To think I can recover from a section alone ?

[Coffeeandcaffiene]

Xposted in childbirth wasn’t sure where’s best.
Getting a lot of mortified faces when they hear I’ll be alone at home after my ELCS. I’m not particularly worried it is what it is but I’d love experiences !
Section this week - I am single so I won’t have help at home, friends/ visitors will be popping in during the day evenings to see baby so I’ll have to make the most of them!
( don’t have much family and especially no one I could ask to stay )

I was wondering realistically when I’ll be able to have a short walk with the pram?
When can I climb the stairs ?
( my bathroom is downstairs so can easily sleep downstairs till whenever )

I’ve set up drawers/ changing station downstairs so no bending required
Fridge is stocked with drinks- sports caps etc

Anything else I can do to make this easier ?!
Would love your experiences from your recovery ! ( or if I’m being naive )

I was fine, just uncomfortable and not up to much. I could cook and do light housework but you are not supposed to lift anything heavier than the baby.
But you should have a back up plan just in case.

I was walking around five hours post elective section (although midwives did ask me not too but daughter was in neonates critically ill and I wanted to see her when I wanted not when they had time to take me). I sat wiggling my toes until feeling came back. I was at home looking after four year old and baby. I was fine. However do not do nothing stupid. Forget the hoover etc. Just concentrate on you and baby and it’s doable. Cook some food up before birth so you can just microwave. I was out walking with oram by day 9-10 as she wasn’t released from hospital until day 8. Would have been sooner. My emergency section was completely different.

I've had one section and recovered pretty well. Lived downstairs for the first couple of months. The only thing I really couldn't do for four weeks was click the car seat in and out (I could drive though). If you have shops within very easy reach and a pram that you can keep assembled at an easy height for putting the baby in and out - and you have a decent recovery - then you can probably do it. But ignore anyone who talks about popping your baby in a sling as you will not be able to do that for a good few weeks. I have to say I still miss my pre section back and core muscles and she's nearly one. Don't be afraid of asking the people coming in to see her to help - I would stay overnight with pretty much any woman I have met to help out if they needed it in those circumstances just because I remember how chaotic it is in those early weeks.

I've done it twice. Had no choice.

Sorry, if your baby is a 4 or 5lb baby then you might be able to manage a sling but I would be quite careful about judging how soon to try it

A lot of slings have a minimum safe weight that is well above 4/5 lbs.

(I just want to mention that in case anyone reading this plans to use a sling for their newborn; please check the instructions for minimum weight).

The consultant told me that it's not things like going up stairs which cause a problem but anything which makes you twist. He told me that putting things im the washing machine or vacuuming were particularly bad. I was only too happy to listen.
You'll be slow moving for about a week and then you have to guage it on your body and how you feel but sometimes the overdoing it pain comes after the overdoing. I was told that overdoing it extends the recovery period too

I wasn’t single but my husband fell down the stairs at 8 months pregnant so I basically had two babies for a while! (He couldn’t help with baby or drive for many months)
I did 2 nights in hospital, then home, straight away was carrying baby and being upstairs no probs. I was driving on day 6 (despite what many people tel you most insurance companies have no issues with you driving so soon as long as a doctor hasn’t said you can’t).
Advice would be - 1) a changing table (with baby bath) at right ‘height’ so you don’t have to bend3) have 2 of everything if I can? Or her as much stuff as piss downstairs so you aren’t up and down - split clothes upstairs and down / nappies/ wipes etc. Stairs were ok but I benefited from only going up or down once a day!
I had a bad infection which probably effected me more mentally than physically once the antibiotics kicked in. (Meant I couldnt BF).
Have a pad and pen ready to write a list of visible jobs for any visitors! People are far more willing when they see a list of stuff that needs doing than if you just say ‘nah I’m fine!’ Also online grocery shopping is your friend!
Ps bouncy chair in bathroom for when you shower.