[CCLady]

Having my 4th baby and 1st c-section in a little over a month. Getting close!

I have asked friends this too, but what is your number one tip for recovery? I have three other kids, but a lot of help at home with DH and my Mum close by. I am so lucky

[tinkster23]

Dont over do it.

You'll have days where you feel ok, and will be tempted to get that washing done, vaccuum the floors or some other task.

Don't do it, you'll feel like hell the next day.

It really does take 6 weeks for your body to recover!

[imamumto3]

I was going to say dont over do it, even if you feel well enough to do something, you might regret it later. Take advantage of the extra help while it is available

[Lynken]

Keep up your pain meds regularly for at least the first week, possibly two. Take them when due even if you don't feel that you need them at the time as it's far better than waiting until you have pain and then having to wait until they kick in. The achy breakthrough pain is not nice.

[duckasorus]

Take it easy even on good days, if it doesnt feel right get it checked, dont push yourself! Take pain killers on time, eat high fibre (there is a health food bar that gets everything going I think its got prunes in it)
If on heavy pain killers take a stool softner.

[mumto3monkeys]

Have three top tips!

4 babies and 4 cs in six years. Two epis, two spinals. Great recoveries. Youngest is 21 days today and I feel normal! just up to doing easy 15 minute walks to shops with pram (no big hills just yet.) And no, i was not fit before getting pregnant!!! lol.

Number 1 tip - take/pain meds when due (not when you start to feel pain). If you have a spinal use the PCA a few minutes before planning on moving about in bed during the first 12 hours or just before they take it out. Do keep taking the pain meds when you leave hospital (lower strength ... I was just on Nurofen regularly by the time I went home but it depends on your pain threshold.

Number 2 tip: start taking Benefibre or eating prunes prior to cs and at least once or twice a day and drink heaps of fluid after CS ... ESPECIALLY while on a PCA; endone or other prescription meds to prevent constipation.

Number 3: take it easy; don't lift anything heavier than bub for weeks afterwards. (i.e. I hang washing on a low line but get kids/dh to carry basket, do the lifting, twisting etc.) Gentle walking around ward/ house; do your pelvic floor exercises. If you get a chance go to the hospital physio session for tips on strengthen abs starting immediately. (Gentle tensing on lower abs like pelvic floor exercises can be done while still in hospital.) They might also provide stretchy fabric tubing you can wear that helps support you. (Vaginal births can get the same advice.) The sooner you can start gentle ab strengthening the better for preventing back pain.

[sahmmum]

Dont rush to get out of the hospital use that time to rest and heal.

Good luck

[mum to 3 already]

Mine's a while in hospital tip...

Four c/s and for the first time I had one of those things (no idea what it is called) above me to grab while sitting up. It was fantastic and saved me so much discomfort! I'm sure it helped with a faster recovery too.

Another suggestion, which I know is not generally appreciated, is to be mobile and self caring as soon as possible. No need for anti-coagulants if you are moving around and greatly reduces risk of DVT and I have never been constipated or needed help to 'go' after op, so probably helped there too! Was asked if I wanted to leave less than 24 hours after last c/s but stayed an extra night due to DS being slow to start feeding.

Good luck with your c/s.

This post has been edited by mum to 3 already: 21/02/2012, 08:14 AM

[anotherebmember]

Speedy recovery.... I've had two cs and my recoveries were totally different. First cs ended up infected and recovery was long and slow. I blame that on myself, I felt ok so I insisted on doing things such as hanging out washing etc, which led to infection.

Second time around i felt great but I didn't overdo it at all. I took my time to recover properly. And I did gentle walking which I believe helped tremedously.

[Miss Cookie]

Stick a maternity pad inside your pants with the padded bit against the stitches. It really eases the discomfort.