C-Section - Lifting/Carrying/Driving?

[CupcakesHay]

I'm currently overdue with my first - and worrying that I might end up having a c-section - due to various reasons. Hoping not to... but as i'm a planner, was wondering can anyone advise me on what sort of things i will and won;t be able to do after the c-s.

Will i be able to lift the baby? Will i be able to drive, or is it 6 weeks after? And what about carrying shopping etc?

And also - what sort of time frame am I looking at? will it be 6 weeks, less? more?

Anythin you can tell me might put my mind at ease. My DH works abroad and only has paternity leave til 23rd Feb - and latest for induction/c-section will be 12th feb - so i'll only have him around for a few weeks - and equally whilst I can rely on my mum and dad ofr another few weeks - they have commitments around my 5-6th week afetr birth IYSWIM...

(sorry for rambling!)

Hiya cupcakes, I haven't had a c-section myself but my friend did recently (16th Jan) and the doctors/midwives told her not to lift anything other than the baby/cup of coffee/sandwich etc for at least 6 weeks.

WRT doing things, she doesn't seem too restricted - we are meeting for lunch tomorrow in the town centre and going to a very busy Nando's - and it was her idea so she must feel safe enough to do it.

I'm sorry I'm not much help, I'm sure someone who has actually had a section will be here soon to help properly :)

And good luck! Hope the contractions start soon so you can avoid induction altogether :)

Hi, i had emcs with DS 6 yrs ago, and am having elcs in 3 weeks. I was up and about taking DS for a (albeit a slow) walk to the local shop after a week. I was driving again after 4 and half weeks, i think current guidelines are if you can do an emergency stop you can drive.

Painwise about 7-10 days if i remember rightly and that was just getting up from sitting or lying down.

I was told not to lift anything heavier than the baby and not to iron or hoover, basically anything that really stretches your stomach muscles in case of scar splitting!

HTH and good luck

You shouldn't drive for 6 weeks, as you will not be insured. Doing an emergency stop might rupture your stitches. (Unlikely, but I do know someone who this happened to whilst drinking a cup of tea.)
You can carry your baby.
Try to move as much as possible as soon as possible. Try to stand up straight.
Coughing and laughing are worrying/painful/strange.

Make sure you are given the right post-birth exercises, and take the pain relief that is offered.

It wasn't that bad, but mine was an elective.

The 6 week driving thing isn't set in stone but it varies between insurers so ring yours now and check. Mine said that if my GP or midwife were happy, then they were happy. As the others have said, the key is whether you would be able to do an emergency stop safely. I practiced in the drive and started driving again at 3-4 weeks if I remember correctly.

I had an elective section and was out in town on an albeit very gentle outing a week later.

They tell you not to lift anything heavier than the baby for a few weeks; a fabulous cast-iron excuse not to do any drudgery like hoovering!

Fingers crossed that you won't end up needing one, but mine was a very smooth experience and am planning the same for number 2, so please don't be too scared.

Thanks for the advice. Have realised that can't control anything when it comes to this baby! Ha ha - will be like the rest of my life.

But i like to have all the facts to hand a bit so i can mentally prepare myself. like you say, hopefully won't need one.

I had an EMCS and rang my insurance comapny, and was told if I got the ok from the GP then they were happy. I got the go ahead at 4 weeks. I was hoovering within 8 days and cleaning the bathroom at the same time, wouldn't have been done otherwise.

Should say it was adviced that I didn't do anything household cleaning wise for the first 4 weeks. Was told I could push the pram.
As for cleaning I wouldn't have done it had I not felt well enough of course.

Hope all goes well and you won't need this advice.