C-section Recovery Stories

[Luckyelephant1]

Hi, I'm sure there will be threads on this already but I couldn't find a recent one on the awful search function.

I'm 8 days post C-section (emergency) and in all honesty the pain and recovery hasn't been anywhere near as bad as I thought, but because of this I feel like I'm getting complacent and doing too much too quickly then realising afterwards that I've overstrained things. FYI I've had the dressing off and been told the incision site is healing nicely.

I mainly want to start going out for short walks or doing more around the house as I hate being so inactive (I actually find I'm in more pain if I'm just sitting around all day) but at the moment when I walk it feels like my organs are about to drop out of me 😅

Any tips for a quick recovery? Things like belly support bands any good or do I need to stop being so impatient? Did anyone else try to do too much too quick and cause damage?

Congratulations! I've had 2 c sections (one emergency and one elective) and I'm afraid to say time is everything. I was like you with my first DD, super frustrated sitting around and desperate to get back out and about. I went out too soon and tried to do too much and it backfired. My second DD I just totally stayed put as I knew the longer I did that the quicker I healed. I was lucky in a way that we were locked down as there was nothing to do! I would advise a box set, newborn snuggles and (hopefully) someone waiting on you until around 3 weeks pp. That's when I was able to go outside and do a short walk. By 8 weeks I was back in the swimming pool and longer walks. By 3 months I'd say fully healed and now 8 months pp back to 10ks and HIIT workouts! I know it's frustrated but please don't try to rush it, it's a major opp and keeping yourself and baby well is all you need to focus on right now x

I've had 2 and with my second (recent) one I got impatient quick and everything was dealing perfectly until my wound had a small break down, it took 14 weeks to heal, 3 admissions to hospital, I think 4 different swabs and I honestly lost count of the amount of different antibiotics.

The pain was okay and manageable and I could still do day to day things but the scar site pain and smell were awful

Apparently the support bands aren't great as your muscles start to rely on them rather than building back up.

I took a little walk each day and went a few metres further each time. Definitely don't do anything that hurts, such as vacuuming! Remember inside is also healing and you can't see the progress there.

I felt pretty good after a.week or so although I had a planned section, so I'm assuming your recovery could well be longer. I did have a couple issues with small seeping spots, which turned out to have a mild infection, so do keep an eye on it.

Congratulations!

You can definitely be active (NHS encourage it as soon as you're ready these days) but the trick is to take it slow and easy.

Go for a walk, but make it a short distance and walk slowly. Do not push yourself.

Do a bit more next time and gradually build it up. Your body will tell you if you push yourself too hard!

I went for walks pretty much from when we got home from my emergency section. I found the pain was worse when I was inactive for a period of time, so I made sure I was moving around the house plenty and we went out, just short trips to the supermarket or for a walk with the dog and pram. I definitely advise staying active - even in hospital they wanted you up on your feet ASAP and encouraged you into the shower and to move around the ward/corridors yourself.

I’ve had two sections and was driving after 3 weeks with both but still not 100%. I have a weird tingly numb feeling above the incision that isn’t going away this time (I’m 3 weeks post the second section).

I went for my first short walk today, probably about 3 km, and I’ve been doing more lifting than they say you should, like lifting the pushchair in and out of the car but I'm trying to be really careful.

I’d rather take it easy for another couple of weeks than risk doing something which causes much longer term issues!

Interesting hearing these stories especially about what happens if you DON'T take it easy, @NightOwl19 your story alone tells me not to be too impatient!

I was up and mobile and and marching to the shower the minute my catheter was out, tbh I didn't know any different until one of the midwives was like wow you're super determined to go home ASAP aren't you and I was like um well... yeah! Isn't everyone

I have a very hands on DH and lots of support but me being me just wants to do lots anyway. I'm sort of taking it easy one day and then a bit more active the next but it's good to hear these stories. So far been out for very short walks with the baby and coffees a few times which has felt so good!