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 an emergency C-section, I didn’t drive for 10 weeks afterwards, the recovery was slow for me as I had lots of interventions before the C-section. I was given morphine one night when the pain was so bad. I remember the hospital bed being really high so I found it excruciating when trying to get out of the bed and when lifting my baby. My milk didn’t come so I bottle fed. I had a successful vbac with my second child and the recovery was so much better and I was able to breastfeed. My SIL had an elective C-section and had a very easy time with a fast recovery.

The thought of having a c section never entered my head until I needed an emergency one with
my first. Everything went as well as it could have.

The worst part was the next day and having to get up out of bed for the first time once the epidural had worn off. It wasn’t that it was sore, it was more the thought of it being sore and being so aware of the stitches.

But once I’d done that I found everything else fine. I was mobile quickly and managed to do everything for baby myself. I did have a slight niggle in my lower back for a couple of months (it wasn’t sore) but the Health Visitor said to me to remember I’d had surgery and to compare it to someone washing dishes in my womb as it’s certainly not a gentle procedure 😆I was like she’s right, that’s exactly what it was like - I felt no pain or anything whatsoever but was so aware of them rummaging around down there.

I would also say having a c section had no impact on bonding with my baby whatsoever (I had a VBAC after this and that bond is just there in both cases). This seems to be something that people love to throw around in order to make you feel bad that you didn’t have a “natural labour”. Skin to skin contact was encouraged as much as possible.

All in all it was a positive experience as my baby was safely delivered.

Second birth was an elective. First couple of days were rough. I was in hospital for 48 hours and I asked them to give me the stronger painkillers. After that I took the paracetamol and ibuprofen and genuinely, no exaggeration, by the end of the week I was moving around and not in pain. I was amazed. I stopped taking the painkillers much earlier than expected and still have a big box of them now! Didn't affect breastfeeding either.

I had 3 emergency sections and was grand after all of them, don’t get me wrong, it is sore but I managed fine. I had no help as my partner went back to work after a week but I think being up and about and getting on with things actually helped my recovery. The constipation was a bitch though.

Also no issues picking baby up of anything like that.

I had an emergency C-section at 41 weeks. My waters went and when I got to hospital they discovered she was breech. The recovery was honestly better than I'd expected. I had no pain at all for the first couple of days. I kept refusing all the pain relief tablets the nurses were bringing me because I felt fine 😂 Then it did set in... I was sore and had to stand up/sit down/walk slowly, but it didn't really impact my life. I walked into town and back three or four days after the section, I was able to look after her fine, just had to be a bit more careful and not move as fast that was all.

2 emcs here. First was after a long labour and failed forceps. Dc1 went to nicu so I missed all the drug runs. Wasn't in pain at all.
Dc2 I refused the drugs based on my experience with dc1 and was out for lunch when she was 2 days old. Didn't need any help looking after her at all. By the time she was 3 weeks old, I was back walking the 3 mile round trip to collect dc1 from preschool with the pram.

Hi all. I’m having an elective c section on Monday baby is measuring on the 99th percentile and after research and consideration I feel a c section is safe for both baby and me. Can anyone tell me their experience of an elective c section? Any tips on recovery? Anything you wish you done differently? Anything as a must for my hospital bag? It would be really appreciated :)I’m worried if baby is big he won’t fit into much of the clothes we have now so am I best to buy some bigger? I’m currently moving home and feeling stressed to the max which I know isn’t good for me or baby but trying to be organised. Im a first time mum so it’s been difficult. Thanks in advance

Hi @Natasha9 I'd recommend big pants like proper granny types. Leggings for coming home in and a pillow to put between your wound and the car seatbelt. I got a few button down nighties they were really handy. Get your partner to set everything up for you on your table that you will need in between visits. Take all the pain relief even if you feel fine, if you miss a dose you'll know about it. I got an infection in my wound. Try to lie on your back and lift the skin up so air can get at it multiple times a day. Bring a dressing gown slippers with you into surgery. The robe they give you don't cover the bottom. Don't lift anything or bend. Really do take it ea7sy as possible.