when did you feel "normal"

laurasuzanne2006 · September 2011

not back to yourself but when did normal activities you used to do before become less draining? I'm almost 4 weeks out so i figured by now it would be better. Spent fri morning doing church activities and i just got exhausted and getting in and out of the car started becoming painful. I went to the mall for 4-5 hours with my mom on saturday and all the sudden i felt weak and nasty. just would have thought these sorts of activities wouldnt be so bad at this point. i dont know if it makes a difference, but i ended up having severe pre-eclampsia. had severe swelling(25 plus pounds of water weight) wondering if the toll that took on my body has me drained even more on top of the surgery.

ec3under4 · September 2011

You really need to give yourself 8 weeks, at least. A c-section is major abdominal surgery and although you might feel "okay", your body is still healing. Take it easy, spend lots of time in bed and snuggle extra with your little one. After my first c-section(I have had 3), it took me a good 3 months to feel semi-normal but I had a horrible delivery and recovery. good luck, hang in there!

ilovelife · September 2011

I overdid it a lot! I think I started feeling normal about 1 1/2 months pp! Good luck!

l_elizabeth · September 2011

My c-section was planned because he was breech, but otherwise I had no complications in my pregnancy. I felt semi fine after a week, and basically back to myself within 10 days to 2 weeks. I attribute my easy recovery to not having any other issues, or not having to be in labor first either. Hang in there, it will get better. I'd consider a 2-3 hour trip a success at this point, it's not abnormal to feel overdone after spending 4-5 hours out. 4 weeks is still a short period of time! I'd imagine in 4 more, you'll feel back to yourself.

txbootsy · September 2011

Normal was at about 1 month (4 weeks)

but I was 6 months postpartum when I finally felt no "incision" or tightness, or notice that something was on my lower belly.

1 year out, I am basically 95% back.

JennV514 · September 2011

I'm almost 8 weeks out, and while I go about living my life and doing most of the activities I did pre-c/s, I definitely do not feel "normal". I am always aware of my incision, and it will get very sore and achy if I do too much- walking, working out, driving, etc. Take it easy, and give it time.

disbride061103 · September 2011

Everyone is different. With my 1st, I was back to normal around 4 weeks. With my second, within a week. Oddly, my 1st section was planned (breech) and my second was unplanned (failed VBAC attempt).

lilylow · September 2011

I had a planned c-section due to a breech baby. I never went into labor. I felt mostly back to normal between 4-6 weeks.

Remember that you just had major surgery and it's OK to take it easy.

disneyfan0511 · September 2011

I had an emergency c section after 20 hours of labor and 2 hours of pushing. I still don't feel "normal" but I'm probably 85%. 8 weeks was a major turning point for me. Take it easy, like PPers said - you just had major surgery.

snoopy3319 · September 2011

I had sever pre-e as well. Your body went through some major trauma. It's going to take time. My specialists think maybe up to 6 months or so before everything is back to running properly. Every now and then I still have to sit down and take a minute. If I stand up or change positions too fast, I get dizzy. I was doing bottles the other day and just got exhausted and my back was in crazy pain. Just give it time.