6 hours of the c-section.

I walked about 10 mins to the car 24 hours later. In hindsight that was too far and I had to stop several times.

Otherwise no pain, it was hard to sit up for a couple of weeks without being pulled up. I probably couldn't have walked 5-10 mins but could easily potter round the house

If an adult tonsillectomy is 10/10 on the pain,awfulness, recovery scale. A c section is about 5/10.

Yes @KnitFastDieWarm!! I drank prune juice every day! Petrified about first toilet trip 🙈

Also same experience, 2 day labour (24 hours ‘active labour’) then EMCS. I think the exhaustion contributed to the pain and slower healing x

@zippityzip exactly my experience too. I feel like it's downplayed a lot.

[quote Moorelewis]@zippityzip exactly my experience too. I feel like it's downplayed a lot.[/quote]
Yes...I remember thinking there must be something wrong with me because I felt so dreadful.

My first CS I felt dreadful for a couple
of weeks but in hindsight a lot of that was a long long labour so exhausted, then a PPH and transfusion. My abdomen felt very very heavy and like if I moved too fast or quick everything would fall out! Not so much painful as very uncomfortable.

My second was an elective and recovery was much easier - I was well rested on the day but more importantly had brilliant aftercare. I was in a room with only two other women and we had a midwife and HCA between us and were just so caring and lovely. Whereas my first even after complications I was pretty much plonked on a very busy noisy ward and left to my own devices for 5 days.........

@HazeyJaneII Exactly how I felt. People are telling me they went home and built furniture the next day and I could just about stand with help getting up. It's major surgery. I think people think they might win a prize for being a hero sometimes but only now 4 weeks later can I do normal activities without constant pain.

It feels a bit unfair to say people act like hero's. I'm a great big wuss, it's not that I'm brave. It just didn't hurt, that's not to say it wasn't incredibly painful for you (and not because I think I have a higher pain threshold, I absolutely don't - I can only assume I was stitched differently or luck or something)

My point is, please don't assume we're just putting on an act or denying pain if we say it wasn't that bad.

I had an ELCS for a breech baby and am an absolutely massive wuss. In terms of pain ranking it goes:

1. Recovery from having all my wisdom teeth out in one go.
2. Eyebrow threading (actually sobbed from the pain.)
3. Breastfeeding.
4. ELCS.
5. Tearing all the ligaments in my ankle.

Honestly, the ELCS was just achey and uncomfortable, at no point was i in actual pain/agony. My pain threshold is basically zero - I almost fainted when I got my ears pierced . There's no way I would have been able to cope with labour - I think I might actually have had a psychotic break.

I had an EMCS and the pain was ok with painkillers, you learn which movements hurt and stop doing them until you've recovered. The worst part was definitely the trapped wind, that was horrendous, similar to a strong contraction. When it comes to the first poo I found I had to stand up to poo for the first couple of days !! Possibly TMI but thought someone might find that information useful

I don't think you can compare it to anything. It is major surgery and they are very rough with their rummaging around.

Lots of people who have had sections have had quite positive experiences which is great, actually gives me hope that if my current pregnancy ends up in one my experience might be better too.

Since you asked though my first section was horrific, second not much better although I was mentally prepared for it. The first was partly due to poor postnatal treatment (wasn't given painkillers, had to request them) so fingers crossed would be very different to you experience. I felt like I was hit by a bus, each time. I never realised how much movement comes from the core and not being able to move mine was difficult. I took painkillers religiously with ds for the first 4 weeks and that helped. I was up within 12 hours with both my children as soon as the catheter was removed. Despite the pain you get on with it especially if you have older children to take care of. My dh took his paternity leave and I slept whenever I needed to and he took over with our two kids. I think having regular access to painkillers and resting when I needed to aided my recovery. I still ended up splitting my stitches twice but that was because I overestimated what I could do in the early weeks. I also had a heap of postnatal complications, many people think that that only happens if you have a rough natural labour, it isn't! My milk just didn't come in both times and I was told that it is very common for csection mothers milk to be delayed or have a low supply. I worked for 6 months to get it up so I could feed my tiny dd but it never really improved. It isn't just the pain afterwards that affects you but a host of things related to the section experience.

All women heal differently but my experience was shitty (only saving grace being the baby) and I am scared beyond belief of the thought of having to do it again.

Just because I had negative experiences doesn't mean you will, as referenced on here many women have better x