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Original poster

C section recovery

16 replies

easternedge · 31/08/2018 20:20

No doubt this has been done to death and I'm sorry if so.

Will be getting a c section very soon but already have a 2 year old. A clingy 2 year old. I am very worried about how I / they will cope being unable to lift them? I do have some support but not lots. Starting to worry.

Any hints, tips, positive stories? Anything to encourage the healing of a section?

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
easternedge · 31/08/2018 20:48

Hopeful bump

OP posts:
Greenwomanofmay · 31/08/2018 20:58

Recovery wasn't too bad from my emcs. Going from sitting to standing, getting in and out of bed can be tricky, I got stuck a few times. Make sure there's something you can pull yourself up on. Take the pain killers regularly even if you're not in pain. Wear loose clothing round the scar and big knickers over it. If you're going to change a nappy on the floor (I did relatively easily) make sure everything you need is already on the floor before you start, you don't want to have to get up more than once. I could lift my baby easily but I'm not sure if I could have lifted a toddler, if you're toddler will stand on a chair then transfer into your arms it would be easier.
Healing is quite quick if you don't over do it. I did start driving after two weeks.
Good luck

Waitingonasmiley42 · 31/08/2018 21:01

I had a 2.5 year old when I had mine. I was slightly wary of cuddling him because he accidentally kicked the incision a few times. Picking him up felt fine after about a week.

I found it easier to pick him up than carry the car seat with baby in it.

Original poster
easternedge · 31/08/2018 22:42

Thanks! I'm so worried dc will fall or hurt themselves and I can't pick up! I don't really remember how king it took me to be up and about etc from last c section

OP posts:
Waitingonasmiley42 · 31/08/2018 22:46

Will your partner be off for a few weeks? That should be plenty of time to get over the worst of the discomfort. By the end of the second week I don’t remember any problems looking after DS alone.

Original poster
easternedge · 01/09/2018 08:07

Yes partner will be off for two weeks. I was really hoping someone would say that! Praying I'm over the worst of it while he's off.

OP posts:
antipodeankat · 01/09/2018 14:03

@easternedge, no tips, but I wanted to say that I am in the same boat! My DS is 26 months and very clingy and I am due in November, ELCS for medical reasons. I am worried for DS after the birth and am trying to prepare him by picking him up less / making him walk more often so it is less of a shock.
I'm mostly worried about getting him into his cot, am planning on transitioning him to a bed soon. Is your 2 yo in a bed?

Original poster
easternedge · 01/09/2018 17:17

No! 😩 she will sleep in her bed for a couple of hours and then she wants lifted into ours. We have indulged this because quite honestly we enjoyed the sleep after having had her never being a good sleeper. I am so worried this is going to be a massive problem now 😭

OP posts:
Daisy2990 · 02/09/2018 11:55

I found the first 10 days to be hard. 3 days in we went to Mothercare and I found I could walk across the shop but struggled to walk back to the front door.
If you have a low sofa/bed you might have more trouble. Our bed was almost at floor level and it was tricky getting up. I borrowed an office type chair to sit on because it was higher than the sofa and that helped day to day.
Also had to go upstairs sideways for a bit Grin
Honestly though it’s surprising how fast you feel better.

Iwantaunicorn · 02/09/2018 17:01

A nice thick maternity pad stuck on top of your knickers over the scar is glorious and really helps to reduce pain when moving.

antipodeankat · 03/09/2018 12:11

@easternedge, if it makes you feel better, one of my friends has her 18 m o in their bed and the newborn in a bassinet next to the bed and they all sleep quite well (all things considered). My LO climbed out his cot today, sigh...

Ploppymoodypants · 03/09/2018 12:18

My biggest tip is this. Have at least 2 days if simply resting. This means on the sofa or in bed the whole time (apart from washing and the loo etc). Husband does everything else that involves moving. Then have 5 days if doing bare minimum. So make a cup of tea, maybe Potter around garden etc. I was really really strict about recovery in the first week, and then by second week what up and about fully rested and rating to go. Drove within 2 weeks, was on my horse within 2 weeks (steady elderly pony in the school, not galloping about over jumps, that took 8 weeks 😁). But honestly within 2 weeks I was good for most everyday activities. Just not mowing the lawn or cartwheeling etc. I am a big believer in taking proper recovery time at the beginning, meaning you can repair quickly and we back to normal ASAP with less setbacks. Good luck. I was dreading it, but no where near as bad as I thought. Remember an planned csection is easier (mainly) than an emergency as you haven’t had potentially hours or days of exhausting labour before hand and the trauma. Good luck

Ploppymoodypants · 03/09/2018 12:19

Sorry for typos, on my phone!

Original poster
easternedge · 04/09/2018 20:53

Thank you so much for these! Feeling hopeful Smile

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Mustangsallyis · 04/09/2018 21:12

Biggest tip is keep top of pain relief. Set alarms on your phone, whatever, but make sure you take everything you're prescribed when you need to take it.

Also keep on top of lactulose or whatever they give you.

And do the roll onto your side before sitting up to get out of bed etc.

DS1 was 20 months when I had DS2. He's not the biggest of children and I didn't have any issues lifting him, just lots of reminding him to be gentle if I did or he was on me.

Ploppymoodypants · 04/09/2018 21:25

Oh yes the pain relief. Do set alarm reminders. Don’t let it lapse. If it says every 4 hours, set an alarm for 3hours and 45 minutes.
If it wears off it has to work harder to kill the pain again. But if you keep your system topped up it works a treat. Good luck

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