How to help friend due for c section

[Hippydippydoo]

Looking for some advice.

A good friend of mine is booked in for an elcs, it isn't her choice, it's pretty much been taken out of her hands.

I'd really like to be able to support her as best I can, but having not had a c section myself I don't have much experience in how I can be most helpful.

I'm going to prep some meals for her, but does anyone else have any good ideas?

Just for an added bit of context she also has a very young DC already (small age gap). I also have a baby under 1 and am in third trimester of pregnancy.

Thanks everyone!

You are going to struggle to help her much yourself it seems!

I've had 2 sections and once hubby went back to work, my Mum came for a week as I couldn't hoover, clean, stand for too long, drive or do much around house so she did in between baby cuddles...

Make sure she rests is the biggest thing!! Even if she feels ok, good recovery is down to good rest as I suffered with doing to much after first, I ensured I didn't after 2nd.

Maybe help her before to get on top of all house jobs, cleaning, etc so she doesn't feel pressure to do them? Depends how she keeps her house of course....

xx

I know...I won't be able to help as much as I would like, but I know I will be able to do some stuff for her, and would like to help as much as possible.

I had a section 10 weeks ago today! My mum had a massive op 2 days later so couldnt come and help as planned.

For me the only problems really were:

being unable to drive - minor issue what with online deliveries, just meant had to walk to the park. Maybe offer to take her older child out somewhere fun, or give her a lift too if you can fit everyone in the car? I was driving again by the end of week 3.

Not being able to lift older child, but don't know how you could help with that. I taught DS to use a step so he could get in and out of bath on his own, for example.

Not hoovering, but presumably her DP can do that?

It was really fine. She needs to just keep on top of her painkillers for the first week or so. Gentle exercise/mobilising helps the healing. At least she won't labour and THEN have a c section - think that's the worst - ELCS usually lovely and straightforward. P.S. I lost 2.5 litres of blood but still had a great recovery.

Good luck to her! :)

P.P.S I was far more debilitated after my vaginal birth