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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think I'll be able to go to a hen party 6 weeks post c-section?

42 replies

Moanyoldcow · 13/08/2017 16:27

I'm MOH for one of my best friends next May, her hen night (which I'm organising) will be some time mid-late April.

I'm pregnant (she doesn't know yet), due first week in March and will almost certainly need a c-section.

She's a very good friend and will be pleased for me, I told her I was ttc and she was adamant that she wanted me to be her MOH either pregnant or with a small baby and she'd make whatever adjustments needed.

However, I'm a bit foggy about recovery times from c-section and not sure how recovered I'll be after 6 weeks. Is it realistic to think I'll be able to do a bit of drinking, eating and dancing after that amount of time?

This is second DC but first c-section was quite traumatic and no reason to think this one will be.

Is there anything I can do to self recovery along,

Sorry for such a trivial question.

OP posts:

badbadhusky · 13/08/2017 17:33

I had a postpartum haemorrhage after my elective CS. The recovery was more straightforward but I felt like a damp rag for ages. I'd say hope for the best, but be prepared to adjust your plans if you are struggling.

Starlighter · 13/08/2017 17:38

Recovery times are so variable but I think you'll be fine to go, just don't go crazy.

I had an awful emergency C-section the first time but I felt ok after 6 weeks. I had an ok-ish one the second time and I was driving after 3 weeks and busy looking after a 2-year old and a newborn. I felt fine by 6 weeks! I think I could've gone dancing given half the chance!

Original poster

Moanyoldcow · 13/08/2017 17:39

Thanks again everyone.

I've got my scan soon so once I've had it I'll tell her. I know she'll be ok.

I had forgotten it might be done a bit earlier too.

I'll obviously not go if I can't but I just wanted to get opinions on whether it was an all out no.

OP posts:

Spellcheck · 13/08/2017 17:42

I've had 4 C-sections (2 EMCS and 2 Elective), completely different recovery with each. The earlier 2 were fine by 6 weeks, the 3rd horrendous (infection, I overdid it), and the 4th not too bad but Christ, no dancing thank you very much, ouch!
There were 10 years between the 2nd and 3rd, so age may be a factor, and there is always scar tissue with subsequent sections. It's something you can't really rely on I'm afraid. Just prepare for only being able to be present, and any dancing you feel able to do will be a bonus. I beg you not to overdo it, the internal stitches haven't totally healed by 6 weeks and it can set you right back.

AmberLeavesGreenLeaves · 13/08/2017 17:44

I'd have been fine with dancing drinking by 4 weeks but I wouldn't have wanted to leave baby. I'd probably have popped in for a couple of hours rather than do the whole thing. Id get a co-organiser so your not under any pressure.congratualtjons on your pregnancy!

FittonTower · 13/08/2017 17:46

My first section I was at a gig 4 weeks after and fine, second I was barely out of hospital 6 weeks after and no way could I have done anything more energetic than a very short gentle stroll. Both EMCS though and I'm told elective is much easier.

Original poster

Moanyoldcow · 13/08/2017 17:59

Ok. I'm leaning towards dinner and drinks and leaving before hardcore dancing begins! That means I'll only be away for 3/4 hours as well which is more comfortable.

OP posts:

Caterina99 · 14/08/2017 03:35

I had an emcs with major blood loss, but still think I recovered quickly. I'd definitely have been ok for a meal out and drinks at 6 weeks. Dancing til the early hours - prob not so much. Sleep deprivation and leaving the baby would have been more the reason why rather than the c section though. Everyone is different and you just don't know how you're going to feel, but you'll prob be quite safe to go for dinner and drinks!

RadioGaGoo · 14/08/2017 05:44

Lol. I remember agreeing to go to a Hen Party four weeks after due date. Had emergency c section, then infection. Would have been fine to walk (probably not dance), but decided to 'be the boring one' and not go, because I had absolutely no idea before about how time consuming breastfeeding was going to be! Everyone completely understood, I obviously lost some money to the arranged activities, but o I also contributed a sum towards the drinks kitty so they could all have a drink on me in my absence.

badbadhusky · 14/08/2017 13:18

Ok. I'm leaning towards dinner and drinks and leaving before hardcore dancing begins! That means I'll only be away for 3/4 hours as well which is more comfortable.

I can't remember if you said you were planning to BF or bottle feed, but don't forget to take the means (eg pump) to empty full boobs whilst you are out. I had to cut a night out short to go home to pump (& dump) painfully engorged boobs.

Beelzebop · 14/08/2017 13:46

That sounds a good plan OP.

Chattycat78 · 14/08/2017 13:55

I was fine within 2 weeks of my section. I could have totally gone to a hen party- although bf would have been a factor, so it depends how far away from the baby you're going if you're b feeding.

SunshineBearHug · 14/08/2017 14:06

I wouldn't have gone but that's partly due to bf as well as not feeling ready to go out at that point, I didn't feel ready after either birth/section. The recovery from my second section was much harder than the first but that's just my experience.

MrsStinkey · 14/08/2017 14:23

Going by my own experience of an EMCS with DD1 I'd say you'd be fine. Also, going my by b/feeding experiences of both DD's I'd say you'll be more than able to leave baby for 1 night out. Not sure why PP's think otherwise. If you are breastfeeding at the time take a small hand pump out with you in your bag and you can use to express a few times whilst your out. I did this and never had any problems. Obviously everyone's different but I'd plan to go and YANBU to do so. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

ScoobyDoosTinklyLaugh · 14/08/2017 14:27

You should be able to. I went out drinking and dancing 5 weeks post EMCS. It was great, didn't get in till 4.30am.

HeyRoly · 14/08/2017 14:30

I stopped needing painkillers after a week. Personally, if it were me, I would be suffering more from lack of sleep than c section recovery. But everyone is different of course.

And what's great about an elective section is you go into it in a much better physical state than those that have emergency sections. You'll be well rested (well, as well rested as a heavily pregnant woman can be) as opposed to having suffered X hours of labour up until arriving in theatre.

Montsti · 14/08/2017 15:11

I've had 3 c sections and would expect you to be absolutely fine 6 weeks post op, barring complications...

I'd be more stressed about childcare for the 6 week old (I've got cover for my other 3 but struggle to leave newborns not to mention massive engorged boobs at that stage (only relevant if you're going to bf/not express though..). If you're sorted on the baby front though then I can't see a problem.

Congratulations & enjoy!

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