C Section Recovery

[kirstyw94]

I had a C Section 10 days ago, naturally struggling with the mental aspect of not being able to do 'normal things' such as exercising, house work, walking the dogs etc. I have really taken it easy, only pottered around the house for the last 9 days or so but yesterday I went for a very short walk around the block which I felt much better for but needed a nap when I got home!

I know 6 weeks is the average to do 'normal things' as well as driving, but I am just wondering how other women's experience has been?

• How long did you wait before going out for a walk?
• If you have dogs, when did you begin to walk them again?

I'm itching for normality of being able to take baby for a walk in the pram and just resume normal day to day activities for my own mental sanity. I've enjoyed the first 10 days or so of being indoors with my partner and baby. I can feel it getting easier each day which is great & I'm trying not to be too impatient as I know I've had major surgery.

I am taking it easy and listening to my body, but I'm just curious to know how the recovery has been for others?

I had a very straightforward recovery. I was out for a very slow 5 or 10 min walk around the street within a week and the week after was doing a daily 30 min dog walk. I wore the baby in a sling as soon as my dressing was off and I felt like I wasn't going to fall apart, which felt ok as he was quite high up, my husband had the dog as he does pull on the lead a bit. It was always a flat walk, I don't think I did uphill or pushed the pram for a while longer and definitely didn't drive until 6 weeks although I think I felt ready at around 4 weeks. Some things came back really quickly eg walking and carrying baby but others took much longer - strange things like pulling myself up to sitting or getting up from our low sofa. I listened to my body and took the meds. I was very grateful to have my husband at home for 4 weeks and then wfh for the 2 weeks after that.

I found that it was about eight weeks before I went out and didn't feel pain and tiredness as a result.

Remember it's major abdominal surgery and you're also sleep deprived because of the baby.

Don't rush.

Going for a walk by day 5. Don't have a dog. I had children so had to do school run

Was walking by day 2. Went to shops / was cooking at day 3. Day 4 had emergency with baby so was rushing around.

I know that makes me sound like a right dick - I was incredibly lucky to have an early morning straightforward section. I'd had a really, really horrific pregnancy - near death type horrific - so I was ridiculously determined to do everything I could once baby was here. I didn't do any heavy lifting or fast walking / running but I genuinely think moving about so early made my recovery much easier than it could have been.

I also thought I'd be bed bound for 6 weeks so my joy in not being so was unrivalled!

Only had paracetamol as can't take ibuprofen. Also many women are expected to go to their day 5 midwife appt post section so not many can stay at home in bed for a week!! Having an older kid also means you're moving more than you would be with a first.

Best of luck and take it easy!

I was out for a short walk on day 7 but it did really take it out of me, by week 3 though I was back on the school run by foot (just under a mile each way) as I had no other option and I actually felt fine I just took it slow and stopped for a rest when I needed to. Driving took me a bit longer, I tried at 5 weeks but after a few minutes I was aching so left it an extra couple.
I would just say listen to your body you'll know when your doing too much, keep up the pain killers as long as you need them and make the most of everyone rallying round you as annoying as it is!

About 2 days for a walk. Don’t have dogs but after my second section I was pushing the pram on the school run for the eldest on day 6. We live on a hill so that was unavoidable! I don’t drive much anyway as live in a city but it was about 3-4 weeks I think. You want to avoid bending, twisting or lifting but being active is good and will help your recovery. So walking, yes get out there but stacking the dishwasher or doing laundry, leave it a bit longer (any excuse as far as I’m concerned!).

Also, for the first 2 weeks I found that it’s best to ahead of the pain, take painkillers on a schedule and don’t wait for anything to hurt. If the hospital hasn’t given you the good stuff then alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen every 4 hours and if you’re still struggling on that then go ask the pharmacist for some cocodamol.

With my first section, 4th baby (elective) he was in nicu for a month so from the day after my section I was expected to be up, making my own breakfast, collecting other meals from the ward kitchen, sterilizing bottles and taking milk to nicu. I found the recovery extremely hard and I felt really helpless as well. The gp advised not to lift my 5 year old until 8 weeks and I found it really frustrating having to ask other people to pick him up before then. I tried to put my older 3 to bed on day 5 and couldn't do it. I was on regular painkillers until 6 weeks.

With my second section, 5th baby (emergency) it was easier as he was only in nicu for 5 days. Then we had 3 days on the postnatal ward where I still had to get my meals but my bed was next to the kitchen so I could keep an eye on the queue to avoid standing for ages. Baby was breastfeeding by then so no sterilizing required and he was only just term so still quite sleepy. Unlike my first who was wide awake and active from day 1. So we both slept quite a bit and then at home while dh was on paternity leave I could sleep in the morning as the baby tended to have a long nap in the morning. By the time I was on my own with all 5 dc I was feeling a lot better and although I still ached a bit for 3 months, I was off regular painkillers from week 3.