PROLONGED CESAREAN SECTION RECOVERY - My Experience

I birthed my three sons through a cesarean section delivery and each of them wasn't the same experience and the recovery differs as well.

I have come to discover that it usually takes longer to recover from a C-section than vaginal birth. Most mother's I know who have given birth through vaginal delivery recover so fast than I can imagine, some even start cooking food the next day if they got discharged from the hospital. I know a mom who does almost every house chore just within 24 hours of delivery and I began to feel a bit sad because the reverse has been my case even when I had no one close by to help me sometimes after birth except my husband. It could take my mom some days or a week to prepare and travel from the East to the western part of Nigeria where I live. That being said, I strongly believe that it's more healthy for a woman who has gone through labor to recover both inside and outside of her health and body before resuming any motherhood activities but at times, some mothers become helpless at that point and the only option would just be to manage and face the task, especially caring for the newborn.

However, I can't rule out the fact that some women who birth vaginally don't encounter some issues that can lead to prolonged recovery but can't be compared to a cesarean section (C.S) recovery.

My first Cs was such a smooth recovery maybe because it was an elective CS and also the first cut. I was discharged from the hospital 5days after the surgery. I could feel pain in the region, and found it a bit difficult to carry my baby and breastfeed with ease, my walking pattern was still not like before the surgery but within a few weeks, the whole pains disappeared and I became cheerful again with my bundle of joy.

My second Cs experience wasn't a smooth recovery. I insisted on trying vaginal delivery even when my doctor advised me to go for Cs after some diagnosis. I spent 48hours in the labor room with just 4cm dilation and when the pain became unbearable, I begged for the Cs. Before then, I was already stressed including my baby. The contraction I felt was not something I can explain to anyone understanding. The pain was like in hell even though I haven't gone to hell before🤩🤩. The recovery became an issue coupled with a post-graduate course I was running then, I was stressed and my wound opened in some part of the Cs region. I was going for dressing every 3days, I couldn't have a full bath for 6weeks, I was only cleaning my body with a towel as instructed by the doctor. I encountered lots of difficulties but finally recovered after 2months.

Then my third Cs. This time around, I submitted myself to the Gynecologist for a cesarean section🤣. I didn't want to argue anymore considering what I faced last. I complied with the doctor's advice at my due time and had a successful surgery though the recovery lingered as well but not like the second one. My doctor revealed to me about some cuts and join during the 3rd Cs and gave me professional advice which I welcomed with my whole heart.

Indeed mothers pay a lot of sacrifices just to bring life into this world. However, it baffles me on seeing some women killing themselves in search of a particular gender thereby subjecting themselves to Cs up to 5X. Recently, a woman in my town lost her life during her 5th Cs delivery in search of a baby boy. She has received all manner of pressure from her in-law and the so-called husband not knowing that she wouldn't be lucky at the fifth trial. C'mon mothers, there is nothing superior about a baby boy compared to a baby girl. Both are God's gift and babies, let's apply wisdom before going to the extremes. My classmate and a fellow mother nearly lost her life too on her 4th Cs delivery. Her baby is currently 6months old now and she still testifies to everyone about her survival.

The truth is that some mothers undergo the 3rd, 4th, and the 5th Cs delivery and survive it but then, it doesn't work out for everyone. The best we can do is to listen to our body and to the Doctor's advice to be alive to eat the fruit of our labor.

Let me use this medium to wish every mother here a happy mother's day celebrated yesterday globally.

Thank you so much for reading and for visiting my blog.

Remember to stay positive and be happy🧡💞🥰

P.S: the above picture is mine

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