Comments on: Cesarean Recovery

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:13:58 +0000

After 6 consecutive miscarriages in the first trimester, I’m finally at 33 weeks. I asked my OB about doing a planned c-section right away as it seemed the right choice for me but given the controversy, I’ve done a ton of research both with personal interviews of those gone before me and statistical with ACOG. The only two main reasons still making me question the c-section are the recovery time (since I’m very active and not one to sit still) and the shared drugs while breastfeeding. I could care less about a natural birth experience, my high risk OB only does c-sections (doesn’t deliver natural births), I’ve had several major back issues, surgery doesn’t intimidate me (I’ve had 3 miscarriage D&Cs), and given my losses, I really just want a healthy baby in the most controlled way. I know surgery is always a risk, but so many things can go wrong with natural labor. Since an emergency c-section is more risky than planned, it also scares me to death to start with natural labor and then have to end up there anyway (and then having had to go through both!) Any additional insights? What haven’t I considered?

By: C section thread? - Pregnancy - Third Trimester Forum (Page 3)

C section thread? - Pregnancy - Third Trimester Forum (Page 3) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:03:37 +0000

[...] this: http://www.birthactivist.com/2009/12/cesarean-recovery/ [...]

By: Stephanie V.

Stephanie V. — Tue, 17 May 2011 22:01:49 +0000

I feel for you. I too shocked everyone with how quickly I seemed to recover even though I had acquired an infection at the site. I was back at work full-time three weeks after my c-section. To everyone it seems still that I am alright, yet when I’m alone, all I do is think about thise horrible experience and how I was robbed like many women. It’s sad that the increase in this procedure is rising more than ever due to medical malpractice suits and bad medical intervention. I hope that I see the day when all this changes!!!!!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:10:43 +0000

I am having my second child , the first birth was a vaginal birth some eleven years ago , so ideally I have a helper , I am resigned to the fact of having a c-section delivery, in approx ten days unless all systems go before , I am dreaded it , to say the least !

Im learning its not the end of the world and have taken your tips on board , some sites contradict the breast feeding issues , obviously more difficult as your milk doesnt come in straight away , I am now storing little changing areas around the house too !

I will be taking my pregnancy wrap around pillow everywhere with me and forcing myself out of bed even if I feel like I have been run over by a steam roller , I wonder if they could do a nip and tuck while they are there , lol !

By: steph

steph — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:07:55 +0000

I’m sorry, that was supposed to say that I got up and that part was smart. I did mini laps around the hospital wing. It took about 15 minutes to go one lap, which would take me about 3 minutes now.

By: steph

steph — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:07:03 +0000

I was incredibly against pain medication at first and especially against the stool softener. So dumb! I kept trying to hold out an extra hour or so on the pain medication. I did get though. That part was smart.

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:16:34 +0000

Wonderfully informative! Thank you. One thing that also helped me was to sleep in a recliner for the first few days home (we had to rent one because we didn’t own one). It helped me tremendously to not have to get up from a flat lying position during the night and in the morning.

Also, I would like to mention that I was still in pain from my c-section 7 1/2 years later. When I had a diagnostic laparascopy for other issues, my doc found a lot of scar tissue. She removed it and I am pain-free for the first time in years. So I would encourage any woman who is still having pain a long time later to consider evaluation for scar tissue… I wish I had done it years ago.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:21:57 +0000

Thanks for writing such a helpful and non-judgemental post. The emotional healing is so important for all the moms who hoped to have a natural birth and for any number of reasons ended up having a c-section. Even a planned c-section (often an informed choice weighing risks) still can have a profound emotional impact on mom.

Great advice and I agree with Nicole too that gas is incredibly painful after a c-section and recommending Simethicone is a fantastic tip — should be packed in every hospital bag!

By: P.A.

P.A. — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 22:12:53 +0000

It helps every time I hear/read someone else not appreciate the ‘all that matters is a healthy baby’ sentiment. My healthy son is definitely the most healing thing I’ve had, but the trauma of believing he was stillborn lingers.

On the ican page you linked to I love how they state that these are two different events, though they happened together, and you get to respond to each. Physically, Ive recovered shockingly well- i was carrying my 40-pound runaway puppy home less than 3 weeks after my c-section. Emotionally, though, I cried every time I was left alone.

By: nicole

nicole — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:11:19 +0000

This is definitely a wonderful reference. I would like to add a couple of suggestions if I may… As you already mentioned it is important to get up and move sooner rather than later. Please… as you are getting use the bed controls so that you are not putting unneccesary stress/strain on your incision and abdominal muscles. The beds have controls for a reason. Use them! Also… while it is important that you have adequate nutrition for healing take it slow (soft diet initially) and eat foods that are easily digested. I know you feel “hungry” but your body needs a moment to get back to functioning normally. Give it that time (a day) and your recovery will go better. Some of the worst physical pain a woman feels post-operatively is gas, in addition to the stool softner be sure to ask for Mylicon(Simethicone)and get up and move to get that gas out. You will be glad you did