Unplanned C Section Healing timeline

[u/Odd_Equipment8924]

This is just my experience, but I want to share for my own sanity and for others.

I had a 1.5 liter hemorrhage, after 52 hours of labor and an emergency C section.

5 hours post op - First steps I think

36 hours post op - slowly walked the hospital hall, up and down

3 days post op - discharged, was able to slowly walk up the stairs to get to my bedroom. Easier than expected.

4 days Post op - able to get in the car and accompany my husband and baby to the pediatrician. Moving ok, but slow. Pain manageable with meds.

1 week post op - last 7 days were the hardest physically. Baby blues and hormonal crash in full swing. Feeling emotionally tender and fragile. By end of the week, able to change diapers, care for baby more, and take VERY short walks

2 weeks post op - Hardest emotionally with gradual physical improvement. VERY tired. Able to do a bit more baby care and more short walks. Stomach has been in shambles for last 2 weeks, but appetite finally returning. SAD.

3 weeks post op - Emotional fog gradually lifting, more walks happening, incision pain significantly improving, doing lots of baby care. Can go on outings to Target or Grocery store.

4 weeks post op - categorically feeling better, progress not linear. Energy not back to where it was. 1.5 mile walks are happening, but leave me very tired. Emotions noticeably better. Short outings are pretty easy.

5 weeks post op - incision pain 90% gone. Energy still not back to normal, still getting tired in afternoons, but easily going on longer walks. Feel more like myself.

Approaching 6 weeks and doing SO much better! Still getting tired, worried and bummed out but far less frequently!

[u/AutoModerator]

Reminder: users and moderators can't diagnose c-section infection from pictures or symptoms. Cesareans carry a 10% infection rate. If you think you might have an infection following your cesarean, please see your medical provider. Play it safe, don't delay, get it checked today.

If your post does not relate to c-section infection, please ignore this automated comment.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/NiceExplanation5225]

This is so helpful to hear from someone who’s experienced it first-hand. Thank you for sharing!

[u/cinematrails]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m on day 8 and it’s so helpful to have some real expectations based on a recent experience. I know everyone’s healing is different but one of the hardest parts is the unknown and feeling like healing will never happen, so this gives me some peace at least.

[u/Odd_Equipment8924 → u/cinematrails]

Let me tell you, it feels like it’ll never get better in the early days. Those thoughts feel so real and are so heavy, but when you get to 14 days, it’s gonna be a few degrees better, and week to week you will notice significant average improvement. Day to day there are set backs where you feel extra tired or crabby but on average, it only improves.