C section recovery experience
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I’ve just had my second section (first was an emergency, second was elective) and the recovery can absolutely be hard, but with an elective was miles better than the emergency. All being well (no complications etc) you’ll absolutely be able to pick your baby up/hold them/feed them. Immediately after birth you’re still on strong painkillers and will still be numb from the waist down from the spinal so may need someone to pass you baby, however the midwives have you up and walking lightly at the 6 hour mark. I kept getting up to mobilise every couple of hours and this definitely helped my recovery. I also have a toddler at home, who can’t yet walk unassisted. Honestly that’s been the hardest part, as you will not be able to lift your toddler, and should focus on resting so your recovery doesn’t take longer. My husband has been tending to the majority of my toddler’s needs while I recover. I’m hoping to be able to pick her up in a few weeks time (I’m currently day 7 post section).
My recovery was grand. Picking up baby was fine - but couldn’t lift the car seat. I couldn’t pick things up from the floor for a few weeks / or bend to the bottom drawers. I had an elective - brilliant experience.
I had a planned emergency section at 27 weeks due to pre-eclampsia. Next days I was incredibly tender and struggled to get out of bed but it was manageable. By the time the anaesthetic wears off you’ve been healing for several hours already. Three days later I was walking unassisted and 2 weeks later I felt mostly back to normal. However, I will say that there are long lasting effects with healing, I cannot sleep on my front 18 months on without my lower back locking up and I’ve had some problems with my hips locking. I understand this is to do with scar tissue and your body pulls your muscles up toward the scar so it can still ache, itch and feel numb months afterwards.
Recovery was easy for me. I took Tylenol for the minor pain and the hospital gave me a belly band to wrap around my waist for the first few weeks at home and it helps! It's just a little tricky to pick things up off the ground. I had an elective and it was a good experience overall. Much lower risk of complications compared to an emergency section I was told.
I had an emergency csection and recovery was amazing! So much so that I might elect for it next time
I’ve only had a vaginal birth, but my aunt had one vaginal and one c section. Her advice to me was that both ways are hard, but her recovery from the c section was way harder and took longer. She advised me to avoid a c section unless it was medically necessary. Do what feels right for you! I’m just sharing the anecdotal data that I have access to. Best of luck with your birth!