What am I supposed to do about this medical procedure? Has anyone had this and what sort of help will I need? Stressed

[usermkal]

I have a 2.5 year old who is massive for their age. I need to have a hysteroscopy with a spinal block and have been told I shouldn’t lift anything as heavy as a pint of milk for three days afterwards!! I don’t know what I am going to do as ds is so heavy to lift into the car to get to nursery or even to get out of his cot. Has anyone had this procedure? I had a c section and I absolutely could not have lifted ds for a few days after, is it that bad?

my ex is going to be there for the day while I have it done so he can take ds to bed etc that night but that night and the next day I will be alone. I want ds to be in nursery as obviously that is easier than him being at home but there’s nobody I can ask to drive him in. We are very remote. Would it be dangerous to drive the day after? Any advice welcome thank you!

Edited: cross-post, quite right for polyp removal, not just hysteroscopy then

@am398 thanks. I wonder if it’s different as I’m having a polyp removed and a spinal block with it? I feel so stressed and alone

I had a hysteroscopy before I eventually needed the hysterectomy. I did drive the following day but I had not had a spinal block.

@Dotto its just what I remember from the consultation but I was very anxious so I may have mis heard. I definitely remember him saying about being careful and a pint of milk. And that I couldn’t drive myself home.

@Menowhatdoyoucallit what shall I do… leave DS on his doorstep? I can’t force him can I? I get your point but it’s not nice to read this when I don’t know what I can rally do about him not stepping up.

Could you take him by taxi to nursery?

I'm guessing that's the difference then re: having pain relief. You definitely can't drive straight after that! But I would expect you to be okay the following day. Very surprised about the lifting advice. Can you ring up the hospital department and double check? I'm sure you won't be the first.

Gooduck, try not to worry, you'll be fine. Sending hugs.

I know it's not nice to read but if you let him push you over on this now he always will do and become a Disney dad forever more. It will descend into a row, he will sulk, but you need to push the point home to him. He has a child and that child needs him while his mum is unwell.

@Menowhatdoyoucallit genuinely though what am I supposed to do? I’ve asked him to take two days off and he won’t.

OP don't worry about the lifting, or at least ring the consultants secretary and ask them to check.

I had a hysteroscopy d&c under general anaesthetic and aside from the not driving thing, I did a load of weeding when I got home and cleaned out the fridge the next day.

OP do you have a friend / sibling / parent who would be willing to stay with you for a night or two? Not to necessarily take on any serious heavy lifting but just to support you if you really can’t manage?

Found this from Leicester NHS via Google... hope it eases some worries.

acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:b5b27591-1ac6-4f99-bf47-d9a22ae5b579

I think you are supposed to wait 24 hours. PP’s suggestion of a taxi to take him in the morning is a good idea. Then you should be ok to collect him.

@Dotto what do you mean, for a polyp removal it is correct you’re not supposed to lift?

I'm a nurse and not 100% sure why you've been advised not to lift anything heavy - that wouldn't be suggested in my local trust.

Providing you have sensation fully return (which you should before they let you out) after the spinal block, you will be fine to drive. There is no legislation that says you can't drive after this procedure UNLESS you have any side effects from the spinal.

You should be fine, I'd defiantly take him to nursery. You may be a bit sore the day after and want to rest but there isn't really any reason why not to drive / lift.

Good luck x

@summerlovingvibes thanks, is that the case even where removing a polyp?

I had a hysteroscopy, with a spinal, a couple of months ago.

I wasn’t told not to lift anything for days. Just carried on as normal, all fine.

Possibly I only had a biopsy during the procedure. I recently start getting my almost 3 year old to hop in and out of the car herself and I just stand behind giving her a nudge into the right place. Im really sorry you feel like this it's such a tough thing having anything medical done with small kids!

I think it depends, more risk of bleeding if the site is bigger etc.. best ask your healthcare provider to clarify. I can see mixed advice online.

@ExtraOnions thanks, do you think it’s because I am having a polyp removed?

If they remove a polyp the only thing is a bleeding risk. So with lifting you may bleed a bit more if you in-advertantly put particular strain on that area. But it definitely doesn't affect driving.

However, it wouldn't really cause any issue, if there is any extra bleeding it will quickly settle. They don't use stitches or anything if polyp removal, they cauterize it if needed. And once this is done then it would be very unlikely you'd be able to do enough damage to cause it to start again.

So getting your son up and off to nursery the next day won't be a great length of time, driving isn't an issue and the worst that will happen is a bit of additional bleeding but this isn't a big risk.

His dad could take the bairn for a few days? He's his child as well.

He needs to go in a toddler bed. He's at least old enough for the side of the cot to be taken down. Can you do this before the surgery OP?

Make him getting in the car a game. Everytime he does it he gets a sticker. Then he gets a treat when he has X stickers and so on and so on.

It's all well saying he won't do as instructed, but he's a child and you're the parent. You can't admit defeat over him not getting into a car on his own, take the option away, he has to get in the car.

Good luck

Could you tell him you've been advised to stay in hospital overnight for two nights? Then he has no option but to help out.

I had one a couple of years ago and was carrying a washing machine upstairs that afternoon. No spinal block though. Certainly wasn't told anything about avoiding heavy lifting and felt fine.