C-section recovery - what does it feel like?

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What does the pain feel like? Is it like an amplified version of the burning pain you feel when you accidentally cut yourself, or something different?

Just keep up with the painkillers and you will be fine. I got over confident a few days in and was walking slowly, I skipped taking them and oh my did I regret it

As others have said an ache rather then a slice kind of pain. I called for morphine for the pain of my uterus contracting while breastfeeding rather then the c section. that was much more painful for me

I didn't have any pain, was sent home with paracetamol & diclofenac but never needed them. I had to be up & about as exh had just been diagnosed with MS & was struggling to walk.

I have had 1 emergency section and 2 planned, you made me laugh out loud!

I didn’t find it painful as I had anticipated. The scar healed very well can hardly see it now.

I was back riding my horse 3 weeks post-section. Not very well, mind, as I didn’t compete again until 4 months after having my baby, but I was back on. I also moved yards 4/5 weeks after and was moving heavy trunks etc. I am fine.

planned sections are very different from emergencies. The people I know who have had a bad time were emergencies. Makes sense: already weak from labouring, and surgical team rushing to save mum and baby, compared to a highly controlled and routine scheduled surgery.

I ended up having an emergency csection (semi emergency- it was unplanned but not a life or death emergency) this week after 5 long hard days of labour and I can confidently say I wouldn’t even attempt VBAC for any consequence babies I’ll take the ELCS every time.

The surgery itself was relaxed and everyone was so lovely, I started feeling really sick and unwell as they were finishing off and they responded really quickly and the lovely midwife sat at my head holding a wet cool towel there to reassure me. I ended up being sick in recovery too but again this wasn’t an issue as I thought it would be as I was numb so couldn’t feel any pain.

recovery has been a lot easier than I thought it would be. It has been tender and sore and I was aching and in quite a bit of pain particularly on day 1/2 but with medication it has been very manageable. The day I came home I forgot to take my pain relief for a good few hours and that was when I hurt the most

managing my scar has been easy there hasn’t been any pain from it so far although I’m yet to have it removed.

don’t get me wrong, it’s an operation so it is tender and sore for a few days but it’s definitely not a painful stabbing sensation. I would choose an csection every day of the week over 5 days of natural labour again!

Just remember everyone is different and if you don't feel up to horseriding after 3 weeks or need more meds than a couple of paracetamol that is ok.

Not everyone bounces back and not everyone finds it pain free and easy

@whyhavetheygotsomany c section is giving birth. What else would you call it? You mean vaginal birth. I know it's pedantic but that kind of comment makes women feel they've failed in some way.

I also preferred my vaginal birth but either type can go well or badly. Depends if you have infection or additional wounds etc. Neither is a walk in the park!