4 Quick CS questions

[Wiggy29]

1. Do you need pads after for 'downstairs' or just to 'hold' your scar in place when going to the loo etc?

1. How soon after could you comfortably drive for say ten mins? (I know I would also have to check with insurer.)

1. How soon after could you comfortably push baby to (for example) local shops/ park etc?

1. Was a sling easy to use? If so, which one worked well for you?

1. you will need maternity pads you will still have lochia after the birth no matter which way the baby is born.
2. it depends on how you will heal, you will see by yourself.
3. same it will depends, slowly may be 2 weeks if everything is flat
4. No, it was horrible before 3 to 4 months but I had big babies, if you are very tall with a tiny baby it might be possible to have a sling without anything touching the scar (feet or fabric). The ergo was good after as the padding protected and held the scar.

1. Yes you'll still bleed for a few weeks. I was surprised the lochia wasn't less because it was a CS, I naively thought they'd vacuum it all out
2. I felt able at about 4 weeks. But insurance said I had to get the ok from the GP which didn't happen until 6 week check.
3. 3 weeks for short distances.
4. Yes, used one as soon as I was hobbling around at about 4 days post op. I used a Kari Me stretchy wrap and tied it quite high so baby was on my chest (I am not tall but it's easy to do). I found this far more comfortable than carrying the baby when I needed to move around so I basically kept the sling on all day and popped the baby in and out as I needed to.

1. Yes you will need maternity pads, buy more than you think you'll need. You will have lochia for about 6 weeks but it's heaviest after the first few days.

1. It really depends on how you feel, if you're able to do an emergency stop without it hurting. I practiced pressing on the brake pedal wthout the engine on and this helped to see if I was ready.

1. I would say after 2 weeks (it varies) but I was only able to walk slowly.

1. I used a baby carrier from 2 months which I also used with DS1. I have a connecta carrier and it doesn't touch the scar at all, I'm 5ft if that helps at all.

Good luck!

Thank you for all the advice, I'll get some pads as will need them whether cs/ vb. Is Tenna better than the sanitary types?

Neither, "Maternity pads" from boots or mothercare for the beginning. You need them to be able to detect a possible infection and the bleeding is really heavy.

QTPIe- I'd heard a few people on threads here mention they used them to press against the scar for support- is that not right? Obviously I'll get some for lochia too now

1. As everyone has said, yes, you need pads for lochia. I never used them for the scar.

1. First c/s I drove after 4 weeks, second c/s just under 2 weeks. No problems with driving, lifting the pram out of the car was harder.

1. Um, about 3 weeks I think.

1. No, I didn't like slings at all, don't think it was to do with the c/s, just didnt find them any use.

I didn't need to press anything against my scar. I used mat pads for a week then panty loners. Mine wasn't that heavy.

Could of drove after first week but car seat is a no no.

Went for a walk along the promenade for half hour pushing pram after first week. Felt I could of done more.

My main problem was getting up from our low couch. I bent over so my chest was on my knees then stood up using thigh muscles and then straightened up. I made a point of making sure I was stood very straight at all times and not hunching