When does it get easier?!

[RebeccaG]

Had an elective on Monday and changing position or getting up feels like my stomach is going to split open! My back also hurts?!
Anyway was so worth it for my gorgeous girl but just wonder when things get easier? When can I start going to shops or doing things as the thought of doing that at moment is terrifying!!

 

[ladysarcasma]

It took me between one and two weeks to start getting around at least a little bit after my EMCS. By 3 weeks, I was dancing at my sister's wedding!

I think it's different for everyone. You'll get there. But make sure you don't push yourself too hard. It's counter-productive.

 

[Becky61]

Hi,
Im only just feeling "normal" now, i had an emerg c-section 17/01/2013.
Looking after your new baby and your recovery are your 2 priorities, housework etc can wait. 4 days is no time at all. Its very easy to forget youve just under gone major surgery.
My experience of recovery was very up and down, i would take a step forward, and the next day would be 2 steps back. It took me 9 days just to leave the house, and then i did a little walk around the block each day for a week, some days it hurt, some days it didnt. It was unpredictable.
One day i just swung myself out of bed and thought "wow, i just sat up like a normal person!!" It almost happens without you realising. At 2 weeks i came off all pain killers and at 4 weeks i started driving again.
I also found putting slight pressure on the wound when laughing/coughing/sneezing etc helped. And if i was wearing certain knickers that cut across the scar i would lay a sanitary towel horizontally across it to protect it.
Every woman is completely different. Try not to lift anything heavier than your little one, and listen to your body. My bleeding got heavier the more i did, read the signs.
All the best for a healthy speedy recovery!! It will get better x

 

[djbutton01]

It took me 1 1/2 weeks to feel pretty good. I was able to stop the pain meds by the 12th day. My incision had opened up (3 inches across by 2 inches deep) and that didn't completely heal till close to 7 weeks after my c-section. Even with an open incision it wasn't very painful by the second week, I just needed an ibuprofen every now and then.

 

[Jarenk]

This is exactly why I would rather have a vaginal birth over a c-section any day of the week. A c-section is a major surgery. I wish I didn't have to have another one.

 

[LDC]

It took me about 2-3 weeks to feel that I could do things like going to the shops etc for the same reasons + by 6 weeks I felt "normal".

Don't rush or push yourself, it's major surgery and you can cause a lot of damage doing too much too soon

Xx

 

[RachA]

It took me about 12 weeks to feel normal again - longer than is normal but i don't recovery well from operations.
My advice is to rest, rest and rest. You have been through a very major surgery - the recovery time is 6 weeks. This means that during that 6 weeks you should be looking after your baby and that is it - even if you feel ok. Doing too much now will cause problems when you are older. You will probably feel up to going to the shops in another couple of weeks which is ok but please don't do any lifting of any heavy for a long time - it's not worth the risk.

 

[blinkava]

It took me around 2 week pp to feel normal again, and with this being my 3rd c-section I thought recovery would take longer than normal.

 

[sammynashley]

It took me about two weeks to feel pretty much normal, although I was going out doing the shopping 5days after my csection and lifting my 18month old son in and out his cot two weeks after. But don't push yourself only do what your comfortable doing.

 

[laila 44]

I was back to normal 5 days later! For me it was a walk in the park. I'd rather a csection over splitting my vag open any day

 

[starzz]

I was curious too! It's been 9 days and I'm still having pain here and there

 

[WhisperOfHope]

with me i was in hosp 5 days walkex around the supermarket the day came home lol bt ovet did it coughing sneezing lauging all gecame easyer around 2 weeks ishbut still had the odd pain after doing too much walking etc, my scars fully healed now at 6 weeks stoped bleeding at 4 weeks but afs arrived now so crampsvare making my scar hurt a bit

 

[Lil_Pixie]

I was doing my Christmas shopping 5 days pp without too much pain so in that sense recovery was easy.

In other ways it took ages! I had rotten backache trying to change my baby or bath him for months, and I had to pull myself up on the couch to get off te floor for a fair few months too - I felt like an old lady lol

 

[RebeccaG]

Thanks ladies. Feeling pretty good the last couple weeks. Only thing is the skin on my tummy - sort of just below my tummy button feels sore and bruised. The scar feels fine it's just above that feels tender?? Normal? X

 

[RachA]

You do get some odd sensations with the skin. I didn't actually get full feeling back on part of my area for around 6-12 months!

 

[Lil_Pixie]

I'm 15 months pp and the skin between my belly button and the scar is still numb - maybe it's just the feeling coming back?

 

[RebeccaG]

I have feeling but its not good feeling lol! It feels really bruised?!

 

[starzz]

I am just over two weeks pp and am also quite tender above the scar; hurts to touch on right side

 

[minnieoxox]

2 weeks and you'll feel as good as new as long as you don't over do it , might be a little tender for a while and you have to remember you do have to take it easy. I'm 9 weeks pp and its all a distant memory, I had infections in my wound aswell. It seems like its a long road but it all goes so fast, just relax it helps!