hi guys im having a c sectiom and i wanted to know from those of you who have had one whats the recovery time and pain like after the op :)
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hi guys im having a c sectiom and i wanted to know from those of you who have had one whats the recovery time and pain like after the op :)
Rae,
I had a c/section in April. I didn't have too much pain afterwards ... good pain management in hospital works wonders. I got up within 24 hours of the operation and started walking around and I think that helped a lot. Within about two weeks, I was pretty much back to normal though not doing anything too strenuous. I was still very able to look after and lift the baby as well as attend to myself. I hope your experience is as easy as mine was. Best of luck.
Mel
My experience was pretty much the same as Mel's though recovery time was more like 3 weeks. Hope it all goes well.
Jo
I had an emergency C/S and had no problems what so ever. I was walking around within 24 hours and took all the pain medication that was offered to me even though the pain was bearable - it was ver slight. (I had my gall bladder out a few years before and took only panadol and then suffered terribly when I got home as they gave me nothing when I left hospital as I was coping with the pain - learn my lesson from there!). I had a slight tightness/pull in my lower tummy for a few months but that passed. I was told my next baby would need to be delivered by C/S and this dosn't scare or worry me at all. Best of luck - hope you have a smooth journey too. :)
I was up and about in 24 hours. The nurses at the hospital will probably tell you that its important to get moving as soon as you can to reduce the risk of blood clots etc but in case they don't I just have. Most of the pain was gone in 3 weeks but it still hurt a bit at my 6 week check up. I still have little numb spots on my tummy and I've heard that they can stay for years.
Same again here. Pain wasn't to bad afterwards. The midwifes were great for handing out pain medication when I needed it. Didn't need any pain medication after i went home and after 2 weeks I felt pretty good.(enough to even dtd!!) The staples were a little ouchie on the edges but after I had them out it felt sooo much better!
I found the pain for me was worse second time around then with the first. I was out of bed 12 hours after the birth of my DS and 24 hours with my DD. In hospital, when offered pain relief, take it. I don't really know why the pain was worse with my DD. With my DD the doctor didn't re-open the old scar, he cut a brand new one, higher up and a little longer.(I think this was possibly because she was breech) As for recovery, it took a little longer with DD, but was back to my old self pretty much by about 2-3 weeks after.
My exp was much like Mels, and being my first, i was too overwhelmed to care about the pain! I did however get contractions after the cs, but it was managed with pain relief. Good luck, You'll be fine :)
thanks a bunch guys thats made me feel a whole lot better my babys breach im 32 weeks pregeys now the doctor said he could still turn but gave me the option for a c section anyway so i took it my last labour was 32 mins from start to finish so im not risking another labour like that just incase the baby doesnt turn ouch
Hi Rae (nice to see another Rae around!!!) - my advice is to be as mobile as possible then u don't get too stiff. I had to go for regular walks down to the NICU to feed my dd and that really helped me recover quickly. Best wishes with it all :)
G'day Rae,:
If you are only 32 weeks now then that leaves heaps of time for the baby to turn. :) I assume that your ob has offered you ECV. ECV has a good success rate. The Term Breech Trial has been comprehensively dismissed as poor science and thus there is no evidence to show that a c/s for a breech baby is any safer than a vaginal birth. And given what we know about the dangers of caesarean compared to vaginal birth, I think you should be asking your obstetrician to explain his reasoning to you for offering you surgery rather than the alternatives.
Good luck,
David
Hi Rae,
We've 'talked' before! Good to see your pregnancy progressing.
My last two babies were breech at 32 weeks - statistically it is not uncommon for this to be so. Babies still have enough space to move around - just because a baby is breech at 32 weeks doesn't mean it will be the next day iykwim?
I used acupuncture to turn our babies - and I talked to them and told them if it was safe for them to be born head down then I wanted them to turn. I did lots of visualisations and the acupuncture and each time they turned themselves by 37 weeks.
I have worked in the qld health system and it can be difficult to attain a vaginal breech birth in the public system. However Caboolture hospital are one of the few that will assist this if you request it.
Ultimately a woman has to birth how she feels safest after independently researching. There are some great books on this subject that can really serve to educating on this topic.
I wish you a beautiful birth :hug:
Hi Rae,
I had an emergency caesar after a failed induction (commenced 5 days prior). So I was pretty knackered and I don't know how much going through part of labour affects the c-section experience. I also know that while some women cope with caesars alright, others don't.
I have to say that my experience really wasn't all that bad. I'd say the whole experience was more bizarre than anything!!
Recovery time wasn't too bad and I didn't feel as though I was in any more pain than friends that had had vaginal births (though some of them were pretty traumatic so it probably isn't a great means of comparison!).
Also, it may help to check out this thread: Caesarian Chatter
Hi Deb,
I can only speak for myself but I feel that for me, choosing an elective c/sec was better than the possibility of an emergency one after a failed induction. I based my decision on what I had seen my sister go through ... two very different c/section scenarios with the elective one having a much better recovery period. She was knackered after her first too, not to mention upset and devastated.
I have nothing else to compare it with apart from anecdotal evidence from other people but I am still inclined to think physical and emotional recovery might be better if one doesn't have to go through labour first.
Rae - just wanted to wish you good luck. It is completely possible the baby may turn around so don't feel you have to make the decision now. I elected to have mine when I was over 41 weeks (my choice, not the doctor's) so there is plenty of time for you to decide.
Hi Rae,
I had scheduled csection and i was in hospital for 8days, obviouslly thats not standard but I needed to stay a little longer.
I was up and about after 3 days, due to a need for a blood transfusion, but felt back to normal by the end of my stay.
Rae, like the others I was up and about after 15hrs. I was in labour 4 days prior to that and I didn't feel that hindered me. I had little to no pain on resting and slight discomfort when moving but I agree with pain medication if it's offered. The nurses deal with it all the time and they can see when people need it - usually.
The one thing that was a concern was going to the toilet - maybe TMI. If you can tolerate them ask for prunes or prune juice to make it that bit asier and also make sure you are mobile and do your exercises they give you for strengthening and support.
Good luck.
Ooo yeah... I agree! Going to the toilet (and particularly the first poo) was a little scary. I kind of felt like any pushing would cause my gut to split open (of course, that was just psychological). The first wee was a little scary because of having the catheter in... but it only stung a little bit and was fine the next time. They get you to measure how much you wee just to know that everything is working fine. You really do leave your dignity at the door once you wander in to the hospital, LOL.
Also.. after all the medications, pain relief, vitamins etc. etc. I was pretty constipated for a while - it took a good while to get back to normal. I don't know if that's indicative of a caesar or if it's just par for the course of having a baby. I know a few people that had vaginal births that had constipation issues afterwards too.
thanks deb its good to here from you again i think the last time we spoke it was about my placenta being over my cervix that all worked out great i think ill still go ahead with the c section after being offered it my mums cimming up for 3 weeks at the start of october so ill have heaps of help ive got 6 and a half weeks to go and i cant wait to hold my little miracle in my arms im not as scared about a c section as what i am about a natural birth ill keep you posted thanks for everyones advice on this matter i really appreciate your feed back
I had an emergency c/s and complications afterwards. Although this is not the norm, just know that a c/s is NOT the easy option it is sometimes made out to be. If its necesary then of course do it. If there is an alternative, then question it. I HAVE to have a c/s next time now but have been told it should be better because it won't be an emergency and will be properly planned.
Whichever way you go, I wish you all the very best!
Hi Perthmum,
I don't think any of us made it out to be a soft option. One thing that is hard for other people to accept is that some of us choose to have a c section and it doesn't mean that we believe we are taking the easy way out. I describe my recovery in positive terms because for me, it was not a negative experience. I believe that others contemplating the same decision deserve at least as much positive information as the negative they are more than likely to receive.
Kind regards,
Mel
Completely agree with you there Melbo. Very well said.
The worst thing I found for the first 2 weeks at least, was trying to get myself out of bed at night! I was really tender, and my stiches pulled a lot.
Good luck!
The opium family of pain relivers (morphine, pethadine etc) all cause constipation so I think that its pretty normal to be a bit backed up afte a c-section. If you use them during a vaginal birth they'll have the same effect. Also becuase its all so tender down there lots of women hold it back which can cause problems.:
Most hospitals have a post-op 'no fart - no food' policy. It didn't cause me a problem because i managed a fart pretty soon but the woman next to me didn't fart for over 48 hours after her c-section. You can imagine how hungry the poor thing was.
See... I was never asked if I had farted?? I know they were interested in my wee after the catheter came out?? Maybe because I'd had the caesar at 5pm and went through the night sleeping, it was ok??
I am really wanting a c-section and after listening to all you guys its made me want one even more. I have never liked the thought of labour and all that, and every one i know tells me the recovering form ceaserian is much worst and the pain is much worst and so forth, but i beleive you cant ask to ahve c-sections any more is this right???
Lorin - I really think the recovery varies from person to person. I really didn't think it was that bad... but, then, I think I was kind of "expecting" to have a caesar simply because my Mum had had 4 of them?? So maybe I was in the right frame of mind?? Maybe my pain threshold is higher? There's sooo many different variables.
One of the girls in my mother's group had an elective caesar with her first as she couldn't get her head around the concept of a vaginal birth - but I think she had a shocking time with recovery.
Have you been to antenatal classes?? Maybe it would be a good idea to talk to a midwife about it all and you may feel a little more at ease about giving a natural birth a shot?? I dunno... I have just heard soooo many different stories about birth (both natural and assisted) and everyone's story is pretty different.
Hello, everyone. I have been following this thread with quite some interest because I am planning to have a caesarean (oops gotta get pg first LOL). In my case, it's a reaction to a very traumatic first augmented birth experience with very poorly managed pain relief. It's taken me 9 years and the promise of a caesarean to be able to contemplate having another child. The way I see it, for me a c/s (with all the attendant post surgical pain and weeks of recovery) is the lesser of two evils.
Lorin, you might like to talk to your gp, and midwives at your local hospital, to find out about the criteria required by the public health system for a c/s. You might be surprised. The other alternative is to save your money, buy private health insurance, and find an obstetrician in your area who is happy to do an elective c/s on request.
Marydean; I totally understand your reasons for an elective CS. I too would never have even considered having a baby at all if i didnt have the opportunity to have a cs. Must have been pretty traumatic for you, if you have had to wait 9 years and a promise of a cs, before contemplating having another child. I am glad you are doing what is right for you, and dont let anyone make you feel any less of a person, as some people made me feel. It is after all our bodies, our minds, our health, and what we feel is best for our babies, and that is all that matters. All the very best xx
I totally second what you said, Ally... I really hope none of my posts have come across in a bad way??
Marydean - I can only imagine what an aweful time you must have been through to have to wait 9 years to build the courage up to do it again. I wish you all the best for your next pregnancy and birth - I hope it's a far better experience next time :)
Technically I know that I could quite possibly try for a VBAC next time around. In fact, I swing from entertaining the idea one moment to going back to the c/s the next.
I just can't escape the HUGE fear I have of having a still birth. 3 generations of women in my family have had a still birth.... my Mum, her Mum and her grandmother all suffered through one at full term. I think the fear of having one myself (even with the advances in medicine these days) would hinder my ability to have a natural birth?? I just don't think it's worth the risk!
Thankyou Ally and Debbie for your supportive and affirming words. Ally, I especially like "It is after all our bodies, our minds, our health, and what we feel is best for our babies, and that is all that matters."
Debbie, I hear your fear - and pregnancy and childbirth really is a time when we face our human fragility and our mortality, especially when it's part of the family story. I hope you are able to find the birthing option that feels right for you and that you trust! Good luck in your TTC journey!
xx
I have spoken to my GP and she has told my they wont know if i need one till 36, 37 weeks, i am now at 34 and a half weeks so not long now till i find out. I guess i will just go with the flow with what ever, as i have been told already that they just dont do it if it is not necessary.
There is an article on the main site about what to expect after a caesarean - https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth
Also HypnoBirthing has proven to be very successful also for turning breech babies, in a control study of 200 babies, 100 the control group and 100 hypnobirthing, the results were amazing. Of the control group around 20 turned and hypnobirthing 80 something. Huge difference. Many in the birth industry feel that one reason babies can be breech is that there is stress and / or fear in the mother. It's amazing how quick some have turned with hypnobirthing which is relaxation.
Kelly, One of the midwives I saw with Imran said that she thinks that there are more breech babies now than there used to be and she puts it down to our lifestyles being more sedentary - alot of us work in jobs where we sit down and then we get home and longue on our couches. These positions aren't really presentation friendly. DH of course took it to mean that we should all be doing more housework (especially sweeping and mopping) and stop expecting our husbands to do it :doh: :eek: How that man mangages to twist almost any medical opinion into him doing less housework is beyond me LOL.
Lorin, I've had a c-section and a vaginal birth and the recovery from the vaginal birth was a lot faster. If I were going to have more children I would be trying for a VBAC.
Deb, they never cared about my pee at all. They checked the colour while it was still in the bag but once it was out they never asked again. Isn't it funny how differant hospitals can be.
LOL at your DH!!! He's hilarious...
Yep I agree dach, same with posterior presentation - and thats why there is all this optimal fetal positioning going around these days. Things are certainly more sedentary, more stressful with less support and good quality education. I guess it's no surprise really.
I tried to have a vaginal delivery, but was raced in for emergency c-section after hayleigh's heart rate dropped, but I recovered really well from it, I was out shopping 6 days after delivery and felt great, the girl had a vaginal delivery in the room next door and we became friends and she said it took her 7 weeks to feel normal "down there" again, so i guess its really down to the individual really as to how you will recover.
I have had 2 c-sections now and have been told by my ob that i will need to have another one this time because my uterus started to rupture when i was in labour with Ryan
I find that the recovery isn't as bad as i'd been led to believe before i had Nick, and after Ryan it was a breeze.
I have had both an emergency c-section with Nick for fetal distress after induction and 7 hours of labour at 10 days overdue and an elective with Ryan at 38 weeks because he turned twice (head down to breech, then breech to transverse) in 3 hours and thats when my uterus started to rupture, but no-one new until they opened me up, so we were very lucky.
I must say that the elective was far easier in reguards to recovery, but maybe being in labour beforehand, made #1 harder to recover from
Anyway, goodluck for whatever you decide
Naomi - yeah... I reckon experiencing hard labour beforhand really does affect your recovery! As it is, you are sleep deprived, hormonal etc. etc. but throw in major abdominal surgery and it certainly adds to it all!
I experienced "prostin pain" for a few days after being induced (later when I was actually having real contractions and they felt exactly the bloody same just more intense... prostin pain my BUTT!! LOL) and was in agony for the last couple of days until my waters were broken. So, effectively, I was in labour for 5 days before having the caesar (with a couple of nights spent in hospital next to a woman that had already had her baby - I was trying to agonise quietly while she was trying to keep her baby quiet, LOL). So I am hoping I'll recover a little better with an elective next time ;) I have a feeling that I will somehow!
Hello, back to Rae's original question about pain and recovery, can anyone tell me what the deal is with not driving for 6 weeks? I don't understand, since driving is not a very physical thing...?
Marydean
if you had to brake suddenly, it could do some damage to parts that havent healed properly yet, i had to drive 10 days after mine and found it a little unnerving, and a little uncomfortable but i drive very slowly.
An insurance company will not cover you if you have an accident within 6 weeks of a c-section, because doctors reccomendation is to not drive in that period.