fear of going out with new baby

[alfiesmummy23]

hi all, firstly please do forgive my bad typing, i am currentlt holding my sleeping 7 week old baby in my arms!
ok so i need some advice. I had all these wonderful plans to take my new baby for lovely walks in the park everyday but its all gone downhill.
firstly i had an episiotomy so didt feel much like walking for the first 4 weeks. secondly when i finaly braved it disaster struck. I had taken my baby for his first outing alone with me in the sling ( thinking it would be easier than taking the pram as my driving is terrible! ) i walked up to see my collegues at my old place of work to introduce my new baby, but i suddenly with no warning started bleeding heavily and was wisked off in an ambulance, being forced to leave my baby at work with friends until a family member came to look after him. i have since been rushed to hospital 3 more times with severe pr bleeding and they have found no cause. I have been home for over a week now and am so nervous about taking alfie out again alone. Any tips on regaining control would be great. sorry for the rambling!

Oh bless you, have you gotten the bleeding diagnosed/under control?

Take it VERY easy! I wouldn't plan an expedition for a little while, but you should definitely get out of the house even if just to go to the corner shop or the post box. It's a big step but that feeling of shutting the front door behind you is very liberating. Stick with the sling and just walk down the road and back. Do that a few times and see how you go before planning anything else. Good luck!

Have you had an ultrasound for the bleeding to check it's not something post-natal & tests for blood clotthing disorders? Unpredictable bleeding is v tricky to deal with - I had this when pregnant & wore massive pads & incontinence pants, & carried around a towel & spare clothes in case of a big bleed when out & about, but basically didn't go very far. But it is much more worrying of course when you are responsible for babe too so totally understand where you are coming from. Have you found bleeding occurs at a similar time of the day? If so, avoid going out then (eg bleeding in the morning due to blood accumulation overnight).

Can you find someone to go out with you or to meet up with , or some kind of new mums group to go to? What about havig people over so you are getting some socialising but in a safer environment at this time. I'm sure it will only be a blip & soon enough you will be out & about with babe as much as you like.

I have a 6 week old DS and was very nervous too about going out, especially after a traumatic birth. Sounds like you have had a hard time with the bleeding too.

Don't give up! Could you try going out with someone first - friend or family so you had some support if you needed it?

I would go a short distance - maybe try the same journey again if it's not too far - to prove to yourself you can do it.

I have found the sling can be useful to have your hands free and for a quick trip, but it's hard work / effort for you. If you did get the pram out it might be more relaxing once you're out and about and you might be able to enjoy the moment more (more as you envisaged).

Take small baby steps yourself and I'm sure you'll start to find it easier.

Good luck x

thank you everyone for your replies. I havn't had an ultrasound because the hospital where useless, ive had a sigmoidoscopy to check for hemaroids but thats all.they wrongly discharged me 3
times without finding a cause!my gp is trying to chase them up but no luck so far
i will defo take spare clothes next time as my jeans where drenched the first time.
might suggest to visitors to accompany me on a short stroll, wont repeat the walk i did before as its 2miles! used to walk it twice a day to work and back right up until maternity leave but guess im not up to it anymore! thanks again ladies x

Hello
My DS is 5 weeks old tomorrow and I still find it tough going out. Had a traumatic EMCS and to be honest I'm still in quite a bit of pain. I am so scared of the communal stairs in our block of flats - to get out with the pram I have to leave DS on his play mat, shut the front door behind me and carry the pram down the stairs. I then have to dash back up to get DS and take him down separately. I'm terrified of not taking my keys with me and locking DS in the flat by himself.

Have used a sling but it really seems to hurt my stomach (DS is very large!)

I have found it really helps to aim small as this builds your confidence. So some days I just walk round the block or literally 50 metres up the road for a coffee and then back again. I agree with Polar - baby steps is the way forward.

Best of luck to you and I hope you get the bleeding sorted!

thankyou honeybee79 good to know im not alone