Recovery time for C-Section

Choco80 · February 2009

OK, while we're on the topic of c-sections, I thought I would ask those of you who have had them how long your recovery was, how you healed, if you are still numb (I've spoken with 2 people who swear their incision site it still numb years later), etc. ?Also, this is my first child, so I am not aware how this compares with recovery time for vaginal deliveries - I just know from what I've seen of friends who have babies already. ?I ask because I might have a planned c-section - there's a chance it will be medically necessary for a variety of reasons, however even if it isn't I might have it electively anyways.

(and for those who have posted in other topics how they "can't understand why ANYONE would EVER get a planned c-section," I don't think I need to defend my decision here, just like people who go all natural or who get an epidural do not need to defend their decisions - there are lots of reasons people have elective c-sections, and you can feel free to google it if you are unaware)

Thanks in advance, I really appreciate your input re: recovery time!?

somethingchangd · February 2009

Can I add a questions? How long you were in the hospital with your c-section? I'll ask the doc at my next appointment, but curious what your experiences were...

jenniferb96 · February 2009

I had a c/s with d/s and was in the hopsital from thursday moring til sunday afternoon. For the first 2 days at home I was sore when I woke up but from then on throughout the day I was fine just alittle sore. I didnt have to take the vicodin that they gave me at all!

hs & js baby #1 · February 2009

I think I felt completely good to go about 6 weeks after my c/s. ?It hurt to pull myself up for about 2-3 weeks and it hurt to sneeze/cough/laugh for about a week. ?I healed great and have all my feeling near the site. ?I got a lot of compliments on my incision by the nurses in the hospital (strange thing to compliment someone on, but so be it , so maybe my incision was not quite the norm!

I was in the hospital from Fri a.m. to Tuesday a.m.

This was my first too, so I don't have a vag delivery to compare it to.

Also, it was a scheduled c/s for medical reasons.?

HisLobster · February 2009

Anakin was born on Monday and I was released on Friday. Actually I would've been allowed to go home Thursday but they let me stay an extra day to be close to him since he was in the NICU (they could do it with insurance because of the time he was born).

The doctors and nurses were all pretty shocked at how quickly I bounced back. Five hours after he was born, I walked to the bathroom which completely freaked the nurse out. I had the minimum of pain relievers. And although I was sent home with two full bottles of different pain relievers, I still have at least 85% of those pills. My only suggestion if you have to have a c/s is to take the pain meds at night (at first) whether you feel pain or not because it helps getting up in the middle of the night because you'll be stiff.

I wasn't running a marathon or anything, but I was able to do for myself completely within a week. They required a wheelchair for the first 24 hours after the surgery but after that I did it on my own. I also talked my doc into taking out my catheter and iv much earlier than they usually do (which he allowed because I was doing so well). I have no issues with my incision site now.

Choco80 · February 2009

I'm glad to hear your c-sections went so well - thank you for posting this info!

iris427 · February 2009

I'm still numb and it is normal to have permanent numb spots. I was in the hospital for 3 days and on pain meds for 5 days. It was a good 4-6 weeks before I felt fully recovered.

kiki-W · February 2009

I had a c-section i was up walking the next day. i took my pain meds and advil for about a month after.

I was a bridesmaid in a wedding 2 weeks after and had a blast.

No numbness near inscision, and like i said i was up out of bed the next day. I wore pants in the hospital.

I had some discomfort standing up, b/c of the stomach muscles, but it was not bad at all.

Loops925 · February 2009

I guess the recovery time is different with everyone. I couldn?t move that much for the first 2 weeks. My body was completely sore (including my arms!), I was under full anesthesia and I think my arms were tied down =(. I could walk and all but it was a bit painful. I felt completely fine about 7 weeks after.

I was in the hospital from Saturday until Thursday, but the c/s was done on Sunday. I had to stay a bit longer because I had a fever after c/s, I lost alot of blood and had to get 2 blood transfusions, and I had some kind of uterus infection. Plus, my baby had past away, so they kept me an extra day for "suicidal" watch (although, I never intended to do anything)... I was just devastated =(

Mama Jan · February 2009

I had DS on a Friday afternoon and was released Tuesday late morning. My recovery went very, very well - no complications, barely any pain. A friend strongly suggested that I stay up on my meds (don't let the nurses give it too late) and that is what I did. I had motrin and percocet for 2 weeks but I only took the percocet if I knew I was late taking the motrin.

Very little pain, bleeding for about 3 weeks (like an average period) then some spotting for 2 weeks. I felt "good as new" by 2-3 weeks pp. And I don't have any numbness in my incision. It does still itch every once in a while.

byrne15 · February 2009

i had a c-sec and it was the worst experience of my life. however, it was not a planned c-sec which i have heard are much better.

i labored for 16 hours, pushed for 1.5 hours, had an episiotomy, failed foreceps attempt and then ended up with an emergency c-sec under general anesthesia and didn't wake up until 2 hours after ds was born.

i was in the hospital for 3 nights (of which i don't remember the 1st day or so because of the narcotics). i was in grad school when i delivered ds so i went back to class 2 weeks after ds was born. it was difficult and i was sore, but it was do-able.

my incision got infected 10 days pp and it had to be re-opened and drained, but it felt much better after it was taken care of.

i was back to exercising 8 weeks pp (running and light lifting).

since my experience wasn't pleasant for me, i will be trying to have a vbac for #2, but i don't fault people who may have a good c-sec experience...

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