Elective c-section recovery experiences?

[bells2810]

I’m interested to hear about the recovery from elective c-sections as opposed to an emergency section, where you knew it was going to happen and had time to mentally prepare, and potentially anything you might have done to plan in advance?

Any tips for healing/aftercare?

Was the recovery what you expected?

Most people say that it is a breeze to recover from.

I was only given paracetamol when I left hospital and this left me in excruciating pain and immobile. As soon as I got proper pain relief, I could walk about and then recovered quickly.

DC2 was even bigger than DC1 (who had been huge, and I had a 3b tear), so if I hadn’t gone for the elective c-section then I would have been badly injured. It was the right thing to do.

There is also a whole business about flatulence and constipation. This is a serious business. You need to get on to the peppermint teas. The shoulder pain you feel will inexplicably be because of trapped gas.

Good luck, and congratulations x

I was extremely careful for the first couple of weeks after my second section, I had torn my stitches the first time (exercise bike 🙈) Made sure to set myself up with everything I needed downstairs so I didn't need to climb the stairs unless it was to go to bed. I had to be fully recovered by 4 weeks to travel to a family wedding and was absolutely fine by then. I was lucky that 2 yo DD1 was really well behaved and didn't require lifting, was potty trained etc. so I barely moved except for short walks with the pram to get out of the house and it definitely worked. Best of luck, so exciting having a small baby, sometimes wish I could go back to all of that ☺️

Peppermint tea and peppermint oil tablets!

Also keep stocked up on laxatives- I’m not breastfeeding so can take what ever but a good supply of lactolose is probably a good idea if you are breastfeeding.

Mine was elective and it was fine- I’m 5.5 weeks now and feel normal although certainly wouldn’t start running or lifting really heavy things!

Totally agree about painkillers and if the hospital don’t give you proper ones the GP should be able to prescribe over the phone and partner/friend can pick up.

x

I recovered very easily/quickly both times. Could move about and sit on the floor within a couple of days. The constipation from the painkillers in hospital was by far the worst but for me. I’m not sure if I was just lucky though