Recovery Time for Csection

ladperkins · May 2015

So...I have been told that there is a 90% chance of me needing a csection. I was hesitant at first, but will do whatever is needed for my son. I have asked several women in my family about their experience and it differs with each woman. I just really want to know about the recovery time and how you all recovered or plan to recover from the csection. How long did someone help you? How long before you could do housework again? How painful was the recovery? Did you bleed for weeks or just days? Did you have to take pain meds for a long time? Did breast feeding go alright during recovery? Any other insights or suggestions to speed up or help recovery? Honesty is great. I am a FTM but I think it's better to know all of the good and bad of each experience!

Thanks ladies!

ashmichelle208 · May 2015

I am having my 3rd c section next Monday so I would like to think I have a little knowledge about how it goes...lol. But recovery is rough the 2nd-5th day. 1st day seemed always pretty good for me. I was back on my feet the same day, walking around which is a must!! Don't let yourself get too backed up either and make sure you ask your nurse for some stool softner. (Last c section I waited two days to ask and I didn't have a BM for 7 days!!!!!!!!) anyways, compression garment is a must! The hospital will give you one but if you want to splurge there are tons of fancy ones out there to try out. ( I got the bamboo one from buy buy baby ). Also make sure you drink a TON TON TON of water, it just helps. As far as breastfeeding goes it's different for everyone. Last time around I had a emergency c section and was put under at the end of the surgery. So I wasn't able to breastfeed until the next day due to tons of issues with my health and my sons. I do hear most mothers can do skin to skin in the OR or shortly after in recovery. I would just point out your concerns before hand and have some type of plans in place to at least try out! Also, keep up on your meds. Don't try to be superwoman..take your MEDS! I was off pain meds after about 4 days because I took them around the clock and didn't miss a dose.helped me just rest and take the time I needed for my body to heal. I hope some of this was helpful for you!! I was kinda thinking all over the place!! Oh yeah! Bleeding you asked about...everyone is different but I bled for around 8 weeks on and off!!!! It's a misconception that c section mothers don't bleed...we do! Very much so! They will come in and massage your uterus every couple of hours and it will cause some bad pain and bleeding. So make sure you are stocked up with some good pads and underwear at home! Don't worry about that in the hospital they will give you throw away panties and huge pads!

ladperkins · May 2015

Thank you! You covered so many of my questions!

twodreamers · May 2015

Yes, thank you @ashmichelle208. This is good stuff.

ashmichelle208 · May 2015

Another thing about Breastfeeding, don't stress out at first if it isn't easy to find a comfortable position. It's difficult when you just had surgery and you can quite sit how you want. Ask a lac nurse ASAP for help with position!!! It will save your life!

cece3d · May 2015

I had a c-section on Monday. I'm barely now able to walk around. It's different for every mom. After my second c-section I was walking around right after. This one went a little worse. I've been in a lot of pain. Also after this one I had the shakes something terrible and they gave me meds to stop those. Don't be afraid to ask for warm blankets because believe me sometimes the epidural or spinal can make you really cold. Be vocal. Talk to your SO or the nurses. It's a way to be involved in your birth. I always asked what was going on since I couldn't see.
I've done skin to skin breastfeeding. I feel like it helps me bond more with the baby.
Take advantage of the liquid diet. I ate lots of Popsicles!!!
Do not be afraid to either keep your baby with you in the room or send her or him to the nursery, you will need the sleep. Especially during day two when they think you're a dairy. If you can't sleep (like me right now), take a tablet with you or just cuddle with your little one. Or watch a movie and cuddle your little one (like I'm doing right now since they just brought her back to me).

kaynix21 · May 2015

I have been told that bleeding is slightly less than vag births.

I've been talking to all my friends since my C sec is next week and one had a miserable recovery but the rest were better.

I've heard up and walking that day is a must and a belt or compression or something similar.

My husband will have 10 days off once we're released from the hospital so hoping that's enough to get me back on my feet.

Of my friends who have had them said they were capable of walking up the stairs to go to bed by the time they got home from the hospital. They only did it like once a day but they could do it.

cece3d · May 2015

My first and last were miserable. My second was the best recovery. And even though I'm in pain nothing really compares to this...

ALITAYLOR23 · May 2015

I had one with my first and it was a breeze. I had it at 1:14 pm and by 8 I was walking around and sitting how ever I wanted. I took the pain medicine every four hours. I wanted to enjoy my time not be miserable. The blood wasn't bad for me. Only had it about a week to two weeks after. I was up and walking just fine with a few breaks by the time I went home but everyone is different

padleylynn · May 2015

Here's what I found helpful:

- get up and walk asap. it will help but don't overdue it. DD was in the NICU so I walked the hall to and from my room to her a lot and within 2-3 days it wasn't an issue anymore.

- take your meds!

- use a belly support or a small pillow to hold against your tummy when getting up or down.

- take a stool softener and have some fiber to help with BM but avoid anything that will give you gas.

- do not be afraid to ask for help with anything .or get a grabbing tool for the things you really need (like your water bottle and tv remote)

You can breastfeed as soon as your able. As for bleeding mine lasted about 2 weeks, but tapered off a lot by the end.

And while it is highly unusually, you can be released before the 8 week mark. My Ob told me I was clear to return to work at 6 weeks because of how easily I healed. A few days after being home I was able to do light housework, like using a swiffer to clean the floors, wiping down counters and cook easy meals. Nothing that required a lot of bending though. Hope that helps and good luck. I go in for my 2nd c-section on monday.

ladperkins · May 2015

This is all great information! It's much more informative than my family and friends were being. I will take all of this advice. Good luck moms and I am sending healing vibes for those who have had a csection recently.

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