C Section and 2 under 1s/2 under 2s

[pedropony76]

Hi all. My DD was born on May 3rd last year. I had a vaginal birth but a really bad labour (spinal puncture caused by an anaesthetist which took 3 procedures to fix, 3rd degree tear, 2L of blood loss). Fast forward to now and I’m expecting DS on Tuesday via C section.

As he’ll be born on the 19th of April, he’ll be here two weeks before DD turns one which means I’ll have two under one (only for two weeks haha) and will then have two under two. They’ll have a 11 month age gap.

I’d appreciate any top tips from people who have two under two, especially those who’s kids have such a close age gap. I’m also looking for some recovery tips from those that have had C sections! Because my labour was so bad, my recovery took months. I’m sure that won’t be the case this time round, but I’d still like to hear other people’s experiences and/or any tips you may have for recovering whilst looking after baby AND a one year old!
Thank you

Try to stay mobile as it will aid recovery. Ask for help if you need it. Even if you feel quite well and capable in the moment try not to do too much or you will pay for it later in the day, I did that far too much.

Our 2nd & 3rd are 16.5mth apart but both were vb's. Had our twins via elcs a couple of months before the 3rd was 3yr. Recovery was really easy, I had very little pain and no mobility issues at all but I did get a wound infection and needed antibiotics. I just got on with normal household and family stuff but didn't drive or pick up toddlers while dh was home. Had our 6th when the twins were 6yr. I had a cs after over 20hrs labour, my 1st scar ruptured and I lost a lot of blood. They couldn't even lay me on my side to feed baby as I'd black out, anything I dropped on the floor was lost unless someone else could pick it up for me for a few weeks. I was in a lot more pain and was quite shocked at the difference between the 2 cs experiences, I still did my best to stay mobile and used pain killers. Once my iron levels recovered I felt much better. I did a 2 mile walk at 2.5wk pp and could lift the twins a few weeks pp, I was back in the gym weightlifting at 10wk pp too with no issues.

Good luck

@Chely oh wow you sound like superwoman! Sorry to hear about the scar rupture and blood loss but really nice to hear about your other experiences. I guess it just depends what happens! I’ll keep in mind to try and be as mobile as I can, thank you X

I can't offer any advice on the 2 children under 2 I'm afraid but I had a C-section recently (December) and some good tips I found were to:

Make sure you have very loose fitting clothing or very high waisted leggings to avoid the scar area.

In the first week I wore long summer dresses and just chucked over a jumper or some high waisted leggings with some fluffy socks/slippers on to keep warm. If you find it hard to bend over at points I just asked my DH to put my socks on!

Big cotton pants will be your best friend.

Try and take a walk everyday, if possible, even if it's only a 5/10 minute walk down to the bottom of the road and back (being mobile can aid your recovery)

Make sure you keep your scar area clean every day, especially in the first month to avoid any potential infection! I used a sponge and lukewarm water and dabbed along the area every morning & night (also dabbed dry with a towel - don't rub)

Even if you don't feel in pain, keep on top of your pain medication when offered. It's better to stay on top of that than wait until the pain actually arrives.

I hope all goes well for you

I have a 13 month age gap, first emergency section and second was a planned. I had good recoveries with both. I would say just remember to take it slower than usual, I felt like I could do more and had to remind myself not to as I didn’t want to do anything to setback recovery.

It was tricky because I didn’t want my little girl to feel pushed out because I wasn’t able to lift her, I just made sure we had lots of cuddles whilst sitting. I did lift her sometimes but I think because I was careful most of the time it was ok.

GET
A
ROBOT
VACUUM!!!

Thank you for the comments guys, really appreciate it.

My friend mentioned taking the pain killers even if you don’t need it as opposed to waiting for the pain to come so I’ll definitely do that! Agree about the loose fitting clothes and taking it as easy as possible. I’m just hoping I won’t be in hospital for too long so I can get back home to DD!

Do some meditation/yoga when you get 5 mins to yourself and try to desensitise yourself to crying as there will be a lot of it. Don't stress about the small things, as long as they are happy and fed you're doing a good job.

Oh it's adistant memory now and I've been broody again 🤣
If there are no complications they'll aim to send you home the day after surgery.
I spent 1 night in with our twins. 3 nights with youngest because I had to have catheter back in. I was lucky enough to be given a private room both times too.

Don't stress about the small things, as long as they are happy and fed you're doing a good job.

Thank you so much for this reminder! I’ve tried my best to think positive but I know I’ll be so stressed and probably having frequent breakdowns lol. Really appreciate this comment💗

I would also suggest that when you’re recovered and feeling up to it, being out doing things such as toddler groups can be easier than being at home. It will keep your eldest busy, and I find it really helps with a routine.

@Mamabananananana

GET A ROBOT VACUUM!!!

My DH did the vacuuming. No robot needed!

I had two c-sections, 13 months apart. The planned section (second one) was much more gentle than the EMCS, and I recovered really quickly.

It'll be a whirlwind for a fair while, and rather intense, but you'll get through it and once they're a bit older it's fantastic for them having a playmate so close in age (assuming they get on, which ours mostly do!).

Yes definitely can’t wait to go back to baby groups! I stopped taking DD when I was like 4 months pregnant because my pelvic pain was so bad that I couldn’t walk. It’ll definitely give her something to do in the day and will help us to keep busy outside.

Haha my DP is the same. No need for the robot vacuum as he’s the one that hoovers all the time anyway! Here’s to hoping they’ll get along!🤞

Drink water so you can pee lots when they take the catheter out! Pack a water bottle to keep on your bed.

Breastfeeding pillow was great for keeping baby on hospital bed with me without bothering the wound (can't reach in and out of cot at first)

Bring some fibrous foods in your hospital bag; I had dried apricots and little oranges, which helped with getting things moving.

I had excruciating wind pain referred right up to my left shoulder. Had never heard of if but very painful...peppermint tea and ask for indigestion meds and heat pad/bottle if you need it.

You won't feel like getting up to stand when they come to help you but you'll feel soooo much better in general when you do. Move slowly and carefully but do MOVE and stand up to your full height when you do.

When you're home, set up baby changing area on a table at waist height so you don't need to bend and crawl around reach nappies and/or try to stand while holding a baby.

Foot step by your bed for getting in and out independently.

Keep moving, even when it's hard.

Don't do too much too soon. You end up paying for it later if you do. Build up slowly 🐌

Don't wait for the pain to get worse, keep on top of it in hospital and remind midwives if you think you're due something. Same once you get home, don't wait!

I actually loved my c section compared to my traumatic vaginal birth and the recovery was easier. I hope it is the same for you, OP! Good luck!

Oh and get a little step for your toddler to stand on when they want you to lift them (once you're able!!). It means you don't have to bend down!

@pedropony76 you'll have pleeenty of breakdowns but it will make you a stronger woman. I feel after having a 14 month age gap I can face anything now!

Thank you so much guys! C section has been moved to tomorrow morning so I’m just re reading these to remember to not push myself too far.

Haha the comment about the breakdowns😭 I know it’ll be super hard but I’m trying not to think about it. Thank you so much for the encouragement!

How exciting!! Good luck, hope all goes well x

Thank you!! I’m super excited, just praying things are way better than last time🤞 X

Hope everything went ok @pedropony76 and that you are home now and finding your feet with two 🙂

@Username1234321 wow thank you so much for still thinking of me. I really appreciate it!

I had a much better experience with the C section and it was much more relaxing too. Unfortunately baby and I are still in the hospital as he’s been admitted into intensive care. He’s really not doing great and I’m not sure how long he’ll be here for either. Pls keep him in your thoughts as he needs all the positive thoughts and prayers he can get🙌
I also haven’t seen my 11 month old DD since Tuesday night so I’m really struggling. Missing one baby and extremely anxious with the other. Not how I thought this would start out! Thanks so much for checking on how it went x

I'm so sorry @pedropony76, do you mind telling us what's wrong with him? Thinking of you and your babies x

@whatuser thank you for your kind message!

He started out with having low temperature and low blood sugar levels. Tested his sugar levels over the course of some hours and decided to take him to intensive care just to put a cannula in his hand and give him antibiotics as it seemed he may have an infection.

They took him to intensive care and just never brought him back. He was admitted because he had super fast breathing and they needed to monitor him and give him oxygen as he was struggling to breathe on his own. He also has an issue with his hips and feet so the physiotherapists want to monitor him. There’s also concern about fluid in the brain so he’s been having scans of his brains and blood tests to see what’s going on.

From Wednesday to last night he was in the high dependency unit but when I was feeding him, he had a fit and stopped breathing. They’ve now moved him into the actual NICU bit which is the most serious section of the ward and he’s hooked up on all these machines to monitor him. He needs to have a MRI and a EEG brain scan to further see what’s going on and if he’ll have seizures because of the amount of fluid that’s in the brain. Overnight he had really small needles put into his brain to monitor his brain pattern and to see what was happening in case he had another fit.

Seems that it’s a bit of a waiting game and we have to wait a couple of days to do the MRI and EEG. He’s got a couple other things wrong with him but those are the most concerning things. I would really appreciate positive thoughts and/or prayers from anyone else reading this. My poor baby needs it💗

I'm so sorry that things have gone pear shaped. Wishing you and your little one all the best

Thank you so much @RampantIvy 💖

I’m so sorry @pedropony76. Sending positive thoughts to you and your baby boy.