C section honest recovery time? Last minute change

[Snowtimex7]

Hello,

I had been wanting a natural birth for baby number 2. I was induced last time. I looked at c sections as I had placenta previa but then placenta moved and I no longer needed one so instantly ruled out.

I have a 4 year old at home starting school sept and I am 39 weeks today. It’s not been an easy pregnancy but now I’ve been put on crutches with support bands. Not able to walk further than the length of my living room due to severe Pelvic girdle pain and pain in hips. My legs go dead often. It’s just truly mentally taking a toll. I cry everyday. I have not been able to do much with my little one and I’m just so so fed up. Struggling to even wash dishes.

I went to my midwife appointment, she did a sweep and I scored a 2 on bishop scale. He’s not low. Cervix is not short and is firm. No dilation. Nothing. I honestly cried. I’ve drunk the tea, eating the dates, on the ball, eating spicy food doing what i can without the walking as I just can’t. My midwife recommended referring back to the hospital and see if they can do something.

the hospital have said induction or c section but given the pain I’m in I won’t be allowed a water birth as they won’t be able to get me out in an emergency and I can’t exactly walk around to assist so it could really result in a c section. They recommend a c section. I will be getting a call soon from a doctor to discuss next steps.

it’s not the way I wanted it to go. Im scared for recovery with a toddler. My husband has limited time off work. I bought everything to prepare for after birth in labour not for a c section. Im just lost

has anyone else had this such a last minute change? What should I expect? How was recovery for you?

I had all the problems you describe, and my 3 year old was very physically and mentally disabled, so a lot of work. My docs put me on bed rest at 34 weeks until I went into labour. My anaesthetist decided that I would have an epidural at the earliest point possible, and I delivered naturally. At no point was a C section even mentioned. As soon as the baby arrived, all the pain started to resolve and I made a good recovery.
I send you every good wish to get through this. I well remember the pain, and the tears, and feeling I couldn't cope. This will pass, and soon you will have a lovely new baby.

Both my boys were delivered by emergency c sections. With DS1 I was in labour for 3 days when they finally decided I had an incompetent cervix. He's now 12 and super intelligent but clumsy. DS2 was a scheduled c section but decided to come early. I opted for a natural birth and all was well until they could no longer detect a heartbeat. He's 9 and the politest little gas-lighting kid.

I've never had a natural birth so I can only comment on my c sections. I recovered extremely well. I experienced no pain other than trapped wind in my shoulder which lasted for years. Peppermint tea was my friend. I was able to breastfeed instantly.

HOWEVER, I know I am a rare case. Probably in the 1% of c sections gone right. I was extremely lucky with my boys.

Good luck to you x

OP I had very bad PGP in my first pregnancy and saw an osteopath who massively fixed the issue after one session at around 32 weeks. I had another session then at 34/35 weeks and was able to walk/move normally like my pre pregnancy self.
I had PGP again in my second pregnancy and stupidly waited for a physio referral from the hospital instead of visiting an osteopath. The physio was useless and I struggled the last few weeks of my pregnancy because of it. I could barely walk and leave the house but had my physio appointment a week before I had the baby, so thought it was pointless to see an osteopath in between.
If I was you, I’d look into booking an osteopath asap and seeing if they can help. Your recovery should be a lot more manageable and you may get the birth that you have planned for.
I have had a c section for both my pregnancies and the recovery is ok, take it easy and rest well etc.
I still had some slight PGP aches after my second pregnancy and found that I would get muscle soreness at times - just so you know that the pain may not completely resolve itself once you have the baby.

If your choices are induction or straight to c-section I would opt straight off for the c-section as that's where you could end up with a failed induction anyway.

I had an induction at 40+12 that lead to an emergency c-section at 40+14. Despite this I found the recovery fine, was discharged after two days and able to take care of baby and myself. It was tricky getting out of bed and up and down stairs for a few weeks but manageable and I don't remember ever being in real pain but I did keep topped up with diclofenec for for the first week then paracetamol/ ibuprofen for the next week or so. I also had PGP and the relief of being no longer pregnant meant I practically had a spring in my step. Granted I didn't have a 4 year old to contend with, but at 4 yr old they will be able to come and sit with you for a cuddle, help pick items from the floor to help you etc. Take it slow and steady and don't over exert yourself and I'm sure you'll be grand.

Also don't underestimate how much you will still bleed after a c-section, I thought they would 'suck' everything up when they take out the afterbirth but I bled vaginally for weeks after. Stock up on maternity pads and granny pants. A tip I got told was to tuck a sanitary pad against the section scar inside your granny knickers, it doesn't 'do' anything but helps you feel a bit more secure. It helped me anyway. Good luck, you're nearly there!

I had a c section under GA (planned). I recovered pretty quickly. I got up and about the same day to shuffle around and use the toilet. I was only in pain when I got out of bed, but it wasn't awfully bad.

I had some back pain for a couple of weeks when doing certain things like changing DS' nappy on the bed because I had no core muscles and so my back was kind of taking the strain. So be mindful of what you can do to reduce the need to do things whilst bending over e.g. have a changing surface that you can stand to use and don't vacuum,

I was driving after a week (insurance said that as long as I felt comfortable then I could go ahead).

I hope you have a good experience too OP.

HOWEVER, I know I am a rare case. Probably in the 1% of c sections gone right.

Where have you read that only 1% of caesareans ‘go right?’ It’s far, far more likely to ‘go right,’ especially when compared to a vaginal birth!

Mine was the right thing for my child, but I struggled with it and would never tell anyone that it’s the easy option (I had a vb first with a significant tear - hence the elective for the next one).

I actually employed a doula to help with my other child. But the very difficult thing was the lack of pain relief that I had been given. I ended up going back to hospital and being prescribed proper pain relief, which then meant that I was mobile and began to recover.

My body hasn’t been the same since, though.

2 very painful pregnancies where I was crippled with PGP. I couldn’t walk without crutches by 20 weeks last time.

My PGP MASSIVELY reduced immediately after my elective c section both times. Even after the pain relief wore off. It’s a toss up whether the c section or the PGP hurt more. I was in hospital for 5 and 6 nights - I have APS, gestational diabetes, and there were also complications due to rhesus factor which meant we needed observation, and the babies both needed extended periods under the jaundice lamps. I am limited as to what painkillers I can have as I’m allergic to opiates so mainly paracetamol and ibuprofen.

my experience:
day 1 First up at 8:30 for section. largely covered by painkillers.
day 2 was the worst pain wise. I had a tramadol (just 1!) that day.
day 3 I was starting to improve. I was able to sleep on my side.
Day 4 didn’t really need painkillers but kept up with them just in case
day 5 no painkillers. Walking pretty normally.
first night home I cooked dinner. Stairs weren't a problem for the first time in months.
day 14 driving. I had felt normal for a few days by this point.

What was awful first time was the trapped wind. Took me 5 days to have a poo the first time. Second time round I maxed out the laxido and managed to poo on day 2. I strongly recommend you do this too. Keep taking the laxido even after you’ve ‘gone’ as everything is sensitive after the surgery so you need all the help you can get. Good luck! You will be fine x

Only 1% of caesarean sections go right? Whaaaat??

That is not true AT ALL.

The vast majority of sections go without any issues whatsoever.

Yeah, it’s probably over 90% of C sections that “go right” OP, so don’t let that post put you off.

I had an ELCS and have my next one booked. For me, the worst bit was trying to get up from laying down - that was hard but had completely improved by day 3. I was driving by 12 days post op and everything else was fine, I didn’t even need to codeine apart from once but take all the meds you feel you need.

I’m sorry you are in so much pain now.