As long as you keep on top of pain relief you should be fine. I’ve had two cesareans (one emergency and one elective). I didn’t manage my pain well the first time (overestimated myself) and it was very sore. The second time I kept on top of it having learnt from the first time and it was a lot easier. It also helps if you have another pair of hands around to help out and to give you a break. Do you have a good support system at home?
I think I will have to set an alarm
On my phone to remind to keep on top of the pain relief
What sort of pain relief do they give you in hospital and sent home with?
Yeah I have my husband and I’m bubbling up with my parents too , my section will be around half term and as my mum is a teacher she’ll be over if I need any help. But my husband has got 4 weeks off so hopefully should be ok...but it’s so reassuring to know that she is there if we need her.
God mine was the same. Had to rush to hopsital one day as I bled so much out of the blue and then within 2 days it had stopped again. Still not confident it’s fully stopped!
One of the midwives said something to me after my first c section that stuck with me - if you’d had that kind of surgery for anything else you’d be on a morphine drip and bed rest but for a c section you’re given over the counter pain relief and a baby to look after so go easy on yourself.
Rest as much as possible and don’t try and be super mum. You’ve just had major surgery and the only thing that really matters is recovering and your baby x
It’s funny you say that actually, I’ve had a laparoscopy via keyhole and I remember when I woke up they were pumping me with alsorts
Of pain relief, I wasn’t encouraged to move as such but was told whenever I felt ‘ready’ to get out of bed, I should do so. When I did eventually get out of bed I was found collapsed on the bathroom floor, they put it down to the drugs. The only scary looking incision was the one for my drip but I still felt I needed adequate pain relief to get me by, I wonder how il be when I have is it 6 layers cut open?
It does concern me that a procedure that is a lot less major than a C section can cause me to be like that..
however, like you say they only give you basic pain relief so hopefully i will listen to my body and just move as able as I can, I won’t over do it! I don’t fancy staying in hospital longer than I have too.
I’ve heard great things about the midwives that they help when you aren’t able too so that makes me feel better, I will try and do the majority of his care on the bed and not stand up straight away. Thank you for your kind words xx
Do you mean in hospital? The first twelve hours you will probably have your catheter in, which makes things a bit tricky but midwives will be happy to help you out (or should be!) But even then I never had a problem sorting baby. And after that 12 hours as others have said keep on top of your pain relief and you will be absolutely fine to look after him. They are so tiny that lifting them isn’t an issue to cause pain. When home, just be cautious and don’t push yourself, make sure you have everything close at hand and go slow and steady in those first days. But I can honestly say I didn’t have any issues at all after my section (and I had two older kids as well) x
This is great advice, thank you. How long did you have your catheter in for? I’ve had one before so know what to expect, it was a pain in the arse when trying to move about if I remember right
I’m a first time mum so hats off to you having kids at home to look after aswell, super mum xx
My recovery from my elective was great. I kept on top of the medication they gave me and I kept myself moving but didn’t overdo it. If you can, have help around you so they can do everything else while you focus on the baby. If you need something off the floor, or you just want a cup of tea, an extra pair of hands to do those things is best! But I felt pretty much back to myself after a couple of weeks. There’s no normal timeframe though. Don’t push yourself because you think you should be fully recovered by X time. Listen to your body and take things one day at a time.
Thank you for the advice.
I’ve got a very helpful husband and bubbling up with my parents so will have plenty of help if I need it! I should thank my lucky stars really cause not everyone has that luxury.
I had a section last time and it went very smoothly so just praying for the same this time!
