Honest experiences of c-section recovery

[wintersun21]

Hey guys,

I've never had strong views about giving birth and now I'm pregnant I want to consider all my options.

I feel like I have a good understanding of everything (as much as you can) but not a c section recovery.

How long were you out for? How much did it affect your ability to look after the child to begin with? Did it impact breast feeding? What did you partner have to do to support you? How was the pain.

Sorry for so many questions but books can only tell you so much. Just want to hear some experiences about recovery 😀

I had our second by elective section , for me it was a much easier recovery than the first , I was out of hospital quicker , I didn’t have much pain after the first 24/48 hrs , was driving within 2 weeks , I could look after the baby just fine . WRT breastfeeding I can’t comment as I am medically unable to do so .

I had an emergency section and if I have anymore children I'll be having another one. It's sore afterwards and you need alot of help however, you don't have any stitches down below etc. It's not as bad as people make out

No impact on breastfeeding

Pain required ibuprofen/paracetamol to max dosage, something stronger would have been great!

Could do most baby care except get on the bathroom floor to bath them

Got an infection which delayed recovery so I'd say 3 weeks to be able to walk gently to the shop etc. Would have struggled if DH was back to work at 2 weeks as they were doing everything cooking, washing, driving wise

Mentally found it tough, newborns are challenging even if you get an easy one and I found recovery when you're exhausted and figuring out a tiny human very hard. That could be the case for a vaginal birth recovery too though

Now a distant memory and would have another section if I was pregnant again!

I had an emergency c-section in July after a 36 hour induction that went wrong so my recovery could be different to someone who had a planned c-section.

I had a catheter in for the rest of that day and all night so was bed bound. I got out of bed the following day and went home on day 3. I was in a lot of pain and struggled to tend to baby in hospital which is why I wanted home.

I was slow shuffling around for the first week then moved a bit more freely in the second week but it took a good 5-6 weeks to feel kind of ok again. It was manageable though.

I struggled to breastfeed and had low milk supply issues. Pumped for 12 weeks and was on prescription tablets but I do have PCOS so that could have contributed heavily.

If I were blessed to be pregnant again (I'm 41 ), I will likely have a planned section as I do not want to be induced again. The thought doesn't terrify me like it did before I had to actually have a section.

Everyone recovers differently. You just get on with it as best as you can 😊

Dc2 was elective CS. Was far "easier" than expected, I'm pretty fit and healthy and recovery didn't take too long. I don't think it massively affects breastfeeding as even with a natural birth you don't want to move around loads! Obviously you can't drive or carry heavy things immediately but that's not going to be your focus. Partner should support with the day to day things.

I’d say 24- 48hrs I needed the baby handing to me, but from when I got home I was able to do things myself slowly. I remember thinking I was fine to take a slow walk with the pram on day 5 got to the next road and thought that was too ambitious and didn’t feel great the next day at all. I didn’t have a changing table (was an Emcs) so I struggled with bending over for a while but I’d just have baby on the bed/sofa and kneel. I ached and knew about it if I was late with the ibuprofen/paracetamol. I didn’t find it too bad at all though!

I had an elective c section because of breach baby and failed ecv
Needed alot of help first few days getting in and out of the shower, walking was very very slow the first week
The worst pain for me though was the backache, that had me crying at times but a nice shower on my back and hot water bottle helped take the edge off.
No impact on breastfeeding and we managed 19 months

I had an emergency caesarean and was in hospital for 2 nights afterwards. I took paracetamol on my first day at home, but was fine after that. It didn't take long to heal. I was out walking around with a buggy a week afterwards and was up to 10 miles a day within 4/5 weeks.

I had a great recovery from my emergency c section and planning an elective this time.

The first week was painful, but manageable with pain relief. I was able to go for a slow walk round the block by day 4 and continued to improve from there. I tried to reduce the need to walk up and down stairs as that was most painful. I don't recall being unable to look after baby, but husband helped with anything which required bending down/lifting as this was what I found challenging.

I found by about week 4/5, I felt great and actually had to keep reminding myself to still take it easy.

It had no impact on breastfeeding, exclusively breastfed for 9 months.

I really struggled with my recovery. For some reason was super painful for me. Liquid Morphine was Amazing!! Spent the first week high as a kite.

Can’t remember when I got to 99%. The first half and subsequent tens were quite fast. So first week 50% (need help sitting up in bed or being passed babe), second week 80% (could walk very slowly some distance), but then was still only 90% at 6 weeks (caused serious delayed pain if over did it - so would wake up next day like argh). It took me a while. I was super super fit before so think they really had to prize everything apart with serious force to get babe out.

6 months pp and still working on that last 1% but at this stage I don’t think it’s the c section holding me back. Rather how I carried my pregnancy was messed everything up. So currently doing Pilates physio to realign my neutral.

I've had two. Recovered from both quickly. First I was out after 48 hours, second was longer but for reasons unrelated to the section.

Second time round I had my section in the morning and was out of bed, catheter free and showered in less than 12 hours. For a number of reasons I had to be fairly active within two days of delivery. I was able to push the pram on the school run by about day ten (half mile there and back). There was pain, but it was easily managed. I was able to return to work around the six week mark.

I was up and walking four hours after my emergency c section and never took any of the drugs I’d been given.
i found recovery surprisingly okay. It hurt for a
while when I was getting up from a seated position and I couldn’t lift anything - DS was dinky so could manage him just fine.
I found it so good that if I have a second I keep saying I’ll only do it if I can have a c section! Good luck OP I hope you have an easy recovery like i did.

Honestly it was a walk in the park. I was picking my son up by the evening of (had the c-section at midday), didn’t take any painkillers past day three, was walking the dogs by day three and had DS in a sling with us by about a week in.
I found getting out of bed/off the sofa really easy, and had no issues with my scar.
I was driving by about two weeks post section and was back on my horse by six weeks.
My husband was absolutely fantastic and did so much for me and baby but I was alright when he went back to work after a week.
I don’t believe it affected breastfeeding, altho my son did struggle to latch I think that would’ve happened anyway. My milk came in fine.

I had an emergency section with DD after a failed induction. I was exhausted and slept most of the following day (with DH obviously looking after the baby) but took over when he left- so about 24hrs post surgery. Keeping on top of the pain relief meant I never felt any pain, although I was definitely moving gingerly for a few days. I was discharged about 40hrs post surgery, no problems at all. Once at home DH took charge of my meds which again, kept on top of things and allowed me to keep mobile but not overdo it. I was pushing DD in her pram around the flat floor of Marks and Spencers 3 days PP. Can’t comment on BF as I went into labour naturally and my milk came in big time by day 3 which I think is normal. I gave a rather half hearted attempt at BF on day 3 (bizarrely was offered no help in hospital and I was so tired/unbothered I didn’t ask) in our local MLU and there was no issue with supply or being able to hold/position DD to my breast.

It is a longer recovery than your average vaginal delivery, but tbh I bounced back in comparison to an acquaintance who suffered a 3/4 degree tear. I’m pregnant again and have already requested an ELCS.

I've had 2.

First I was in hospital 5 days. Thanks found the pain pretty bad. It was constant and present for several weeks. Got me quite down. I was in strong pain killers for 3 months.

Second I was in hospital10 days. I had post op complications and was in the high dependency unit for 5 days on a morphine drip. I don't remember much.

When I got home I got a wound infection that had to be dressed daily by the district nurse. Agony each time. On strong pain killers again for 3 months. Didn't feel I recovered until about 5 months.

I breastfed both successfully although I wasn't well enough to start bf with second child for 10 days. The midwives expressed my boobs for me to get the milk going.

I had a really rough few days with mine.

There’s the flatulence / constipation side of things: lots of peppermint tea and things like senakot for that.

The hospital were only giving paracetamol and were shifting us out of the beds on the same day. I ended up going back and getting proper pain killers in the end, which helped me get mobile. It is frustrating to think that I could have had proper painkillers in the first place and avoided those first few days of misery.

1st birth- teen mum, natural birth, no pain relief, (not by choice)- very traumatic
2nd birth, failed induction, section under GA. Very very painful once I woke up, 3 days in hospital, I think the pain relief of codeine made baby very sleepy despite what they say about it not passing to the milk. I was high as a kite for days until I stopped taking it.,
3rd birth, elective section under Epidural. Was terrified all pregnancy but actually it was very mellow and pleasant experience, much more gentle return to normal after the birth. No need for strong painkillers. Up and walking around within 24 hours. I wish wish wish I had been brave enough to push for a vbac but I’d heard some horror stories, but looking back now I wish I had laboured with him. But at the time it was right.

Both times I was offered discharge after 24-hours, has given the option of staying in other night which I took, as I got really good care in postnatal. The only pain I experienced was my uterus contracting, trapped gas pain and with my second constipation. The worst I got with my wound was a very occasional dull ache if I was late with painkillers. I've had more painful periods.

My second recovery felt slightly longer than my first, but I was still out and about very quickly. Baby born on Monday, home Wednesday. Out buying groceries and meeting family for cake and coffee on Thursday. A 45-minute car journey to a fancy cafe on the Friday followed by visiting friends. Saturday we hosted friends for a barbecue, and I remember running round the garden chasing my toddler. Sunday I went to church and out for a pub lunch. At some point the next week I went to soft play and I manage the slides and everything.

Getting up and down hurt for about 3 days, but I couldn't believe how easy it was to recover from.

It was pretty fab tbh

I was unwell after an emergency c section and this in an honest account of my experience. It's probably on the extreme side and most people have a much easier recovery. Maybe scroll past if you are feeling sensitive....

How long were you out for?
Depends on what you mean by "out". I struggled to get out of bed for a few weeks and to leave the house for about 6 weeks. Happily shopping, sitting in Costa etc - I was doing this after 3 months.
How much did it affect your ability to look after the child to begin with?
It was brutal. Also the hospital gave zero help for tending to my baby. I will never have another baby because of the lack of care I experienced.
Did it impact breast feeding? No, I bf with no issues.
What did you partner have to do to support you?
Everything except bf for the first 2 weeks. Honestly, I was so unwell that I was barely able to get myself to the loo and shower.
How was the pain.
Manageable. I was prescribed tramadol.

How long were you out for?
I had an EMCS at 9pm on Sunday and didn’t get out of bed until around 9am on Monday. Was then able to get up and shower as normal (albeit with a catheter in).

How much did it affect your ability to look after the child to begin with?
I don’t really have anything to compare it to, but not at all really. Could still pick him up, feed him and change/dress him, as needed.

Did it impact breast feeding?
My milk didn’t come in until day 5, so possibly, but had no problems feeding after that. DS was breastfed until 18 months.

What did your partner have to do to support you? Nothing really. For the first few weeks he did all the cooking/cleaning etc, but nothing much over and above that.

How was the pain?
Fine. Felt nothing when still/sitting. Definitely more pain when moving for the first week or so, I spent all my time shuffling and getting in and out of the car (4x4) was particularly challenging. By the end of week 2 though I was absolutely fine, driving and pretty much completely back to normal. It seems to vary massively by hospital, but I was given dihydrocodeine to go home with and took it religiously, which I’m sure helped.

There must be some reason why some people feel the pain worse than others- I normally have a low pain threshold but seriously don’t remember being in actual pain at any time post section. I had to be reminded to take painkillers by about day 3. When I later had keyhole surgery to remove an ectopic pregnancy it was the same story. I’m also really unfit so it’s not as if I was in prime physical condition and set up for a quick recovery with either. Really interesting how much it varies from person to person.

Now I’ve said all that I bet this second section I’ve asked for in May will hit me like a tonne of bricks!

I'll be honest;

I had an emergency c section (baby was premature) I lost a lot of blood, but wasn't offered a blood transfusion. This I think delayed recovery for me.

My baby didn't come the way they had hoped and they had to cut some more muscle away. This again, didn't help things!

Recovery was horrid. I was in so much pain. I couldn't move. I would never ever have a c section again. (I have had v birth too).

I got sepsis, needed a blood transfusion in the end and also had a blood clot in my lung.

I think I felt 'ok' after 10 weeks perhaps?

Sorry to answer your other questions;

How long were you out for?

Unsure what you mean by this. I was in hospital for a week as an in patient. But I wasn't okay until 10-12 weeks.

How much did it affect your ability to look after the child to begin with?
Baby was in NICU for two weeks; this made it so hard as I couldn't go see her when I wanted.

Did it impact breast feeding?

Different for me as baby was in NICU but we were successful and I am still breastfeeding now at 18 months.

What did you partner have to do to support you?

He helped as much as possible. I had a catheter in at home; he changed this. Helped me mobilise myself. Helped with baby etc etc.

How was the pain.

Bloody awful and something I'd never do again. And it's scary!!

How long were you out for? - out as in unconscious? I had a planned section but ended up with a GA after things went awry in the anaesthetic room. Not a situation I have seen in the 15yrs I’ve worked in that department so bad luck for me. I was in theatre a few hrs (again bad luck) & back on the ward a few hrs later.

How much did it affect your ability to look after the child to begin with? - it did not. I came round from my GA with a PCA (patient controlled anaesthesia ) because I had no regional pain relief on board (no epidural or spinal, so it was like coming round from major abdominal surgery) & after 8hrs (at midnight) I got myself out of bed and took my PCA down as it was alarming and had run out. 100% do not recommend you do this. I was fairly independent by 2-3am I think.

Did it impact breast feeding? - no. I knew I wasn’t leaving hospital until I had established BF. It was all I had left and was v v important to me. I was ready to stay a week if need be. As it was I stayed 2 nights.

What did you partner have to do to support you? not much really. He went home about 10pm that day and came back the next day at about 10am I think. He did a lot of fetching and carrying but to be honest I knew what I was doing (I’m a midwife) & I had had abdominal surgery before & the c- section didn’t hurt as much.

How was the pain.- the pain was okay. I took a LOT of pain killers and took them for a full 10 days. As above, I didn’t have the luxury (ha) of any regional pain relief which I think would have been quite nice. I think it is really important to take the pain killers regularly and for at least a week. I drank pints and pints of squash which kept me hydrated and I had batch cooked lots of nice food and also had a M&S delivery (it was Xmas). Good nutrition helped a lot.

I had a normal delivery with a 3rd degree tear with DC1 and an elective c section with DC2 because she was breech and the ECV failed.

Even with the tear, recovery was much, much easier after the normal birth than than the c section. The hardest part of my recovery from my normal birth was due to problems from the anaesthetic from when they repaired the tear. My milk was delayed coming in after my section compared to my normal birth. I couldn't lie down apart from propped up on my back for a few weeks. Recovery was painful. It is pretty major abdominal surgery. Realistically, a normal birth with DC2 would likely not have gone well so a c section was safer all round, but I wouldn't have chosen to have one if she hadn't been breech.