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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Broken leg and pregnant

17 replies

Owchyleg · 22/05/2014 09:26

Hi

Posting here for traffic, aibu to be upset

I am 31 weeks pregnant and a couple of days ago had a fall and as a result I have broken 2 bones, in my ankle and leg, as well as all the ankle ligaments. The ankle also dislocated. I had to have this realigned with only gas and air for relief. I am due to have surgery next week once the swelling is reduced although I have to have this under a spinal rather than general anaesthetic which I am really scared about.

It's a nightmare, so painful and uncomfortable. I can't put any weight on my leg for approx 8 weeks which is alarmingly close to my due date. I am taking daily blood thinning injections to avoid clots. This can increase risk of bleeding during birth.

I am also mum to a 2 year old who doesn't really understand that I can't do anything for her at the moment. This is breaking my heart as I had hoped to make these last few weeks with her before te baby comes special.

I suppose I am just asking for advice really. Anyone here been through anything similar?

OP posts:
TheWiseOldElf · 22/05/2014 09:31

You poor thing!!! That is absolutely awful. Wishing you luck with your treatment and a speedy recovery Thanks

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 22/05/2014 09:33

Oh God you poor thing Thanks

I have but without being pregnant. You need to work out a plan for having help/support.Are you in hospital now? I think the most important thing to keep in mind (and this is horrible, so I apologise in advance) is that after 8 weeks of NWB it's going to take you a while to get moving again. You will need physio and do regular exercises. The most important thing is you MUST do whatever you are told. If you are told to rest then you must rest and if you are told to exercise you MUST, or you won't heal.

Wishing you a speedy recovery xxx

yellowdinosauragain · 22/05/2014 09:45

I've not been in your position but have done ideas of special stuff you could do with her while you rest.

Top of our list is family cinema. Sit in the lounge, in the dark, with duvets and watch her fave film eating popcorn. Not sure if 2 is to little for this though...

Does she like stories? Drawing? Get some craft packs that she can do sitting at the table while you sit with your leg up helping her. Ditto jigsaws or small games. Teddy /dolly tea party on the sofa? Do you have an ipad /equivalent? Plenty to do on the with her too.

If she is in nursery perhaps try and get her in for some extra sessions to take the pressure off and let you rest properly if you can afford this. If not then call in favours from friends and family . If be very happy to help out a friend in this situation. Can your dh take family leave /annual leave from work to help?

It won't be as bad as it is now for the whole 8 weeks so call in a many favours as you can now. But as a previous poster said don't expect to be straight back to normal once the 8 weeks are up. I reckon a lot of exercises type given could be fitted into a game to do with your dd though.

Good luck x

Bramshott · 22/05/2014 09:58

You poor thing - that must be really hard!

Try not to worry about the blood-thinning drugs though. Lots of people are on the in pregnancy for various reasons (I was on Clexane) and as long as you don't take them after you've gone into labour, you should be fine.

Original poster
Owchyleg · 22/05/2014 17:56

Thanks all

DD attends nursery 2 days a week and they have said she can go in an extra day over the next few weeks. This will help. We don't have family nearby but PIL and my sister have all offered to stay over and help as much as they can. I think we just need to take it one week at a time.

I literally can't get out of bed at the moment. I just hope once I've had the operation next week I start to feel things healing.

Oh well. Ie just got to make the best of it. It's not easy though!

OP posts:
Mrsmorton · 22/05/2014 18:16

Oh I feel so sorry for you. I'll baby entertain for free! Central london, CRB checked!

Please look after yourself, this has moved me almost more than anything I've ever read on here.

3littlefrogs · 22/05/2014 18:22

You poor thing. What a nightmare.
Please don't worry about the injections. They will be managed to reduce the risk of bleeding. It is very important that you have them to prevent the risk of a clot.

Lots of ladies go through pregnancy on heparin with no problems.
Can anyone help you on a day to day basis?

Also, anaesthetists are brilliant people and will make you as comfortable as possible for your surgery.

PrincessBabyCat · 22/05/2014 18:26

Ooh yikes! Thanks Hope you feel better.

When my mom was pregnant she gave me coloring books and crayons to play with. She also drew with me while I demanded she draw every animal under the sun. You could use something like that as fun and educational. Teach her things that start with letters, stuff like that.

Do you have a tablet to keep her occupied? So she can play 2 player games with you?

HerRoyalNotness · 22/05/2014 18:27

My friend did this with a 2 week old. We set up a meal rotation to help out in that way, and friends would come over to do light housework, dishes, laundry etc.... Do you have anyone that could help set this up? And maybe take your 2yo to the park here and there also?

One thing I suggested to her, which she used, was a wheeled office chair to get around the house. She could push with her good leg and get around without having to struggle with crutches.

Do up a basket of things to keep your 2yo occupied in the same room as you. (I did this for her newborn stuff, nappies, wipes, etc...), so maybe toys, colouring things, a few snacks/drinks. Have it all there in the front room so you don't have a lot of chasing around for things like that. Put a kettle on a side table in the front room with tea/coffee stuff to (lidded thermos cup!) again, so you don't have to move around so much.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 23/05/2014 07:40

You can also hire a wheel chair from the Red Cross which makes things easier for a bit. I never felt safe in an office chair because of lack of brake.

DragonMamma · 23/05/2014 07:57

Oh no! I wasn't pregnant but I had an almost newborn when I broke my foot.

After the initial pain wore off I didn't find it too bad because I insisted on having a walking cast because there was zero chance of me sitting down for long with a 3yo and a baby.

Coveredinweetabix · 23/05/2014 08:13

You poor thing! One of the things I dread is breaking a limb as it would be nigh on impossible to manage with little DC. But manage you must. Can you set up lots of playdates with friends coming to your house with their DC so you & your DD get some company?
Can your DP/DH take some time off work? Unpaid parental leave if need be? I don't know what your financial situation is but, in your position, I'd willing sacrifice Xmas & bday presents and holiday for just having someone in the house.
I wish you a speedy recovery.

pommedeterre · 23/05/2014 08:18

That is really rubbish.

To reassure you on the blood thinning injections - I take them 2 x daily in pregnancy and am on pg number 3 currently. I have never bleed much during or post birth. While it may happen I really wouldn't waste time worrying about it compared to all the other things you have going on!

aufweidersehenpet · 23/05/2014 08:40

Love and non mumsnet hugs to you. Thanks

I recently broke my leg and was not pregnant - I have never known pain like it. You have my absolute sympathy.
You are right to think about taking one week at a time, and take advantage of all offers of help as much as is possible.

It's completely understandable that you feel frightened, try to be kind to yourself, your body has had a massive shock.

Give your DD lots of hugs and cuddles, indoor cinema is a brilliant idea.

You must rest if you have been told to rest and exercise when you get the go ahead to exercise.

There must be some people on here who are physios or have experience in orthopaedics who can reassure you regarding the operation.

Sending you love and wishing you all the very best.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 23/05/2014 08:47

Dragon - it's not always possible to have a walking cast especially if you have to be NWB for 8 weeks and also if you have pins/screws etc which the OP will have.

GreenPetal94 · 23/05/2014 08:48

Oh No.

A while after the surgery it will get more comfortable.

At least your due date is about 8 weeks away, I guess that is the only positive thing to think that it didn't happen at 39 weeks. But I know it is still incredibly hard.

Original poster
Owchyleg · 23/05/2014 10:52

Thank you so much for all your kind words and positive feedback. It's all made me a bit weepy (in a good way). I am lucky to have a v supportive DH. He is self employed which is good in one sense, that he can take time off but obvs doesn't get paid for it. We have no family living close by but those at a distance have offered to rota themselves and help out with dd. I also have some great friends who are offering to help whenever and however they can. I am very lucky. Something like this really shows who loves you.

OP posts:
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