How long in hospital after c-section??

[NCGrandma]

We're all still keeping fingers crossed, but there is a possibility that DGD2 may have to be born by c-section rather than the planned birthing center experience. It's been quite a while since I knew anyone who had a c-section and I don't know what's typical these days. I understand that everyone is different, but some info will help me plan (I'll be staying with DGD1)...

If you had a section, how long were you in the hospital afterwards? Once you were back home, how long before you were up and about?

Thanks!

[bubbaray]

I was in the hospital 3 days with both of my c/s (1st emergency, 2nd scheduled). I was up and about the day of the surgery, as soon as the epidural (1st) and spinal (2nd) wore off and the catheter was out. I was discharged with regular strength Advil & Tylenol (taken together on a specific schedule). I was fully mobile when at home. The only restrictions I had were to lift nothing heavier than the baby for the 1st 6w and no vacuuming for 6w.

I think you will find that there is a WIDE variety of recovery periods post c/s. Anywhere from 3-5d in the hospital seems pretty normal.

GL!

[momm]

I was in the hospital for five days, discharged on the sixth, after my first, emergency c-section.
Hope that helps, and congratulations on your second grandchild!

[kdeunc]

I was in the hospital less than 48 hours with all three of my csections. I had fantastic recoveries and had advil only after discharge. I was able to move around OK within a couple of days. I had DH or someone around for the first 2 weeks after the last one, a little longer with the other two (just because DH had more time available from work). Recovery definitely vaires. I know my insurance would have paid for 4 nights. Good luck and congratulations on the new grandbaby!

[erosenst]

I was in the hospital four days following my planned c-section - but only because everyone I knew told me to stay regardless of how well I was feeling. My OB agreed with the decision, but wrote orders for me to not be disturbed for routine checks the last night since she would have allowed me to go home. (If DD is in the same position, ask if her OB will do the same!)

When I got home, I was totally mobile. My only restriction was to not lift anything heavier than the baby at first. I was able to do stairs multiple times a day, get up and down easily, etc. I took ibuprofen for a couple of days to make sure I stayed ahead of the pain, but didn't feel like I needed it.

I did bleed for the 'long end of normal' if I did anything requiring abs - so couldn't carry a laundry basket upstairs, couldn't pull the trash bag out of the trash if it was heavy/stuck, and a few more related things that weren't a big issue. I drove a week after I got home, and could have done so sooner but it was record-breaking cold out so we weren't taking DD out. I also got tired easily - but I'm pretty sure that was related to only sleeping 2 hours at a stretch between nursing sessions the first few weeks!

[okinawama]

I stayed for 48 hours after my planned C-section. I went home with advil, and never required anything for pain. I was completely mobile and felt much better than I had anticipated! I hope that you are able to have the birth center birth you're hoping for,but if not, I hope that the c-section goes well and your recovery is quick!

[KrisM]

First one was about 48 hours. Second one was less than that. Third one was about 30 hours. I recovered easily and quickly and was up and about quickly after all and would rather be home than in the hospital.

After the 3rd, people thought I was nuts. DS2 was born at 4:30am on a Monday and I left about 11am on Tuesday. I had the cath out at 12 hours and got out of the bed and into a chair then and was quite mobile the rest of the evening and the next morning. But, I had DH at home for a few days, so I could take it easy here.

[Kymberley]

You ladies are troopers!

I had a c-section on a Tuesday afternoon and was released the following Saturday. I had pre-e and it was an emergency c-section. I stayed in order to have my BP monitored. Once it was controlled with medication, they sent me home.

[Melaine]

I had an emergency C and was sent home less than 48 hours later because I was told insurance wouldn't pay for longer. It was a difficult recovery and I was really mad to be kicked out, especially with the girls staying in the NICU for 2 more weeks.

ETA: My recovery was difficult but I had also been hospitalized for 5 days before the surgery with early labor. I wasn't in good shape before the operation and I had some complications.

[hillview]

I was in the hospital for 4 days and ready to go home at day 3 (but stayed).
/hillary

[NCGrandma]

Thanks all! This is very helpful (even though I hope she won't have to have a c-section...). I particularly like the suggestion of having the OB write orders for no routine checks during the last night in the hospital, if appropriate. It's all those wake-ups that give hospitals a bad name!

[scrooks]

Wow.... It really varies! With DD (not a planned csection). She was born at 3 am Thursday morning and i left Sunday. With DS (planned) noon on a Tuesday and left first thing Friday am. I had no problems with either one and had narcotics and advil at discharge but at that point was down to just advil.

[ThreeofUs]

An emergency c section is much different from a planned c.

You can expect to be in a little longer with the first than with the second.

[bisous]

I had a "failure to progress" with #1 and schduled C (breech) with #2. I stayed for as long as they would possibly let me (5 days) and cried when I had to go home. I was very, very uncomfortable at home!

Like many, I was discharged with narcotics and ibuprofen but the ibuprofen could control the pain rather well IMO. It was more a question of extreme discomfort when going from a sitting to a lying position that caused me to miss the hospital beds terribly.

I'm going in for a 3rd c-section in Sept. and plan to stay 5 days. I'm not sure that I will be able to do everything I need to and am anticipating needing a lot of help.

FWIW, pregnancy is a walk in the park for me. I'm 31 weeks and on my feet all day, at the beach, feeling fabulous.

C-section recovery is just DANG HARD for me.

HOpefully it will be much easier for your DD (it appears that this is the experience of those on the board) but just to offer another perspective!

[bw52]

This thread makes me a little more hopeful that maybe I'll get luckier the 2nd time around after reading how easy most of you had it.

I had an emergency c-section and then a lot of complications after. I was in the hospital for 5 days and then couldn't really even function until a month later. And then it was still really difficult and I still hardly got out of the house. I had a nurse come over every day for a month to help with my incision problems. It was just NOT a fun experience!

I'm glad it's not that bad for eveyone and I'm really hoping it's better the 2nd time around. Although, to be honest, I'm not getting my hopes up.

[joules]

I had a scheduled c/s. We stayed in the hospital for 3 nights.

I did not take any pain meds for the first 2 days. The nurses all commented that I must have a high pain tolerance. I was so confused. I didn't feel any pain. I could do everything normally. Then on the third day, I understood what they meant. It hurt so much to walk around. I took pain killers at the hospital and got a prescription when we left.

I ended up not taking any pain meds after I came home. I could do everything normally around the house. But I really limited the amount of times I went up and down stairs. Getting out of bed was so hard. It hurt. Bearable but it hurt. I could not walk long distances for like the first 2 months. I couldn't even take a short (usually 2 min) walk around the block. It would hurt so much. Not sure if this was normal or not.

[llama8]

I has 2 scheduled c-sections and was out in 3 days (the typical stay at my hospital is 4-5 days. I had great recoveries and asked to go home. I was discharged with rx narcotics and motrin. I pretty much only needed motrin by the time I left.

I was up walking a little the day of the section and on solid foods by night (you only get liquids till you pass gas).

I won't lie...it's very painful at the beginning, but I was walking normally, taking a shower, and feeling good by day 3.

Good luck...a c-section isn't that bad at all. Most horror stories from people I know were the unscheduled c's.



FYI: My 1st DD was transverse breech and 9 lbs (no chance of turning) so she was scheduled. My 2nd was scheduled because I already had a c and it was determined best to not try labor by specialists.

[cckwmh]

I kow this differs by state, but it is legislated in Massachusetts. It is a 5 day hospital stay here for any c-section. If you discharge yourself early you sign out AMA. Insurance has to cover the 5 days.

[egoldber]

Federal law mandates 96 hours for hospital stays after a c-section. You may, of course, choose to shorten your stay if you prefer.

After older DD (unscheduled, but non-emergency C after a failed induction) I was in for 3 days and then begged to go home.

After my second (emergency under general) and third (scheduled, no labor) children, I stayed the full 4 days, but mainly because both were in the NICU and it was simply easier for me to stay in the hospital than go home.

The amount of pain you have post delivery varies a lot. All 3 of mine were different, but I took percocet alternating with ibuprofen all 3 times for about 7-10 days.

[TwinFoxes]

I had an emergency C-section after being in the hospital almost 4 weeks. 48 hours and I convinced my doc to let me leave, although my insurance pays 72 hours minimum.

ETA: I think Beth is right, I think 4 days is the minimum before they can kick you out, not 3. :)

[SkyrMommy]

I had an emergency section and was in the hospital 4 days, I could have gone home on day 3 physically, but DD was in NICU so we both stayed. Once home I took it very easy for nearly a full week, but did stairs, slow walks around the yard and neighborhood and light housework by week two. I was in pretty good physical shape before and healed well, I agree with some PPs, I stopped the narcotic pain killers pretty quickly once I was home, I hated how loopy they made me feel.

My mom was with me for a few days and it was heaven to hand her DD to dress or change diapers. DH took care of all the heavy housework and cooking for nearly a month.

[lizzywednesday]

I had an unplanned C-section following an induction & failure to progress.

DD was delivered on a Tuesday evening; I was discharged on the following Saturday afternoon.

I felt fine as long as I took my pain meds; they discharged me with a 'script for percoset & heavy-duty ibuprofen and a reminder to take Colace.

I didn't drive for 2 weeks following my surgery and felt fine as long as I remembered my pain meds for the first week-ish. The worst part about the pain management for me was when the pain meds I'd taken pre-discharge wore off before we got home from the hospital and we were still an hour away due to weather and road conditions.

However, I was also traveling back-and-forth to the hospital every day 'til DD was discharged because she was still in the CICU. If I'd been able to stay home and rest for the week, I think maybe I'd have had a less painful experience.

[DebbieJ]

I had my son early Sunday morning (3 a.m.) and I BEGGED my doc to let me go home on Tuesday b/c the hospital was hell on earth. She would have liked if I would have stayed an extra day.

As for being up and about at home, I'd say it took a week for me to feel confident and steady on my feet. Cutting through your abdominal muscles is serious stuff.

[drwg21]

First C-section was emergency (placenta separation) at 36.5 weeks - I was in the hospital 4 days and had a really easy recovery.

Second C-section was planned (although medically necessary) at 39 weeks - I stayed in the hospital 3 days and my recovery was a little harder (needed more pain meds)

I am scheduled for #3 c-section (after you've had 2, my DR said I have to go c-section with #3) in 4 weeks. I am hoping to get out in 3 days again (just so I can get home to my other kids).

Good luck!

PS - Was not supposed to drive for 2 weeks after, lift nothing heavier than baby and limit going up and down stairs. With #1 - I felt good enough to take a 2 mile walk 1 week after c-section!

[TxCat]

Planned c-section with DD, went home post-op/post-partum day #2, so I was in the hospital for a little over 48 hours total. The pp, egoldber, is right about the 96 hours for an uncomplicated c-section. However, I was itching to get back home so I asked to leave early (average day of discharge is usually day 3).

I kept using my vicodin until about 4 days post-op, and then used just my ibuprofen until maybe day 7. The first 3-4 days I was cycling the vicodin and ibuprofen regularly.

I overdid it on the physical exertion part the first week home (stairs, cleaning) and paid for it by being in a lot of pain. But, I was able to walk a mile+ after 1 week, and then 3 miles at the 2-week mark.

[ChristinaLucia]

I would have liked to go home the next day but the rounding OB was late and I didn't get signed out. I felt fine and could have gone home though! I stopped talking pain medication about 48 hours afterwards and was fine.