Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

If i have to have a c_section, how can i look after my 2 year old son?

27 replies

tilley23 · 17/01/2006 12:19

Hi I had a c-section in May 2004., and felt unable to lift things and very week for about 4-5 weeks. I am due again in May 2006, and i may have to have another c_section. My husband will be able to get 2 weeks off work, but how can i look after my sun for the couple of weeks after that, as he is very heavy and i couldn't imagine trying to lift him on my own? Does anybody have any ideas how i can cope?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Original poster

tilley23 · 17/01/2006 12:20

sorry spelt son wrong!

OP posts:

chjlly · 17/01/2006 12:27

My ds was about 2.4 when I had dd - I prepared him by getting to walk a bit more and kept telling him that I had a poorly tummy and couldn't pick him up too much I told him we could have cuddles when we were sat down though

Original poster

tilley23 · 17/01/2006 12:30

I think i may have to get my son out of his cot , because it quite hard now to lift him out! what does dd and ds maen?

OP posts:

Nixz · 17/01/2006 12:42

dd is darling son and dd is darling daughter.
Do you have any family who could help?
Could you put your son into a bed so you didnt have to lift him? You could get a double buggy so he doesnt have to walk everywhere.

chjlly · 17/01/2006 12:49

dd - Dear/darling daughter, ds - dear/darling son. My ds was in a bed from about 14 months so we didn't have to worry about lifting him in & out of a cot

geogteach · 17/01/2006 12:56

I think lifting in and out of cot is most difficult. It sounds trite but you cope. DD was 16 months and couldn't walk when DS2 was born by emergency section. Make sure he can get himself up and down the stairs and then base yourself downstairs so you don't have to do it to often. DS2 lived on the dining room table for his first few weeks, good height for me and away from his brother and sister.

Original poster

tilley23 · 17/01/2006 13:01

Thanks for your help. All my family work so its going to be difficult! I'm sure i'll cope, i just thoght that perhaps my husband was legally allowed more time off work to care for us?

OP posts:

Kelly1978 · 17/01/2006 13:01

I think he maybe, as paternity leave, but he won't get paid for it.

heavenis · 17/01/2006 13:03

Hi I had a secind c section and found the recovery time much quicker the second time round.
Like others have suggested try and get him to walk more, you could also get him to help you with the baby by getting nappies etc for you.
Prepare in advance snacks that he will be able to reach for himself (without having to climb) so your not getting up and down every five minute.

Original poster

tilley23 · 17/01/2006 13:09

my son is only 19 months at the mo, by the time baby born he will be to, so i guess he will become a lot more dependent by then!

OP posts:

Original poster

tilley23 · 17/01/2006 13:09

sorry he will be two

OP posts:

Original poster

tilley23 · 17/01/2006 13:12

sorry i meant independent!!

OP posts:

mummygow · 17/01/2006 13:16

tilly I put my dd into a bed when she was 18mnths so as the others say you could try this. I also found that me second emergency section had a much quicker recovery time. I was lucky though as dd was 3 when ds was born.

hermykne · 17/01/2006 13:22

tilley23 in all honesty, i think you'll be fine, providing u dont strain your body in other ways, one is recommended not to drive til 6/8 wks, not to bend down to a dishwasher or washing machine for as long as possible, so lifting your son and baby will be the only strain that is necessary on your body.
i thibk when your son wants lifted u must sit down and cuddle himthat way and if u are going out strap him in buggy as

try to be quite mobile in your final weeks, ie a walk a day justto keep you supple/flexible , that ll help u heal quicker too.

what weight is oyur boy?

Original poster

tilley23 · 17/01/2006 13:26

I haven't weighed him recently but he is a lump! He was 9.1 when he was born

OP posts:

Original poster

tilley23 · 17/01/2006 13:27

i had a scan at 22weeks for this pregnancy and the baby is 1.7lb already!

OP posts:

hermykne · 17/01/2006 13:57

tilley my ds was 11lb2 at birth (c/s)! i was so front heavy towards the end but the key is do what u have to and just keep telling him mums got a big tumtum and its heavy, give him a shopping bag to carry for u and make a game out of it, maybe!

my ds was so heavy to carry in the beginnning, he went lean on me around 7mths but my permaent creak in my neck is as a result of him.

heavenis · 17/01/2006 14:38

If you do have to pick your ds up get him to stand on the soafa first, that way you don't have to bend down as far.

iota · 17/01/2006 14:40

my dh took 2 weeks holiday followed by 2 weeks unpaid parental leave

you are legally entitled to parental leave but it is unpaid

Listmaker · 17/01/2006 14:49

My dd was just 2 when I had dd2 by c section and my exp had no time off at all and was totally useless anyway! I recovered really quickly though and was driving after about 10 days. I made the most of the 3 or 4 days in hospital and then just got on with it!

My dd1 went in a bed before dd2 came so she wouldn't feel her cot had been stolen by the baby!! Luckily she was light but you just manage - can't really remember it all to be honest!

I used to take dd2 out in a sling and dd1 in the buggy for a while and then got a double buggy which was great. I used it for ages - rather push that about than have the nightmare of dd1 refusing to walk anymore when miles from home!

Think positive and it'll be fine!

Original poster

tilley23 · 17/01/2006 17:06

Thanks, you have all made me feel like i have nothing to worry about now!

OP posts:

eidsvold · 18/01/2006 00:47

arnica arnica arnica... sorry had 2 c-sections - dd2 was 2 1/2 but has sn and so was not walking when dd2 was born. Dh started a new job the day after dd2 was born (family all work) and so had no help at home. Just made dd1 lie on floor for changes. Did a big houseclean the weekend before I went in to have dd2 and so it was not really necessary to do anything major in that way for a few weeks.

I was well and truly fine to be lifting dd1 by week 3 and in fact back driving the car. Gp said to take it easy but I could drive etc - believe it was the arnica that helped me heal so well. ( did not take it first time round and think it took longer to heal).

if she wanted cuddles she just climbed onto the sofa and we cuddled that way.

I didn't do any heavy housework or lifting full laundry baskets etc... but in terms of caring for the dds - had no problems.

dd1 was in a bed and I just taught her how to get her self down from the bed... getting onto bed - got her to stand ( quite fine doing that) and then just hoisted her up by the bum - sitting on the floor behind her.

Original poster

tilley23 · 18/01/2006 18:20

sorry what's arnica?

OP posts:

eidsvold · 18/01/2006 21:30

I had it in tablet form - it helps with healing and bruising. You can get it fromhealth food shops... Not sure about in the UK - if you do a search there are a number of threads on here about it.

eidsvold · 18/01/2006 21:32

another thing I found helpful - bathe wound at least twice a day with warm water that had a few drops of tea tree oil in and then just pat dry with paper towels. My wounds - both times healed very nicely with the tea tree oil

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread