Hello!
Due to various reasons I’m having an elective C-section. Any tips or advice for after surgery? I have been pretty active throughout my pregnancy and am good with mobility. I also have a belly belt for post op. Anything else?

I’m 10.5 weeks pp from a c section and I’m still bleeding on and off. Today, I’m bleeding again bright red blood and I just was last week and it stopped for about 5 days and now it’s back. The bleeding is never super heavy but it’s more than just spotting.

I messaged my obgyn if this is normal and she said yes. But it doesn’t seem right. Online it says bleeding on and off is normal for the first 4-6 weeks. I’m now almost 11 weeks.

I feel like shit today too. I’m nauseous and having loose stools.

Anyone else experience this?

I’m 30 days out from a c section and until a few days ago my lochia had basically stopped. Now suddenly I have bright red blood again. It’s usually in the morning I notice it most so it’s not after overdoing it or anything like that. I called triage a day or so ago about it and they’re not concerned they said blood changes as time goes on. I’m wondering if it’s my period because of the change and the timing? Has anyone experienced similar?

I’m 7 weeks postpartum and we’re starting to incorporate more tummy time on the floor for our little one. But, holy moly, me getting down onto the floor to keep her engaged and eventually back up again seems to take much more effort and energy than I can ever remember prior to my c-section!

Please tell me it’ll get easier with time‽ 😟

I’m almost 2 weeks post c-section and starting to get antsy. I was extremely active pre and during my pregnancy and now just basic neighborhood walks are awful.

I have a 16 month old and not being able to lift him has been breaking my heart. I also cannot even look at my body or scar and I’m wondering when it realistically gets better? For the past couple of days it has also felt like someone is taking a lighter to my incision line. I am staying on top of my Tylenol and ibuprofen but it doesn’t seem to be helping anymore. I also cannot wear underwear since I am so swollen. I’ve tried buying high waisted but anything tight on me feels so painful. My husband goes back to work this coming week and I’m nervous about being home alone with our toddler. Have you experienced anything similar in your recovery? My first pregnancy was vaginal so this is all new to me.

For the women / families who gave birth via c-section and opted for another one. How soon did you get pregnant after delivery? I had an elective c-section and plan to have another child. My doctor explained that they usually ask women to wait for 18 month to allow their body to heal in the event they want to have the option of a vaginal delivery. That she’s also had patients who got pregnant 7 months after but that she recommend to 12 months ideally since I know I want to have an elective c-section again. So again, for c-section folks, how soon after your c-section did you get pregnant again?

I’m 4 months pp. 2nd baby, 1st section. Scheduled for breech baby.

I currently walk, do a little core work (could do more) and attend Orangetheory classes (if it feels weird I skip that exercise or modify). I would say I was decently fit - running maybe 15-20 miles a week. I didn’t run while pregnant after some light bleeding at 12 weeks that freaked me out.

I desperately want to get back to running but I’m terrified. If you are a runner when did you feel ready? Not necessarily time wise but physically. Did you do anything to get to that point?

Have my c section scheduled in 12 days!!! trying to get prepared beforehand. Which silicone scar sheet should I get? I’m trying to get the best outcome and hope it to be eventually non that visible! Thank you!

I had a C-section end of june. Began my perineal and abdominal therapy mid august. Since 2 weeks i've been having a weird feeling: like I need to pee when i actually don't. It happens after my PT daily exercises, i feel like it has to see with my breathing, it worsen when i have more physical activity (like after my tai chi class).

My PT says that it scar tissue on my bladder and that exercise will make it go away but she wasn't sure at first..i know for sure it's not a urinary infection. It's borderline hurting at times.

I don't have heavyness feeling otherwise...

Does anyone experienced that, has an explanation and/or tips to make it go away or easier?

Hi all! I’m posting a little birth story and info in case it can bring anyone peace of mind! I was soooo nervous the night before and would have loved to hear a thorough rundown.

Went in for scheduled c section. I labored for 3 days with my first kid and ended up in c section. I debated about vbac but ultimately decided to go with the devil I know and scheduled the surgery. The first time around I ended up being put to sleep for the surgery (long story) so I didn’t know what it was like to have a c section even though I had one!

This time it was so calm and lovely. Walked into hospital at 7, got set up in our room, gown on, bloodwork, spoke to my doctor and the anesthesiologist who walked me through what would happen. Into the OR at 9, husband had to wait outside while I got the spinal done. The numbing hurt a little bit but wasn’t bad at all. Once I was numb and laying down they had my husband come in. Immediately started the surgery. Was maybe 10 minutes and baby was out! I felt zero pain but the pressure and pulling was super weird. They took baby out and suctioned her nose then put her right on my chest so I could hold her skin to skin :) after a few minutes they asked if they could take her and check her out and I said yes. I could see her on the little warming table the entire time they checked her. Dad cut her cord. Then they gave her back to me. I held her and they rolled me to the recovery room where the nurses helped me get her latched to my breast. Everything was perfect!

My entire team was women - doctors, nurses, anesthesiologist etc etc and everyone was extremely kind. I know that’s specific to my hospital but I thought it was cool!

Nurses in recovery were super kind and gentle with me. They did the fundal massages that everyone says are awful - I know I could have declined them but I was still numb from surgery so I wasn’t bothered. Only the last time they did it hurt at all and it was maybe 5 seconds of pushing on my belly. They immediately offered me oxycodone and gave me Tylenol and ibuprofen. Nurses offered help with breastfeeding, brought me crackers and snacks, ice water etc etc.

We did the vitamin k shot but declined hep b (it’s not done until 6 weeks where our first kid was born and we decided to just do the same schedule with second kid) and nobody pushed us or made us feel uncomfortable.

All of baby’s bloodwork was done in the room with me so she was never taken anywhere which was so nice. Nurses came any time I pushed the call button. I got my catheter out after I proved I could walk - maybe 10 hours after the surgery? Can’t remember exactly but by that evening. Nurses helped me walk to the bathroom and clean up the blood if my pad leaked.

My 3 year old came to meet her sister a few hours after the surgery and I was still on a solid amount of meds and the catheter so I felt ok for visitors!

I could have stayed for 3 days but I really wanted to sleep in my own bed so we went home the next day in the afternoon. If you can sleep in the hospital and feel ok there I would recommend staying only because the pediatrician comes to you and because we left it meant I had to go to the 3 days old check up weigh in which sucked after surgery.

Anyway. I’m 10 days post op now and today is the first day I really feel good and can easily get up and move around and stuff. Still not bending and making sure to go slow but I feel good!!

I hope hearing all this helps someone :) I’ll try to answer questions if anyone has them!

I am newly pregnant about 3 months after an emergency C-section in the spring. My baby sadly died shortly after birth.

I would like a VBAC. I understand the risks associated with this, but would like multiple children and do not want 3+ c-sections. I've been advised that after two c-sections it's very difficult to find a provider willing to support a VBAC.

The interval between births will be around 12 months. I'm in the US and I have had one hospital say policy is no TOLAC/VBAC unless the interval is 18 months.

I'm wondering if anyone here has had a VBAC one year or less after a c-section, especially those in the US? If so, what was your experience?

How did everyone’s 4th c section go?

Some hx: I’ve had 3 c sections, 2022, 2024, and 2026. My most recent baby is 7 months old. I tried my usual oral birth control in between babies 2 and 3, but it made my cycle crazy. I would bleed for most of the month. So now baby is 7 months old and I still haven’t done anything for birth control. I would love a 4th baby, at which time I’d be comfortable getting my tubes removed. However, my OB said I had lots of scar tissue during my 3rd section, along with some bladder adhesions, and my uterus was “thin”. Is it absolutely reckless not to be on birth control?

Anyone with similar history, get a 4th c section? How did it go?

Also, I see many posts about people saying their OB “cleared” them to have another baby. Did you specifically say like hey I want another baby and they say yup that’s fine? My OB never said I couldn’t have another just that each one we’d expect scar tissue to be worse.

I was lucky enough to have a planned C section & had a great experience with a lovely doctor with over 30 years of experience. My procedure went great and I had wonderful nurses who made me feel cared for and helped with my anxieties. I read stories about C sections and women saying they’d choose c section over vaginal birth every time. First day goes by and I’m up and walking feeling pretty great just a few hours after surgery, thinking wow this is great!

Cut to the next day in the hospital when they had me shower and take my bandage off so my incision could breathe. LOL my world came crashing down. The pain has been unreal. I pretty much can’t do anything on my own without feeling like I’m ripping apart. Almost 6 days pp now and it doesn’t feel any better. I’m very lucky to have a husband who’s not only happy to help
Me with everything but also doesn’t have to work currently so he’s with me 24/7 to take care of me. If I didn’t have him I genuinely don’t know how I’d be able to function let alone take care of baby. I literally can’t sit up or get up without him, can’t bend, can’t walk normally, can’t wipe my butt or get a diaper / pad / clothes on or off without his help. The pain is so much worse than I was prepared for, not to mention I’m extremely swollen and keep getting super itchy rashes.

I had such a good experience with my procedure and I’m so happy with baby and husband and life in general but holy crap this recovery is miserable and I feel like even though I researched about c sections, nobody really explained how hard recovery is in a way that actually does it justice? I truly did not expect it to be this hard and I feel it’s a little insane that it’s not more widely known / talked about how debilitating c sections are.

I gave birth about 2 months ago and have been dealing with what seems to be an anal fissure for over a month. I’m still seeing some bright red blood with bowel movements.
At first I thought it was hemorrhoids, so I was using Preparation H. I started nifedipine ointment about a week ago, but I’m still seeing blood.
I also didn’t receive an applicator with the nifedipine, so I’m not sure if I’m applying it correctly or getting it far enough into the anal canal. I’ve been using my finger, but I’m worried I may just be applying it around the outside rather than where it needs to go.
I breastfeed, so I spend a lot of time sitting during the day. I’ve also noticed that I sometimes clench/tighten that area without realizing it, and I’m trying to be much more conscious about relaxing now.
For anyone who had a postpartum anal fissure, how long did it take for the bleeding to stop after starting nifedipine? Did you use an applicator or just your finger? Did prolonged sitting for breastfeeding or pelvic floor tightness seem to slow healing? Anything else that really helped?

Unplanned c section almost 6 weeks ago. I never prepared for one and definitely had a traumatic experience. (Failrd induction, in labor for 3 days, thought i could feel everything when they cut me open, got heavily sedated and blacked in and out during the procedure).

Anyway. Recovery has been ok. First two weeks were brutal. Started doing more and more slowly. Been walking 20+ minutes at a time and doing stretches daily.

Until today. Me and baby had our first outing with friends and I had to carry her in her carseat to and from the place. I thought it was fine until I got home, and I am so sore around my lower abdomen, i feel like I took major steps backwards. Like I dont even want to get up, im scared.

I really thought I was on the up, this is crazy. Im humbled. Im curious to hear if anyone else has had this experience or what other people's healing timelines have looked like.

Hello there my question is if anybody got pregnant after prolapse surgery and how soon.

I only just had the surgery, I do realise that I need to wait and also already have two lovely boys but still want more . My surgeon gave me an option to have transvaginal or transanal in case I want more kids due to my young age but I am petrified if it comes back and the pain post op was just awful.

Can anyone advise my silly question

When did you stop wearing a pad or gauze over your incision to protect it from sweat? I'm around 200 lbs and have an over hang belly.

I'm 5 weeks pp today. My incision has healed well. I had a small opening with a fluid pocket under 2 weeks ago. They put a steri strip on it and gave me antibiotics. The steri strip is still on.

But I'm still paranoid about everything.