With my first section I was in the hospital for 5 days or so as they had a traditional view and my daughter was on ICU. Once out of the hospital I felt quite good. Yes it would sting a bit when I would walk a lot and walk the stairs, but in general I felt hardly limited and was on the bike with a week after the section.
With my second section I was for 2 days in the hospital. As soon as I could I was out of bed and moving around, which I think speeds the healing process.

Good luck mumma! I had 2 csect. My biggest advice to friends when they have one is take all the drugs. You need to get up and walking. If you get to the point you are in pain it’s too late keep on top of the pain. By doing this I was off all pain relief in 4 days!

Expect recovery to take a while. Minimum hospital stay is around 3 days. No lifting anything heavier than Bub for 6 weeks. No driving for at least 4.

I stayed in hospital for 5 days but usually its 3. Except to be stiff and sore but the more you push yourself to do things the faster recovery time

I have had two emergency c sections, one was a dire emergency and baby had to get out now as he was dying on the inside, that was horrible and I couldn’t do anything for myself (I also can’t have good pain killers like morphine) and my second was also an emergency c section BUT it was a planned emergency so instead of just the rip and tear to get baby out safely they ease around the organs instead of cutting, it is much more gentle and I was up on my feet a lot sooner and could even get myself in and out of bed (and off the toilet) all by myself. I still had to take it easy and no lifting of my son that was two years older. I didn’t drive for the full 6 weeks but that can be cleared by your doctor sooner (I have other unrelated medical complications). I have friends that were off almost all of their pain killers two days after and were driving the next week. It is major surgery and should be treated as such in recovery

Hi, I am a mum of 1 and had a c section. Although recovery was surprisingly quick, I was not able to do much for the first 2 days after delivering and there was a low tone pressure ache around the incision for the next 2 weeks. To be honest, it may be a little difficult as you have two older kids to look after as well. Take on all the help that is offered and ask your partner to help out as much as they can (especially with grocery shopping, keeping the house under order, taking the kids to childcare/school, making their lunches etc). After 2 weeks you feel like you have the energy to do what is required.

I stayed in hospital for 5 days after delivery (private hospital protocol), definitely made recovery simple and quick!

As it’s a planned c section you’ll find recovery alot easier (I did) opppossed to an emergency c section. If you have epidural than it makes you shiver hardcore even if youre not cold. The planned c sections they generally do a spinal block and you won’t be able to feel anything from shoulders down which is a strange feeling in itself. The whole procedure once the numbing effect kicks in only takes about 30minutes. Only 1 other person is allowed in the room for your comfort (generally your partner). Get him/her to take a camera/phone with them and sometimes the student midwives will take photos for you. You will feel like a washing machine. A lot of pushing and shoving but there should be no pain. If there is ANY pain during your procedure tell them immediately. Recovery is generally up to 6 weeks after. You’re not aloud to lift anything heavier than your baby (this includes washing baskets) and due to insurance reasons you shouldn’t drive unless you get a medical certificate from your doctor. Check with your insurance company but majority will not cover you post major operation for 6 weeks if you’re in an accident. It can be quite daunting but the end result is worth it. Good luck

With my c section, I stayed in hospital for 3 days. When I came home, I wasn’t allowed to drive or hang washing on the line for 6 weeks. Good luck with yours

Good luck with your surgery, wishing u a safe delivery and quick recovery

you will be in hospital around a week and will be limited in what you can and cant do for around 6 weeks

I think the hospital would require you to stay at least 5 days with a c- section. You are also not meant to lift anything heavier than your baby so that may affect the other two children.

5 days in hospital with first C-section, but with next one only stayed in 2 nights (I was fit and healthy and up walking after a day and had 3 other kids at home so they let me go) The hardest part of recovery is not being able to pick up anything heavy or vacuum or drive for 4-6 weeks. Take it easy and have cuddles with the bigger kids in bed or on the couch, do not lift them! You will get through it fine

there are some good comments here

i stayed in for 10 days with my son and 5 days with my daughter. I found bending and moving very painful but after about day 4 you feel a bit better. Make sure you have lots of hot wheat bags

i was thinking of having one but dnt like the idea of staying in for long