C-sections

[AraW]

Newbie here so please humour me (you have all been very helpful so far!). I’ve been told that I may be better off having a C-section for medical reasons (digestive and pelvic floor issues for decades). How bad is the recovery? This will be our first baby so we’re both new to this and neither of us has family nearby or anyone else who can help. Do you need to stay in bed for weeks and if so does caring for the baby fall mainly to your husband or partner? I’m a bit concerned about being out of action.

May I ask a question please to those who have had c sections and breast fed. I was wondering if the painkillers were okay for those breastfeeding. I'm assuming that any drugs would get through to the milk baby takes so i just wondered how this works.
Thank you.

They get you on just paracetamol asap.

@animartin what is a belly binder please? Asking for future reference 😉 x

Much easier than my forceps delivery I was home the next day, off all painkillers and driving within a week.

I had an emergency section in the middle of the night.

Up within 4 hours, home within 24 hours, paracetamol and ibuprofen only, totally fine within about 5 days, back running normal 5k in just under 4 weeks

It was an absolute breeze to recover from and I don't remember feeling any pain that was worse than about 3/10 in severity.

I have genuinely had a tooth out that hurt more.

Appreciate not everyone has this experience but I wouldn't be afraid of having another.

I’ve had one emergency and one elective section and I’d agree the recovery is easier with an elective but I didn’t find it too bad either time. I was sore and a bit worried about putting strain on the stitches for the first few days but other than heavy lifting there wasn’t much I couldn’t do.

I’ve had one emergency and one elective section and I’d agree the recovery is easier with an elective but I didn’t find it too bad either time. I was sore and a bit worried about putting strain on the stitches for the first few days but other than heavy lifting there wasn’t much I couldn’t do.

@Orangeroses243 It's like an elasticated corset that provides some even pressure all around your tummy. Really helps when your abs are split from pregnancy (diastasis recti) or just weak from the incision itself. Key is to wear it in the right place; over the INCISION, not over your waistline. A nurse helped me put it on the first time around which was very helpful! Frida Mom makes a great one in the states - they also have a slightly padded version which was great for toddler bashes from my oldest lol

For eveyone that has had easy recoveries; do you have long term effects? My recovery was horrendous, I was in a lot of pain afterwards, and I still have pain both deep in my pelvis and on the scar - I can't wear anything that presses on the area, the only pants I can wear are granny knickers

@BoundlessSeraphI’m the same as you. How long ago did you have yours?

@BoundlessSeraphI haven’t had any long terms effects at all from my 2 C sections. Once they were healed (first healed quickly, 2nd took a few weeks longer), then I was back to normal.

Have you been to the docs or anything about it? Hope it improves for you x

of course the painkillers are fine for breast feeding - we wouldn't prescribe them if they weren't. Standard sort of cocktail is paracetamol, ibuprofen, dihydrocodeine +/- oral morphine with some variations on the theme in different units. Codeine is the one that isn't considered safe for breastfeeding these days and that's why we don't prescribe it. Midwives like to cut down the pain relief as soon as possible, but the strong stuff is definitely prescribed. Opioids all cause constipation so that's worth bearing in mind if you're taking them.

My planned section was a dream. I was in the park day 3 with my 2 year old toddler and 3 day old baby (and DH). Compared the damage and long lasting issued caused by my vaginal birth with oldest with resulted in a fourth degree tear torn uterus and PPH! Hence the section.

the section was so much more calm and relaxed and I recovered really well. I had the procedure at 4.30pm and was out of bed walking to toilet at 12 midnight. Yes it was sore and the trapped wind was the worse but recovery was great.

@BoundlessSeraph my only long term effect is my scar is sometimes itchy and maybe a very slight ‘shelf’ but it’s gone down so much.

But otherwise no problems, I’d definitely push for some investigations, you don’t want to be living in pain

In the old days a physio would visit you on the ward to explain how to move, get in and out of bed etc. Now - if you’re lucky - they
might throw a leaflet in your direction.

I would google reputable websites. What I remember as advice/ what I was doing may be wrong!

I’ve had an emergency, and an elective due to transverse lie and I was up and about within a short time. My only issue was coughing and sneezing - I used to hold my stomach in case my guts fell out.

With the first I was under the impression I couldn’t drive for 6 weeks but with the second I looked into it and found I could as long as the midwife okayed it and I felt I could do an emergency stop - that made the second time much easier afterwards.

Planned c section is completely fine! It’s tricky for the first week and you are not meant to bend down or lift anything heavier than your baby for a while, but I was back driving after 3 weeks and have had no issues. They took off my dressing after a few days and it was a neat red line, no bruising or anything! I was really surprised how quickly it healed

Working under the assumption that there will hopefully be no complications, there’s no reason you should find recovery from an elective c-section overly gruelling. Emergencies are different, I’ve heard. I’ve had two, both a walk in the park recovery-wise. First was the best, I was very fit beforehand and my core muscles were incredibly strong so that helped, but I can’t complain about either. DH went back to work after about 5 days first time and it was fine. It was also during Covid times so I was left to my own devices very soon after DC1 was born, I was up and about 6 hours post surgery, picking up baby etc no worries. I was driving and out walking the dogs etc after a week/ten days or so.
Also, and you may not care much, aesthetically I can’t believe how neat and tidy the scar is. Even after the second. Amazing stuff really, hard to believe my small people came out of there!

I just want to put the other side here. It’s be not had a c-section but have had 2 v straightforward home births (and a shit hospital delivery). Even after the most straightforward vaginal birth, there is a significant recovery period. I as not darting off on the school run the day after my 3rd was born. I still felt that I’d been run over.

Anecdotal evidence would suggest that an elcs is far easier to recover from than a complicated vaginal delivery. After my first baby my stitches hurt for 6 months! There was a period of healing several months in where they hurt MORE than they did initially.

good luck, I’m sure it will all be fine ❤️

Thanks everyone. Mumsnet is so useful! Reminds me that you can’t control everything (or anything?!) about childbirth but some people do have ok or even positive experiences (although I appreciate that there are many who don’t, and I hope you’re recovering or recovered well).

I had an emergency c section after almost 24 hours of labour for reference.
id say, I felt much more myself after around 5-7 days. I definitely had to walk slowly but I didn’t stay in bed. Gentle walking aids recovery.
I was very careful though ie you can’t pick up the car seat, only the weight of your baby. I found it uncomfortable sitting on the sofa for the first few days.
I would say (with your partners help) you’ll be fine. Take it slow, take it easy, get moving when you can

I’ve had a vaginal birth and a c- section and in terms of recovery I would choose a vaginal birth any day of the week .
However I had a Cat 1 C-section under GA with a baby that was very difficult to extract so I think this may have added to my pain afterwards as my stomach was soooooo bruised . But baby was in the NICU and I was desperate to meet her so as soon as I was awake and the catheter and balloon were removed I was out the bed and in the shower with a lot of assistance from my husband . The pain was absolutely horrendous though I was sat in the shower being sick with the pain whilst my husband washed me and I never had that level of after pain with my vaginal birth despite having a 9lb baby and a tear and stitches and doing it all with no pain relief . I would still rather do that again than another section.
xx

@animartin thank you! We are currently trying for our 2nd so this is very helpful, never heard of and wish I would of! il be investigating and purchasing ready for next time - if I am lucky enough if course ☺️🤞 xxx

Hi !! Also due soon. Had emergency cesar for first. Was awful. I'm going again for second. Planned should be much safer. But Im scared too. Love the babies. Hate the pregnancy !!

Thank you. I have multiple allergies so will speak to my midwife or consultant about the ingredients in these.