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

Hi,
I'm just wondering how bad it is or isn't. Have heard so many different stories, just curious to see what the 'norm' is. I'm currently booked in for one as bubs is breech. We have a double storey house and am worried how I'm going to get up the stairs when I get home. When were you able to lift your baby? How was the pain? My DH is only taking one week off as that time of year is busy for him at work and I doubt I'd be able to cope on my own with DS as well. Plus the no driving rule, DS would need to get to and from preschool.

My mum has suggested I stay at her place for a few weeks until I feel better as she doesn't drive and has my 90 year old grandmother living with her and my dad runs his business from home too. As I didn't have one last time, I'm not sure what to expect. Any advice or information would help me alot. :)

I have had two elective c-sections and both times have recovered really well. I've heard that emergency sections are worse but yours is scheduled so that's not the case for you. I had no trouble lifting bub from the day after, and walking up and down stairs would have been fine pretty much straight away. I was able to lift DS (a very heavy two year old) after about 2.5 weeks (I had to - DH went back to work) and was vacumming etc at that point. I found the hardest thing for me was occasionally when I'd roll over in bed I'd get an exruciating pain, but that went after a few weeks.

I see your DS is four so prob far less lifting involved for you. But if your doc says you cant drive for 6 weeks (mine said 2) then you'll need someone to help you get around.

I hjope that helps..

not sure if i am of the minority or not, but i didnt think it was anywhere near as bad as people had led me to believe. yes the first week was a bit of a hassle, the first time i had to get out of bed at hospy hurt like hell, but it just got better each time. They give you plenty of pain killers in there, and i stayed 5 days afterwards so in case anything happened or the pain was just too much they were on hand to give me some relief. If i was to have another c/s i probably wouldnt plan on staying that long though, but thats just me.
i was up and showering (with help) about 40hrs after my cs, and lifting my baby a few hrs after that. i was walking the hospy floors the next day after that, albeit slowly, and on the way home from the hospy stopped to go shopping for baby clothes and a breast pump again walking slowly.
The first time i um, you know went to the loo, that hurt to use them muscles.
Really it was more of an annoying aching type feeling in my abdomen than actual pain, i came home sunday and dh went back to work monday. I had no pain relief whatsoever once i left the hospy, there was just no need.
Later when i had an infection, that hurt a lot more than the recovery did.
I hope your recovery is like mine was.
Try not to stress out, its not always what we are told it will be, usually medical staff like to give a worst case scenario, and people in general tend to fear monger

I had what was classed as an emergency C-Section and I also recovered really well. DS was born at 4.16pm and I couldn't really do much for that night but the next morning I was up and in the shower and I could pick my baby up too. I was feeling pretty sore but not in any pain. I took the meds that they gave me for 2 days and on the 3rd day I was just having Panadine. When I got home DP did all the vaccuuming and washing etc. I think the stairs you mentioned will be more tiring to climb than painful. I started walking down the street when I got home, very slow stroll and it was more of a tired ache. I really took it easy though - you have had major stomach surgery. I had a nap every day too. I didn't drive for 6 weeks but I was doing the vaccuuming and hanging washing by the 5th. Darn it.

Hope all goes well for you.

Bug's mum and Jen82 thanks so much for sharing your experiences and for your well wishes :) I've been so stressed about it as everyone I have told has made it out to be the most awful thing that I should go through :( My last birth was traumatic for me so I was very open to the suggestion of a c-section. My ob was actually very positive about it saying that recently he's had more issues with women who have tore and needed stitches (like I did last time) then with the c-section scars. He didn't seem to think it was a big deal. It is the fear mongering that has got me down and I've actually been teary thinking about it over the last few days. Thanks so much for your replies, you really don't know how much it means to me.

Thanks Aussiegirl :) I'm really surprised to read all of this, some of the things people have been telling me have been horrendous. I think taking is easy sounds like a good idea for the first 5-6 weeks. I'd rather be at home then at my mother's place so maybe something can be arranged. Thanks again for your well wishes. All the best to all of you too :)

I should also say that with my second I was down to panadol only after 48 hours because the other drugs were wiping me out and I couldn't stay awake with the bub. And the pain was still bearable and I could function. Try not to stress it, you'll be fine :)

I also recovered really well. Was picking up baby right away, was a bit hard in hospital having to sort of twist to get her out of the bassinet while I was stuck to the bed that first day, but other than that was fine. Getting up the first time was a little strange, not so much the pain but just feeling really light headed and a little dizzy. Make sure you have someone with your the first time you get up and for your first shower. I was given Tramadol and panadol in hospital and was given a script for tramadol when I left on day 3, so took that for about a week all up I think. I was doing all the normal things like hanging washing etc. in the first week. I waited for 5 weeks before driving, but I know a lot of people do earlier. A that a friend told me before my c-section, make sure you buy yourself some big granny undies for afterwards. You don't want to have the elastic of hipster style undies sitting right on your wound. Also it helps to put a maternity pad in your knickers across the scar for a little extra protection.
Good luck hun, I hope it all goes well. I'll pop back in if I remember anything else that I think might be helpful :)

I recovered well and quickly, no painkillers after a couple of days. My mum was around to help until two weeks after, so she took care of housework and drove me in that time. DP didn't get any time off either. I had no issues with lifting, driving, etc, after that two weeks. I took things relatively easy, but walking and movement was fine.

GL!

My c-sect was classified as 'emergency' and my recovery was great. First night I couldn't get up to bubs, but they took her into the nursery and bought her back for feeds. The next morning they took out the cathetar and I showered on my own, was walking around and was feeding and holding my DD straight away. I could get up to her during the night - I did need to use the 'thingy' above my head to help me out of bed, but other than that I was fine. I also was on pain meds. I went home on day 8 and my DH was home for two weeks then my mum come around for the next two.

ok, so I know everyone has been very positive so far, my experience was different, it was classed as an emergency but it wasnt (nothing wrong with bubs, they didnt want me to labour over 10 hrs, for no reason other than their time schedule) I was in ALOT of pain, for weeks, months afterwards.
Yes, I did have a slight infection afterwards and internal bleeding which probably contributed, but after 2 weeks on endone, I cut myself down to panadeine forte and then down to panadeine around a month after wards.
I struggled bending over, lifting, doing the washing, feeding baby, lifting baby, I didnt drive then, but it was around 6 weeks after when I walked to the shop (about a 7 min walk) and I almost couldnt get out of bed the next day.
My experience is not general, I hope you have a positive and generaly pain free birth :)

Oh Yeah......the jumbo undies. I agree. My Sister told me to buy a pack and put them in my bag just in case I ended up having a C-Section. Thankfully I listened to her because those undies were my best friend after the op. :D

I had a emergency c-sec with DS. It was awful, I was in so much pain afterwards for weeks. But I think there were alot of contributing factors to that....I'm having an elective CS on Wednesday and I'm hoping now that I know what to expect it'll be alot better and recovery alot swifter. Let you know how I go after Wednesday :) xxx

it is different for every one, I was very sore but my son was very difficult to get out and forceps were used which left a lot of bruising, having said that, I was home in 48 hours and didn't take any pain relief, getting off the bed and the couch were the hardest. I went to uni 5 days later and drove over an hour to get there so it can't have been that bad! best of luck!

Another one here who had a great recovery twice. As soon as my catheter and IV were out (the next morning) I was up and totally caring for my baby myself. My advice would be to get mobile aand move around asap (but don't overdo it) so you don't get stiff and sore. And to also keep up your pain relief for the first few days. Don't wait to be in pain before taking them. I only skimmed the replies but I saw something about big undies? My advice would be to buy some pairs of control briefs as opposed to just big compfy undies. They're not very pretty but they will give your tummy lots of support and the physio recommended them to me.

Oh, and when we had my DD we were in a double storey place and climbing the stairs was fine.

best of luck! How exciting

I had 2 c-sect's. The first I would have been fine sooner but my BP was out of control. My second was born at 1.15am and I was on my feet and showered and into see my son in the NICU by 11am and managed very well on panadol for pain relief (and was very naughty and was driving in 2 weeks cos I had to get into the hospital to care for my son)

I had a planned c/s at 34 weeks, due to alot of reasons.
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.
I'm not sure about lifting, as I never lifted DD. She was only 1.6kg anyway.
Good luck for your c/s!!

My CS was an emergency CS and my recovery was pretty good. My sister had two, the first was quite good, the second was not.

If you can take it easy the first couple of weeks it should get easier after that. And jumbo undies rule :lol:

All the best :)

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

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 :)

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

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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.

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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 :)

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.

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!

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 )

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.

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!

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 ?

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.

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.

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.

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

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 :)

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.

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(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)

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HAHAHA!! Yes!!!

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.

I know there are loads of horror stories around, but I am another one who has had 2 relatively good c/s. My recovery was pretty good, I kept up with my pain killers for the first few weeks, even if I was feeling okish, because if I didn't then I didn't feel so good! The pain for me once i got home wasn't excruciating, just tiring and annoying really. By week 4 with my first I was driving and week 3 with DS. Both times I waited until I was feeling spot on to drive, especially as I had little ones, and I also needed to be able to get them in and out of the car.

My insurance company said the same thing regarding insurance, as long as the Drs said it was ok then it was fine and there was no limit - nurses basically said, if you feel ok then drive. Interesting.
Jumbo supportive undies are the most comfortable thing and make everything feel supported, and resting as much as you can in the first few weeks is great. I guess one thing that is good about a c/s is that you are forced to rest - which means loads of lounging around, cuddling and sleeping with your baby!! Good luck hun -not long to go now!! xoxoxo

ETA: I had my c/s at 9am and the other at midday and was up at around 6am the next day for a shower. SItting upright in bed for feeds later that night.

My mum got me a whole heap of $1 granny undies from Target. They were the best thing ever!!

I was up and about walking within 8 hours after the c section, I just cracked it and wanted to see my baby girl who was in the scn. The midwives were surprised at how well I was moving around while in the hospital, but I was determined! The recovery at home slowed a bit until I had a stitch that was too tight cut and then I was able to get around easily. The hardest part for me was no driving because dd was still in the scn. I had very little pain once the stitch was fixed, but I was careful with the no lifting. I was back driving at 2.5 weeks after a check up with my gp. My bleeding stopped at around 2 weeks but af was back at 4 weeks. Once dd was home I carried her in a sling to avoid getting the pram in and out of the car. Being a premmie with hip dysplasia we had appointments every few days, in a way i think it helped my recovery as I just had to keep moving.