Could I make an OU lecture 2 weeks after a c section?

[Aomame83]

I signed up to start an OU degree and then before it started, discovered I was pregnant with my 2nd. I thought it would be fine, would help to keep the time going quickly and I didn't want to put it off any longer.
I am due to have an elective c section mid Aug and have a 4 hour tutorial for the final piece of work of the module on the 31st Aug. I'll probably be less than 2 weeks before this important class and I don't want to miss it.
Am I crazy to think I could make this class and manage without being in too much pain? I had a terrible and very long birth last time (the reason for my elective c section) and could barely walk for a month, what is the likelihood I'll be as bad after a section?

I don’t know about a csection as I know that takes much more getting over than a normal birth, but I don’t see why not.

Can you skype in? That’s what I did for my MA modules (for the whole first six months actually, I wasn’t going to take DS to class with me and he was too clingy (and EBF) to leave for three hours).

(I was walking normally after a couple of days of my elective c-section so I doubt that will be a problem, it’s more the lack of sleep and presence of newborn that stopped me).

I had an emergency section not planned, but there is no way I’d have made it

I'm studying with the OU and I only 'attend' the online tutorials. I've found them really useful and often only 2 or 3 people attend. Sometimes just me and the tutors are really helpful, the last one where it was just me we did something completely different to the advertised topic.

Most tutors also record the tutorial so even if you miss one you can still listen to it.

Talk to the student support team at the OU and to your tutor.

I would have been fine after both my ecs and emcs.

But I would definitely have fallen asleep with a 2 week old

I've had two elective ca and after 2 weeks was pretty much back to normal so I'd say probably you'll be ok - however everyone is different so wouldn't guarantee it.

Elective cs sorry

I would have found this difficult but more due to tiredness from having a baby, rather than due to the c section itself. If you will be breastfeeding it would be difficult to leave baby that long.

Saying that, I might have found it uncomfortable to sit for four hours, my scar wasn't painful usually but I would get occasional momentary spasms of pain where one of the nerves was irritated, particularly if I overdid things. At that time I would be regularly going out for a few hours, but not 5-6 hours (which I'm assuming this would be with travel time). So I wouldn't have chosen to sit in a four hour tutorial.

Is there any option to do it via Skype/ telephone?

How far os it? How would you get there abd back etc,?..that would be big deciding factor for me as you wont be able to drive yourself.

I had a planned section and remember feeling surprised that I felt more or less back to normal by day 10, so I think you might be fine to go.

It's about a 20 minute car journey each way, my partner drives, so he would take me. However he'd be left with a new baby and a 3 year old, although he's a pretty resourceful guy.

Someone has mentioned breastfeeding too. I didn't even consider this, I would be Ebf. I assume it would be too early to add in bottles. There is an online tutorial a few days later, but I have found the in person tutorials to be so much more in depth than the online ones so far.

I am supposed to complete an exam just before the section too... At least it'll keep me from worrying about the baby and the surgery! 😂

Thank you for all your helpful responses. Think I might just have to accept I'll be out of action in person and will have to go for the online version.

Yes.

Yes

I've had 3 c-sections and, wound and walking wise, with each one would have been fine to attend a sitting down event after 2 weeks. However, once you factor in the post baby brain fog, lack of sleep and general post partum yuckiness (yes, after a c section you STILL get the post partum bleeding which I always feel is most unfair - why can't they just hoover it all out whilst you are opened up?!!) I would not have been OK!! Everyone is different and I think you need to see how you feel at the time. Would it be an issue for you to take the baby with you in a sling or something? Mine slept hours during the day at that point, just not at night!

I’ve had three emergency c sections and could have made it a fortnight after each of them, even though my recoveries were very different.

Good luck.

I got a very minor wound infection at about that point, which set me back a good bit. It did take the 6 weeks until I felt anything like myself again. Not to mention BFing and exhaustion. Speak to your tutor, have an option in place in case you can't make it.

I would speak to your tutor about it. They could allow you to bring your baby or they could do a phone tutorial with you afterwards to make up for it. Lots of OU students have babies so they will be used to this. I would plan to go but see how you feel nearer the time.

I had EMCS and by 2 weeks afterwards we were travelling round the country visiting friends and family (I wasn't allowed to druve but tbh I think I'd have been fit to). I'd suggest you ask your tutor if you can take your baby so you can BF if needed (your other half could sit with baby in another room) and just crack on. But then, I was giving lectures by 7 weeks postpartum

*drive

I had an emcs last summer I was fine after 4 days and completely back to normal after 8 days. You cant drive for six weeks though for insurance purposes.

I think I would chat to the OU and have a backup plan in case you can't get there or your baby isn't happy to be left. At 2 weeks post partum I was leaking breast milk everywhere and generally not in a state to leave the house.