How soon could you do stuff after C/S?

[Rach75]

DS#1 emergency c-cect morning, not allowed out of bed till next morning...was up and walkign to SCN by that afternoon and SCN was a long way away

DS#2 elective c-sect afternoon up and showered next morning and doing everything for son...walk around ward and hospital that afternoon

[LimeSlice]

They will give you a sheet that explains some exercises you can and can't do after you go home.
You ill be in hossie for 5-6 days yourself - enjoy it, it is wonderful! lol

Keep in mind it takes around 6 weeks for your stomach muscles to close again before you can do even moderate exercise, and that is after the pregnancy alone, not the cs.
The recommendation is you don't lift anything heavier than your baby - so no wet washing baskets, not pushing heavy prams if you can help it, no driving.

After the cs you will get your feeling back in your legs fairly soon, depending on the type of anesthetic used and you personally - some people take longer than others.
They will leave the catheter in for the next 12-24 hours so you don't have to get up to pee - let them, again , this is a tiny bit of paradise hehe
You will have obs done every half hour, and hepron injections every 2 hours I think it is. These are nasty and will bruise. Make sure you are keeping an eye on where they are putting them - nothing worse than a nurse reusing the same injection site 3 times, trust me.
You will also be given a drip with some happy drugs and a little push button - push it, use it. If your pain gets above a 3-4 on the pain scale, you left it too long and it will get worse before it gets better. Think it was about 24 hours they leave you with the Happy Button.
They will come to check your wound site every half hour too, tell them of any pain, itching, burning etc, it is all important and nobody will think you are whinging but an infected wound site is not fun. They will remove the drain from it after about 12 hours I think it was.
Do. Not. Attempt to get our of bed for 12 hours. Firstly, it is KILL your wound site, second, you will be amazed how quickly you will fall on your arse without support, third, there is no need. When you do get up, they will show you how to get up without popping a staple or stitch. Remember, it isn't just the external staples you can see, but the rows of internal stitches that are vital. These will dissolve on their own, your staples will be removed the day you leave hospital.
When you cough or sneeze, link your fingers together an hold your webbed hands over your wound site firmly. You will need to keep doing this for a couple of weeks.
Don't try to be a hero - the nurses and hubby are there to look after you, so let them. Nothing worse than getting halfway down the hallway with bubs to change a nappy and needing a nurse to get you a wheelchair to go back because you have over done it and physically can't stand up anymore! lol

Once I got home, it was probably about another 2 weeks (so 3 weeks post op) that I felt normal again. Things were still painful, the wound site was still healing, but I could shuffle around well, we went to the shops, etc.
Don't push yourself, there are no prizes for burst scars and you need to let your body heal - the weight will be dealt with after 6 weeks, but you have just experienced MAJOR abdominal surgery, your hormones are changing yet again, your body is 'fixing' itself after the pregnancy and you need to let it do its thing without stress like exercise.

Some general tips:
1 - ALWAYS order the extra plate of sandwiches in the hospital! lol You will be ravenous at midnight, esp if you are breastfeeding, and the extra round of sangers will make everything alright again
2 - If you need a break, ask the middies to take bubs for a while. There is no shame in this! Again, you are a new mum but you are also recovering from major surgery, cut yourself some slack and et some rest.
3 - Before you leave, and whilst you are in hossie, make sure you ask for a pile of non-adhesive dressing pads. they are nice and soft and you put them against your wound site under your knickers so the site isnt aggravated or pulled etc. LIFESAVERS, especially after you get home and the wound is still raw.
4 - CALENDULA OINTMENT, I used "Tinderbox" brand. Best. Stuff. Ever. Put it on the wound site (once it has knitted, so a few days post op) at least twice a day, will aid its healing and prevent infection. Keep doing it for a good 2-3 months after the op.


Hope that helps! And all the best with your cs and birth!