Elective C-section recovery
Hello I’ve requested an elective c-section as my baby is measuring on the larger side, and I’m currently waiting to receive a date from the hospital. In the meantime, I’ve been looking into the recovery process and how it might impact breastfeeding.
For those who’ve had a c-section before, how was your overall experience? How long did it take you to recover, days or weeks?
I’m hoping to exclusively breastfeed, so I do have some concerns about milk supply following a c-section. I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences with this as well. Thank you in advance 🤍
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Mine was fine took a few days but saying that I did the colostrum harvesting at 37 weeks so had enough to give my little boy while my milk was coming in. Stay really hydrated and look after yourself so it helps the milk come in, you can get vitamins that you take to help it but I’d do your own research on that.
Also I was walking to my local shop by day 10 don’t push yourself it’s not as bad as everyone makes out, only thing I found hard was getting in and out of bed (you could buy a rope or a bed ladder to pull yourself up, I didn’t) stay on top of your painkillers set alarms to remind you to take them and you’ll be ok. Obviously everyone’s recovery is different. I’m booked in, in 4 weeks for my second C-section and I’m not worried at all.
Id say keep a good laxative to hand, keep on top on pain meds. Take it slow walking around and don't do too much just take care of yourself and baby and try get others to help around doing chores etc. I'll be doing colostrum harvesting as milk coming in can take 3/4 days sometimes but skin to skin helps bring it on.
All the best for your special day meeting your little one. Xx
Have a little scroll down this group as theres been very similar questions recently, especially about recovery.
Best of luck. Mine was amazing and genuinely found recovery completely manageable. Take all medication / pain killers. Don't stop early. Finish the course.
Start taking lactulose 3 or 4 days prior to surgery to help with that first poops.
Peppermint tea and chewing gum will help with trapped wind which can be really uncomfortable as everything settles back into place.
And get up and about as soon as you can. As soon as the catheter was out I was sloooooow walking around and I think that helped physically as well as mentally for me.
And lots of skin to skin in general will assist with breastfeeding.
My supply came in after a day or 2, like any mum, regardless of delivery.
Pumping will also help increase supply. I used to pump one boob whilst he fed on the other and plan to try the same with baby due next month too.
Best of luck!
I had a really positive experience and recovery with an elective section due to baby being breech. As others have said keep on top of pain meds and take it really easy in the beginning. I think I felt better/normal by about 4 weeks. I also found it tricky getting in and out of bed and slept on the couch in the begining. It was actually so much easier getting up from the couch than in and out of bed. My milk supply also came in after a few days but I did have issues feeds due to little one having a severe tounge tie! Not section related! 😂 X
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