C-Section Recovery

cammiedeeann · January 2016

Any experienced moms have tips/advice to share regarding c-section recovery? FTM and first section... I had an appendectomy several summers ago, however, and the recovery was really rough. I've been told that section recovery is a bit easier, although I'm not sure how that's possible.

Specifically, I'm worried about being recovered enough to go back to work after 8 weeks (strenuous job here), and making the first bathroom visit afterward as bearable as possible... I have a friend who's terrified me with horror stories of TEARING on her first trip to the bathroom after surgery, despite stool softener and lots of water. She's had three rough section recoveries.

ariasbabyblog · January 2016

I agree with PP, get moving as soon as you can after the surgery. Walk the halls, walk your room if nothing else. Go slowly and gently, but get moving. Take your fiber and your softeners and drink all the water. You are still going to have issues, but if you take steps, hopefully they will be short-lived issues. Try very hard NOT to try very hard to have a bowel movement. If you pop stitches straining your going to have a worse time recovering.

That goes for after you get home too. Go ahead and do things, but do them slowly and carefully. There honestly is no hurry and you can do far more damage to yourself trying to rush your healing than by taking it one step at a time. It's hard, I'm not going to lie to you. I have a toddler who desperately wants mommy to hold him and I can't. I have things around my house to do and don't have the time to be sitting on my arse healing, but I can't. I have honestly been sitting on my butt so much it actually hurts. I apparently need more pillows.

Good luck!

RunnerMeg · January 2016

When is your c/s scheduled? Talk to your OB, but I would recommend starting to take stool softeners before your surgery. I never had any major issues with the bathroom afterward, but I've heard many women do.

C/S is major surgery, but I think having a scheduled section will help with recovery, versus a labored c/s. My c/s was during the second stage of labor and it made recovery a lot harder. But I was still more or less feeling back to normal by 8 weeks. Good luck Momma!

JNGettinMarried · January 2016

I would agree with PP. I had a scheduled c-section with DD1 (due to her size) and will have a repeat c for DD2 in a few weeks. I scared myself crazy reading things online... and it was nothing like that. Try to get up and get moving while you're in the hospital. I didn't have any bathroom issues either but I did keep up with water and stool softeners. The abdominal binder (my hospital provided one that I stupidly left there when I was discharged... will not make that mistake again!) is your best friend. Really helps you feel put together. Definitely remember feeling back to normal-ish by my 6 week check up, but you're ob may be able to recommend that you have a few extra weeks if you have a strenuous job. Stay positive!

jeanbug12 · January 2016

Start eating plenty of fruits and veggies and high fiber foods now to help with pooping after baby. And like pp said, get moving after surgery, get up and sit out of bed and walk in the hall as soon as you can after your surgery.

cammiedeeann · January 2016

@RunnerMeg I'm scheduled in a week! I'm going to try to be proactive in the meantime with fiber and whatnot.

Thanks for the advice, Mamas!

MssyMmmy · January 2016

I'm on day 3 post c-section. This is my first baby and I had no prior surgery experience. First 2 days were awful but the nurses do everything for you. Now I am able to walk and bend and do most things okay as long as I am on my meds. I figure if I feel pretty good now in 7 weeks I would feel like I could do most things. The c-section went fine and it's not scary. For me the worst was coming off the heavy drugs as I am super sensitive and even cough syrup messes with me.
Good luck!

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