What Was Your C-section Recovery Like?

With both my c sections I was given 800mg IB and percocets. The first time I did way to much to soon. And couldnt take meds, my son was in the NICU so I was driving the day after i was released. Fast forward to my 2nd i was able to take a rest because my FIL stayed near us for a month helping with my son. Same meds as the first.the second was far more difficult for me because it took a lot of force to get my 10lbs daughter out!

I got sent home with Vicodin with Tylenol. I've recovered from two C-setions. One after laboring and pushing and one scheduled C with no labor. The initial recovery was night and day. Its takes about two weeks to resume most normal tasks and about 6 weeks to feel close to normal. The first one I had staples in until the day I left the hospital on on the second one they used glue. Yes, thats right- glue. And it did not need removing. That was at Kaiser and glue was way better than staples.

My recovery after an emergency c-section was not bad. I had stitches, not staples, so maybe that helped? I was sent home with prescription ibuprofen and another prescription for something stronger. I never filled the stronger one, and only took ibuprofen for a few days. I could do light housework and driving after a couple weeks, but nothing heavy for about a month. Good luck!

I have to weigh in since some of the experiences shared seem very scary and I had an easy experience. I had 2 c-sections. One at Medical Center of Arlington and one at Baylor Grapevine. (The first was an emergency C-section and the 2nd was planned).

For both, the worse pain I remember was the gas pain afterwards (I think someone else mentioned that). Be sure they give you something to help pass the gas- it makes a world of difference. Also, I has a reaction to the morephine they gave me right after surgery the second time- the itching was worse than any pain I remember.

I think the key is to get up and start walking around as soon as they will let you. The nurses said that made a big difference in my recovery both times.

To answer your questions:
1- The first time they gave me Vicodin. I took it for one day- had a horrible nighttime episode (sweats, chills, general "out of it" behavior) and stopped. The second time I just took the tylenol with codeine and motrin. They will take your input in account when deciding what type of mediciation to give you. Once the gas pain subsided- I felt fine. I can't remember how long I took them, but I remember the doctor telling me with my 1st not to stop taking it yet because of the swelling/inflammation.

#2- I did most normal tasks as soon as I was released from the hospital. You have to watch the heavy lifting and can't drive for a bit afterwards (can't remember how long.) With my first, I was literally packing boxes less than one month afterwards.

#3 I did breastfeed. Baylor Grapevine allowed me to hold and breastfeed my 2nd as soon as she was briefly checked out. They did that in the room and I was able to hold her and nurse right away. Then, they took her to do all the "stuff" they do and I got her back very quickly.

My experience at both hospitals was excellent. MCA was more intrusive (5 years ago)- Baby and I had separate nurses so it seemed like someone was constantly there. They do take the baby if you want them to so you can get periods of sleep. Baylor- they have a policy of keepign the baby with the parents which is great for bonding. My daughter was hardly ever out of our sight. They did all exams, checks, etc on her in the room instead of taking her out. I would recommend either hospital.

Hope that helps. Good luck to you!

I have a very hight pain tolerance.

I was put on a slow drip...thing. I had shoulder bag that I carried for a while that had a balloon deal of medicine. I had very little pain at the incision, the pain was mostly where the drip tube was located on me. That was treatable with Tylenol.

I'm not sure how long it took the medicine to run it's course, it was about 6 years ago. A week, maybe two? My mother took the tube out at home and about a week later I had the staples removed.

I shopped the day I left the hospital, my mother and husband were with me and I used a store offered wheel chair.

Ball State Memorial, a University Hospital.

I was able to BF while healing, that was something I asked about before the c-section when they were talking to me about medication options.

I delivered in suburban NY, and was up walking the morning after at the insistance of my nurse. (she was totally right - even though it hurt) The few days in the hospital were pretty tough, but I was also nursing and caring for a newborn.
When I went home, I did fill the prescription for a tylenol 500 I think, but I never took even one. My main problem when getting home was gas pain. Sounds crazy, but if you have c-section you'll understand. Anyway, so I took a lot of stool softeners etc. I was mindful of my stomach for several weeks after getting home. But I was certainly functioning and caring for my baby.
I 2nd the compression wrap - that made a huge difference in just feeling like my incision was safe and helping to hold in all of those tender muscles.

I delivered at a small hospital in my area. It is considered the "country club" of hospitals because it is small but has outstanding care - no where near TX so I won't list it.

I had a hardcore drip medication for the first 24 hours and believe me I pressed that button EVERY four hours. I had to stay for 8 days because of blood pressure issues but requested nothing more than Motrin after that first 24. It was much less pain than I was led to believe. It is hard to get out of bed for the first few days, it's no picnic, but after the first 3 days I was doing pretty good and getting out of bed without a lot of pain. They get you out of bed the next day - hunched over mind you but it helps. They sent me home with a prescription for Percocet but I never filled it. Those types of meds make me sick to my stomach so I avoid them when possible. I never felt like I needed anything stronger than the regular stuff anyway and believe me - I am a wimp. I did breastfeed.

I swear I suffered more after the first few days with the horrible sweats at night that no one told me about until much later than any pain I had for my c-section. I had to have my nose fixed last year and suffered unbelievable pain over a nose job! I'd rather have a c-section again than suffer through that again.

Hi,
I had my son 7 yrs ago at Baylor Grapevine (great hospital/staff) and I had to have a c section due to preeclampsia and he wasn't going to come out on his own. Well, I was given an extra strong Tylenol medication, afterwards, and ended up using only about 1/4 of the bottle. You are uncomfortable for a few days post-surgery but it really isn't too terrible.
When they (the nurses) tell you that you need to move around as soon as you can, listen to them. It really does help speed up the process and you need to be able to get around to care for your newborn whether you are in a bit of pain or not, right?
I was taking my son to the park and pushing a stroller within a week of the c section and doing some cleaning and caring for my baby the same day that I came home from the hospital. I'm not exceptionally strong--it's really just not that bad. Or maybe I was pretty lucky?
Oh, I breastfed, also, and apparently acetaminophen is safe.
*as far as people giving you a hard time about having a c section--I would absolutely have another one.

Pain was not too bad...

None - I just took tylenol i was nursing so no heavy duty meds for me

Did not need them long. I was in the hospital for 1 week and then in bed for most of another - by that point there was very little pain...

Um not soon enough - I actually tore my stiches and got yelled at by my doctor about 3 weeks after the C. You can do light lifting etc after a week or so depending on how youare healing, but no heavy lifting! I should have waited longer.. so maybe 4 weeks before totally back to normal...

I delivered at my local Catholic Hospital. It was a very comforting environment for me...

my C-section was SO much easier than my vag delivery.
My first delivery was very tramatic and it took months to recover.
My section I was up walking to the nursery every 2 hrs to feed him. Yes I breastfed. I was sent home with meds,tylenol with codeine. but didn't really take them long cause I didn't need them. My section was emergency.

My csect was a breeze, I was on an IV for 24 hrs along with a cath (you cant get up to pee for 24 hrs) after they took everything out I tried the Tyl/cod and I did not want to be fuzzy with the baby. I did breast feed also and I did not want theat in my milk either. So I opted for extra strengh Ty and Mot every 4 hrs along with a stool softner (very important). The only real pain I had was in my neck. When they cut you the gases in your body have to reroute and for me its always in the neck. So I was also on a anti gas meds. I was on such a baby high that the pain was managable. I did alot of walking too, which help with recovery. I walked with the baby in the hospital bassinete all over the recovery ward. The nurses were very impressed how much I got out and kept telling me to keep at it. It does make a big difference in recovery. When I got home I walked alot with the baby outdoors also. Just no heavy lifting, use a pillow to cough and request a belly band it really holds things in nice and snug, (insurance will cover it since its a prescription). Its not as bad as you would think, keep a strong mind and your body will respond positively dwell on the pain and your recovery will last even longer. as for getting out and about I could not drive for abput 4 weeks ( you will be suprised how much you use your abs when driving) I was back to house work slowly, (if you over do it you can cause yourself to bleed more). Just follow what your body tells you. Listen to your body if you are bleeding more than normal you know you over did it so rest and try again the next day. dont let people scare you, you will be on such a mommy high that you wont notice the pain as much gl

1st one pain meds every 4-6 hrs for 3 days then alternated between Tylenol with codeine and Motrin for a week, 2nd & 3rd every 4 hrs for 24 hrs then alternated between pain meds and Tylenol for 3 days before I was good. Secret is to walk around AS SOON as you are allowed and during waking hrs try walking every 45 min even if it is only around the nursing station. The more you walk the easier your recovery. Good Luck
BTW I delivered mine at 3 different hospitals in 3 different states so this won’t help you but I would take the tour before you deliver so you can choose the one that’s best for you

So my older children are 23 and 19. I delivered vaginally with both and was out of the hospital in less than 24 hours. I was younger then. My wee one is 5. My first C-Section. It was a nightmare. I nearly bled to death. They never explained to me about the pump so I thought it gave me a continual drip so when they came in to move me...good lord and a quarter it was like someone was ripping me open. They gave me morphine maybe? Something very nice cause after the first dose I could barely feel my feet.

They left a staple in so I had to go back to the Dr and get that removed and that SWELLING that they said would go down never did and found out that they sewed me up crooked so I have this piece of skin that hangs off the one side.

I didn't like it, don't recommend it and think that Dr's would rather drug you and cut you than to wait it out.

It's been 5 years. i still cant feel anything around the scar. They sent me home with NorCo because I asked for someone that wouldn't make me feel like I was out of it or couldnt take care of/breastfeed my son. I hurt for about 2 months after and took me almost a year to even bond with my son due to the trauma.

I breast fed and they STILL were willing to give me Vicodin for the pain.

So far in my lifetime it's been the WORST hospital experience. And emotionally (think body image and such), I'm at an all time low because of it.

Pain was not as bad as I feared it would be. Best tip- press a pillow against your belly whenever you try to sit or stand up. Trust me.

Pain meds were every 4 hours for about a week, I think Percocet??

Pain meds required for at least 18 years :) Seriously, I took the "good stuff" for about 10 days to 2 weeks, then just Tylenol with occasional additional pain pill if I had been overly active.

I was able to do most things after about 2 weeks- cook, feed the dogs, etc. I took 4 law school exams 6 weeks after the section :)

Delivered in AZ, so not helpful for you, but Scottsdale Healthcare North.

For me, just Tylenol would not have been enough for those first few days.
But the nurses at the hospital were all about giving me any meds that I felt I needed. I did have to send DH to find the nurse for my drugs a few times. For your breastfeeding question, they give you meds that go through your system very quickly, so you need to be careful to take them every 4 hours at first. The only real issue I had was when I tried to suffer in silence waiting for the nurse to bring my next dose rather than paging her. HUGE mistake!!

In my experience, no one will question you for wanting meds, and there are plenty that you can take while breastfeeding.

My c-section was AWFUL. I had a blood vessel burst and no one noticed till a day or two later. I was completely bruised on my entire abdomen - totally black. The coagulating blood kept the incision open and it woudl not heal properly. I had to have the incision cleaned out daily and packed with gauze so it would heal from the inside out. It took 3 months to heal. I can't remember what pain killer they gave me - oxy something. I weaned myself off it as fast as I could. I can't remember the details bc I was pretty traumatized! At month 2 I also got an infection inside of me and had to go to the ER...as a result I had no breastmilk. It was not a fun experience.

I had a c-section (way far away from you) but usual advice is six weeks.
Pain was of course yukky and if you are a fighter it might be before six weeks.
Sent home with tylenol.
MANY YEARS LATER was also sent home with a hysterectomy. Same meds, same pain. You get over it. You will know.

My first one was awful. It was an emergency and the doctor needed to get my baby out, so I don't think the care was taken that could have been. I still only used some Tylenol with that. I'm not huge on any medicine.

The second one was like a walk on the beach compared to the first one. I did take some percocet with that one though, but only for a couple of days.

I nursed all 3 of my babies and I was given the Tyenol or Percocet for both...I just didn't use it with my first one.

My recovery was VERY easy. I was walking laps around the hospital the morning after the surgery. I did take meds during the first 48 hours, even though I felt great. The Dr. said especially in the first 24 hours, you don't want to skip pain meds. If you start hurting, you are playing catch up. For me, that was true the first day. I felt great the first day, so I skipped a dose, and I was really feeling it 4 hours later. I would offer that advice to you, just take the meds they give you the first 48 hours. The only time I really hurt, was when I let my bladder get too full. The pressure was painful.

Get moving as soon as they will allow you to. The first night, I moved and switched sides every time I woke up. The next day, I was walking as much as the nurses would allow me to. It got easier every time. I was sent home with low dose percocet. (It's Tylenol with oxycodone. Technically, they do call it "prescription Tylenol.") I chose not to take any of it, and just relied on OTC meds at home. I only needed those a few times. I had stitches that dissolved and didn't have to get anything removed. I was staying at home alone with my son 5 days after he was born, because my husband only had a few days paid vacation. It was very, very tempting for me to overdue it. I felt great, but it's really important to listen to your Dr. I also got sent home with an anti-inflammatory and stool softener. I wasn't having issues in that department, but I did take the stool softener at my doctor's advice. I guess if I were to have problems, it could be really painful. The anti-inflammatory was to make sure no infection happened. I stopped taking it, because it caused me to swell. I didn't swell my whole pregnancy, but that medication made me balloon. I don't think it's recommended to stop taking it.

There are people I know who didn't have the easiest recovery, but I think they didn't get moving as much. My sister had a c-section and she didn't get the same pain medications, because she was breastfeeding.

My pain was pretty nill by night 1, but I do have a high pain tolerency in general.

I was sent home with no meds, I did not request them nor did I need them. I was told I could call my doc to get a scrip if needed, but I left the hospital day 3 as scheduled just a touch sore but not in pain. Kind of like after a good work out, you know?

I delivered at Baylor, Grapevine, Tx

I am a slightly different case, I had major back surgery 11months before delivery (I know cutting it close right?) so I followed all the rules to a "T" so that meant 6 weeks for about everything. I did not grocery shop, drive, do any thing major around the house for the 6 weeks. No, my life did not come to a hault, family came out around week 3 and I was able to go to the store with my Mom and MIL and go out to dinner and all that, just no heavy lifting/pushing. I think things begin to get "normal" around 10-14 days for me - no more soreness or itching (scar), just being smart and following the rules.

Yes, it is major surgery, but if done correctly you are not in pain after the first day. Plus, you are in the hospital for 3 days, that is time to recover with "harder" medications if needed and under their supervision. You have to be able to do all of these different things before you can eat real food and go home etc. They will not let you go home if you are not able to walk or are in major pain.

Yes, I did BF, but again i did not want/need pain medication so it was not needed. I know they gave me something the day of but I do not remember what it was and they KNEW I was BFing so whatever it was was safe.

The pain was not nearly as bad as I expected. I had two, and I healed much quicker w/ the 2nd.- I was doing normal things and picking up my toddler after 3 weeks- NOT GENERALLY RECOMMENDED!! Pleease listen to your DR! But also listen to your body, It may take longer than 6 weeks! I was sent home with percocet and Rx naproxen both times. I liked the percocet WAY too much, so I switched to regular Tylenol after a few days. No pain meds after about a week or so.
Don't push it- use the help you have and take it easy! But get up and walking in the hospital as soon as you can. Every time you get out of bed it gets easier. (hint: bring your body pillow to the hospital for support post-partum)
I delivered #1 at Hackettstown Medical Center, Hackettstown, NJ
and #2 at Somerset Medical Center, Somerville, NJ

Congrats! Oh, and btw funny things get oooh soooo much funnier when you aren't supposed to laugh! Be careful watching AFV! :)

I had an emergency "c" with my daughter.
A planned one with my son.
The one with my daughter was not bad, but my body was very taxed because I had been in labor for HOURS, and then had the c-section.

But recovery for both was very good.
I was sutured shut. Externally and internally.
My Doc does not use staples.
And I had Steri-Strips on the external incision.

I was sent home with just Prescription Tylenol.
But I didn't really need it.
Recovery for c-sections is 6 weeks post-op.
You need to take care after. Or you can pop or tear your incision etc.

DO NOT lift anything heavier than your baby etc.
They should have sent you home with an information sheet for post-op care and about the recovery process. And you should have a post-op Doc appointment 1 week after.

I know you have a bunch of answers, and not sure if anyone mentioned this, but after my second c-section, they gave me a compression wrap. Because of that, I was moving around very easily with my baby about 10 hours after the surgery. Also, the first time, I didn't want to take the pain meds they sent home with me for fear of hurting my baby through nursing. I know what an idiot I was, but the second time, I took those babies on schedule and felt so much better so much sooner! Good luck!

Recovery from a scheduled c-section is pretty easy. I was very concerned with my first one, but my doctor said that it's the women that labor for hours and then have to have a c-section that have the hard recoveries. I was sent home with percocet and ibuprofen. I took both for the first week. I don't think I really needed it, but I'm a wimp when it comes to pain and took it just because I was scared not too.

things have changed so much....i had a c-section 23 years ago....

I was not given any pain meds in the hospital (nurses where so mean and forgot about me) and did not leave with any. This was a nightmare hospital (Detroit.)

I was out by the next day, and back to work. Back then, jobs did not have any maternity leave.

I was in pain for a couple of days in the hospital. He was delivered on Tuesday morning, and I went home on Friday afternoon. By the time I left, I was moving pretty well and in little to no pain. I was still kinda slow, though. I dont' remember what meds I brought home, probably Tylenol or Ibuprofen, something I could nurse with. I used it less than once a day.

My husband was so attentive that he did (and does, 17 months later) the grocery shopping. He wouldn't let me drive for weeks, so he came home and drove us to doctor appointments. Not moving around is why I got fat and why I had to go ahead and have my gall bladder removed.

I think the Tylenol that people are talking about is Tylenol with codeine. Not just over the counter Tylenol.

Having said that, I used only regular OTC strength Tylenol and 800 mg. Motrin. I was offered Vicodin and Codeine, but I have a sensitivity to pain meds and they make me sick. Was it painful? Yes. Did I survive? Sure. Because I alternated the Tylenol and Motrin, I was able to take it every 2 hours, if I'm remembering right. I was up walking the next day. I was feeling fairly normal and able to move around freely after about a week. But they will tell you it's a full 4 week recovery time.

Yes, a c-section is major surgery. Yes, I have a high tolerance for pain. But was it the worst experience ever? Absolutely not. I had worse pain with my foot surgery. By a long shot.

I'm with you about the pain. Seriously? Some people only needed Tylenol?

My first C-Section was an emergency, and the second was scheduled. The second was an easier recovery, but I think that's because I was less afraid and so much more prepare fore what I would be going through.

I cannot take most meds with codeine (makes me violently nauseous), so I requested Vicodin. I had prescriptions for Vicodin and Ibuprofen. The first couple of days home I would take both on a schedule, alternating every 3 hours. Around day 3 if I began to feel pain and it had been at least 3 hours I would take whatever I didn't take the last time. Around day 5 or so I would take Tylenol or OTC Ibuprofen unless I overdid it. That's when I would reach for the prescription bottle.

I would say that after the first week home I really didn't use the prescriptions any more. I really tried to follow my doctor's guidelines as to activity. I did probably pick up my older son a little more than I should have, but I tried not to overdo it.

My husband had 4 weeks paternity leave, so I probably didn't do too many household chores until he went back to work. I did leave the house, though. I'm not a homebody and tend to go stir crazy. I just tried to pace myself. If I was taking my older son out, I made sure I had my husband or one of my parents with me to take care of him.

Honestly, the c-section was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The worst of the recovery was the day after the c-section. My hospital keeps you in bed the first 24 hours, so the toughest part was actually getting out of bed during the second 24 hours. After that it really wasn't so bad.

Good luck!

well i will be honest, its gonna hurt for the first two days. i stayed in the hosp for two days after the c section, so those were the worst, but i did get demerol, but even with it, it hurt! the staples were removed before i left the hosp. the day i got discharged the dr. wrote a prescription for vicodin but in the whirlwind of leaving the hosp i forgot the script! i don't have a big tolerance when it comes to pain and i was able to handle it. mine was an emergency c section so maybe the pain is different and i did do hours of labor before they decided to c section, so that may be why i feel so miserable the first two days in the hosp. you can't lift anything heavy but i do remember picking up my baby and nursing. my husband was working and my mom came over every morning to help me clean and take care of the baby. its not that bad and when i have my next, i get to do it all over again :)
added: i remember being in pain in the hosp and not wanting to walk around and the nurse told me the sooner you get up and walk around these halls, the sooner you will heal, feel better and get discharged. so of course i did get up and walk around and by golly, she was right!

I have had 3, the most recent being 8 weeks ago. The first 2 I had a drain and staples. The pain was pretty bad until both were removed. I was so miserable that I was adamant about having a vbac and went through 30 hours of labor before agreeing to another c secion. This last time I was glued closed and felt virtually NO incision pain. It was definitely uncomfortable to move around for a few days but not too painful. It was awesome. I couldn't believe the difference. The only severe pain I felt this time was about 2 hours after the surgery when I had to roll from side to side for the nurses to clean me up. I was eagerly walking (albeit slowly and for very short distances) and showering the following day. I was sent home with a prescription for percoset and 800 mg Ibuprofin. I only took the Ibuprofin during the day and percoset at night for 3 days and then only Ibuprofin for about one more week. I had a very hard time for several weeks laying down in bed so I slept on the recliner or couch.
I am a single mom of three kids and my only source of income is my home daycare. I had all the daycare kids back 10 days post delivery. I was very tired and spent most of my days reading books and doing quiet activities with the kids but didn't feel too bad. I was able to do all my usual chores and grocery shopping after about 2 1/2 weeks. I asked that the bags be packed lightly so that I could safely carry them in from the car. The only thing I couldn't do until recently was lift anything heavier than my baby.

I have had two c-sections. The first 24 hours is tough I got up and started to walk the hospital halls as soon as they let me. Waking up every morning amazed at how much better I felt than the day before. Getting stronger everyday. I could of stayed 4 days, but stayed 3. I was sent home with oxycodone and used them for about the first week. Yes I breast feed. My kids are great and smart-it didn't effect them and all. Heck I didn't have much help from my husband. I would leave the laundry basket all bottom of the stairs and it would just sit there for days. I couldn't handle sitting and nothing getting done. I was doing everything with in 2 weeks. If you have someone that will help milk it as long as you can or wish. The more I did the better I felt and seemed to heal really quickly. At my 2 week check up I was moving so well, The nurse thought it was the 6 week check.

With my sister-in-law gave birth 9 days before me naturally. She was in way worse getting pain than I. I joke C-sections are the natural. The other way just seems much worse-plus I have never been through it.