https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:55:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299572 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:35:05 +0000 BeachMama 299572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with all of the above. Take it easy the first few days. I got winded just walking to the mailbox. But do try to get upland moving at least a little bitit will help you feel better. </p> <p>Buy granny panties that will have the elastic above your incision. </p> <p>And belly binder will help you feel more supported. I always felt like my guts were falling out when I laid on my side and the binder helped with that. </p> <p>Don't be afraid to use the meds. I took Percocet for about a week and Advil after that. Also a stool softener will help. The first poop can be scary because it's kinda hardto use those muscles to push. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299491 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:04:34 +0000 pastemoo 299491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LOL I didn't take the pain meds at all! Even at home... until 1 week pp when I realized that the swelling would go down when I took the ibuprofen. I took it for a week until my ankles looked human again.</p> <p>The pain was not the kind of pain I usually take meds for--it was more soreness and inability to do certain movements. So... fill the pain med script but you may not need them. I have more pain in the incision site now (16w pp) than I did right after surgery. BUT I can do a lot more movement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299378 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 08:41:06 +0000 yoursilverlining 299378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tip: wear the c-section belly band thing they give you in the hospital. Wear it a lot! It really helps with pain, and also I think is suppose to help with shrinking your uterus and extra skin back down. Also, move and walk around as soon as you can – that will help speed your recovery, even if you are just walking back and forth across your hospital room. I was able to get up and walk around my room (albeit, slowly) the morning following my c-section.</p> <p>I third the dress recommendation. Some yoga pants were okay to wear, but I was constantly checking to see if they were rubbing against the incision, and it was much easier (and more comfortable) to wear a loose dress. </p> <p>If they staple you shut – don’t worry, it actually does NOT hurt to get the staples out. I was like “OMG, staples?!?! wth?!” but it totally did not hurt at all to get them out. That was my only freak-out about the entire section lol. The spinal isn’t really scary, you can’t see anything and the prep shot for it hurts more than the spinal shot itself. </p> <p>My OB advised not to drive while I was still taking painkillers, but I was cleared to drive otherwise whenever I felt ready. The only thing that delayed my driving (which I did within 3 weeks) was that it did still hurt to make the twisting motion you have to be able to make in order to look over your shoulder to check all your blind spots. But, by 3 weeks out, that was fine.</p> <p>I took it very easy for 2 weeks – absolutely no lifting of anything heavier than the baby, lots of support and no clothing that would irritate the incision. Within 4 weeks, I was able to take 2-3 mile walks with baby without issue (though I walked slower than before baby). </p> <p>I definitely second the recommendation to take advantage of whatever painkillers they offer you in recovery and after discharge. You don’t get extra “good mom” points for being in pain and suffering – so, don’t suffer! They gave me oxycodone – and the dose was super low so it was still safe to breastfeed, but it did control the pain. Don’t be afraid to ask for more if you are in pain. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299367 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 08:28:15 +0000 NerdBee 299367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. I was able to take care of my LO by myself by two weeks. My incision was still sore but I was able to go up and down stairs, carry my LO, etc. I think I was off pain meds after day 4. </p> <p>2. You should definitely not over exert yourself but all of the medical professionals at the hospital told me that getting up periodically and walking around will help accelerate the healing process. Because they cut through several layers of tissue (ie skin, fat, muscle), moving and walking will help the layers stay separate while healing. Otherwise, something calls adhesion will happen where the tissues will heal together and will cause pain later. </p> <p>3. Definitely have clothing that will avoid putting any pressure on your incision. Make sure you have underpants where the waistband will sit above or below your incision. I'm 5 months pp and I still cannot wear some of my some of my underpants because the waistband irritates my incision. </p> <p>Good luck! Hope you'll have a speedy recovery! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299351 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 08:03:49 +0000 MamaBehr 299351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Take the pain meds that they give you. With my first c-section I never filled my prescription and so once I was out of the hospital I didn't take anything. There is no need to do that. With my second I filled my prescription and took it until I didn't need to anymore. </p> <p>I agree with everyone else. TAKE IT EASY! The thing that surprised me the most was getting in and out of bed. It is very very very difficult. </p> <p>And, you won't be able to life the carseat with baby in it for two weeks, or drive. So just make sure you have as much help as you can. </p> <p>Another thing that scared me (with my second one more than my first) was after the baby was born, I was in the recovery room and I shook uncontrollably. The nurse said it was to be expected and normal, because it was my body coming off the hormones and meds etc. So, if you start doing that during recovery, it's all good :) </p> <p>You will feel much better in about two weeks :) GOOD LUCK!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299335 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 07:31:45 +0000 sunny 299335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second the dress recommendation. I couldn't wear pants (even stretchy ones) for at least a week. After that, I wore pants that had a drawstring waist for another 2 weeks. </p> <p>My feet were also hugely swollen when we left the hospital. I could barely fit into my flip flops.</p> <p>Even at 4 weeks PP I'm still having to take it really easy. I can't walk quickly and bending still hurts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299313 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 06:39:28 +0000 Sammyfab 299313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. I was in a lot of pain/discomfort for the first 3 days but after that I felt much better and returned to most light duties. My husband took really good care of me! I went back to driving after 1.5 weeks and got the full clearance at 6 weeks pp. Sneezing, coughing and laughing hurt for a good 3 weeks.</p> <p>2. relax, let others do stuff for you, and take your meds regularly even if you think you're feeling just fine. I also wanted to get moving right away. I had my LO at noon and I was up and walking around (very slowly) at 7pm.</p> <p>3. I totally agree about bringing comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, slip-on shoes, and a nursing pillow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299309 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 06:32:15 +0000 MamaG 299309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was about two weeks for me as well. Really be kind on yourself. I kept the stairs to a minimum. Getting out of bed, off the comfy couch were really challenging.</p> <p>If you have a two-story home and your nursery is upstairs, reconsider all of your plans for sleeping/napping baby and diaper changes. Me and LO stayed downstairs from the time DH left for work until he was home in the evening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299306 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 06:18:34 +0000 pastemoo 299306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma:<br /> I had a not-so-great recovery and my OB didn't clear me do return to normal activities till 10 w pp. I think part of the reason is I pushed myself too hard early on. I recommend you really take it easy and don't get up much in the first 2 weeks.<br /> Bring a nursing pillow and a small hard pillow (like a throw pillow)--nursing will be painful if you don't cover the incision, and you need something to press to the incision site when you cough/sneeze/laugh.<br /> Don't bring pants--they will hurt. Wear a dress.... and sandals! Your feet will be huge after the IV fluids you will be getting.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299296 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 05:42:11 +0000 GrapeCrush 299296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. 2 weeks before the doc said i could drive. he told me to take it easy on the stairs and to relax. thankfully DH and my mom were with me the first 2 weeks so this was a lot easier. the first few days at home were a little rough because it wasn't as easy to get out of bed but that didn't last long. by the 2 weeks i was itching to get out and be free!! lol</p> <p>2. just don't over do it!! hopefully you have help and can relax, but follow doctors orders. and like @Sweet T: it's a weird feeling inside. walking the mall was tough(but i did it lol) but you definitely need to take some more breaks than i imagine you would if you had a vaginal birth</p> <p>3. make sure your clothes don't irritate you. i had yoga pants that went up higher(just in case i had a c i wanted to make sure i was comfy). my SIL wore my brother pj pants because they were bigger and roomier. a boppy or extra pillows. our hospital was rocking the week i had DS and had lots of babies and were short on pillows so we were using rolled blankets and the boppy to help support my back in the chair while breastfeeding in the hospital. when you cough/sneeze/laugh press a pillow against your stomach! it hurts less </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299287 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 04:43:15 +0000 Red 299287@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In addition to the c-section, I was recovering from a separated pelvic bone so my experience may not translate well to your question. The pelvic bone recovery was pretty painful (had to use a walker to get around for 3 weeks) but I felt like my c-section incision and healing went pretty well (not sure if it was only in comparison though). I feel like without the pelvic bone injury, I probably would have been able to drive and do light housework probably after 10-14 days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299275 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 03:46:16 +0000 Sweet T 299275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1. I was intructed to wait two weeks before driving. I also had bleeding for 5 weeks postpartum (followed by a week of heavy discharge).</p> <p>2. Take it easy! I would get an almost burning sensation under my incision when I was overdoing it. It wasn't my incision though, it was an internal feeling. Standing for too long or walking for too long made it happen.</p> <p>3. I would just suggest taking clothes that aren't going to irritate your incision. Dresses or yoga pants that you can wear above the area are great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-c-section-mamas#post-299270 Tue, 18 Sep 2012 03:11:34 +0000 Kemma 299270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi Ladies</p> <p>I'm due in just over two weeks and at this stage we're looking at a scheduled c-section due to Baby being in the extended breech position.</p> <p>I have a couple of questions for the Mama's that have been through a c-section:</p> <p>1. How long was your recovery? Ie how long till you were relatively back to normal (I guess I mean driving, light housework, baby duties etc)</p> <p>2. Do you have any tips for speeding or easing recovery?</p> <p>3. Anything extra I need to put in my hospital bag that I wouldn't need otherwise?</p> <p>Thanks in advance,<br /> Kemma! </p>