Post elective c-section recovery

[Sara1988]

Hi all, having a last minute elective caesarean in a couple of days and feel really underprepared!

I don't fair well mentally with inactivity and wondered if anyone could share their timeline in regards to going for walks, out for coffee, etc.

Also, any general advice on how to prepare and how best to recover would be amazing.

Tia 😊

Hi,
I had an emergency c section with my 1st and they normally say the recovery time is approx 6 weeks, even to drive.
I just took it easy, but was at the supermarket 5 days after (although not by myself).
The muscles where they cut for c section entry were tender for at least the 6 weeks.
I'm sure you will be fine, don't think too much about it.
I am currently considering an elective c section with my current pregnancy.
😊

I had an elective with my first and have one planned for my 2nd. I rested on the sofa for a few days, but was able to walk about slowly after that (the weather was awful so I don’t think I went for a walk for over a week though). The main thing is not lifting. So a stroll will be ok- just keep on top of the ibuprofen. The pain wasn’t too bad, but that took the edge off it!

I found pain ok, as long as you stick to medication they give you. The hard part for me was getting into and out of bed, I found it quite difficult for a good while

2 x planned ELCS here.

initially (like 12-24 hours out) you’ll feel great! It’s a trap (and the drugs 😅)

The biggest mistake people make is injuring themselves post surgery. I was adamant I wouldn’t do that.
i had textbook recoveries both times my scar is perfect and I took it easy initially.
I know 3 people who had issue 1 reopened the scar the other 2 got/ gave themselves a hernia. They were all doing too much too soon.

first week was pottering around the house like 2-4k steps on a Fitbit per day maybe a bit more on the odd day.

then I started doing slow walks on the flat in week 2 and was up to 10k by 2-3 weeks pp.
i stuck with walking up to around 20k per day until my diastis recti was resolved (check you don’t have it) and then did a few light classes and after 2-4 weeks hit the gym properly.

I'm 8m pp with no 2 now and do about 4 high intensity classes a week and have since 5-6m mark…

not what you asked but buy Elastoplast XL silicone strips (or any silicone strips) and use from 6-8 weeks post partum they are fantastic

I had a planned section in April. I was walking around Ikea after 3 days, but I do think I overdid it a bit. Still the hospital will want you up and about asap after the operation.

Practically you won’t be able to bend or sit up very easily. I found it helpful to have somewhere high to change DS rather than the floor. Obviously you’ll need to rest and not be cleaning, cooking etc for at least a couple of weeks.

Make sure you stay on top of your pain relief and don’t miss doses just because you feel better as pain will return. I took paracetamol and ibuprofen regularly for two weeks. I set alarms to help me remember as with a newborn I kept forgetting! I was surprised how quickly I did feel better but my tummy is still tender now after almost 6 months.

If you can tie a dressing gown cord on the end of your bed to pull yourself up. I didn’t grasp how much you engage your abdominals when you just sit up and you obviously can’t do this for a while, so it’s good to have help to get up.

I had a c-section due to a placenta issue and in all honesty I was pleasantly surprised how quick the recovery was after the initial 5-ish days I’d say. Granted I wasn’t doing athletics but I could competently and comfortably do everything that needed to be done for myself and little one and light bits around the house. I was very active prior and during pregnancy which I think helped though.

word of advice…accept the medication! As a PP has alluded to the epidural or spinal block does hang around for a good 24 hours, I was lulled into thinking all was great and and I turned down pain medication, day 3 was really really uncomfortable so I took the lowest dose of codeine for a few days and all was well. First walk outside in the pram was 4 days and supermarket 5 days I think. After a week generally quite normal minus heavy lifting.

Stay super hydrated, lots of fibre, make the most of the catheter and drink water like a fish! I think I panicked about the first ‘proper’ use of the loo especially with codeine if you get my meaning but it wasn’t too bad because I drank so much!

good luck!

I think I was able to walk about 2 miles two weeks after, back in the gym straight after my 6 week check up but I laid off any core work until a lot later.

I was back to normal on day 3, looking after my toddler as normal.

I had a C-section in April. I was told to take it easy for a few days and the first 3 days were admittedly painful but I was walking around Tesco on day 3 doing a small shop. Still in pain getting up and down but mostly fine with paracetamol and ibuprofen. Just take them on schedule even if you're not in pain.

I'd say I was fine after 7 days with a little pain managed with paracetamol and ibuprofen and back to 'normal' within 2 weeks. Easily could have performed an emergency stop at 3 weeks but didn't drive until 6 weeks as the advice stated.

Also don’t get disheartened by the competitive ‘back to normal’ on this thread if you find you feel rubbish after. It is a major surgery.

I’ve had 4. The first couple of days you are pretty sore. Get home as soon as you can as it’s so much better in your own home where you can potter about. I was out and about visiting people after about 4/5 days I think. With no 4 my doctor cleared me to drive after 3 weeks, it was either drive to do the school/nursery runs on walk back and forth up a very steep hill several times a day.

Thanks all. This is really reassuring! I heard 6 weeks and thought I'd be be bound until then. Going for a short walk after 5 days seems doable without going round bend!

We'd been planning on a homebirth and have only has two days to prepare for c section, so need all the advice I can get!

I've had 2 c sections, one emergency and one elective.
The elective was far easier than the emergency, I would say the first 2-4 days are a bit rough and I was walking like I pooped myself. Getting out of bed I had to sort of slide out of it like a slug and then get up off the floor on my hands and knees, which is I found easier than trying to sit up.
I did venture out to the shops after a week but I definitely overdid it and had stomach pains, although by that time I could move around my house fine. Within 2-3 weeks I felt 95% back to my normal self and was out and about.

To be honest, I'm already struggling to get out of bed and turn over because of the size of my bump. I think my abs must have separated. The movements you describe are exactly how I'm doing things now, so at least ive got the technique down!

I recovered well and I think it's because I allowed my body time to rest. I basically did nothing except breastfeeding in front of the telly for the first two weeks. Then I started doing little outings for coffee. And then gentle slow walks of around 1km by 3-4 weeks.

Go gently on yourself and keep on top of painkillers!

I definitely wouldn't have gone to Tesco on day 3, like a PP! Wow! I did attend a family event after one week and was able to slowly walk to the bar to get a coffee at that point but that was about it! I listened to my body though and avoided anything that gave a twinge of pain. Definitely no lifting or bending. For the first few weeks DH would wake in the night with me (I BF) to pass me baby and make sure we were comfortable etc.

I had a very relaxed EMCS and then a slightly complicated ELCS. Both times I stayed in the hospital two nights and then was able to go for walks to the end of the road and back from the first full day home. You just need to take it very very easy and be careful not to dial back on painkillers the same day you up the activity!

I think I was lifting my 2yo up but not carrying her around at about 2 weeks and back to normal activity at six weeks although I did still feel weak in my core.

It was grand really.

I've had 2 - but a long time ago.

I do remember my recovery on both were quick and easy.

Get big knickers.
Use a little pillow for car journeys, between you and the belt.
As soon as you get the go ahead to walk, try it. Take it v slow and steady but move as much as you can. Even if just a few steps at first.
Get in and out of bed on your knees, so backwards.
Only left your baby - nothing else.
Listen to your body. You'll know how you feel and what you can do.

Best of luck OP - weirdly try and enjoy the experience as much as you can.

I had an EMCS (Having an ELCS in Feb, can't wait!) and was doing short slow walks in the park around day 5, and then took a trip to John Lewis (lovely parent room, big spacious cafe, nice Christmas bits - a great first trip out with baby imo) on day 8! Some good advice on here PP, best of luck - I will reiterate the advice of taking painkillers before you feel pain i.e. religiously on schedule, don't delay if you're feeling alright