How well did you recover in the 6 weeks after your c-section? What was the pain like?

[aussienic]

I have had 3 c/s. First was a little rough as I didn't know what to expect (didn't have the internet then)

I actually recovered faster then I thought I would.. Stairs were a little tiring as we have a high set house but I still managed them with little pain. I found getting in and out of bed was rough with all 3.. you soon learn which way works for you.. For me it was to sit then lay down on my side very slowly then stay there.. lol..

If you have any questions feel free to ask

[kelsbels]

My caesar was awesome and my recovery was great. After the iv came out I had panadol for 2 days then nothing. I had a haemorrage which meant an extra day in bed with a transfusion but apart from that I had little pain at all. I drove the day I came home so 5 days post op and was walking around town the day after. If anything I overdid it and bled for a lot longer than I should have! I will be more aware of getting more rest next time but I was on such a high with a new baby, I forgot I'd had major surgery!!

Good luck with it, it will be what you make it which I hope is an enjoyable and memorable experience

[feeb]

I have had an emerg cs and an elective both times great recovery!

DS1 born 2132 I was up showered bathed him by 0900 walking around feeling great!!

DS2 was elective born 0850 and was not allowed out of bed till next morning this sent me nuts!! Was up showered etc at 0730 next morning.

Biggest thing is regular pain relief take everything they offer you for 48hrs then cut pack and walk as much as you can.

DH had to travel for work both times post birth at around 2 and 3 weeks o
Just had to ne careful and not lift DS1 but change on couch or floor etc

Good luck

[blessedatlast]

I was off everything but panadol after 48 hours. I got out of bed after 24 hours.
I was moved in Ronald McDonald House on Day 5, which required me to walk up and down 2 flights of stairs and I was fine with that.

Mines almost similar except I had an emergency with twins at 24wks. I was off all painkillers by day 3. I think they key to a good recovery is to get up and about ASAP, and try not to dwell on the pain. If your in pain, your in pain, but if you lay in bed not moving thinking about the surgery I think it makes it worse IYKWIM.. With twins in NICU and having no choice but to walk to see them made me forget about the pain pretty fast. I am having a scheduled c section this time too, I hope my recovery is just as quick.

I do think however if you can stay with your Mum then why not? And yeah jumbo undies, loose fitting clothes

[Melbournemumma]

I've had 2 c-sections and have recovered very well. I was in a private hospital for both so had dh stay with me the first night. He got up to both boys and would bring them to me to feed. With ds2 I was driving after 3wks and had no pain killers once I left the hospital.

Good luck and I hope it all works out for you.

[surprised]

I was in pain for pretty much 6 weeks, but looking back I think I tried to do too much, didn't get a massage when I needed it (terrible back pain), and didn't take the pain relief I should have. So look after yourself hun.

Also remember the morphine (in your drip) can make you nauseous - not much fun throwing up with a c-section wound. Actually, it was excruciating. So be careful what you eat post-op!

[Bengal]

Could some one explain how the catherer works . Do they put it in in the theatre ? Does it hurt ? Is the catheder attached to a bag or something (sorry I honestly didnt realise you had one until I read this thread )

[starangelk]

They put mine in after the spinal and in theatre. I didn't feel a thing. The catheder is attached to a bag which sits on the side of your hospital bed but honestly........I never saw it because it only stays in for 24 hours max and then they get you up and showered. During those first 24 hours you are on pain killers and for a chunk of the time can't sit up and are mostly flat. It was a big concern to me about my CS but it was really no big deal.

[Jennifer13]

Bengal, the catheter is put in after the epidural/spinal is in place. You won't feel anything. It is removed once you can get up and move around (that was relatively painless). In my case this was the next morning, so it was only in for about 6-8 hours total.

Just a word of warning, I found that I was quite prone to UTIs for a good few weeks after the catheter. I have heard of others having the same issue, so maybe stock up on the cranberry juice before you go in!

[Bengal]

Thank you ! That makes heaps of sense that they would do it after a spinal and in theatre .

It's been really good reading postive advice as I personally have been worried about it all, a lot !

Another question .. if your flat on your back and are mostly flat and on strong painkillers : how can you breastfeed and if not breastfeeding, can you hold your baby ?

[Jennifer13]

I wasn't flat on my back at all. I bf my DD without assistance the first time, DP brought her in and I was sitting up and ready! The spinal is still effective for a while, but you can sit and move, you're not completely immobile. I'd recommend getting some assistance with bfing first time though. Many hospitals will even have baby in with you in recovery and you can have your first bf there. If you aren't sure, ask about this. I think it's really important to not be separated and to have that skin-to-skin with baby as quickly as possible.

I never really needed super strong painkillers, but everyone is different. I never felt doped out or anything. I was up and about after a night's rest. They never interfered with bfing at all.

[starangelk]

I was flat for a good 4 or 5 hours, wS told it was a safety thing due to the spinal. I breastfed in recovery without any dramas. Yes it was a bit awkward but it was still fine.

[Ahurani]

I had my c section under GA and they didn't wait to put mine in. I felt it but it wasn't too bad. As far as recovery. I was out of bed the next day and had a shower etc. I used my painkillers for awhile. I went home after not even 2 days though. I think if I had actually had a baby to care for I would have sucked it up more but seeing as I didn't I lounged around more than I should have I think.

[EsJay]

bengal i bf'd dd laying down the first night and the first feed was at the breast crawl so she was on top of me (in recovery) then after i had gotten up for the first time i pretty much either got up in the bf chair or hit the button to prop the bed up and fed her sitting up in bed (does anyone else think of homer simpson when they use that button thingy to prop the bed up and back down - bed goes up bed goes down lmao) but i did feed her laying down overnight some nights just so i didnt have to get up (the nurses or dh put her in bed with me). You wont feel it going in, and coming out i didnt feel a thing either. All of my friends irl who have had a vaginal birth with an epi have had a catheter in too so i assume this is pretty standard when you cant get up to go to the loo. hth

[sepata]

I haven't had one, but I just wanted to poke my nose in and say be careful about driving too soon as you may be uninsured if you drive before the 6 or 8 week mark. Definitely read your PDS or check with your insurer if they have a clause for driving after surgery

[Jennifer13]

That's generally not true. Insurers usually need you to have medical clearance. My ob okayed me as soon as I could emergency brake, which was after two weeks.

[Harriet]

(does anyone else think of homer simpson when they use that button thingy to prop the bed up and back down - bed goes up bed goes down lmao)

HAHAHA!! Yes!!!

[Kimbles01]

Re driving, I rang my insurance company, and they didn't have any restrictions on when I could drive and be covered, but they advised me to get verbal confirmation from my doctor just in case.