Physical recovery of the woman after a Caesarean birth
The recovery from a Caesarean birth will be very individual for each woman and can often depend on how well she was when the operation was performed and if she had a long and difficult labour, leading up to the Caesarean. How long it will take to get 'back to normal' will depend on how quickly you recover and if any complications occur after the operation.
The following information is a brief summary to give you an idea of the expected physical recovery you may experience after a Caesarean birth, as well as some specific issues relating to Caesarean birth. If you wish to read more about the common physical adjustments after birth you can read
woman's physical recovery.
First 48 to 72 hours
The first week
Driving cars
4 to 6 weeks
3 months
6 to 12 months
The scar
First 48 to 72 hours
The first few days after the birth can be quite difficult, even if all is going well. You will need strong pain relief for a couple of days (injections of narcotics or epidural top ups) and then tablets and / or painkilling suppositories (called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications) for a further few days. Pain relief of some sort will probably be required up until a couple of weeks after the birth and possibly on the odd occasion beyond this, especially if you are overdoing things. Some women will utilise natural therapies such as acupuncture and /or herbs, or homoeopathic remedies (such as arnica) for bruising. You may be able to use heat packs, or a TENS machine, to help with the pain and discomfort.
The first week
The first week is still 'recovery time', as it would be after any major operation. You may feel weak, tire easily, your stitches may be painful and you will not be able to lift and care for your baby without some assistance. Every day will be a big improvement on the day before.