C Section Recovery- Did You Follow Dr's Orders?

I had 6 weeks of no driving
No lifting anything heavier than baby and try to only lift baby
No stairs (easy single level home at the time)
No extended periods of standing/walking
No sex for 6 weeks as well

I followed all of them and I had a nice and easy recovery.

I had the same restrictions with all my C-sections. I tried not to lift anything to heavy. I didn't follow the rest of the restrictions though.

I got the same restrictions after my emergency C-section with my son. I felt pretty good too after a week or two so decided my doctor was a nut. I drove myself to the doctors, I picked up and cuddled my 3 year old, I did the dishes, the laundry, and the cleaning.
My incision opened, got infected, and I had to get more stitches to close it back up. It was nasty.
When I had my third child I had a C-section as well. Didn't do a damn thing. Layed and watched the baby, nursed, and that's about it.Learned my lesson.
L.

The problem is that you start to feel good, then overdo it and set your recovery back, or worse, cause further injury. I know, I have had two Cs.
It is just a few weeks, relax as much as you can and try to enjoy it, you will have plenty of time to hoist things up the stairs later.
:-)

You should try to do what he says as much as possible.

1. It was major surgery. I think people tend to forget that. You were cut through your abdominal muscles and through your uterus, its going to take time to heal.

2. You may not have any issues now, but 10-15 years from you may.

I did what I was told.... and I am glad that I did.. You have to remember that they cut through muscle and other tissues.. That takes awhile to heal... Although, I do think it's a good idea to move around somewhat so that the abdominal area doesn't get stiff, I still think the area is weak... even if you were in the best of shape prior to surgery, cutting a muscle is just like atrophy.... it does take some time to get back into shape..

I've had several abdominal surgeries and was given these same directions with each one. I did follow the doctor's orders. Why would you not follow the doctor's orders? Do you have better training and experience than the doctor? I'm often puzzled by those who pay their money for medical care and then not follow up with what the doctor says. Why even see a doctor if you don't trust what he tells you?

Perhaps it would help if you asked the doctor to explain the reasons for these directions. Then you can, at least, make an informed decision about not following them. You would know if you're willing to risk the effects of not following them.

For example, the no driving, is protection in case you're involved in an accident or are forces to suddenly put on the breaks. An accident or sudden stopping can break loose the stitches. So, the risk is less for this one.

Carrying something heavy can also break free the stitches and the likelihood of that happening is seriously increased because you're doing this most often. You may not ever need to stop the car suddenly but you will be lifting a weight frequently.

Later: Yes, your reaction time is slower after anesthesia. That is part of the reason for not driving.

Follow, Doctor's orders.
You could, split your stitches or incision.
A c-section, is MAJOR surgery ya know.
It is not minor.

I had an emergency c-section with my firstborn.
And I had one with my 2nd child.
I listened, to my Doctor's orders.
I also live in a 2 story home.

My recovery, was good.
My Doctor, praised me... because, I LISTENED to his post-surgery instructions. He said, many women do not.
Thinking they are superwomen.
But this is, major surgery and you have to go for a follow up appointment.

Once I got back from the hospital, my Mom took off work for 1 week to help me. Then the next week my Husband took off work. With BOTH c-sections I had.
I still had my daughter home as well, being she was 3 almost 4 years old when I had had my 2nd c-section. And with her, I explained to her... that "Mommy had surgery.... I cannot carry you or lift you, that is the Doctor's instructions..." and she understood, perfectly.

You best heed, to your post-surgery instructions.

Remember: this is major surgery.
Your incision and stitches, are not just externally... BUT, all the internal layers of your body were also, cut open. And sewn up after.
This is not just a band-aid, cut.

I lifted my older son about 2 weeks after my C and ripped the incision open. VERY painful.

My mom had 3, one with each of us. And no, she didn't follow her doctor's orders. She then had to have another one to take out the staples they put in because she was allergic. She didn't do what they said with that one either. She had to go back and have it re-stitched and she had a lot of pain. It didn't go away, it came and went for YEARS.

She had to have another one when she had her hysterectomy for fibroids. She was 36 and still didn't listen to the doctor. Her stomach muscles will not work really well even after the gym because she didn't let them recuperate like she was supposed to.

I had an emergency C-section 3.5 years ago. I followed the doctor's orders and I healed just fine. I had another one 18 months later, and did fine as well. This one took about 2x as long to heal because it was so soon after the first one. I still ache in those muscles, but, they are so much better than they could be.

Please please please follow your doctor's directions: he gave them to you for a reason and its not just to make you aggravated. Even with other surgeries you are up and around pretty soon afterwards, but not with a C-section and not with a hernia surgery. I've had both. But, the BIGGEST thing is to NOT carry anything over 10 pounds. This was really hard for me since my baby was over 10 pound when he was born. But, they made an exception for him. :)

Good luck on a safe and speedy but healthy recovery!

For the most part, I did follow my doctor's orders. However, with my first baby, that doc said no driving for four weeks. With my second, my new doc said no driving for two weeks. I really would wait at least 2-3 weeks to drive, as they do say that your reaction time can be slower when trying to hit the brakes.

I was also told to limit going up and down the stairs. I don't think you have to stop this completely, but just do your best to take a minute and think of everything you need before going from one level to the next. It will at least help avoid the unnecessary trips simply because you forgot something.

Neither doctor told me to spend extra time lying down. My first doctor was really strict and cautious about everything, so if he didn't say it, I'd say it's pretty safe not to worry about that too much.

You really should be careful not to lift too much though. Avoid carrying the baby in the car seat as much as possible and don't lift your older children any more than absolutely necessary. Hugs and snuggles on the couch with them are great. :)

I've had c-sections and with each I was told no driving for 2 weeks, but with #2 & 3 I was driving after 7 days. Basically, the concern with driving is if you have to suddenly slam the brakes, you don't want to cause an injury to your abdomen/uterus. If you sit in the driveway with your car in park and slam the brakes a few times you should be able to tell if you'll be able to drive or not.

For carrying anything heavier than the baby - that might work if you only have 1 kid, but chances are that you will have to carry heavier things--laundry baskets, vacuum cleaner, toddler, grocery bags.

Do minimize the stairs if you can. Try to set up camp for the day in 1 area to limit the up and down.

I had 3 very good recoveries.

Edited to Add: One thing that helps when going up and down the stairs is unavoidable is to cradle your belly with your hand or a pillow as you go up and down, and to take it 1 step at a time, meaning, step onto Step 1 with your right foot, and follow with your left. Step onto Step 2 with your right, follow with the left...etc. Try to get your older kids to help you as much as possible. I'd bring extra empty laundry baskets upstairs so they could help carry down smaller baskets. For my younger son I put some clothes in a backpack and he wore it and walked downstairs. I also let them take the clothes out of the washer and put it into the dryer for me so I didn't have to bend.

Hi Meg,
I had a C-section 6 yrs ago with a premature daughter. She is a fine healthy 6 yo now. I stayed home with her for like 10 months before going back to work she was my second child but there was 15 yrs between her and my son. I was tired and it did take a long time before I felt like myself it was 3-6 wks but then again I was 39 yo. You seem younger and in that respect I would listen to the doc and rest when the baby is. I pushed going back to work after a gall bladdr operation and ended up with a hernia that i ignored for 12 years and now it may be inoperatable. I would take full advantage of the time off as long as you can afford it and work will let you have the time. Hope this helps you relax a little enjoy while their still young if you can. H.

I've had 2. The doc told me I could drive after 2 weeks (and I was an old and supposedly high risk mama over 40yo). And we have major stairs in our house, and I was just told to take it easy on them.

The first doctor's order is probably the best one to still follow (although with my second I certainly didn't follow it. I had a 3yo to pick up!). The others seem like overkill to me, and I certainly didn't need to be that restrictive after either c-section. After 2 weeks, I was pretty much my old self, except with a newborn stuck to me.

I might add, though, that neither of mine were emergency (although both were medically necessary). If your emergency c-section was conducted differently from mine, the incisions may be different and take longer to heal. Mine were very low and not very big, and they were able to take good care with all of the incisions.

So, I guess it depends.

I'm sure I was given restrictions,upon release from the hospital but I don't remember them being given to me or what they were. Therefore , they weren't followed. I remember , trying not to lift anything heavy but that's about it. I know, I drove right away & did everyday household tasks.

Yes, I followed my doctor's orders and am very glad I did! It really is a short time, when you look at the bigger picture, to make sure you recover fully without the risk of complications. Congratulations and good luck!!!

PS. Thought I would also add: My Aunt (3 C-sections) said to me "TAKE IT EASY! Follow the orders! I didn't, with my first two because I thought I was well enough, and REGRETTED it!"

No lifting heavier than 10lbs for 2 weeks.
That was it for me.

A 2 weeks pp to the day, I went back to working out.
So no, I didn't listen to the doctor at all.

All was fine for me.
You know your body. And you know what you can do. I'd say go with how you're feeling. You'll find out pretty quickly if something is too much.

I've had three. You will feel it when you overdue it. I especially felt it on the side where the incision was started. Dont know why. You might call and ask why the 4 weeks for no driving. I was never restricted for that long and my first was an emergency too.

Queenofthecastle's advice is the same I would give. You have two other kids. Life goes on. Go easy on the lifting, but you have two other kids!!!!
Split level house has minimal amount of stairs. Don't see that as a problem. Your body is the best judge of what you can do. Congratulations.

The only one that I paid attention to was not lifting anything too heavy.

By the time I was home from the hospital, I could carefully get up and down from the floor without any real pain. My mom worried more about it then me.

I drove to my 2 week follow-up appointment and while there asked when I could start driving. The doctor said now. And I said good, because I drove here. :-) She figured as much.

Around 6 months I was back to playing ice hockey, including going over the boards from the players bench.

I don't have stairs at my house so I cannot comment on that. I don't recall being told to avoid stairs...maybe the leg lifting action pulls on the scar?

Just ease back into your normal lifestyle and if you feel pulling on your scar or pain, then back off.

I have had 2 c sections. With my 1st, an emergency, I did follow Dr's instructions. Even though I felt good, I rested as much as I could, did not lift, or drive. (About two weeks on the driving.) With my second, I did a lot more, and regretted it! I ended up having quite a bit of pain on my one side. I may have pulled a stitch? Not sure. Anyway, you are 10 days out, so you are almost done. Just don't take it too much too quickly. Add a little each day!

Weird. I would follow the no lifting heavy things order, but everything else can go out the window if you feel okay. All of my restrictions were only for 2 weeks, even after my emergency c-section.

I've had 2 c-sections. I only followed the no lifting order. On my second c-section, I drove to the pharmacy to get my scripts filled I felt so good the afternoon I was released from the hospital.