How long did it take you to heal from a C-Section ???

Question

I am 38 weeks pregnant with my first and scheduled to have a c-section in 5 days. My baby is HUGE 10+ pounds already and my pelvis is small, baby is measuring around 45 weeks as far as head size! So doctor thinks it's too risky to try to get him out the normal way. How long will I be in pain? Need Meds? Need help moving around? Not driving? any anything else you can think of! I am so excited to have my baby, but starting to worry about the aftermath of a c-section. Any info would be great! Thanks!

Answer 1

My wife claims never to have fully healed from it (this is 20 years down the road). She complains of numbness and reduced sensations, but it took her about six months for her to feel that she had healed

Answer 2

I had one normal, the second birth c-section, and I 'd take c-section any day over normal. I could walk around pretty good in about 3 days after the c-section. It did take me a while to get out and drive though, I think it was just fear of getting in an accident after a surgery more than anything though. I think I waited 2-3 weeks. I know I was back to work in 8 weeks, so I definitely was fine by then for every thing. Driving, healed, etc..... I personally didn't need meds, I have a pretty high tolerance to pain, but to me it wasn't painful, especially compared to my natural birth.
Congratulations on the new baby, here soon!

Answer 3

Hi,
I have had 3 C-Sections all within 5 years. The best advice is to enjoy your little one and have a recliner to feed the baby and for you to sleep and rest. It is very hard to get up from a flat position in a bed and being half way up in a recliner is great. Also a lot will depend on your incision. If it is low and from left to right you will still have recovery time and need to rest and take your meds, but it will be better. If it is from your navel down this will take more time.

I used the recliner, the wand of a vacuum to help me walk to steady myself and most of all eat healthy a lot of fiber so your bathroom time is easier. You do not want to be constipated! Also sleep when the baby sleeps, this is very important as your body will be healing and resting.

You won't drive for about 6 weeks and the doc will be giving you pain meds, just ask for their recommendation.

Lastly, do not watch sad things or scary things. Keep yourself surrounded with happy movies or comedy as you will be hurting and going through some hormonal times, but all will even out if you sleep, eat correctly and make wise choices.

Do not push yourself to much, but balance is the key. Lift your legs while sitting, move your limbs up and down and side to side to keep movement going. The little things will help you so much.

Congrads and I hope this info helps!

Answer 4

I had 2 cs. I would really say the first week is the worst. I incision hurts and the muscles around it that they cut will ache. It is REALLY important to take it easy with your diet for the first couple of days. They will most likely just give you jello, soup etc at the hospital but don't have anyone sneak you in real food. Your bowel system and urinary system are really affected by the surgery and it is sometimes hard to use the bathroom. With my 2nd one I had an IV in for fluids for 24 hrs after the surgery because of blood loss. Well that's a lot of fluids...and after they took the catheter out I never felt the urge to go pee. Before you know it I was in excruciating pain. The nurses helped me to the bathroom and after a little coaxing I literally filled the bedpan they have inserted in the toilet to monitor your output. I peed 33 ounces!! Actually more because it overflowed! And believe me, take a stool softener when they offer it. The epidural/pain meds constipate you and with the incision it's hard to go #2. I know this sounds gross but its true, and no one told me so I'm passing it on to you.

Don't worry, you will be fine. Just take it really easy for at least the 1st week, especially picking things up, like your HUGE baby!! Good luck.

Answer 5

Yes you will be in for lots of pain, I tell you. You're gonna need some painkillers. You cant even sit down or turn to your sides without pain. Oh orLaugh. Argh the pain! Im glad I'm 3 months over it.

In about 2 days, you could stand. In 3 days, walk with difficulty
I was able to walk in 3 days because the hospital I am in wont room-in my baby. I had to personally go the nursery. Coz i wanna see my baby.

However, the pain gradually eases as weeks pass by. I went downtown (no I didnt drive myself) by week 2 already and went to the mall to buy baby things.

Answer 6

Hi, i'm not sure if i can really be of help as i'm in the UK not the US but i'll tell you my experience :-)
I had a c section at 37 weeks with both my children. The first one was FANTASTIC!
No real pain after the first day or so, was walking straight and not stooped over as some women feel like they need to, and on no pain relief medication after the first couple of days.
The scar healed very quickly and neatly.
In the UK, women are not allowed to drive til they had had their 6 weeks post natal check for insurance reasons mainly i think. But, always best to be safe than sorry isnt it?
Anyway, i wish you all the very best for the future of your family, i know your baby will be beautiful.
Please try not to worry, all you have to do is be SENSIBLE.... and remember, if you need help, ASK FOR IT :-)
TAKE CARE
NIKKI

Answer 7

I have had 3 c-sections- the 1st was definitely the worst because nobody told me how it would really be! Be prepared to have a burning pain in your abdomen for several days when you move in any direction. The best thing, as painful as it may be, is to get up and move around! But don't over do it- no lifting- not even your little one! Get as much help as you can for the 1st few weeks and you will heal much faster. You will most likely be given a catheter. Do not let them put it in until you have been given your spinal or epideral! Again, my 1st one, they put it in without any pain medication and it hurt like the dickens! So for my next 2, I told them to put it in only after my spinal was working. You will probably be on pain meds for about a week- it just depends on your pain tolerance. Also, I was breastfeeding and wanted to get off those pain pills ASAP. They told me I could not drive myself for 6 weeks, for 2 reasons- the 1st being that you may still be on meds and not able to react the same as usual, and 2nd, you will have these painful sort of movements in your abdomen that sometimes will double you over! The last thing I can think of, is your "plumbing" may be out of wack for a few weeks. Please do not be embarrassed to tell your doctor at the hospital and they can give you something to help things along. Good luck- you will get through it. Just remember you get a wonderful prize in the end! It really is not as bad as it seems if you are prepared for it. Like I said, I did it 3 times out of 4 pregancies and will most likely be doing it again in the next few years!

Answer 8

This is a tough question. I had an emergency c-sect with my 2nd child. Since I had already had a vaginal birth with my lst child i thought..cool.. it wasn't too cool.. it took a couple weeks to be able to stand up straight and i must say it was quite painful. My friend on the other hand had a planned c-sect and she was fine after a couple weeks.. It just depends on the woman i think. The next year I had twins and was afraid I'd have to have a csect again.. thankfully they were delivered VBAC.. vaginal birth after Csection.. Good luck.. PS..i was told not to drive for 2 weeks and was on pain meds for a few days. get rest and enjoy the new bundle of joy. They grow up wayyyy to fast