talk to me about c-section recovery

So I had a c-section with my first DS after being induced for being late, pushing for three hours and him getting stuck bc of his giganto head! I was really hoping for a vbac for this one but as I am getting close to my due date with no dilation or effacement and DD is measuring large with a super large head so I am starting to think a c-section might be my better option as recovery from my labor + c-section last time was so hard. .

so did any folks have good c-section recovery stories? I know it is surgery no matter what and is hard, as is labor of course, but just want to hear some good stories!

TIA

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

I had a c-section with my DS and had a great recovery! I was up walking around as soon as my catheter was removed. I literally had no pain... a little soreness and discomfort, but I didn't even need to take any pain meds in the hospital. Getting up and down was a challenge, but definitely manageable. By the time I got home, I just resumed most of my normal activities. I really think it makes a huge difference if you labored/pushed before the surgery. I just went straight in for a c-section and I think that played a huge role in my recovery.

I hope I have similar experience this time around, but I suspect it will be a little different since I'm having twins and have a toddler at home. Not lifting him is going to be very difficult!

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

I hope I have similar experience this time around, but I suspect it will be a little different since I'm having twins and have a toddler at home. Not lifting him is going to be very difficult!


thanks! I am worried about the toddler at home too but can't imagine doing it with twins! I hope you have lots of help for the first few weeks!

talk to me about c-section recovery

I had a scheduled c-section and a pretty good recovery. I was prepared for the worst. It was hard to walk around at first, but I did it and was moving around pretty good by day 3. Laughing was the worst and hurt so much it made me cry!!

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

I had an emergency c-section with DS and I had an AWESOME recovery from it.. No issues with the incision at all. I was up and out of bed the next day...Was able to move around with little to no pain. Only took Motrin for one day and Tylenol the rest of the time...

talk to me about c-section recovery

I had a scheduled cs and while of course it was painful the first week or so, I feel like I had a pretty good recovery. Make sure to try to continue to eat healthy even if you're not hungry, walk as much as you can, even if its just back and forth from your room to the nursery a few times a day or just to the mailbox when you get home, every bit helps you start to feel better. And stay on top of your pain meds for at least the first week. I made the mistake of thinking I didn't need them about three days after my cs and I was hurting so bad but by about a week after I was able to go without them.

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

Honestly, I felt better after my first c/s. I think I recovered faster once I went home with the second, probably b/c I had my other DD at home to take care of as well. But in the hospital, I felt better with the first, maybe because I was more excited since she was my first?

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

I had an emergency C-section after being induced. The recovery was not nearly as bad as I expected. I was up on my feet about 22 hours after surgery. Most pain was from getting in / out of bed and laughing. I felt pretty good within 2 wks, and was pain free around 5 weeks post surgery.

talk to me about c-section recovery

I had a c section after pushing for an hour. I had an amazing recovery. Zero pain and was walking around normal before I left the hospital. Normal at home I was just not lifting heavy things.

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

I've had three and each one was different.

My 1st was after 32 hours of labor. That recovery was the easiest. I was ok after about a week.

My 2nd was the worst. I remember after two weeks still being in pain.

My 3rd was weird. I was in the most pain of all three the first week. Once my staples were removed exactly one week after my c/s I felt a million times better. Tomorrow will be 4 weeks and I feel great.

I learned not to skip the meds especially in the hospital. I did that once and the pain was insane. It was important to stay ahead of the pain and the meds helped that. Also getting out of bed and walking made a big difference.

Message edited 6/2/2013 8:02:48 PM.

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

thanks . . I guess it just seems like everyone is different. . my first recovery was just so god awful but these all give me a little hope if I go for a 2nd one

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

DC#1 - recovery was the worst. I was in labor for over 8 hours, tried pushing ended up having an emergency C/S, but had to be placed completely under because my epidural, nor the local anesthesia took. Took me a long time too improve in the recovery room (over 2 hours, so I don't know if that impacted my overall recovery.) I remember cursing at the nurses when they were insisting that I walk. (And I have a pretty high tolerance for pain.) Nothing but problems with my incision (but I was driving the night I came home from the hospital, so I don't know if that screwed things up. ) I just remember hurting for quite a bit afterwards, but ibuprofen seemed to make a difference for me.

DC#2 - Scheduled C/S. Local anesthesia. I was in good shape. The nurse came to ask me if I wanted pain meds. I asked "what are those big white pills? They work the best." They were ibuprofen and that was all I needed. No issues back home. I was taking care of my 18 month old and my infant with no issues.

DC#3 - Easiest recovery by far, despite some incision problems (had a visiting nurse for a couple of weeks doing wound care.) I was up, walking/showering, etc. the following day and my roommate was shocked when she found out I had a C/S. 8 days after DC was born, I was outside running our neighborhood block party.


I'm crossing my fingers DC#4 goes like #3.

talk to me about c-section recovery

My first c-section recovery was a bit difficult. I had a reaction to the spinal epidural and then had a latex allergy...who knew. I also ate solids too soon after my csection and I will just say it wasn't pretty.

My second recovery I knew what to expect. Once again I had a reaction to the spinal, but I remember mouth and throat being soooo dry to where I was coughing and it hurt like hell. Other than that it wasn't bad.

I am scheduled for my third section in September and I'm just nervous about the spinal cuz I am quite sure I will have a reaction again.

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

Don't give up on the VBAC yet!! (I know you didn't ask for an opinion- but I just wanted to say that anyway!) I saw my OB a week before my due dat eand had ZERO progress. NOTHING was happening. He wanted me to come back on my due date (a Monday) and would've scheduled me for that Wednesday for a Section.

I ended up going into labor on my own on Saturday.

Anyhow- I've heard that recovery from a CSec is easier the 2nd time around, but I've also heard some stories that are completely the opposite. It all depends!

Good luck either way!

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

Posted by kahlua716

Don't give up on the VBAC yet!! (I know you didn't ask for an opinion- but I just wanted to say that anyway!) I saw my OB a week before my due dat eand had ZERO progress. NOTHING was happening. He wanted me to come back on my due date (a Monday) and would've scheduled me for that Wednesday for a Section.

I ended up going into labor on my own on Saturday.

Anyhow- I've heard that recovery from a CSec is easier the 2nd time around, but I've also heard some stories that are completely the opposite. It all depends!

Good luck either way!

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

I had an awesome C-section recovery. My c-section was at 4 pm and the next morning early I was up and walking about. My recovery was really easy besides being a little sore from the stitches. I only took pain meds once and that's only because the nurse asked me too. Totally didn't need them. Good luck

talk to me about c-section recovery

Mine was as easy as it could be considering I had major surgery. My friend who was an L&B nurse at the time told me to get up and move around as soon as I could so I did that. With the exception of trying to get out of bed (which was definitely hard to do), I was OK! I could've easily been discharged way sooner than the 4 days they kept me there too.

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

i had a great recovery


walked that night and then again and again and again..even with the Catheter in lol

i think this is why i felt good i walked all the time

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery

I had a great recovery from my first c-section which was an emergency. I did get sick from the pain meds (probably bc I had an empty stomach) but my nurse forced me to get up just a few hours later and walk. I swear that is what helped! After that, I didn't even take any pain medication.

I'm scheduled for my second c-section in less than 2 weeks and hoping the recovery goes that well again

Re: talk to me about c-section recovery