Rate the pain

I was TERRIFIED of having a c section but honestly, as scary as the whole thing sounds.. it’s not too bad. You definitely feel pulling and tugging but I honestly didn’t mind it. What bothered me the most was how shaky and cold the drugs made me 🤣 and then when it came to being post partum.. it’s obviously hard because you’re limited to what you can do but once you’re on top of pain relief you’ll be okay. The adrenaline for the first few weeks will keep you going, all you’ll care about is your babies and not at all about yourself 😅😅
Hope that somewhat gives you reassurance

For me, the spinal block made me feel extremely unwell for about 10 to 15 minutes. During the operation, I felt some pulling and pressure but that's it.

The first 2 weeks were hard for me. Laughing, coughing or sneezing absolutely sucked! So did bending. I think it just comes down to the individual. Everybodies experience can be different. It's not like you can't hold your baby though. Keep pain relief consistent and take your time and you will be okay.

i wish someone told me you feel a lot of pressure and lots of tugging very uncomfortable feeling. the pain is rough try to have something on your stomach like a pillow or belly binder but the pain is like a searing burning pain the first 2 weeks are the worst you can’t sleep right and every movement hurts i wish i had more positive things to say lol but i think honesty helps you prepare for the worst and hope for the best! you have a cute snuggly baby so that makes it so worth it

I absolutely felt the procedure in other ways. My entire lower body was rocking when they were going through the process, pulling, tugging, vacuuming, and sewing me up, though I was pain-free.

It took an extra day for me to get sensation back in my legs to get cleared to go see my baby who was whisked away to the NICU to clear fluid from her longs that a lot of baby clear in the vaginal passageway. It definitely felt like major surgery wrecked me, and I was running on poor determination or passing out exhausted trying to eat well and pump in between.

I have a high tolerance for pain, but trying to rest and heal whilst trying to nurse, pump, change diapers, eat, manage hygiene, and scoot around without affecting my incision was difficult. Pain management went smoothly for me, but I have yet to feel like myself a year later. Pelvic floor therapy helped with several issues, including Diastasis Recti.

I've had 2 c-sections and honestly the pain was far less than I expected. I never needed anything stronger than Tylenol/Ibuprofen, but they should have narcotic options available for you if you do need them! Getting up and moving around is the absolute best thing you can do for healing- as soon as your spinal wears off try to get up and walk around your room/the unit. You're going to want to just lay in bed, but that will make your healing take so much longer. Walking is going to be your best friend post op.

During the c-section you don’t feel anything just pressure. Although I do remember a moment where they said I’m going to feel a lot of pressure and the doctor like body slammed my stomach and that hurt. Apparently that’s how they push the baby out for you through the incision?
After that I ended up passing out from exhaustion as I was in labor for 2 days. I also was on a high dose of magnesium due to preeclampsia so I felt very loopy. They do give you pain medication so that helps but they would randomly come in and push on my stomach which hurt, I forget the reason why. And the first time standing up took my breath away. But that’s just the first couple days after that everything is pretty mild. Just have to be careful moving around which is annoying cause you have to take care of baby. But not too bad. Regardless tho everything will work out and be okay . Having my daughter showed me how strong I actually am. Woman can get through anything. We are resilient. Wishing you the best!

Everyone is so different!! I don’t remember feeling anything in surgery for both of my sections, although they were both emergency csections after long labours so I was exhausted and had been on gas and air for most of the day, I was a little out of it. As someone has mentioned above, I had bad shakes and felt nauseous from the spinal block for my second section, but not from my first. After both, I felt pretty numb and pain free the following day. The second day was the worst, it was really hard to sit up, get out of bed etc. however I made sure I got up to go to the bathroom and shower. After that I was prescribed stronger pain relief and began to feel much better. After the course of pain meds (one week) I didn’t need any more as I was relatively pain free just a little slower at moving. Now 4 weeks pp and feeling almost fine.
Are you referring to scar massage? This isn’t done on the NHS in the UK. I will do my own when healed, which isn’t painful but gives me the ick 🫣