What To Expect When You’re Recovering From A C-Section
C-sections are no joke. Now that you’ve either scheduled or have been told by your doctor that this is the safest route for you and your baby, there is quite a road ahead of you. There are dozens of ways you can prepare for the surgery and the hospital stay, but it’s important to have an idea of what to expect after Baby is safely in your arms.
You will be extremely tired.
Even though you (might not) have had to push, your body has undergone serious trauma. If you’re the kind of person who’s always moving, get comfortable. Rest is critical for healing. You will also be experiencing new levels of pain and medication that will make you exhausted. If you feel yourself falling asleep, let it happen.
You might not feel like yourself.
This could be the case for a very long time, especially if you experience postpartum depression like millions of mothers. Even if you don’t experience PPD, your medications are ebbing and flowing and your hormones are going bonkers after giving birth. You can feel pretty much every emotion on the spectrum within a minute or two. It’s normal. If you randomly start weeping, you don’t need to apologize. If you’re angry at imposing family or feeling claustrophobic in the hospital, it’s normal.
You will be in a great deal of pain.
A cesarean is a major abdominal surgery that is very traumatic on your entire body. Before and during the surgery, it’s unlikely you’ll feel anything. As soon as your heavy medications wear off, however, you will start to feel a lot of sensitivity on the area around your incision and internally. It might hurt to laugh, it might hurt to speak as loudly as you usually do, it might hurt to hold your baby in your lap (pillows are crucial!) and it will most certainly hurt to walk. Good nurses will have you up and walking around your room and the hallways within a day of your procedure and you should expect it to hurt. Anything that your abdominals normally do (help you walk, help you laugh, help you stand or sit up, etc.) will probably cause you some pain. As you recover over the next few weeks, each day will get better. Take it slow and easy and don’t over exert yourself.
You will likely be given several different medications for pain management.
Some moms might be hesitant to take medicines prescribed. While it is certainly your decision, after a c-section is probably not the best time to decline medications. Additionally, nurses will have all of your medications on a very specific schedule. If you decline a medication that normally lasts 8 hours, you might have to wait through some pretty severe pain to take it again because of your medication schedule. In other words, you might not be able to change your mind. Medicines that doctors prescribe to you, whether intravenous or oral, can often help you relax and feel pain-free enough to sleep. Again, sleep is very very critical for your body to recover.
You will not be able to hold your baby alone right away.
Because of your heavy medications needed to conduct surgery, your body won’t function like it normally does and you certainly won’t be as strong. You might not have full function of your arms and hands, and so a nurse will likely “hold” the baby in your arm and/or on your chest with you.
You will still bleed.
Once Baby and placenta are taken out, your uterus goes into post-baby overdrive and is working hard to expel anything that would normally leave your body through your vagina during traditional vaginal delivery. Though you won’t experience tearing or stretching, you will still experience pain down south and there will be blood. The hospital can offer you mesh undies, which can be thrown away, ice packs, and other items such as peri-bottles to help keep things clean in the lady parts. Nurses will guide you through the process of how to do this.
Your appetite might be all over the place.
Now isn’t the time to diet. Just listen to your body. If you’re hungry, eat. If you miss a meal (not unlikely given the weird hours you’ll be awake and asleep between recovery and nursing), don’t worry about it. It’s also very important to drink lots of water for building your milk supply. Don’t be surprised if you spend as much time in the bathroom as you do in the bed.
Dresses and robes are your best friend.
You’re going to have a serious (and large) incision in your abdomen. There will be a big scar. It’s very cool and it’s definitely the mark of a warrior. That said, not all warriors wear pants after battle! It’ll be much more comfortable to have a couple different robes you like and a couple jersey-knit sling style dresses ready so that your clothes don’t come into contact much with your incision.
You might feel like you aren’t as much of a mom, or you skipped the birth process, or you didn’t really deliver your baby.
You did. You very much, 100% did deliver your baby. No matter the reason that you had a c-section, you are every bit as much of a mother, and the only mother for your child. You’re no less a mom, you’re no less strong or less valid in your experience of childbirth. In fact, most of your pain comes after, when you’re juggling it with new motherhood. Each day gets better. You are a rockstar.
Thank you. I didn’t have time to prepare for either of my two csections. But I struggle with that last point daily. Thank you for recognizing how emotionally painful a csection is for many of us moms whose birth plans were vastly different then their actual birth experience.
Hi Ginelle,
I want you to know that you shouldn’t feel at all sad or feel bad. People should have more sympathy to us women that go through a c-section. I had 2 vaginal deliveries not that they aren’t a piece a cake either but my third after pushing and being in labor I had a emergency csection which was 10x times worse then my 2 put together vaginal deliveries! So girl be very proud!!!
I had a c-section then a v-back and then a c-section..for the long term I’d have a c-section again and again..there may be pain at first but with surgery the strength of your pelvic walls are preserved which is beneficial with age ❤️
Thank you for this. I had an emergency cesarean at 26 weeks and one day gestation. I am now and recovering at home while my baby is in the NICU for the next several months. Going home without your baby is one of the worst things ever. Feeling like I want to be there but can’t is so so so hard. The pain is extreme. Thank you for this article. I hope the clothing that I just ordered from latchedmama.com will be good for double pumping without my baby. And then hopefully someday with my baby at home.
Oh, mama. We are sending you so, SO much love and strength. There is nothing that can prepare you for such an experience, but your baby is in good hands and will soon be in your loving arms where she belongs. Wishing you nothing but the best on this journey.
I just had my baby a few weeks ago through emergency c section as well. I was 31 weeks and 2 days. My daughters still in the nicu and won’t be home for a few months. I’ve been struggling as a new mom whose baby is an hour away. I’ve also been sort of struggling with pumping as well.
Hi Erica! We would love to help! Please send us an email at support@latchedmama.com and a CLC will reach out to you 🙂
I went through the same thing but I was 23weeks it’s horrible I feel useless
I had an emergency C-Section at 31 weeks 4 days October 2020. My baby spent 3 weeks in the NICU. The C-Section pain and recovery is way overblown. I refused any morphine the morning after my 2 a.m. C-Section. I was standing at my baby’s isolette 2 days after my C-Section. My husband wanted to sit down that day, but he didn’t because I was standing even though I had major surgery. I could walk from the car to the NICU the same week, and stayed at my daughter’s bedside for hours each day. Some days, I did have pain when I came home from sitting in the hospital’s uncomfortable chairs, but I treated with ice and a normal dose of Motrin. Maybe I didn’t have a hard time because I have good posture and a strong core from many years of dancing. Or, maybe it was I just had to do what I had to do to care for my baby. I think articles like this just try to scare people rather than empowering them. You can do it!
I disagree strongly with you. I have delivered vaginally and I just underwent an emergency c section. It IS traumatic. And this article is spot on. Just because your pain wasn’t like this, don’t take from mother’s who actually had pain like this. It’s very unfair of you. Just remember everyone’s story is different… a lot of moms needed to read this.
Thanks for sharing this. The article seemed dramatic.. or a rush of reality. Either way, I appreciate your positivity.
I was the same as you with my 3rd C-section I though no big deal I can do everything I am fine. I was so very wrong! I almost bled to death twice. I have multiple transfusions and days in the hospital away from my new born. I’m very thankful for this article women need to understand it is major surgery. Take care of yourself. Your baby needs you to be there.
That is awesome that you were able to do so much right after your c-section! However, I don’t agree that this article was meant to scare anyone. It is the absolute truth! I agree 100% with every detail. I went through 2 c-sections. The second was a little easier than my first. But may e that was due to the fact that I knew what to expect. Luckily, I had help from family members. But I also had major guilt for not being able to do things on my own right away. My hormones were all over the place, crying over the littlest things. While everyone has a different experience., this article is speaks the truth.
Saying that the pain and recovery process for a c section is way over blown is wrong. You are taking away from women who didn’t have an easy recovery. Just Bc yours was doesn’t mean that others’ weren’t. I had an emergency c section at 30 weeks. My son spent 7 weeks in the nicu which was an hour away from home. I left the hospital without my baby and had to stay an hour away from my family so that I could stay with my babe. The pain and recovery were awful. But much like you I powered through so I could be there for my baby. That was my choice. People all too often underestimate the pain and difficulty of having a c section. Hell having a baby period. Let’s not make moms feel less than Bc our birthing experiences and recovery differ.
Same!! I had no issues and declined the wheelchair and was walking from my room to the NICU to visit
Everyone handles pain differently. To say it’s way overblown is absolutely wrong. It is major surgery. Consider yourself lucky.
I strongly disagree with you too, because c sections are extremely traumatic.
Not everyone has a great birth story, remember that. Everyone is different. But, articles like this, is to prepare you if you are undergoing a c section, so your prepared to know what’s gonna happen. I had an emergency c section with my first, and I wished I read articles like this to prepare me for the recovery. The second time it was a little easier, as I knew what to expect and I also did a lot of readings on recovery.
I have had 4 cesarean sections. My last was 3 days ago. I am laying in bed in the worst pain of my life. I have 3 kids I was excited to see when I got home and I think I over did it. Maybe something else is wrong. My daughter won’t latch correctly so that is painful too. My last cesarean was much easier. I am paralyzed with pain. I have the pain pump. Ibuprofin and tylenol on board. Good luck everyone. Be ready for anything.
I just had a C-section 3 weeks ago I’m recovering slowly worst pain is when I have to sneeze or cough I’m waiting on my postpartum doc visit my biggest blessing was having my baby Even through these strong pains I’m a C-section mom and I wouldn’t change anything 💪🏽
Totally agree with you on coughing and sneezing I’m still waiting on my appointment too with my doctor for the postpartum. Still in pain even though I had them on November 2021.
This is my first c-section my oh my the pain is so bad I had my twins on November 29 2021 and I’m still in pain how long does this last??
I had an emergency cesarean on October 18 2021 and was blessed with a healthy baby boy! He was my third baby and my first c section. The pain is definitely there but you just got to keep moving and get your body back to normal. I have a high tolerance for pain and I still couldn’t sleep in my bed months after having my baby. I just kept building my muscle back. My scar is still very sensitive still and when I try to workout I hurt in places I’ve never hurt before so it’s a working progress. I’m so proud of all these c section momma for sure! It’s not for the faint of heart to undergo surgery like that! So take it day by day and just gather as much info as you can and trust in your body!
Just had an emergency C-section 10 days ago at 28 weeks and 2 days gestation. Literally the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life. I was up walking the next day but only because I needed to see my baby and didn’t care how bad it would hurt. The good news is that after a week the pain began to dull down and I began to be more active and barely used the pain meds.
I think this article does a great job explaining what to expect and hopefully the worst it can be. I had two vaginal deliveries before my son turned breech on me the last 4 days before I was due to be induced. I experienced c-sections as a student nurse and was livid that I was having to undergo a c-section. I treated post partum during my rotations and really never thought it would hurt as much as it did 24 hours-48 hours post partum. I couldn’t deal with the nausea from the toradol and didn’t want to sleep my day away with 5&6 year old at home so I stayed away from the narcs. Everyone has a different perception of pain, different pain threshold, different way of dealing with pain. The burning fire sensation at the incision was like nothing I ever expected. There’s no right or wrong way or expected length of time to recover. You’re body Will tell you when your ready. Every day just do a little bit more and build up all the strength you lost in your abdomen/core
I had my 4th c-section in March after 16 years, but this time I had a woundcare vac over my incision, the pain was so different this time, it was on a lesser level. The wound vac is heaven sent, I could laugh and sneeze the next day after surgery. My other 3 surgeries hurted far more. I did not try and rush my healing process, my son just made six weeks and now I’m returning to normal routines as far as lifting, heavy and deep cleaning of home, etc. This article is spot on!
Can you request a wound vac or did you have it for a special reason??
Thank you for this! So many aspects hit me after my c-section. I delivered via emergency c-section at 26 weeks. Baby in nicu an hour and a half away. I never truly took the time to recover. I went immediately after release from hospital to start visiting our son in nicu. Not getting to enjoy my growing baby bump, not delivering natural and 3 months without our baby at home. It was hard to feel like a real mom.
I struggle with this last one majorly. I feel like I was ripped of a birth experience with my son. Not only was it an emergency c section at 34 weeks but I was in a coma for ten days following his birth due to COVID. So my son was born 02/15 and I didn’t get to meet him until 03/01. He was in the NICU alone they wouldn’t let me or my wife visit cause “COVID” so I only got to see him on an iPad. It makes me so utterly sad. When he did come home my milk was gone and I really wanted that bonding experience of breast feeding. I feel like there is a disconnect with him and I and it’s so devastating.
My son was born a month early; he was getting along just fine, it was me that was the problem. I was bleeding out and ended up losing over 2 liters of blood. Everything leading up to actually going into the OR is hazy and I only have pieces of memories but I do remember the most agonizing pain I’ve ever experienced. I also remember saying good bye to my husband and telling him I love him, I remember telling the doctor as everyone rushed around me that I wanted her to save my son and not worry about me, and the last thing I remember is someone in the OR saying “I don’t think she’s going to make it…” I went to sleep with that. The experience of that first touch with my son was ripped from me and left me with lasting pain, both physical and emotional. There are photographs of our first meeting in the NICU but I have no memory of that and I have always felt such sadness losing that. It was all different from my first, my daughter, who was natural and such a breeze. For a long time I had complete disconnect from my son, unable to really process he was mine… I provided him with everything he needed and no one would have ever known my feelings and my guilt but I knew it and I loathed myself for it. Now, almost 6 years later, my son is my little shadow and we have an incredible; he and his sister have every piece of my heart. I am left with an ugly, jagged scar that goes from hip to hip but from that came my warrior of a son. In 9 weeks I am heading for that OR again to have my 3rd child. I have no idea what to expect when everything is normal and planned this way. I am trying to quell the panic attacks that come in waves and just look forward to meeting my little one. The pain is very real but not everyone goes through it the same. Every single woman has a completely different birthing experience and we all have our story to take with us. Whatever you go through, though, you give yourself up entirely for that little life that you have helped create. They are worth it all.
Hi! Thank you for this article! I felt so alone in my feelings after my section. I had my twins 12 years ago now and i still remember it like it was yesterday. They were born at 35 weeks bc they thought id have to have my gallbladder taken out. Labor was rough and i was in a surgical room for delivery since it was twins. After 30 min my first son was born vaginally. Then i pushed for 1 HR and 42 min and my other son wasnt budging and i could no longer feel my legs and both our heartrates were dropping some so they had to take him by csection. The vaginal recovery was a breeze compared to the csection! And when i went to my room and the nurse pushed down on my belly i thought id pass out from the pain. I also gained 50 lbs of water weight in my legs immediately after giving birth. My skin was so tight on my legs they were jaundice and every step i took pulled down on my incision and after a few days they pulled a small hole in the incision causing me to constantly be leaking fluid out. It was a nightmare but id do it again a million times over for my boys.
I had a scheduled C Section at 37 weeks because of another surgery that’s the route I had to go. Before the surgery that was the easiest part. During it and being awake as they tugged and pulled was wow. I was able to breathe when I saw my baby and hold her for a few seconds before I started bleeding a lot. They quietly took my husband and baby out of the room and I can hear it in their voices things were not going great. I was starting to get really scared and the epidural was wearing off. They ended up giving me ketamine which I thought put me to sleep. Apparently though I was awake as they stitched me up and unstitched and restitch (I kept bleeding) two blood transfusions later they had me in a room waiting for a maybe possible third transfusion I didn’t get to hold me baby for hours later. My body was in so much pain that even the drugs were just not cutting it. With the C section I mean the pain that you go thru. I did everything my Dr said and even then it took a while to start feeling my body get back to normal well as normal as it could be.
This article is spot on! I had a complication during my unexpected C-section due to Doctor error! The Doctor cut both of my tubes (one was beyond repair so it had to removed, my other tube was repaired). My son was delivered at 36 weeks due to me having sudden preeclampsia! I missed out on skin to skin contact with my newborn due to my Doctors error! I’ll never fully heal from my traumatic experience. What’s worse the Doctor just brushed it off without a care in the world that they had made a mistake!! My nurses had me up and walking a few hours or so after I was out of recovery. Those first steps were the hardest the pain was excruciating , but I did what I had to do to take care of my son. I often refused the more powerful medicine and substituted it with Tylenol bc I wanted to be in the right mind set for my baby. I did however take the stronger medicine when it was truly needed. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much help due to my son’s Father having to work during the days. So I did everything for myself and our son immediately after I was out of recovery. I did try to take it easy, but Mamas have to do what they have to do for our kids. My pain slowly improved day after day. Use a pillow when you need to cough, sneeze or laugh it’ll help with the pain somewhat. C-Sections are a serious vulnerable surgery don’t let anyone tell you any different! Some are blessed with easy surgeries and some like myself have complications due to various reasons.
I think articles like this are right on. I had an un expected c-section in July of 22. I was 41 weeks and my water broke and I labored for over 30 hours and my body refused to dilate. My doctor and I decided it was in the best interest of my baby to take her. I was terrified and nervous and felt like I failed my baby. I am very hesitant to take heavy medication for personal reasons and I suffered some pretty intense pain because I only took pain medication maybe once or twice a day to help me rest. I powered through it but I won’t under play the pain I was in getting up and laying back down was very hard. Every birthing experience is different and it is extremely disrespectful and narcissistic to shame or allude that anyones experience is being dramatized. Congratulations to everyone of you peace love and best wishes to all of you.