C-section recovery ?

Question

For anyone who has had a non-emergency c-section, what was your recovery like? 
My last pregnancy ended in an emergency c-section due to severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. My recovery was awful and I wasn’t allowed to get up to walk or shower for 4 days due to my magnesium drip and my overall poor health from my HELLP syndrome because they didn’t think I was strong enough. I didn’t feel healthy or strong again for almost 6 months afterwards. Also, my milk didn’t come in until almost 3 weeks pp due to my stress and weakness. 
For my next pregnancy I’ll have a scheduled c-section and I’m terrified about having a horrible recovery again! How long did it take you to feel strong enough to walk and shower? How long before you started to feel normal and strong enough to exercise and feel yourself? Also, when did your milk come in?

Answer

I am 7 weeks postpartum and my recovery has been much easier than I anticipated. I was up walking about 14 hours after surgery, I would have gotten up sooner if the nurses had let me. Once I could move around, I actually felt really good and ended up getting discharged on the hospital a day earlier than anticipated.  While in recovery, the nurse helped me start breastfeeding, I was already producing colostrum and my milk came in 2 days post-op. 
Once home, I had no issues and could go up and down stairs with no problem, which was my biggest concern. I did have some pain, but was able to manage it pretty well with ibuprofen. Most of my pain went away and I started to feel back to normal within 3 weeks, but I still get the occasional twinge as the nerve endings start healing. 
All in all, I feel like most of my apprehension was for nothing, but realize that everyone is different!  Good luck!!

Answer

My left leg was severely numb from my epidural. That lasted about two full days. I was up and able to walk (ot was more of a limp tbh) maybe 8hrs post op despite my leg being numb. I just had trouble getting it up and down in bed. My c-section was at 1:38am. My milk came in by day 3 post op but my piglet and I had issues latching so I exclusively pump and bottle feed him. I was also told no exercise for 6 weeks and no lifting over 15lbs, but I felt well enough to carry my piglet in his carseat with diaper bag when I was discharged. However I tried to wall around lot, which caused some swelling in my foot which I thought might have been preeclampsia. On top of the higher level of stress I felt being home with my son on top of my normal life stresses of being out of work without income, I def thought my blood pressure was an issue.
I thought my recovery was going to be much worse than what it was. I was scared that I wouldn't be able to take care of myself (like getting in and out of bed, peeing without pain, or even sitting up without pain) and my newborn. I'm really grateful it went as well as it did and I hope it will be smooth for you this time around!

Answer

This will be my 5th and each one has gotten easier.   My last one I was up and showered 13 hours after delivery and begging to go home at the 24 hour mark.

Answer

So my first wasnt a emergency csection my son just decided he didnt want to come out and was stuck sunny side up. I had it very easy (now no surgery is ever "easy") that's just how I describe it. I was up walking 24 hours after and was allowed to shower so I did. A lot in the hospital to make myself feel better. I never wore a belly band or anything and recovered fine. Just make sure you realize you cant do a lot of things on your own. I'm always one to just do and I really needed to learn to ask for help. My milk came in right away (I know that differs for everyone) I'll be having my second csection in 3 1/2 weeks. Hoping to recover just as well as last time. Good luck to you!

Answer

Mine was fine. I was up walking the next morning and showered at the hospital. I wore my band religiously in the beginning and felt fine. I had minimal bleeding afterwards and the scar is tiny. Everyone is different and I wish you the best.

C-section recovery ?

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