Janie, i have no experience (other than working there) of a bub in NICU, but c/secs I'm good at.

Take the pain relief that's offered. If you can't move because of pain, you can't do what you want.

Move your legs in bed as often as you can manage. Keep the blood moving.

Express as often as you can.

Use a rolled up towel (in eigths like a big pad) against your tummy when you want to move/cough/laugh. It braces those tender muscles a bit.

Use a thin mat pad between your wound and your knickers. It protects the wound a bit more.

ETA speak to the anaesthetist in depth before hand. Tell him what you expect to be able to do. I had a much better experience this time because of this - ie I wasn't so nauseas because I don't do well with morphine so asked for different drugs and lots of anti nausea drugs.

Good luck babe. Will be thinking of you.