Emergency c section experiences

[Frenchtoastie]

Please can anyone describe how their recovery and levels of pain were?
how much movement could you do after each week?
how much pain medication did you need?

I am 3 weeks post partum now and still in agony. Have had to start taking codeine again which I feel disheartened about. Cannot walk any distance at all, and I can only see threads about people that could walk great distances and only needed paracemol after a few days

Hey OP.

I am now at the end of the second week, I would describe it as mild pain. I don't take any painkillers anymore for it, and most of the bruising seems to have gone.

I don't walk great distances though. At the end of week 1 I was feeling a bit cocky and did too much (like going for a small walk to pick up a parcel and some housework), and I realised I was not helping my own recovery. The gynaecologist actually impressed on me how important it is to take proper rest, so no housework, not even (un)loading the dishwasher.

I am basically spending my days cuddling and feeding the baby and been feeling loads better since.

I had one in 2013 so quite a while ago. My advice is don't rush anything and don't compare yourself to anyone else. Your body has been through a major event and 3 weeks post partum is extremely early days! I remember some discomfort and pain and tried not to overdo it. After a couple of months I felt more like my old self as I'd got into a routine with the baby etc. If you're in lots of pain or discomfort I'd definitely have a word with your doctor. Take it easy and try and rest as much as you can (easier said than done I know!)

Hey op. I was still on painkillers for my elective section at 8 weeks pp. I think I really started to feel back to myself at around 4 months pp tbh. I found it really hard and also couldn’t walk far/lift things/bend over comfortably until a good 12weeks pp

i was also disheartened at other people’s recovery and me finding it so hard. Baby’s now 5 months and it feels like forever ago! Hang in there xx

Hi OP sorry to hear you are in so much pain. Have you checked how your wound looks? If it doesn’t look like an infection is startingni would recommend you go to a physio that specialises in post natal care. I went to a physio from about week 20 in my pregnancy until maybe 2 or 3 months post partum and I swear it made the world of difference.

For me by 1 week post emergency c section I was off all pain med and I was able to go for short walks of 10-15 mins by then. I was walking slower than normal. I wouldn’t say it was pain free but more uncomfortable at times than outright pain. I built that up slowly and was able to walk 40 or so mins by 3-4 weeks and once I had my 6 week all clear I was back riding my horse.

However, please note that before pregnancy I was extremely fit (riding horses 6 days a week) and I was lucky and could keep cycling (stationary bike) throughout my pregnancy. I say this because not all stories on here give the full picture. I fully believe that being able to move during my pregnancy helped me recover quicker after.

I’ve had 2 c/section and I’m also a midwife. My first was emergency, came of painkillers about 2 weeks ish, also cockily tried walking with pram to shops which weren’t far but honestly over did it and nearly didn’t make it home, was so weak and exhausted by the end. Was very foolish of me. My second c/section was planned but went wrong and I had a major internal bleed, so I was also anaemic despite blood transfusion, took me over 3 months to recover and took pain meds for ages. This one was a real slog and I struggled so much. Best you can do is take whatever pain relief you need, wean yourself off slowly if you need. Avoid codiene based meds where possible as these will constipate you. Don’t push yourself or over do it. If you go out have lots of coffee pit stops ☺️

Forgot to say, if you’re in agony, then see your GP. You may have internal infection and need antibiotics. Infection is most likely reason for a step back wards like this, but take heart it’s also easily resolved.

Hi all thanks for your comments

i ended up back in hospital with an internal infection and mastitis..7 days in hospital on IV antibiotics and oral antibiotics to finish at home.

i am now 7 weeks pp and have been out of hospital 2 weeks but the pain is still there really not sure what to do as the hospital have signed me off. Any advice? 😓