C section/recovery

[Mrsttcno1]

Hi!

So I am now 36 weeks pregnant and have been told we are going to have to have a planned c section due to baby’s size & position.

I don’t know anyone in real life who’s had a c section so I would be really grateful if anyone here who has had one could let me know of positive experiences and really what the recovery is like especially the first couple of weeks?

I was never massively worried at the thought of vaginal child birth but I am absolutely terrified at the thought of having a c section so thought hearing about others experiences might really help me if possible! X

I had an emergency c section in Dec. Was swimming again 15 days later, ran a 5km at 4 weeks and now 12 weeks on I don’t give it a second thought. The only thing I found painful in the couple of weeks after was reaching across and lifting baby into bed for feeding.

Get moving as soon as possible. Frequent little bursts of movement throughout the day. Helps with swelling (and bowel movements which can be a problem for a week or so after) and just generally makes you feel better

I had an emcs at 35 weeks but I had an hours notice and I wasn’t induced so I hadn’t gone through labour beforehand.

I found it all relatively calm. A second of pain with the spinal but otherwise I didn’t really feel much until the next day. I had ds at 7:30pm and then the next morning they took the catheter out (slightly bit uncomfortable). Then I was up and hobbling to scbu to see my ds. I might have pushed it too much by walking between wards because by that evening I was feeling quite dizzy. Also the following morning I had a shower in the hospital and it was either the steam or standing for 10-15 minutes but I passed out. I knew I was going to feint so I pulled the cord before feinting.

Other than that my recovery was smooth. Moving around early helped me, each day got better. Try not to bend down fully for many weeks after.

DS was on the scbu ward directly after the surgery though so I didn’t have a baby to look after directly after the surgery. I can’t say what that is like.

Oh there is also the daily injections. For most people it’s 10 days but I had to take them for 6 weeks. A midwife kindly showed me what to do and I eventually got used to it (well not really but I don’t like injections). Don’t worry though, they are not that scary to do, I just wasn’t prepared for them.

I refused ECV.
Planned c sec, very calm, over in a few minutes.
Had to shower a few hours after birth (think it’s to get you moving). I found it sore, I think for the first week but I could move fine, hold my baby, etc.
I didn’t have any issues with the toilet.
If you want to breast feed you might find it helpful to ask MW for tips as my milk didn’t come in for a 5 days after and by then baby can be used to the teat of a bottle (mine was happy to latch right on, but I didn’t want to bf so didn’t do it for long.)

I had 2 planned c sections. Both lovely experiences. I found the first 3 days pretty painful both times and needed more than paracetamol. After that it was very manageable and I was out walking, going to the pub for lunch etc within a few days. Was fine driving at 2 weeks when my husband had to return to work.

Do be careful of constipation, trying to birth a poo baby is very unpleasant, I would recommend taking laxatives if you are at all prone to constipation!

I've had two planned CS. I can see why you're worried but I promise you it will be fine.

Each op took about 45 mins. Lots of medical staff but very relaxed because they do it several times a day. Afterwards I couldn't feel/move my legs for about 6 hours while the anaesthetic wore off. By the time I left the hospital I could walk but very slowly. Once I got home though I got better quickly and within about a week it was a case of having to remind myself not to do things like lifting, etc rather than feeling like I couldn't.

My top tip is, make sure they prescribe you some laxatives! I got these automatically the first time but the second time I had to ask for them. And I definitely needed them!!

I had an emergency section and opting for an elective with this baby. First day or two are a bit sore mainly when going to the bathroom, try and go for regular wees once your catheter is out and definitely drink lots of peppermint tea and eat lots of bowel moving foods (apricots) just to stay regular. Also a bottle with a long straw, your own pillow for hospital, an extra long phone charger as well as comfy nighties/anything high waisted.
I had my section on a monday, by Friday I was walking (slowly) up and down the lane, I just walked a bit further every day and I think by the beginning of week 3 I had walked into town with the pram and was absolutely fine.

I would also recommend, if your partner isn't the regular chef in your house, the new parents Cook meals package, it's 14 portions all frozen so for your first week you can just focus on your recovery and still have healthy dinners that are made for new mums in mind! Good luck and congratulations, you'll be totally fine and back on your feet in no time ❤️

It was great.
First was an emergency and I was beyond pleased to have one after screaming in pain for hours. I healed very quickly and was walking the prom 4 days after it. It was painful, but not end of the world pain.

2nd time was a planned section, and wow, it was amazing. I was petrified about having the epidural etc but it was totally fine. I will say it took longer to heal second time round and was a lot more painful, however I would still take that any day over the pain of contractions.

It was a really lovely experience having a planned section. Sounds silly but it was all just so calm and magical.

Glad positive responses are helping OP! I had an emcs and it was all so fine, really well looked after sore in that area but imagine your vagina is sore after vaginal birth so either way may be sore? Up walking the next day (obvs didn't overdo) and all was well! Will elect c section this time

I’m baffled by some of these replies! Describing it as “embarrassingly easy” and someone running a 5k 4 weeks after 😞
I guess it must be different for everyone as I could not get up from a laying down position without help for the first week at least, I couldn’t walk more than 30 minutes without becoming sore until around 5 weeks after, I could not lean over and pick up my baby from the Moses basket or bedside cot for weeks.

I was never in agony or in any pain I couldn’t cope with, it was just very uncomfortable and very very sore.

I went to Tesco at around 8 days PP and I was walking a snails pace and had to return to the car after a few minutes.

At around 8 weeks I’d say I started to feel nearly normal again and could walk more than an hour without getting sore.

Even after 3 months I’d be very apprehensive to run and I used to run 10ks twice a week before pregnancy.

The actual operation was completely fine though, and I wouldn’t hesitate to have another C section if needed.

I had an elective for a breech baby. Can honestly say, hands down, it was the most positive birth experience I could ever have hoped for.

The team was lovely. It was calm, quick and my recovery was speedy. Within 10 minutes of baby being born we were in recovery having skin to skin. Was in hospital 1 night and then home the next day. Out walking (slowly and not far) with the pram within the week, and at baby classes within 2 weeks. By 3 weeks my biggest complaints were my knees and PGP that stuck around for a while.

My tips are:

1. stay topped up with your pain medication. You can alternate the ones you take, so do that, but don’t wait for any pain to set in as it’s harder to come back from that. It’s best to keep it at bay.
2. Rest, but not too much. Don’t go for long or strenuous walks until you are ready, but DO get up regularly and make drinks, a sandwich, go to the loo. Activity can help the recovery and prevent blood clots etc.
3. When you get up from seated tuck your chin in. Not sure how or why this works but it takes the pressure off your scar. My HV told be this and it was like magic.
4. Keep a big bottle of water with a straw nearby at all times as well as snacks. As others have mentioned get a charger with a long cable.
5. Beware of constipation! This goes regardless of the type of birth you have

but mostly just enjoy your baby ❤️

You were in recovery after 10 minutes of baby being born? Your surgeons must have been super skilled 🤣

I think giving realistic expectations are best and it usually takes around 30- 45 minutes after baby is born to get stitched back up and cleaned up before your moved to recovery. If someone had told me it takes 10 mins prior to my section I’d be worrying why it was taking so long and start to panic something had gone wrong.

I ended up with a c section after 24 hours labour. It was absolutely fine. Recovery was excellent. Don't miss any medication and get mobile after surgery even though it will be uncomfortable. It is incredible how the body knits back together. I was out for lunch and a walk on day 5. I'll be opting for an elective c section for baby 2. Also have zero pelvic floor issues which so so many friends who had vaginal births do / did have! X

Legitimately was that quick. The longest part is opening you up, not closing you. They put baby on me. We got a picture and held her for five or ten minutes. Midwife then asked the surgeons how long, they said “we’re almost done here” and she was like “oh, quick then I’ll take dad through and do the checks”. A few minutes after that I was with baby in recovery. So maybe it was more like 15-20 minutes including baby checks, but it was seriously that quick.

ETA: I was glued up rather than stitched, so not sure if that made it faster.

No that’s completely wrong, the longest part is closing you up. It takes 5-10 minutes to get baby out. 45 mins on average to stitch back up.

@Luxell934 i don’t know what to tell you. That was my experience. You had me question but I’ve looked back. LO was born at 12:03. I had DH send a picture to my mum at 12:27. I was in recovery at the time with the midwife helping me to get baby to latch when I asked him to send it.
It was lunchtime, maybe they were in a hurry (I did get this impression) but it just did take this long. I guess this is a fast experience or unusual experience, but it was my experience.

The one thing I wasn't prepared for was the shakes. I couldn't stop shaking during the surgery (top part) so couldn't hold my baby but haven't compared with my first where he got stuck while I was pushing and then the room filled with people with alarms going off - My emcs felt much calmer.

For recovery - I agree with being mobile but there is a balance. I made sure I rested for the first two weeks. It was during covid so we couldn't go out but I healed well.

Hiya, reading these comments are really reassuring. I’m just wondering how you got on? I’ve got a planned c section on Tuesday as baby is growing too small and breech and I’m more worried about the spinal block as I have a fear of needles. What’s it honestly like? Pain out of 10? Thanks.

@samjones1991 the actual c section surgery, 0 pain. Feels weird but doesn't hurt, they put a cannula in your hand and will give you a spinal injection. But they numb your back first so thats just a scratch. Recovery I would say is more uncomfortable pain so I found it bearable. And it passes after a few days and each day the pain gets less and you can do more, day 1 probs 7/10 when trying to move, but a 1/10 when just lying down. Good luck❤️

Everyone's post seem so positive and such a difference experience to me :(
I had an emergency c section 11 days ago 3rd babies other 2 were natural and no where anything as painful and awful as my experience right now 💔 😢
I didn't want a c section and would never opt for one the pain and recovery is very long and painful compared to my 2 vagina births my incision was clean and fine 3 days ago its not infected open and bleeding! It's like the last 11 days of healing have done nothing if anything it's worse now and I'm absolutely fed up and had enough! You can't do anything I'm bored sitting here being useless for weeks you can barley look after your own baby it's awful 😞

Same here. My two sections had horrendous recoveries including post op complications, wound infections and significant pain for many, many weeks.

Hi love! I actually didn’t end up having a c section in the end! Baby turned literally at the very last minute, a few days before my due date and planned section date, I had an induction and forceps delivery.

2 of the women I was on a ward with afterwards had c sections though and they both said it wasn’t as bad as they imagined it to be.

Good luck, and congratulations, you get to meet your baby soon. Xx