What can I expect after my c-section?How will I feel?What are the do's and don't you have learned on your own?

Answer 1

Well I remember after mine...directly after...I had a lot of itching all over my body due to coming off the anastegia. In regards to healing, I just kept the incision very clean and I listened to my doctors orders about weight limit. You heal a lot faster if you don't reopen your wound :)....it's really not to bad though!

Answer 2

I pretty much felt back to normal physically after 2 weeks, even thought they say it takes 6 weeks to heal. Personally, I don't think the c-section pain was too bad, and I'll be glad to go back and have a planned c-section next time instead of going through 30 hours of labor and then having an emergency c-section!

Here are some tips:
Getting in and out of bed was the hardest thing for me physically. If you can scoot down to the bottom of the bed and get out that way, you will hurt much less than twisting and getting off the side of the bed.
Take your pain meds. You don't want to give your body a chance to start hurting in between doses.
After you shower, blot and completely dry off your incision and apply cornstarch baby powder (once the incision has closed up.) This will keep the area dry and less of a chance of infection. I learned this since my incision site stayed too moist and I got a yeast infection there.
Take your doctor prescribed laxative and gas medicines. Gas and bowel movements hurt after you've had a c-section.

And the most important thing...let other people help you as much as possible. Even if you feel ok, remember that you just had major surgery and you need to rest. If possible, hand of the housework and cooking to someone else and focus on your baby.

Answer 3

I just had a csect a lil over a week ago. I didn't get staples. I got the stitches that dissolve ! Much better than the staples and less scarring. I had my baby/c sect at 518 am and around noon I was sitting up talkin normal. I was still doped up LOL... I passed gas that day and was allowed to eat a normal meal that day because I did. YEAH! The next day they took the catherer out and the nurses helped me to the bathroom, I was ok after they helped me outta bed the 2nd time. I took my pain med (motrin) and my stool softener as they brought it to me. Take the pain meds & the stool softener. I stayed in the hospital for 3 days post delivery but I am glad I did. I regained most of my strength by then. I was released w/prescription motrin to be taken AS NEEDED and told to purchase colace stool softener. I been taking Motrin as needed and haven't needed the stool softener. When I was released I was told not to drive if I take the Motrin. I only feel like i need to take one right before bed. I am almost back to my normal self. I clean my incision site with peroxide every night and to keep it dry at all times I use a thin maxi pad folded in half and put under my belly on the incision. My incision site is healing very well I must say. It still hurts when I cough or sneeze, so when I feel either coming i put my hand or a pillow over the incision and hold it close to me. It helps, but I still feel it. Overall I'd say my c sect was not that bad. I did have a helper here with me at home my first full week home, but now she has been gone 3 days and I have managed to do just fine. I think you will b ok too.

Answer 4

I just had a c sec. on april 16 with my first child. Let me tell you that it was a piece of cake. Please stay awake. They will give you a shot in the back that will not hurt at all and you will instantly go numb. There is no pain what so ever with the surgery. Afterwards, you will be tired and sore. I felt like I had a bad sunburn where the incision was. You will still have a catherator but that night, you will have to stand up. With the help of the nurses. It will be tough just take it slow. This is what you MUST do. That is the worst part. You will gush blood but the nurses are there to help you. Once you stand up, it is all down hill from there. When you stand up and start walking around, it helps with the gas pain that you may have. Also, going to the bathroom was not a problem at all. Peeing was fine and when you have to do the other, it may take a while. Dont worry, you will do great. Again, you will be tired and a little sore. GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 5

Hi.. Okay so I had my son by c-section 8 years ago. First of all, your body and muscles will NEVER be the same. You will be in a lot of pain at first, try not to bend down too much when you pick up your baby. Don't do any heavy lifting and don't try to get up too fast. Take the full 8 weeks to recover, you will need it. It won't hurt for all 8 weeks, but this is the time you'll need to help yourself so you can be a better mother.

As for your body.. OMG!! Your stomach will ALWAYS have this stupid fold. You will still be able to wear a two piece, but a string bikini- humm, well lets just say you'll have to try a few on to make sure nothing is dripping out. Once you recover, I would suggest breast feeding and cardio. It will help you loose a lot of weight and keep that nasty belly fold to a minimum.

I hope this helps!!

Answer 6

You will be hurting for a while but they will give you pain meds to control the pain. You wont be able to drive for 2 weeks after you come home from the hospital so make sure you have someone that can take you places you need to go. Right after surgery well not right after but approx 12 hours after the c-section they will show you how to get out of the bed. Your not gonna be able to move around and get up and down like you think you will. The best thing to do after the c-section is to get up and walk as much as you can I know at first that will sound like the dumbest idea ever but it gets better the more your up and moving the better you will get and the more you do it the more it wont hurt as much and it will get easier and easier to get up and down. Dont lift anything any heavier than your baby. Thats about it for now just take it easy and get lots of rest =).

Answer 7

I don't know your situation, but I would recommend that if you don't need a c-section for a medical reason like placenta previa or prolapsed cord, I wouldn't have one. It is not a medical reason just because they think the baby *might* be big, ultrasound guesses about weight are very innacurate because the baby is so tightly compressed into such a small space by the end of your pregnancy.

I had an epidural (though I want to go natural next time), so toward the end I didn't feel the contractions and I didn't feel much but pressure when it was time to push. I was up and about in 6 hours or so (my daughter was born at midnight after 26 hours, so I didn't get up til later that morning). I did have stitches, but those are not as painful as the staples they use for a c-section. I had no problems sitting up, walking around, bending down, going to the bathroom, picking up my daughter or breastfeeding.

It is a much faster and more pleasant recovery if you can deliver vaginally.

Answer 8

Ok. You won't have to actually walk around until the next day. Anfd honestly, I had two c-sections, it only hurt when you moved out of bed and maybe when you cough. Going to the bathroom is extremely painful. Just moving in the sitting position hurts. Take the motrin that they give you. Never refuse the painkillers in the hospital either. After the first week, you'll be better. remember to walk, it is important!!!! Keep the incision clean too.

Answer 9

Immediately after mine I was exhausted, but much of it because I had 23 hours of induced labor before the C-section. I had an epidural, so the first thing I remember in recovery was them trying to get me to move my toes. Then I started shaking like crazy, but I guess that's normal too. I was throwing up from some 'antacid' nasty stuff they gave me. If they try to give you an extremely bitter liquid for your tummy, I wouldn't advise drinking it.

Anyway, the incision is sore and you have to hold a pillow tight against you if you laugh or cough, but they give good pain meds so its not bad. The next big step was to get vertical again, and I was really dizzy at first, but take it slow. After they removed the catheter, I had to try to pee, and the first time I took forever to be able to let it out and it came out in silly spurts, but after a few more times it was back to normal.

At home, just manage the pain with the meds they give you, get lots of rest, and tons of water. Have someone help you shower. Try to stand straight eventually because the tendency is to hunch from the incision discomfort. Hopefully you will have some family or friends who can help you out at home. Don't lift much of anything, except the baby.

I remember (maybe it was the meds?) the first few days were a really wild sensory experience. Everything felt intense - in a good way - shower water felt like a miracle, food tasted divine...yeah, had to be the meds.

It just takes a little time. Sleep as much as you can. Let people help a lot. Go slowly.

Answer 10

They really aren't that bad at all. During them you won't feel any pain, maybe just a little pressure when they take the baby out. Afterwards, you'll be pretty sore, although, they give you pain killers that help imensely.
Do's:
Make sure to take a shower every day or twice if you've been sweating a lot.
Make sure to BLOT the cut dry after the shower, completely dry.
Don't:
Lift anything too heavy, my doctors said basiclly any heavier then the baby.