What kind of recovery to do have to make after a C-section?

Question

I heard that it was a lot more painful than recovering from vaginal birth. Is this true? How do you have to recover?

Answer 1

of course it is more harder to recovery, your insides have just been split open that alone leaves you vulnerable for infection, serious infection. Also since you have been split open that is going to cause pain, some bad pain for a few days. Having a poop will be hard b/c you will be afraid to push, moving around is painful, and looking after a baby is hard enough without the c-section on top of it.

Answer 2

Adding my two cents as it doesn't look to me that any of the other posters have had BOTH types of deliveries, and have to wonder if some even have had a baby at all........
Anyway, I had three vaginal deliveries and a C-section for the fourth delivery.
The recoveries are different, where you hurt is different. But I had no longer recovery with the section than I did with the others and with the section I came home to three other kids, the next youngest was only 2 the day before her little brother was born........
Use common sense, don't do anything stupid while you're recovering, but I would say that on either type of delivery.
Maybe I am in the minority, but didn't have ANY of the side effects that were mentioned by the other posters.
If you haven't had the c-section and know you're going to have it, good luck and if you've already had it, take care of your self and be smart........
Best Wishes

Answer 3

I have had 2 c-sections and while I am sure it is more dangerous and a bit more of a recovery I never found it to be THAT hard....Your usually up walking around the next day after the surgery, you are given pain killers that make it not so bad. You DO have to keep your incision clean, but that was never a problem. The first few steps after the surgery are the hardest but they get easier with each step and you DO have a nurse there to assist you every step of the way. It's not quite as horrid as some would make it seem. I actually think I prefer a c-section. For my second child I asked for one instead of vaginal delivery. After the birth of my second child I was driving my whole family to the grocery store and grocery shopping within 4 days. For the first c-section I was released from the hospital in less than 48 hours and traveled to the beach with minimal pain.

Answer 4

I am a mother of two and have had two c-sections. My first was a painful recovery but it was also an emergency c-section. With my second daughter I chose a c-section and I think because it was planned and knew what to expect it went very easy, and the recovery was not bad at all.

The best advice I can give you is be prepared if you have to have one. If you elect to have ask questions and know what all with go on. You being more comfortable with it with go much more smoothly.

While it is true it's a little longer of a recovery, mine were not unbearable at all. I was up with daughters and did everything for them. I moved a little slower but it was bearable. Most doctors use staples instead of stitches on the outside and they are removed before you leave the hospital. My incision was already closed by then. You will get pain medication, that way if in some pain it will help. One of the biggest things I was told is do not lift anything. The baby they told me was fine but nothing else. Oh and with a c-section make sure you pass gas in the hospital before they let you eat solid food. Sometimes it can take a day or two for your system to return to normal. In experience to this I ate too soon....the outcome horrible constipation.

hope this helps and goodluck.

Answer 5

Everyone recovers differently. I went through 9 hours of painful labor. I finally had to have a c-section because he wouldnt come out. My epidural had worn off about 2 hours into labor. When I was rolled into the operating room for the surgery, I was still in so much pain from pushing, that I didnt even feel the spinal. I would never want to go through labor again, I am 20 weeks with my second and it will be a planned c-section. My first recovery was really easy, I had him on a Thursday and was home Saturday morning, and had my staples removed the following Monday. Recovery is a mindset, if you want to get better, you will. Dont sit around and expect to be waited on hand and foot, do it yourself and you will have a speedy recovery.

Answer 6

I had a C-section with my first child and will probably have another one with my second that is due this year, I don't know how it feels to have a vaginal birth, but I do know how a C-section feels and its not all that bad. I healed quickly, and was out of the hospital in 2 days. It took me about 2 months until all of the soreness was gone, but by 3 weeks I felt good. You are supposed to take it real easy for the first 6 weeks after your C-section so that everything heals the way it is supposed too. And if you can it is a good idea to stay in the hospital for as long as you can, cause once you get home it can be hard to get the rest that you need.

Answer 7

A little over 5 months ago I had a drug-free VBAC and I can honestly say that the recovery for a vaginal birth is much, much, much easier than that of a c-section.

Just laughing, coughing, or standing after a cesarean was nearly unbearable. I hated being drugged and I hated being stuck in a hospital bed.

A vaginal birth, especially a natural (drug-free) vaginal birth, is more beneficial for both mom and baby. One of those benefits is the release of endorphins. :) I was up and walking around just an hour after giving birth. Simply sitting up in bed was extremely painful an hour after my cesarean.

Answer 8

It actually varies. I guess it just depends on the woman.

It took 2-6 weeks for me to fully recover from the c-section. I wasn't able to walk without pain for at least 3 weeks. It was miserable and I do not wish it on anyone. I couldn't drive for 6 weeks. It sucked!

You are not supposed to do any type of strenuous activity either. I was told not to pick up my 9lb baby, either. I was able to after about 2 weeks, but I wasn't allowed to lift anything heavier than him. In the case that you over exert yourself, you may start feeling extra sore around the incision, not fun!

****Listen to Bobbysgirl, she knows what she is talking about.*****

While SOME of these women praise a c-section, it is NOT a better RECOVERY! Pregnancy, birth, and recovery VARY from woman to woman, pregnancy to pregnancy, and birth to birth. Not everyone is going to have a SMOOTH delivery/recovery from a c-section. Keep the PRO'S AND CON'S in mind. The con's outweigh the pro's. Remember that! Do not, on the advice of these women, choose to go with a c-section. Its not the safer option and it doesn't ensure a painless recovery. While experience speaks loudly, wisdom shouts from the rooftops.

WISDOM: SURGERY COMES WITH RISKS! WOMEN'S BODIES ARE MADE TO DELIVER VAGINALLY. HAVING A BABY RIPPED OUT OF YOU IS NOT THE IDEAL BIRTH THAT YOUR BODY IS PREPARING FOR.

gatorgirlie, While I agree that most doctors won't touch a vbac, I do not agree that it is because of increased risks. Its just simply, they do not know the practice. The routine used to be, "Once a c-section, always a c-section.", but that was with the classic c-section (vertical, transverse). In fact, a vbac is actually a LOT less riskier than a repeat c-section. Now that we have the horizontal incisions, its much safer for women to have vbac.

Answer 9

I have no idea what y'all are talking about! A c-section for me was super easy as compared to a vaginal delivery - with the c-section I was fine, felt fine immediately. Of course I couldn't drive for a while and couldn't pick up anything heavier then my baby. But the vaginal birth? Okay, maybe it was the 2nd degree tearing but I did not walk normally for 6 weeks, sitting down was uncomfortable, and I felt it for months.

For some of us a c-section is nothing, yes surgery, but not a problem. Don't recommend it, since I think its more dangerous for a woman then vaginal delivery, but jeez - it wasn't that bad.

Answer 10

For about the first week after my section, I felt very fragile although I was drugged up to the eyeballs with painkillers (and thank goodness for that!)

I haven't had a normal delivery to compare it with. I do find that, when I think back, I'm surprised to remember how active I was so soon (under 6 weeks) after the birth - I would walk the mile to the main street to have lunch with a friend (because I still couldn't drive). I do remember being quite sore in the first couple of weeks.

Answer 11

It's a different sort of recovery.

With a c-section, you're pretty numb and drugged for the first 8-24 hours. If it's your first, it hurts like nothing you've experienced. You KNOW that your abs have been cut. Even going to the bathroom or sitting up is painful.

BUT it gets better. The more you walk, the more you move makes it easier to get back into life.