Recovery after caesarean?

I think everyone's experience is different on this... just like natural birth. For some it was this natural amazing experience that your body was designed for, for others it was long hard painful and they wanted to die from the pain! C-sections and recovery is similar in that depending on the person, they will tell you a totally different experience. I had a c-section, my wound healed very nicely and I barely have a scar. I was also up and walking in 2 days. I was fine within a week. I was able to presume intercourse with my husband in 6 weeks (though I think they advise 8 weeks after c-section?). My friend was the same, but she was able to have intercourse with her husband only 2 weeks after (body of steel or what!) However I also have a friend who suffered serious infections after her c-section and was taken back to hospital 5 days after she had her baby, and was in hospital for a week after. So, it is a very wide spectrum of experiences...my own personal experience, I would have a c-section with my 2nd... in fact I'm now pregnant with my 2nd, and will be talking to the midwife about it.

I was in quite a bit of pain until around 2 weeks out. Thankfully my husband had time off from work so he did most of the caring for our son. It hurt to do small things like laugh or sneeze and I spent most of the time on the couch. By 6 weeks I was feeling more normal but still had some pulling and sharp pains if I moved too quickly(i.e. stood up too fast) but the pain was definitely more managable at that point. However, it wasn't until my son was around 18 months that I lost most of the numbness in that area... that was always a weird feeling!

It's not the worst thing in life to go through but make sure you have some help in those first few weeks. Don't confine yourself completely to the bed/couch(do try to walk around when you can) but also listen to your body and don't push it.

It is going to be WAY different then from your vaginal delivery. I had my 1st 2 vaginally then my 3rd baby turned when they broke my water and I ended up with a c-section. I personally preferred vaginal. The delivery itself isn't like a vaginal delivery. You will see what I mean. Recovery: wasn't too bad lots of pain for about the 1st 2 weeks. Very sore. I also experienced some SEVERE/ EXTREME swelling in my hands,feet,ankles, and legs after my c-section. So bad my maternity clothes wouldn't go over my legs. This continued for about 2 weeks. The swelling was very painful. I wish you the best of luck.