Has anyone got advice on recovery from inguinal hernia operation with 3 month baby in tow?

[runninggirl19]

Ist time post! I've got the hideous misfortune to have to go to get my episiotomy redone, having had it not healed properly over the last 16 weeks. I also have an inguinal hernia and the hospital have said that whilst getting the perineal repair done, they could also do the hernia. But from all I've read, the hernia recovery means not lifting more than 10 pounds for at least 2-3 weeks. With a 16 pound baby, I wanted to see if 'no lifting' really does mean that, or if anyone has been able to keep looking after a baby during the recovery period?

I could have help in looking after the baby over the first week, but not much after that. Is one week enough or would lifting the baby (out of cot, getting up from feeding, giving baths, etc) be impossible still after 1 week? I partly want to get it all done and dusted but don't know if I'm just kidding myself that recovering from 2 surgeries will be bearable. Any advice gratefully received!

I had an incisional hernia repaired with a mesh after a caesarian section - the first week was definitely the worst bit and recovered pretty quickly after that. But you do need to be careful. I was breastfeeding and DS was about 16 pounds at the time - he was umm three months old or there abouts.

Oh and advice take the painkillers regularly.

That sounds rubbish runninggirl19.

I had an inguinal hernia in pregnancy, and decided to leave the repair op for as long as possible TBH. For me there wasn't a rush as it wasn't impacting on my everyday life or getting worse, it was just pretty annoying. Like you I also would have had very little or no help with my baby during the recovery period.

In the event, I managed to avoid an op as my hernia repaired itself when I lost the baby weight. Though it will always be a weakness. Personally if the only reason to do it at the same time as the perineal repair is to get it over with and to help the hospital schedule, I'd be tempted to put it off for a bit until I felt on more of an even keel with my baby. That might just apply to me as I found motherhood itself a bit of a shock without added complications! I would also seriously consider enlisting some paid help or getting DH to take holiday to help. I realise of course that these options aren't there for everyone. HTH.

Thanks for the posts. I think on reflection it may be better to leave it. I'm not in a rush and doing it when childcare is in place and I'm not the sole feeder is probably a better option!