The idea of a c-section is very new to me, didn't have one with DS1 and really wasn't expecting to this time but DS2 is transverse so a c section is a possiblility for me. I'm still trying to get used to the idea.
We have a close family friend that is getting married around my due date, and I'm wondering how long after a c-section would I feel up for going (I am comfortable leaving the baby because he will be at our house with my mom and we would only be gone a couple hours).
I know everyone's different, but how long after your (uncomplicated) c-section did you feel up for going out of the house? I would literally just be sitting and taking it easy, no drinking or dancing obviously. If you can't tell I really want to go to this wedding.
Edit: Thanks everyone who responded... it definitely sounds like there is a range of when people start to feel like themselves again. I was wondering.... for those who had a quicker recovery, were your c-sections scheduled? I have been told that scheduled c sections often have a faster recovery and less complications. Thanks!
Re: When were you out and about again? Update: Added a question
I went to a couple of doctor's appts. and ran a couple of quick errands with DH within the first 2 weeks but that was it. The first time I really went out and did anything was when my BFF visited at 4 wks pp. I was exhausted when we got back to the house and had to take pain medication. And I had to wear maternity pants. I had amazing weight loss after giving birth but at that point it was still either yoga pants or maternity pants. Regular jeans or slacks were not a option. I didn't own anything that would have worked for a wedding at that point. My one maternity dress would not have fit and neither would any of my dressy prepregnancy clothes.
ETA: "Just Sitting" wasn't all that easy for me after surgery. There were very few chairs I could sit in comfortably.
So we went out for dinner the night that I got out of the hospital. Needed to eat and momma didn't want fast food. I was completely comfortable and didn't have any issues just sitting and enjoying a meal. I think it all depends on how you are feeling. This is definitely a time you need to be thinking about your health and listening to what your body needs.
The one thing I will say is that if you decide to go you need to make sure you have super comfy clothes. They will give you a gurtle(sp) to wear that is not super cumbersome but def will be seen through a tight dress.
I was not given one. Nor was it suggested I should wear anything like that.
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I had one internal stitch that burned for about two weeks. Other than that, I felt fine. I still went for walks and ran errands during that time. I just made sure that I kept up on the pain meds. We had DS's baptism and party at 1w6d, and I didn't have any problem with socializing. My mom helped out a lot with the set up and clean up. By 3 weeks PP, I helped move all of the furniture on our 1st floor to the garage because we were getting new flooring installed.
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I certainly wouldn't have felt up to dancing though.
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It's all going to depend on how you're feeling at the time of your C-section. They say that if it's planned, then you're much better off. If you go into labor and then have a C-section, the recovery is much worse.
I had sever pre-e and then an emergency C-section. I was down for the count for almost 8 weeks. I also did not take anything stronger than ibuprofen, since the heavier pain pills make me sick. I didn't want to vomit after a C-section for sure.
I would say you're going to have to play it by ear. I do also agree with pp that said to stay moving. The more you keep moving, the better you'll heal. However, you'll feel great one day and wake up regretting all the movement you did, kind of like a day at the gym.
I was back at work 3 weeks after DS was born via c-section. It was no big deal for me. I do have a desk job but still was feeling perfectly fine to go to work.
This for me too. I really didn't feel like dressing up and my "leftover" skin just hung over my incision which didn't feel too good. I would run out here and there for short periods of time, but no long outings until around 4-5 weeks.
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This!!!
I would have been fine to go out by a week after my c/s, and I did (not to weddings, but shopping with others driving, etc.). Nine days after I had DD, we did a three-hour road trip, which I wouldn't necessarily recommend, but it was something I really wanted to do and I was fine. Also, while I was still in the process of shedding water weight at that point, I would have been able to wear an empire waist dress or something loose but dressy. I know some people take weeks to feel like themselves, but it only took me a week to want to get the heck out of the house and be normal again.
FWIW, DD was an emergency c/s, DS was planned (I went into labor early but it wasn't as bad as DD), and both recoveries were pretty easy. I was feeling mostly fine after a week. I don't think DS was any easier, but my hospital stay was much shorter and I probably pushed myself too hard the first day or two at home.
I agree with the clothes. It's a little over 3 weeks since my csection. I don't like any clothes rubbing my incision. I went to a bday party 2 weeks after the csection and felt fine. I would not have danced as others mentioned. Good luck!
With my first (emergency) c/s, I stayed in the hospital 5 days and it took me about 2 weeks to start going out again. With my twins' c-section (failed induction, 30+ hours of unmedicated labor and 2 hours of pushing beforehand), I was out of the hospital in 2 days and running errands the next day.
Every c/s is different, just like every pregnancy is different. You could feel fine right after or not want to move more than absolutely necessary for weeks. If I was in your position, I would explain to the couple that you would like to go to the wedding and will try your best to be there, but that it will depend on your recovery.
I recovered better from my scheduled C-sections better than my initial c/s after labor.
#1- took a good 3 weeks to feel back to normal. I stopped taking all medicine at about 2.5 weeks pp and was going out by 3 weeks.
#2- I was feeling good by 1.5 weeks but I didn't drive for another week after that. I left the house at about 2 weeks and felt great, I just took it easy.
#3- I am 6 days pp and I feel great. I have started to take walks with my older son albeit short and slow. I am not taking the meds anymore either. I still have some discomfort but I think I will be fine soon, I am just trying not to over do it now.
Everyone recovers different. Take it day by day and try not to overdo it.
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I had a somewhat planned c-section with my DS. I drove 160 miles round trip with both kids a week later to have newborn pictures made. I was picking up my 25 lb toddler the day after surgery.
I had super easy recoveries with both. I could have been back at work two weeks pp. I felt that good...and was on no pain medicine by four days out with both kids.