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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Would a C-section mean financial disaster?

22 replies

bohemianbint · 29/06/2008 22:11

Ok, I know am being a tad neurotic. But have been wondering what would happen if (god forbid) I ended up needing a CS with DC2 who is due in August.

I already have a son who is nearly 2 and I'm a SAHM. Correct me if am wrong, but does a CS mean you're pretty much out of action for 6 weeks? And if so, and DH is only getting 2 weeks leave, what would happen if I can't lift my son and look after the new baby by myself? Would he have to take (unpaid) parental leave, because if so we'd be without a month's money and this could really screw us up.

Am I being overly melodramatic? I'm just wondering theoretically as I hope it isn't likely will need a CS, but you never know, do you. And am just wondering how things will work if I do. Anyone been in this boat?

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margoandjerry · 29/06/2008 22:13

No you def shouldn't be out of action for six weeks. I was up and about within a couple of days and almost completely pain free within a week (and was also by myself so had no other support). I only had a newborn to take care of though so it's obviously harder if you're lifting a toddler.

Hope you avoid one if you want to avoid one but they are not really a big deal.

anneme · 29/06/2008 22:18

You won't be out of action for 6 weeks but I have to say that I was not very up and about in 2 weeks. I could get bits and pieces done but would not have, for instance, wanted to do food shopping. You will get by but would anyone be able to come and stay to help out? I found things like laundry difficult (lifting) and also lifting ds1. You don't want to push yourself too much or you will end up taking longer to recover.good luck - you will prob find it isn't an issue anyway

margoandjerry · 29/06/2008 22:21

oh yes I suppose it's worth saying I am lazy and wouldn't have attempted food shopping or laundry at that point anyway

ZZMum · 29/06/2008 22:22

I have had 2 electives and found I could cope really easily was off pain killers in 3 days before I went home and could pick up DS aged 3.5 if I was careful no sudden movements etc... I could have coped on my own no problem - it was the lack of sleep that killed me -- felt no pain from operation!

Original poster

bohemianbint · 29/06/2008 22:24

Well all this makes me feel slightly better. The sudden movement thing might be a problem as I frequently have to lunge after spider monkey son who insists on climbing up all sorts and is generally very boisterous and hard work...

OP posts:

BibiThree · 29/06/2008 22:25

Everyone recovers differently, but you shold be able to manage an easy day after 2 weeks. I had an emergency c/s first time, was in pain for at least a fortnight, but they were VERY rough with me. Elective with the dts, felt much better after a week, and by a fortnight I felt almost up to speed. Couldn't lift DD (who was nearly 3) but that was party due to my very weak back after carrying dts.

dont' fret, you won't be bed-ridden for 6 weeks!

HeadFairy · 29/06/2008 22:25

I agree with the others, cs definitely doesn't mean you're out of action for 6 weeks, I did get a little pain when I went striding off down our road at full tilt 4 days afterwards, but other than that I had absolutely no pain whatsoever and I could do anything I wanted to within reason. I thought being a new mother was good enough reason not to have to schlep around the supermarket!!!

Mum2BabyRoo · 29/06/2008 22:44

You will be okay I'm sure. I had an emergency c section, and had my uterus taken out and put back in, plus had a massive bleed, and was still up and out of the hospital 5 days later and taking my DD into work to show off 2 weeks later. It's now been 8 weeks and I really am fine and the scar is already healing.

NellyTheElephant · 29/06/2008 23:27

I've had 2 sections, first emergency and second planned. DD1 was exactly 2 when DD2 born. Emergency section definitely a bit worse than the planned one, but both times I was up and about within 8 hrs or so and was allowed to go home after only 2 nights in hospital both times. I coped absolutely fine at home with both girls. Dh was back to work at least half days after only one week. I really don't think you need to get stressed about it - especially as you say there doesn't appear to be any reason to think you will have a section anyway!

BetsyBoop · 29/06/2008 23:27

DH is self employed, so we could only afford for him to take 2 weeks off after my c/s for DS (DD was 22months when DS born) He also works away from Monday morning until Friday tea time & we have no family locally, so I was basically on my own during the week from 2 weeks after DS was born.

I won't say it was a breeze, but it was okay, we survived. I was even (carefully) lifting 16kg DD onto the changing table after the first week DH went back to work (had been changing her on the floor but found that more painful).

It's really a case of go with the flow & what can't be done doesn't get done. Housework went out the window (but it often does with a new baby anyway) & DD didn't get a bath for a few nights the first week DH went back to work, because I couldn't lift her in/out, so what?

If it happens, just take it easy, don't over do it & don't stress about what's not getting done!

eidsvold · 30/06/2008 00:26

Dh started a new job the day after dd2 was born by c-section - in fact they 'let' him have the monday off to be with me.

I came home to no help at all. No one to come round during the day etc - although dh was able to help out somewhat when he came home. I had a 2 1/2 with special needs who was not walking, toilet trained etc. She was barely crawling so needed to be carried everywhere. I managed - I was careful with what I did and just adapted things. I was driving by the three week mark - dd1 had therapy appts etc that we needed to attend.

PInkyminkyohnooo · 30/06/2008 00:38

You can do it, you just have to think around the lifting thing. I would avoid lifting your 2 yr old and heavy baskets of washing, and hoovering is not good, but otherwise you will be ok.
Will dh be home in time for DS's bath etc? Can you feedDS at a low table or is he in a normal chair?

My DS was 16 and a bit months when I had my elcs and it was a bit complicated, but doable. I did hve family popping in sometimes to help around mealtimes and bedtimes when DH was at work
Just don't forget two weeks in and lift him into the swing at the park, because you may well feel fine but your body needs time to heal.

mrslurkalot · 30/06/2008 00:58

I had am emergency and a planned section, my advice would be to plan as much as you can in advance. Teach your toddler to climb the stairs, into bed, onto a chair for meals and into their own car seat now rather than when/if you have a CS. If he can't do it himself try to find an alternative (ie kids picnic table and chair in the lounge) I found recovery fine and could have coped after 2 weeks if my DH had been around for bath time and VERY helpful in the evening (ironing, washing changing beds etc). My experience is that taking care of the baby is the easy bit. Also (whispers) Cbeebies was V. useful!!! Congratulations and good luck!

Alexa808 · 30/06/2008 05:59

I know it's not ideal but couldn't you stay in hospital for 1 week? They discharge you much quicker now than they used to (I was a CS baby in the 80s). My Mum was offered to stay for ten-12 days, all depending on her healing and what support she'd have at home (none as both sets of Grandparents far away and my Dad couldn't take any holidays).

I don't think 5-7 days in hospital, or even 10 is unreasonable in your case, should you really feel you're not healing well. After 2 weeks you'd get home, your DH could take time off then.

Your son could stay with his gran or an auntie, no? I know you're probably reluctant to even think of it, but it would be in everyone's best interest. Good luck!

minster · 30/06/2008 09:31

I'm pretty much back to normal by 2 weeks - tired certainly but don't need pain killers & can do what I needed to.

This time I'm planning on a very quick (36 hour) discharge - being in hospital is not fun you won't rest & the longer you're there the greater the chance of picking up an infection. It is extremely unlikely you'll get to stay in longer without a pressing medical reason anyway - they'll be desperate for the bed after 3 days.

I'll have help for 2 weeks in the form of dh (self employed - planning on 3 full days at home then 6 half days), my mum & MIL. I'll have an 8yo, 2yo & baby at home with me. I'm not anticipating any great difficulty

lulumama · 30/06/2008 09:36

are you booked for a homebirth again?

I did not drive for 6 weeks after my c.s, but I was on my own when he was 2 weeks old as DH went back to work, and I was ok to lift the baby.did not have another toddler to look after though.

can any friends or family be drafted in to help.. or a post natal doula for a few hours a day?

ShowOfHands · 30/06/2008 09:37

I had no problems either. I had the cs late at night, was discharged 12 hours later and didn't need any pain relief. I took it a bit easy because I felt I deserved to as a new mother but didn't encounter any problems and just took it all at a steady pace.

lulumama · 30/06/2008 09:39

alexa, with the best will in the world, your average NHS post natal ward is not the most relaxing and restful place in the world, nor can you stay for 10 days without a compelling medical need .

being at home, having a baby moon, in your own home, your own bed,your own bath, with friends and family rallying round is better than a ward IMO.

before i had DD, i said to my friends, if you offer to help me with anything after the baby is born, i will ask you for help, so don;t offer unless you mean it !!

sophiewd · 30/06/2008 09:44

I am now 11 days post section.

come home early, you will recover a lot better at home, was out after 3 days.

I can pick up DD but with care.

We also started doing B&B again on Saturday and managing with that but getting DH to do beds.

The only thing I can't do is drive.

shop on line.

meglet · 30/06/2008 14:38

I was uncomfortable and on pain killers for about 2 weeks, but then I started to feel better quite fast and was driving at 4 weeks. I was pretty fed up the first week though. If there is anyone who can help out then rope them into it.

Fingers crossed you won't need one though.

Original poster

bohemianbint · 30/06/2008 14:41

Well, you've all put my mind at rest, I dunno why but I thought it would be a terrible thing that would render you utterly useless for weeks...

Lulumama, yup, am booked in for a HB again this time and touch wood all will be fine this time as well! I think am just getting a bit freaked as I haven't seen a midwife in aaaaaages and am getting all paranoid that the baby might be breech/transverse and no one knows! I have an appointment tomorrow so hopefully they'll just tell me all is fine and I can stop stressing.

THanks again for all the responses, I really do feel better about it! Wish me luck and fingers crossed I don't need one anyway!

OP posts:

PInkyminkyohnooo · 01/07/2008 15:48

You will be fine,but the idea that all that muscle and body tissue is back to normal after two weeks is quite frankly a ridiculous notion. Do not feel pressured to lift heavy things or awkward things- the hoovering thing is to do with the qway your body twists when you do it. People do rupture, they do herniate their body parts into their bowel, I know two people this has happened to, so be VERY CAREFUL and you will be fine. You will feel fine mot likely,but your body needs to heal properly.

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