How long after c-sec can you lift your toddler?

[llandb]

Just posted this in Pregnancy as well, and just created a separate post about my other question

Have to decide between VBAC and ELCS, (neither stands out in my case as overwhelmingly superior). Couple of questions I forgot to ask the consultant and would like to know the answers before I see him again.

How long after a c-section can you lift your toddler? I didn't have a toddler to wrangle when I had an emcs with DC1! :o

Sorry to post and run, but in the throes of moving house - eek!

i've just been in your position and i tried for a vbac but failed. the CS was much easier this time round due a much shorter labour and less drugs. i never really lifted by DS until around 5 weeks. it was hard as i really wanted to and had to rely on so many people but we got there in the end. oh and DD was born 2 weeks after moving house!

I knew I was going to have an ELCS, so I got my DD used to climbing onto my lap instead of being lifted before the birth.

hi - I've had 3 c-sections! The general consensus is that you should not do any heavy lifting or driving for 6 weeks following the op, but in reality we all know that is not going to happen.

DS was 21 months when DD was born, and after the 5 days in hospital I was at home for a couple of days before DH went back to work part-time (he is self-employed) and so I had no option but to lift DS -- I made sure I did not over do it, and lifted him by using this technique - I breathed in and tensed my tummy - then mainly used my arms to pick him up - I held him squarely in front of me, and not on one hip, and made him put his arms around my neck - then crossed my arms under his bum and made him sit on them - If I felt that it was impossible to pick him up, I got down on the floor for a cuddle instead and he climbed on my lap.

I took it at my own pace and did the same with the other children. Good luck.

It seemed to work for me and I have no side effects from picking him up.

Even after a VB, you are not supposed to lift toddler, can't remember how long for.

I have had 2 sections and each time I had a 2 year old, I pretty much lifted them right away, not readdly advisable, avoid if you can, but nothing happened to me scar wise, just made the bleeding worse, with the last one I dragged a heavy full double pram across sand 12 days after section....scar held up fine but felt like I had been run over for days after.....

yes, that's right, I remember now, if you lift, you bleed more (was a VB)

After 2nd vb I definitely lifted dd1, who was 14 months with no ill effects.

Dc3 was an elcs, 12 weeks ago, and I still feel sore picking up dd2 (3) so avoid doing it.

Thanks, everyone (last MN session before the move and not sure when I'll get back online!)

Hmm, I was lucky in that I recovered very well from EMCS with DD - but mustn't assume it would be the same again.

soniaweir good point, might end up with c-sec anyway even if not planned!

runmerragged I'd never thought of/didn't know/had forgotten that - handy to know!

Ah yes, DD is 2.3 (will be 2.5 when next one arrives) and for the past two weeks has been in super clingy/mummy and simultaneously flailing stroppy phase. I assume it's more to do with being 2.3 than the impending life changes, but hard to separate those out and haven't any other nippers to compare to. Good at climbing to where she has to go and listening to explanations, but doesn't understand enough not to throw a strop if upset. Food for thought.

Very lucky in that DP's job is very flexible (can take leave/work from home) so he'll be around to help a lot (no other family around). But the past two weeks have been, DD strops if it's not mummy - might wake the baby!

Then again, she could strop if I'm breastfeeding and I wouldn't be able to see to her, so 'mummy has a sore tummy' might be a better excuse than 'baby gets mummy, not you!'

And also some great tips about how to manage toddler-wranging in needs must moments, (even if I try VBAC but end up with another sec)!

Thanks for all your replies! :)

I lifted my 15 month old after 8 days - no problems.

Just remember everyone is different. I kept thinking I should be able to do more, because friends had, but the truth was I just recovered much more slowly than my friends, and ended up with an infection in my scar at 5 weeks that really laid me low.

Listen to your body, and don't push yourself too much.

I found a v cushion very handy to put across my lap so that dds could snuggle in without crashing into my scar every 5 minutes.

I really didn't find I had a problem with this - I wouldn't let it be an influencing factor on whether to choose ELCS or VBAC. CS with DD2, when DD1 had just turned 2 and CS with DS when DD2 was 2.2. In general I tried to avoid lifting them, and generally managed fine (i.e. squat down to their level for cuddles, sit on the floor and pull them into your lap rather than lifting up etc), but I had no problems when I really needed e.g. to help them out of the bath or if really necessary to lift for some reason. It's hard for me even to remember what I did as I honestly never experienced an issue.

I showed my little ones my scar and explained sore tummy and the fact that the baby had come out of there and they needed to be very gentle and with me, and on the whole they were (not always!)

Thanks, everyone! (Back online at last)

I saw the consultant on Weds and for better or worse opted to try for a VBAC - after saying 'if I can't be sure I'll be allowed to come in early enough this time and have an epidural this time without anti attitude from MW then I'll feel more empowered with an ELCS :o)

So, as they are awfully keen for the sake of their stats to encourage VBAC, he told me that VBACers are allowed to come in and not fobbed off with 'stay at home and have paracetamol'. And wrote in big letters on my notes, 'early epidural'. I am a happy bunny.

Will bear in mind the tips and tricks if it comes to a c-sec anyway - and dig out the v-shaped cushion and perfect my scar-flashing technique! :)