C-section recovery

I'd say within 2 weeks it was like I'd never even had one. Only thing was my scar did hurt when pressed against (or when baby kicked it at the change table!) but I was able to do all the tasks etc. The sleep deprivation was worse. The first few days whilst it was all wearing off I could barely even move at all, so, LOTS of help. I was up and about and discharged within 2 or 3 days but VERY slow on my feet and unable to lift or bend. Worst thing for me (probs unrelated to the section itself) was that I got very bad swelling from edema after the birth and that affected my mobility more than anything else, it was so painful and physically restricting. Took months to wear off. I was 33 when I had mine if that makes a difference, and I already suffered with mobility issues from before the pregnancy so that might have made it easier or harder for me depending on how you look at it...

If you can get any kind of help, please do. The first couple of weeks, you will need some support and it is painful. I heavily relied on those painkillers and the strong ones really did ease the pain!

However, I had an amazing experience. The whole process was a lot better than I imagined and I was up and out of hospital quite a quickly. As much as you need to rest and sleep, also keep moving. The more active you can be, the quicker you heal. I found the healing process quite quick and my scar actually looks pretty good now. I’m 7 months pregnant and actually elected to have another c-section.

I know everyone’s experience isn’t the same. My sister really struggled with her c-section and still has complications. However, most of the women I know have had a c-section and recovered just fine. I hope yours goes well 💕

I found it quite hard initially. For the first week or 2 I struggled to lift my baby in/out of his crib or to stand up/down while holding him. Getting out of bed/up the stairs/climbing into the bath was hard. If my husband was there he would bring/lift baby for me and give me a hand doing those things. I was up and about, we went out for short walks by the end of the first week but I'd say I was very slow and uncomfortable for the first 2 weeks and took any help/support offered. By the 3rd week fine to move around myself and pain managed by the painkillers. I didn't need painkillers by the end of the third week. I didn't lift heavy stuff like the pram/car seat or drive for 6 weeks.
But saying all that I did have a good support system in place (and appreciate how lucky that makes me!) between my husband and my parents/in-laws. I think if I was on my own I would have done more but then taken longer to heal. Everyone is so different though, I know others who were literally fine straight away 🤷🏼‍♀️

Pain wise was fine for me, I didn’t need to take any pain killers. However I over did it in terms of acting as if I hadn’t had major surgery and then reopened my stitches and had an infection in my incision that I had to have drained 🫠

I don’t know if I have a high pain threshold or what!

I think planned sections tend to be slot easier to recover from, I had an emergency C-section with my second and he was out in 90 seconds as his heartbeat couldn't be traced it was super quick. So they didn't have time to cut through tissue individually or be more careful moving organs at the way - sorry if this is tmi - so there's a lot more swelling and trauma. The first week I couldn't really be left alone as I couldn't move around much at all. By week 2 I was a lot more mobile and still had pain but I just had to keep on top of meds. Im 12 weeks now and pretty much normal although have tenderness to touch on it and can only manage baby wearing for short periods x

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

I'm going to have to get some help (parents won't be able to due to health) and trying to work out how long it will need to be for. It's so expensive! I'm looking at budgeting for up to 6 weeks, but even cutting that back to 4 or 5 weeks would make a difference. It's positive to hear that most of you felt you had more mobility after 2 weeks. 💕

Both were pretty easy for me tbh. We have no one in the country and my husband gets no paternity leave.

After my first baby we took public transport home and I went to Costco on day 5.

After my second baby I was home alone with a newborn and a 2,5 year old from day 4 onwards.

Pain wise, ive had worse periods. Stay mobile, set medicine alarms and keep going. I was doing minimal chores and had no issues with the stairs, with getting out of bed, showering. I could both times do nappy changes on the floor and get up and down myself. I stopped my dihydrocodeine before I even finished the packet.

After my first I was back exercising at 6w pp and on a plane to Australia at 9w pp. personally I LOVED my births and will have my third the same way xx