What was your recovery like after having a c-section?

[Anonymous]

I'm going to have my first baby in about 5 weeks and I'm having a c-section. I'm scared. How long was it painful for? Can I really not hold my baby for five weeks? Is the recovery terrible? How long will it be until I feel normal and like I can do things for myself? I keep hearing about how terrible the recovery is and I'm nervous. Anyone willing to share what their recovery was like?

[Anonymous]

OP, my recovery was pretty simple and straightforward. Although a c-section is considered "major surgery", they don't "operate" on your much, and you're usually discharged within three days with a prescription for painkillers that take care of the pain. My pain afterwards was minimal, I started to walk almost immediately, and the next day after being dischared took my DD to her pediatrician (well, my husband accompanied us, since they didn't want you driving while on Oxycodone and lifting heavy objects, such as a car seat with a child). But I walked in and out the ped's office on my own, still wearing my maternity pants!

I remember the worst pain being associated with changing positions, such as, laying down, sitting or standing up (because of the stitches, I guess), but, still, it wasn't excrutiating. I was able to hold my baby (and breastfeed her), however, reaching into the crib to pick her up was a challenge at first (so DH brought her to me for feedings and put her down afterwards).

As long as you take your painkillers as prescribed, you should be fine. And I stopped taking mine within two weeks, since I didn't need them any longer. The pain was gone.

So, in my experience, the c-section wasn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be. Good luck to you, OP, everything will be fine!

[Anonymous]

OP, don't worry too much. There's a big difference in recovery between a planned c-section, and a c-section performed after a number of hours of labor. I had a planned c-section and it was a really easy recovery compared to my friends who had labored for 20+ hours before needing a c-section. To be honest, 24 hours after my c-section I felt much better than I had felt in the last weeks of pregnancy. So don't fret it -- you'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

I had a scheduled C and my recovery was a breeze. The hardest part was the first day when I couldn't get up on my own to care for my DD because my legs were still numb -DH had to handle the lion's share of the diaper changes and had to bring her to me every time she wanted to eat. As soon as I was able to get up, I walked as much as possible and showered so I felt more human. I was taking ibuprofen for pain by day 2 and going up and down stairs in my house with ease on the day of discharge. Not running and skipping, mind you, but doing pretty darn well. As for holding your baby, he/she will be a newborn, and thus very light. You can hold him/her all the time - no restrictions. They don't want you carrying heavy things, like carseats, boxes, or say, a toddler Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP, I had an appendectomy when I was 18 and a C-sec when I was 28.

The appendectomy was WORSE! and I didn't even have a driver's license

The secret is to listen to your doc, TAKE YOUR MEDS (both pain and stool softener) and don't overdo.

If you feel like doing things and doc OKed you go ahead.

I was out of the catheter in the recovery room. I BFed my baby for 20 minutes and asked the nurses to take her to the nursery so I could sleep. DH brought the baby back 2 hours later for another feeding and we sent DC back to the nursery again. DH came back and helped me in the shower. It was the BEST shower of my life!

Bring the boppy! I had DC resting on it so there was no strength needed from me to have DC on my chest.

We stayed in one extra day (our insurance allowed so we stayed) and we got our much needed rest.

It was an emergency C so I was not ready for it at all and Thanks God it was easier than I ever imagined. I was walking down the hallways after every feeding while DH pushed the baby in the bassinet. By the time we got out the hospital I could walk straight but still I took the wheelchair ride

At home have your DH do everything for you. Your job is to feed the baby and SLEEP when the baby sleeps.

DH would bring the baby to me, burp the baby and change all the diapers. I was so exhausted. As the days went by I started doing one thing after the other and by 7 days we were walking outside like a happy family of 3

And the rule of thumb is that you're allowed to lift your baby's weight. As the baby grows the limit grows with it. Don't overdo. You'll be fine!

[Anonymous]

My recovery was easier than expected and the C section was not planned. I got moving around as soon as allowed and tried to slowly build my stamina. I also rested as much as possible while still in the hospital. Easier said than done, but made a big difference. For me sleep=healing. I only needed the powerful pain killers the first day even though I was assured I would need them for a week. After that I used over the counter when needed, which wasn't often. It is major surgery so i don't mean to minimize things it's just I heard so many horror stories. Maybe I was lucky. I think I had a good doctor who did a good job and gave me great advice. I was also told the fact I had always been an exerciser prior was a good thing because the muscles recover easily or something. Beleive me I'm not an athlete at all. I just enjoyed working out or walking or jogging when i could.

I'll tell you what was frustrating that nobody told me prior. I was hungry as could be and the first day it's liquid diet. After that you can't eat solids until you fart. Well all I can say is get over your shyness and do what you have to do to fart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, don't worry too much. There's a big difference in recovery between a planned c-section, and a c-section performed after a number of hours of labor. I had a planned c-section and it was a really easy recovery compared to my friends who had labored for 20+ hours before needing a c-section. To be honest, 24 hours after my c-section I felt much better than I had felt in the last weeks of pregnancy. So don't fret it -- you'll be fine.

This is an important distinction. I would say that my recovery was "hellish", but really, the incision was far from the worst part. Every part of my body hurt, and I felt sick and miserable for over a week. If I didn't have the all-over pain and wasn't recovering from the ridiculous quantity and variety of drugs I was given, the recovery would have been just fine.

My SIL had the day-long labor followed by a C-section, and reports the same experience I had. Her second was a scheduled C, and she bounced back in no time.

You'll be fine!

[Anonymous]

I had an unplanned c-section and a very easy recovery. I took my pain meds at the hospital but didn't need them once I got home. Sitting up in bed was the only time I felt much pain. My doc told me not to do anything other than take care on the baby, so that's what I did. I was able to lift him and carry him around just fine, but I didn't exercise or do any housework. I was also able to go up and down stairs very well.

But unfortunately, recovery is different for every woman--it's just one of those things you can't control. I think my c-section might have been easier than some women's vaginal births. But I also know that if I had another c-section, I might not be so lucky. All you can really do is hope for the best.

[Anonymous]

My first child was 26 hours of labor with an emergency c-section - took me weeks to feel normal again but I think a lot of it was a lack of sleep - I was in the hospital for a week. With #2 and #3 - planned c-sections - I was fine by the 3rd day - and fairly normal by the time I got home in turns of feeling pain. Of course, you had to be careful doing certain things. Get someone to show you how to get out of bed or ask the nurses at the hospital, have a small pillow around for the first few days and press that to your stomach if you have to cough, sneeze or laugh. I never took anything stronger than Tylenol after I left the hospital. Thrush was much worse than recovering from a c-section

[Anonymous]

Echoing what most others have said, my planned csection was a breeze. Took less painkillers than I was offered, went home a day before I had to, pretty much ignored the suggestion to avoid stairs. The worst parts were constipation from the pain meds and iron supplements, and itchiness from the surgical tape.

I was not on a liquid diet the first day so that must depend on the doctor/hospital.

[Anonymous]

All of this is spot on. I had a surprise c-section but never went into labor, which I was grateful for. Worst part was getting up from lying down. Other than that, not a big deal after the first day or so. The keys are moving around as soon as possible, staying on top of the pain meds (don't let the pain catch up with you!), and I would recommend a laxative instead of just a stool softener. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

It seems like everyone is giving similar experience stories an what to do for follow up. All of it is very close to what mine was like and I would echo most of it and really emphasize a few things.

First, a c-section doesn't mean that you won't be able to hold your child for two weeks. I wasn't able to hold my child first (my husband did), but I did get wheeled out of the OR with her in my arms. I wasn't able to get up and get her for the first day or two in the hospital, but I held her, nursed her, skin to skin, etc.

It was painful, but not excruciating for the first 10 days. As someone else mentioned, switching positions was the worst, sneezing and coughing was no fun, but you learn what you need to do to make it less painful.

Even if you think you don't need the pain meds, I recommend taking them for about 2-3 weeks. I stopped them and I later started them again b/c I felt I needed them. Don't fall behind on them and take them when it is time. Also, do yourself a favor and take the stool softener and laxative that they will offer you. It also makes all of the difference.

After two weeks, I was allowed to drive and felt a huge sense of really being able to be a mother. Until then, my mom was helping out and I didn't do anything on my own. Once we could venture out, just walking and moving around helped to build my strength, even though I was tired at times.

Overall, everyone is different and recovers differently, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

[Anonymous]

Planned csection = a breeze. I was fine in 2 days. My gallbladder removal 6 months after was hell.

[Anonymous]

Be careful with the pain meds - they can make your little one extra sleepy so if you're having trouble with waking them up to nurse that might be a factor if you are having weight gain issues.

[Anonymous]

OP I didn't even need the prescription pain killers after surgery. I took tylenol. Recovery will be easy if you follow the good advice everyone here has given you. Congrats and don't fret!