Not only do you lose movement from the chest down, but your arms are also immobile. They expect you to be very motionless, which makes reasonable. After your baby is delivered, the anesthesiologist may release your arms so you can embrace and touch him or her. However, this is not always the case, so it's best to ask about restrictions before you schedule surgery. You should also check with your doctor if you have any questions after they examine you in the recovery room. Moving your arms after a C-section will likely cause you some pain. That's because the muscles and tissues that support your rib cage were probably cut during the procedure. Your surgeon will likely prescribe pain medication to help ease these symptoms. In addition, your body needs time to recover after major surgery. Moving too soon could lead to additional problems for you as well as your infant. Your surgeon will tell you when it's safe to walk around and do light tasks.