How long does the pain last?

[kellymassage]

This is my third delivery, first via c-section and oh wow, I never realized how painful a C-section was!!! It has been 10 days since I had my sweet girl and I feel sore on my incision and achy everywhere and tired all the time! I was wondering how long I can expect this to last for? Since I had two previous vaginal deliveries I have no idea what to expect! This hurts!!!! I am a very active person and this has definitely put me out! Haha! I used to think I had a pretty high pain tolerance, but now I am not so sure!

Also, eventually we might consider having one more child, will I HAVE to have a C-section with that one? How common is it to have a Vaginal birth after C-section? I would hate to have to have one again!!

Thanks everyone!

 

[Laurhilou]

It is possible for a vbac. My pain lasted about 2-3 weeks.
It does get better
Hugs

 

[zanDark]

I'm almost 2 weeks past my section and I can say that I'm almost back to normal...the pain got better a couple of days ago and I'm only uncomfortable if I tire myself out too much. Try and take it as easy as possible and give yourself time to heal!

I was really annoyed at not being able to do much the first days home, but gave myself a break and just took it easy. Sections might be routine, but they're still a major abdominal surgery and our bodies need to recover!

 

[anneliese]

I guess I was one of the unlucky ones because it was at least two month until I stopped feeling quite a lot of pain/discomfort. I'm almost 5 month post c-section and still have some tenderness in my lower abdomen. Nothing really bothersome though.

 

[missbabes]

It took me about 3 weeks before the majority of discomforts disappeared. Then after that pain only really appeared if I pushed myself too much. Now feeling back to normal at 7 weeks pp.

 

[The Alchemist]

This is helpful. I'm booked for a section on the 18th and of course, I'm so nervous about the recovery pain. So far, I gathered that you heal at a quicker rate if you get up on your feet and be as active as you are capable after c section in and out of hospital. Is this mostly correct?

 

[Eternal]

This is helpful. I'm booked for a section on the 18th and of course, I'm so nervous about the recovery pain. So far, I gathered that you heal at a quicker rate if you get up on your feet and be as active as you are capable after c section in and out of hospital. Is this mostly correct?

Yes. But also like others have mentioned don't over do it. It's a balance.

Treat yourself tenderly but don't lay in bed all day as the pain will be worse.

I just got on with things, cooking tea the night I was out of hospital etc, but I did make myself test and use a hot water bottle etc when I needed.

First week was worse, then each week it got better, 6 weeks after I felt normal.

 

[The Alchemist]

Okay, good to know! Thank you if I have another q, I'll ask

 

[kellymassage]

Thanks ladies! It will be two weeks tomorrow and yesterday was the first day I didn't take pain meds and didn't feel pain at all! Whew!!! I did do a lot yesterday (cleaning and etc) but I still feel pretty good today! Thanks for the replies!!

 

[missbabes]

Thanks ladies! It will be two weeks tomorrow and yesterday was the first day I didn't take pain meds and didn't feel pain at all! Whew!!! I did do a lot yesterday (cleaning and etc) but I still feel pretty good today! Thanks for the replies!!

Bare in mind there is also such thing as a 5 week regression if you go overboard as well. So take care of yourself.

 

[The Alchemist]

A 5 week regression? Like you'd feel the pain again if doing too much? How much should we be doing during the first 4-6 weeks? Surely, too much is scrubbing the bath tub right? Lol...or mopping. Or sweeping?

What are we allowed to do and not to do (that doesn't aggravate or exacerbate the incision)?

 

[missbabes]

A 5 week regression? Like you'd feel the pain again if doing too much? How much should we be doing during the first 4-6 weeks? Surely, too much is scrubbing the bath tub right? Lol...or mopping. Or sweeping?

What are we allowed to do and not to do (that doesn't aggravate or exacerbate the incision)?

I never had the regression thing myself, but there were a few threads on here about it, and I was warned about it by both my mid-wife and health visitor after my c-section. Was compared to feeling the same as the first week of recovery.

Think it's more along the lines of going severely over the top, like carrying heavy things than can pull stomach muscles, or literally running around. Was warned by a friend about stretching high up in the first few weeks too.

If you're not not feeling much in the way of discomfort at the end of the day, or it's there but just about, then you're likely to be fine.

 

[Spacey]

I started feeling pretty good (to the point of not needing pain meds) after about 2 weeks.