C-section recovery (UPDATE)

[Velar Fricative]

UPDATE: She ended up flipping head-down for good at my 37-week appointment...except it wasn't for good. I had a growth ultrasound and BPP at 39+6 yesterday where she was happily head-down as she had been for 3 weeks, and then when I wasn't feeling her usual peak morning movement this morning, I went to the OB and discovered she had flipped back to breech, on her due date no less. So I am glad I posted this thread because I'm re-reading all of the helpful comments again! 




I am putting the cart before the horse here, but figured I should prepare myself anyway.

I'm 36+2 right now and at my appointment last night, we discovered that baby flipped back to breech (she flipped to vertex before my 34-week appointment after many weeks prior of being either breech or transverse). My OB offered a version around 37-38 weeks but I decided against it because I really want to hold out until June (due on the 6th) because of my work/leave schedule, so I don't want to risk a May delivery in case the version causes distress to the baby. My OB has seen a lot of late flippers so he's not worried at all yet, but I'm preparing myself for the likelihood that she'll remain breech and I'll need a c/s this time. 

I don't know much about c/s recovery and exercise. My plan if I were to have an easy vaginal delivery recovery like last time was to verrrrrry gradually work my way back into exercising (I've done nothing pretty much for the last year). Our daycare center is half a mile from the house so I figured with the weather being nice and all, I'd take daily strolls to and from daycare with both kids for DD1's dropoff and/or pickup starting right away and then work my way to gradual, low-impact exercising after my 6-week checkup. But now I don't even know if long walks are appropriate with a c/s. OTOH, I vaguely recall at least one SIL not being able to drive for a short while, so it seems crazy to me that I can't walk OR drive anywhere so I must be missing something here. 

Can you guys share what you were able to do after your c/s and other suggestions so I'm prepared if she doesn't flip back to vertex? Thanks!

[y4m]

I had a scheduled csection for position and was walking around the block within the week, and probably a mile around the neighborhood a week or two later (certainly within the first month). I was also driving by then--waiting 6 weeks to drive would have been nuts in my case.

My nurse had me out of bed 12 hours after, which was very difficult but worth it. Just get up and moving a bit as fast as they will let you.

Some doctors will do a version with an epidural and then immediately induce if it works. That might be worth discussing if you are a good candidate for a version anyway. That would be later--39w. That's presumably when they will want to schedule a csection because you typically don't want to go into labor with a mis-positioned baby because of the risk of cord prolapse.

[CrazyLucky]

My C-section is almost five years old, so recommendations may have changed. Basically, I did nothing for two weeks. I wasn't supposed to drive. I probably could have gone for walks, but with a newborn and a two year old, no thank you. I couldn't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for I think six weeks. I'm certain I broke that rule. Good luck telling a previously only child that mommy can't pick him up for six weeks.

After the six weeks, I eased back into exercise, but it sounds like you are much fitter than I am, and you may be able to get back into it more quickly. I'll be honest though, it took me much longer than six weeks to have any desire to exercise or do anything but sleep when given the chance.

I don't know if you are fearing the c-section. I had two, one emergency and one planned. I never had a vaginal birth to compare to, but I thought my recoveries were pretty easy. The hardest part is the first few days, it's hard to lay down or get up because your abs hurt. So I slept in the recliner for the first week, I think. How long does your DH have off? Don't refuse anyone's offer of help! Sure, you could do the dishes. I'd love it if you dropped off a meal! No, please go right ahead and change that stinky diaper.

[lemoncupcake]

I had an emergency c/s after 12 hours of induction and 3 hours of pushing - my recovery was so much easier than I was worried about/anticipating.

The first few days were rough, but the movable hospital bed to help me get up and down was great. When we got home from the hospital 3 days later I was able to carry DD up and down the stairs confidently, just had to be gentle with myself when getting into and out of bed and up and down on the couch.

Stay on top of your pain meds - I would just get sore if I was late for a dose. But by 5-6 days out I was just on the strong Motrin, not opioids.

I really focused on relaxing the first few weeks, but by 6 weeks I was taking daily 30 minute walks pushing the stroller. I was out of shape, but it wasn't painful. It took me a while to be able to gracefully get up from laying on the floor- I just could tell that my abs were shot.

Eta: and I think my driving restriction was just for 2 weeks. Basically they want you to be off rx pain meds and healed enough that you could slam on the breaks if needed.

[thebreakfastclub]

All I know is having a c/s. Having abdominal surgery really does weaken your core for awhile, and it impacts your overall feeling of steadiness. I took the rx pain pills for probably 4 days and then moved to take just one rx pain pill at night, using 800mg Motrin through the daytime.

I would not have walked the 1/2 mile right away, but maybe 10 days later, that would be OK. The only issue is, you would not be able to pick up your older DD or run after her if she suddenly took off.

I did not drive for 2 weeks, which is the standard suggestion. I believe it's due to the combo of pain medication plus not feeling super steady and being able to react quickly behind the wheel. My H went back to work after 2 weeks and I resumed my normal errands by myself, including driving. I had a snap n go as my only stroller at that time.

By 6 weeks, I started slow, low impact exercising. By 12 weeks, I was running and forgot I'd had a c/s. It definitely gets better every single day.

[maple]

I think it really depends on the individual. For whatever reason, I had a fairly easy c/s recovery. I was up and doing laps (very slowly and not very far) around the hospital the day after the surgery. By week 2 I would have been able to do the walk you described at least 1-way with the caveat that I still couldn't lift heavy weights so the kids would have had to be very cooperative. My doctor was supportive of walking as long as I didn't feel like I was pushing myself. We lived in a very walkable area at the time, and I felt like it was so good for me mentally and physically to get out. That said, I know not everyone has an experience like mine. Friends had more pain and took longer to resume normal activities.

[Velar Fricative]

Thanks everyone!

CrazyLucky , DH might have at most a few days off after we get home from the hospital. He's a teacher and school doesn't let out until around the 28th of June, so he'll be a big help after that but needs to finish out the school year. I'm going to ask my mom, MIL and/or FIL to see if they're available to come help at various points before school lets out. I'm realizing with the potential walking/driving restrictions, bringing DD1 to preschool would mean DH has to handle all dropoffs and pickups for at least the first week or two - he works the after-school center too so I'll ask him if he can stop working at the after-school center earlier than expected so she's not at preschool for so many hours each day. Doesn't sound like a great idea to keep her home either if I'm recovering unless I have help (she's 3.5 and fairly independent, but also hasn't been excited about the baby so I think she'll be super clingy after baby arrives).

Also, I'm not scared of the c-section, it's more fear of the unknown since I've only had a vaginal delivery before. But I'm sure it will be fine.

[blueberry10]

I had pretty easy recoveries for both of mine - I heeded the two-week driving restriction and didn't do a lot of physical activity in the first couple of weeks, but by a few weeks out I was taking DD for pretty long stroller rides around the neighborhood because it was the only way she would nap. As long as I took a fairly easy pace, it was fine.

[Blue Moon]

My c section was scheduled due to a breech baby as well. My recovery was complicated by an allergic reaction to my steri strips, but even so, it wasn't that bad. I definitely needed my husband's help more than I anticipated because we lived in a 3 story townhouse at the time and I couldn't go up and down the stairs much. I basically camped out on the couch the first few days home and he brought me food/baby.

As far as exercise, I know I walked with the stroller to Target around 10 days pp to buy a nursing bra. It was probably 1 mile in total. It was fine. I didn't drive for two weeks although I felt ready earlier. Mainly because I couldn't lift the bucket seat on my own.

[Brie]

My first was vaginal and my second was an emergency C-section. I was terrified but it wound up being an easier physical recovery for me, which was a nice surprise.

I went to the grocery store and shopped while babywearing at 6 days post section and got a bit woozy, but other than that I was fine just taking it slow and listening to my body.

[AmyRI]

No c-section experience, but I had a late flipper (going the other way in my case, unfortunately!) at 40w5d so I wouldn't give up hope yet!
I delivered her breech at 40w6d. Vaginal breech births can be safe if you are a good candidate and have a trained provider and if you're interested in hearing more I'm happy to discuss my experience.

[icedcoffee]

I could walk around the block at about 7-10 days afterwards. My neighborhood is slightly hilly so the first couple walks were a little rough, but it got better quickly. I was allowed to drive as soon as I was no longer on percocet and I could stomp my right foot quickly and without pain. I drove the first time at 11 days out. TBH, my brain felt cloudy though so I didn't go far and didn't do it again for a few more days.

[bex]

My OB put a hard restriction on driving for the first two weeks, and then after that said it was up to me and how I felt - basically if I felt that I could not react quickly when driving, I should not do it.

I was doing short walks around the block starting around 2 or 3 weeks after both sections, but I definitely took it easy and the walks wiped me out, so I would come home and sleep.

With my first C-section I felt pretty much back to normal by 6 or 8 weeks and was doing some very easy running by that point, maybe at 10 weeks (DS was born on May 14 and I remember going for a run on July 4, and I don't think that was my first run.)

With my second c-section I felt at about 75% by maybe 4 weeks, but then I kind of continued to feel that until 12 weeks or so. So I felt better faster, but then kind of stagnated.

My biggest advice is to just take it easy. It's weird not being able to use your core muscles. And everyone seems to have different recoveries. Don't rush it or feel like you should be doing stairs sooner or something. Take it easy and allow your body time to recover. If you feel good, great, and if you feel pain, or exhaustion, dial it back a bit.

However, I'll say that DS1 was breech at 36 weeks but was head down by the time I went into labor.

[lifetaketwo]

I had a really easy recovery. The first few days were ROUGH, but by 10 days I was feeling reasonable and started walking. I took it very slow and listened to my body. My checkup was at 5 weeks, and I was cleared to run. It was too early for me, and I think I started jogging at 7w.

Oh I have a 1 story house though.. stairs would have been an issue early on.

[tacoflavoredkisses]

I made myself get up and move after my csection, and I think that helped me feel like my recovery was fast. I drove a little less than 2 weeks after surgery, but they were short trips and I had my H with me the first few times in case I felt like I needed to stop and let him take over.

I live in a townhouse and the stairs were tough for the first week or so, as was getting out of bed. But within 2-3 weeks I felt mostly back to normal, save for some soreness if I overdid it.

[tealblue]

Both my c/s had easy recoveries. I didn't drop off ds1 for a week after my most recent one. But by week 2, I was driving to pickup and pushing ds2 in a stroller.

Week 3, I was going on 1-2 mile walks through the neighborhood and at my 6 week checkup I started going back to the gym for body pump and a core class.

With ds1, I had a similar recovery and drove almost immediately. I didn't take anything except an ibuprofen for pain in and out of the hospital. My dr said no driving if you are on prescription pain meds.

[kdubs923]

I've had two scheduled C-sections for breech babies and the recoveries have been fairly easy. (Though admittedly, I have nothing to compare it to)

Get up and walking as soon as the catheter comes out (around 12 hours post surgery at my hospital). I didn't find walking to be particularly painful for me - mostly getting up off the couch while holding the baby, getting out of bed, or coughing/laughing was uncomfortable. I'd think the first 7-10 days you might not be up to walking to daycare, but it's possible soon after you might start to feel up to it. It's really tough to say, I know people that have had difficult recoveries, but both of my experiences have been that it was no big deal (for me).

My OB mentioned the 2 week driving thing, but said to listen to my body. I was off the RX painkillers and felt OK to drive within the week. For my RCS, they said not to pick up DS who was about 28 lbs at the time, but... he was newly two. I remember having to pick him up about a week post surgery. I was sore (and don't recommend doing it if you can avoid it), but I survived.

You still have lots of time for her to turn. DS was flipping back and for right up until my C-section at 39w.

[glitzy07]

I had a really easy recovery with my first C-section (after 15 hours of labor). I was up and moving right away, and was probably doing more than I should have in the first week or so. I remember my doctor telling me not to do things like laundry because of the torso movement, and one day H came home and heard the dryer running and "yelled" at me for doing it. But I needed a non-spit-up nursing tank, dammit! I was driving before two weeks because I weaned off of the pain meds quickly and felt comfortable. I was taking walks around the neighborhood within a couple of weeks as well, but to be fair I was never super active before so there wasn't any running or lifting weights happening.

My second C-section (planned, no labor), was harder. But only because I had a super random complication afterward that required more time to heal my incision. I was home and feeling great just like the first time, but after a few days my incision re-opened due to a tiny blood clot. It took me an extra week to be able to drive and walk much, but was more of a minor annoyance than anything.

Good luck!

[isabel]

I am 2 days out from my second c-section.

I am not supposed to drive for 2 weeks, but walking is fine. I am already home, but I apparently have very easy recoveries compared to most. The main thing is just not to overdo it. There's no reason you can't go for short walks if you feel up to it. With DS1, I would wear him and walk a couple miles each morning. It kept us both sane to be outdoors and he enjoyed being worn.

Stay on top of your pain meds.

[tacoflavoredkisses]

The biggest thing that caught me off guard is that I had to ask my H to be more gentle braking in the car when we were in traffic because I really felt it.

[halfpint]

I had an emergency c/s after like 18 hours of labor. My recovery was a little rough, I won't lie. But I got up and walked around just as soon as I was able, and I think that helped. I didn't do stairs for a week or two - I ended up sleeping in a big easy chair with my kid in the PnP for a while. Then I needed a stool to get into bed.

By 6 weeks out, I could do longer walks, I could push the lawn mower to do like 1/3 of our acre lot (lol). If I could change some things, I'd probably look into a physical therapist early on to help with my core strength recovery. I still have none, and now I have an umbilical hernia next to the scar, so I'm not sure how much strenuous core exercise I can do. I would also find someone who know Maya massage to help with scar tissue and adhesions.

[luv2rn4fun]

I'be had two c sections and both were relatively easy recoveries. With DS1, I was released for all activities, including running at my 3.5 wk PP appointment. I was doing walking like you described much earlier. I think I did stay downstairs for the most part the first two weeks but that was only due to doctors orders and not what my body really needed. I didn't even really take the heavy pain meds with him, which is crazy because I had to take them for a good two weeks this time around (not consistently but they were needed).

DS2 was a little harder but I was running again by 6 weeks (even pushing both boys in the double and DS2 with the infant seat). I drove myself and DS2 to his 5 day appointment, with a catheter still in. Totally no big deal. I was also walking outside with DS1 the day I came home, so 3 days PP. I made it my mission to be up and walking around at the hospital as early and as much as possible! I even did bedtime and put DS1 (25lbs) in his crib and picked him up from said crib.

You will be fine! It might be a little slower than a vaginal delivery but your expectations of what you want to do seem very realistic from my experience.

[starburst604]

My recovery from my emergency CS was fairly easy. I had her at 10:30 at night and they had me up and moving the next morning. I did slow laps around the hall every day of my hospital stay while pushing DD in her bassinet, because it's important to move around (within reason of course). I was cleared to drive once I stopped taking pain meds, which i think was a week later? I don't think I had a reason to drive for a couple of weeks though. I believe I was told no lifting anything heavier than the baby until my 6 week checkup. I think the most I exerted myself then was lifting the infant carrier out of the car and into the stroller.

As far as the half mile walk, I went shopping at the mall when she was a couple of weeks old and have to have walked twice that without a problem, and her being a May baby I went on walks around the park before my 6 weeks check. I think it's really an individual thing, some women have a really tough time after. Once I was cleared at the 6 week check I eased into regular exercise and think I was back to teaching fitness classes around 10-11 weeks PP? I will say that my ab strength was zero at that point (of course, because my muscles were sliced!). So I had to gradually get ab strength back, but I'd say within a year it was as good as it was before.

[jennistarr1]

No matter what, get up and move...

I had a great recovery and impressed the nurses and several of my friends who had c-sections and the only thing I can think of is that my baby was is in the NICU so several times a day, I would get up and walk to see her. I can say I don't remember pain in doing so but they did leave my epidural in for a day or 2 and then I took the medication as they gave it to me so I felt the pain was well controlled so I could do that).

Just get up and move!

[humpforfree]

My CS recovery was much easier and quicker than the vbac. The binder, pillow for laughing/coughing, etc are all good. My one thing was I tore the cut around 5 weeks out from rolling/trying to get out of bed motn to get him, so I guess just watch how you do that. I was walking a lot at the hospital and kept walking at home. By 7 weeks I was running again and I started back at a pretty vigorous step aerobics (lol) class around 10 weeks.

[Koala]

My recovery was fairly easy.
I started taking walks around the block pushing the stroller a couple days after I got home from the hospital. I was driving 2 weeks after birth, and taking longer walks by then as well. By about 6 weeks, I was feeling much better!

[isabel]

May 11, 2017 8:15:10 GMT -5 CrazyLucky said:

I couldn't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for I think six weeks. I'm certain I broke that rule. Good luck telling a previously only child that mommy can't pick him up for six weeks.

Uh, yeah. I think they told me 10 pounds. I'm not fully lifting him, but I've definitely helped DS1 onto the couch and things like that since I got home yesterday. This morning, he asked me to pick him up and I told him I couldn't and he started crying and said "I say pwease!" So many tears for both of us. There's no way not lifting him will last.

[Deleted]

My recovery was impeded by postpartum pre/eclampsia and seizure and I was still able to get around without much pain after a few days.

I will say though, any time I overdid it for a few weeks after, the bleeding would worsen for a day or so.

[isabel]

May 11, 2017 10:08:15 GMT -5 tacoflavoredkisses said:

The biggest thing that caught me off guard is that I had to ask my H to be more gentle braking in the car when we were in traffic because I really felt it.

Ugh, yes. And be very gentle going over bumps. I am not looking forward to our ride to the pedi tomorrow and to the OB to get my staples out. I need to remember to bring a pillow.

[boiler717]

I had a scheduled c section. So much is dependent on the individual, and I had a prior abdominal incision(vertical) with a lot of scar tissue. I had a very easy recovery, I'm sure it was easier than a vaginal birth would have been. I was up and walking to the toilet 6 hours after birth and walking the halls about 12-14 hours after birth. I think early movement is key, but staying on top of the pain allows for that.
I was walking around the neighborhood as soon as I was home, could do 2+ mile within 2 weeks. DH was off work for 3 weeks so I didn't drive until then but would have been fine earlier.
I was off scheduled narcotics when I was d/c but used them as needed if I overdid it.
I 100% rested when I was at home for the first month or so -- if I wanted to walk I did, but I sat my butt on the couch and didn't try to overdo it.
Wear the binder and learn how to get in and out of bed appropriately.