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Childbirth

"heavy lifting" after elcs

12 replies

mummy2l · 05/10/2011 13:57

Hi! Had ds2 by elcs 9 days ago and midwife said no lifting for 6 weeks!! We have a nanny for ds1 who is 20 months til the end of next week then i'll be on my own so will have to lift him.
Anyone had an elcs with a toddler? How did you cope and how long was it before you were able to pick them up/go out with the pushchair etc?
TIA x

OP posts:

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feelingratheroverwhelmed · 05/10/2011 16:33

Will watch this with interest as I'll be in the same boat very shortly...

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Raven78 · 05/10/2011 18:20

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1944girl · 05/10/2011 18:44

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Chynah · 05/10/2011 20:04

I had my 2nd ELCS when DS was 15 months. Lifted him (very carefully) after week. Back straight, knees bent letting legs do the work. Also had to lift prams, new baby in car seat etc so no avoiding it really.

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PeppaPigandGeorge · 05/10/2011 20:09

Hmm, I was lifting my 2.5 year old cautiously after a few days and then back to normal in around a week. This was m second section.
I'm not sure how anyone actually manages to look after a child and not lift them for a year??!! That isn't a normal recovery period and there must have been additional complications.

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LeMousquetaireAnonyme · 05/10/2011 20:18

Congratulations
I had 2 CS, I didn't do any lifting except caring for the newborn (family history of stubborn women who nearly got ruptures and got complications for not following guidances). DD1 was 5 yo for my elcs, so it wasn't a problem.

But DD2 is now 20 months and she can do a lot by herself, I don't really need to lift her. Have you try to get him to get into car seat, pushchair, bed, upstairs, downstairs and bath by himself? with the help of a step if necessary.
I am also thinking of getting rid of the highchair, and just have a booster cushion on a normal chair (i.e. no lifting)
For cuddles and tantrums kneel down, cuddle and then walk again holding hands.
Then the only lifts you will have to do is the heavy tantrums/dropping floppy on the road and hopefully he hasn't started yet...

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ohmygoshandgolly · 05/10/2011 20:26

Congratulations!

I had a ELCS with my DD when my DS was 19 months. My DP managed to have a decent amount of time off work so was able to help lifting DS in and out of the cot and in and out of the highchair. To be honest, I probably lifted him too early (after a week or so), but it was hard not to, real life continues! I am paying for it now though (9 months on) so if you can avoid it for six weeks or so then I would. A few picnic meals on the floor might avoid the highchair but the cot and the bath are a bit harder to avoid.

Good luck!

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Raven78 · 05/10/2011 21:41

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PeppaPigandGeorge · 05/10/2011 21:48

I am one of the lifting after a week brigade and have no long-term problems. Seriously Raven, do it by the book, but what book says never to lift your child again?! My 2.5 year old didn't "need" lifting, but don't you ever pick them up for cuddles, swinging around, general fun etc??

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Homelybird · 05/10/2011 22:07

I lifted and my externally (luckily) wound opened. Do not do it. I wanted to go back to normal as quick as possible ignored all the guidelines and paid the price my wound took forever to heal as I would carry dd1 2y7m and washing baskets I was an idiot! (and I'm a nurse too ). I was so embarrassed when the wound opened I knew I was to blame.

Follow the rules at least for 6 weeks