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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Attending a wedding after birth

47 replies

mrsk28 · 06/03/2019 20:35

Myself and DH are invited to a wedding 3 weeks after my due date and I'm wondering whether it would be feasible to attend or not. The invites are being sent out this week and I'll need to RSVP in advance so not sure what to do.

It's a good friend of mine who's getting married and she said I can bring the baby because she understands it would be too difficult to leave him so soon. The wedding is around a 40 min drive away.

It's my first pregnancy so looking for advice from people who have already had babies - would you have been able to attend a wedding so soon after giving birth??

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herethereandeverywhere · 06/03/2019 21:57

I would say it depends on the type of birth you have, rather than the type of wedding!

I managed a social event 1 week after my ELCS with DD2, it was nice to get out and do something.

There is no way I could have done anything a week after the VB of DD1. We were having to access medical care/midwife support every day for her and I was in so much pain from the damage the birth caused that even walking to the bathroom was a huge effort. I would not have been able to manage a wedding until about 3 months after the birth of DD1.

But everyone's experiences of birth and recovery are different.

Aus84 · 06/03/2019 21:59

No I wouldn't. Babies shouldn't be around large crowds and passed around that much at that age. Who knows what they could catch..

(speaking from experience, my DS was hospitalised for a week at 3 weeks old)

Aus84 · 06/03/2019 22:02

And sorry, to answer your question, yes physically I was up and about as normal within a week after giving birth with all three but everyone is different so not something you could plan ahead of time.

Sweetooth92 · 06/03/2019 22:10

It could go either way. I was lucky with my first (& only currently) and was out and about the next day as I was starving and really wanted a Wetherspoons breakfast 😂 and never had Any issues but you really won’t know until the time. If you are worried about the long day maybe do the ceremony and wedding breakfast and see how you feel in the evening?

sighrollseyes · 06/03/2019 22:13

I'd go! I felt up for socialising at 3 weeks. Everyone is different.

Frizzy1986 · 06/03/2019 22:26

I'd see if they can accept a yes with the possibility that you might have to pull out last minute.
I think I could've handled it OK, just might have felt a bit "not my best", super tired, bleeding a fair bit and having to sit on a rubber ring. But if they are a close friend you might be fine putting up with that just to be there. If it was one of my besties I'd def be wanting to be there.

I'd say the important thing is not putting pressure on yourself that you have to go as who knows what the future holds.
Dd was early but was back in hospital for 24hrs at a week old. You don't want to feel like you've let them down if you have to change your mind for whatever reason. If they are a really good friend and therefore worth attending a wedding so soon after birth then I'd like to think they'd think of you in the same way and leave you some leeway in your response.

Justus22 · 06/03/2019 23:16

I had planned to be a bridesmaid 2 weeks after my due date with last baby, as it happened it was 4 weeks but would have been fine at 2 weeks. My nan passed away around the time my 1st was born and I went to her funeral and stayed all day with a 10 day old (my oh tool him for a walk during the service) ... They are very portable as newborns, if your OH will be there too it'll be fine. Our school run takes 40 mins in traffic I don't think that's very far at all. I guess it depends on how important the wedding is to you, how close are you? You could feel either way. I know some people don't want to leave the house much with newborns initially, others can't sit still. Ive not had a c section (just episiotomy and stitches twice) most my friends that have had a section have been fine in 3 weeks though. I'd accept and go for the day and see how you go personally. Xx

Justus22 · 06/03/2019 23:18

Also I'd tell her you're concerned about being able to go and if it makes you feel better offer to pay for your places should you not turn up (or accept and do that should you need to cancel.) I had people cancel on us days before for work commitments, it's annoying but it happens I'm sure she'd rather have you there than it be a definite no. X

cloudymelonade · 06/03/2019 23:38

I'm in exactly the same position, have a wedding I would love to attend just 4 weeks after my first baby is due, eek! I'm also unsure what to do

shedougahole · 06/03/2019 23:41

I don’t think you can necessarily plan ahead, I thought I’d be fine to be up and about meeting friends when DS was a week old and planned to see them a week after his due date. We ended up having an emergency c-section and although I felt okay physically, the idea of being anywhere other than in my house terrified me. Would you be able to tell the bride your concerns and see what she says?

beforeihit30 · 06/03/2019 23:56

Hm. My general rule is that a month after the birth I am much more likely to be able to get on with the more usual socialising (as in not just letting people in for a newborn cuddle whilst I try to stay awake Grin), as I’ll be starting to feel a bit more normal in terms of healing and getting into some sort of rough routine. However recognising I would still be tired and caring for a very small baby and wanting to keep things quite simple.

The tricky thing here is, you don’t know when you’ll actually go into labour. It’s common to go overdue, especially with first babies, so you could likely be only one or two weeks post partum at the time of the wedding. In my mind that feels too soon. You also don’t know how you’ll feel after the birth. With my first the labour was fairly straightforward although a long pushing stage, overall I thought I was fine, and then promptly spent about two weeks in bed following an infection and being put on heavy painkillers and ABs, then needed a few days/a week to get back to doing things. Nothing unusual or extreme happened, I just happened to get an infection a few days after birth. A month after the birth however and I was out and about doing different things.

Bear in mind it’s not just about tiredness and a newborn. Your body is healing. It’s gone through a major event. You could still be shedding lochia, your muscles will likely still feel a bit weird, there might still be some tenderness, or secondary issues like piles. If you’re breastfeeding you might still be getting used to feeding, your supply, leaking etc.

You just don’t know until the baby is here, however my personal opinion (and I appreciate not everyone would agree) is that women should give themselves at least two weeks of rest (as in, no major engagements, going at your own pace, taking it easy, just doing the essentials), letting the body heal as much as possible whilst getting on with adapting to life with their new baby and bonding.

beforeihit30 · 06/03/2019 23:59

The slightly more practical side of my waffle was going to be Grin if you really want to go and they really want you there, find out what the options are, eg would you be able to pull out closer to the date, like if you were overdue or having difficulties early on? If they say no and they need a firm answer now, personally I would be declining as the odds are quite high that you might not be up to it.

WanderingDaffodil · 07/03/2019 00:01

It's so hard to tell. I was still getting my shit together with DC1. DC2 I took out to a birthday party within weeks.

DaddysGirl36 · 07/03/2019 08:19

I went to a wedding when my DS was 6 weeks old. The only issue was BFing as I was leaking a lot & engorged (some family nearby took baby for a walk during meal & they had my car key which had my pump in). We decided to book a hotel room & that was lifesaving for feeding in private & stripping off so I could not get my clothes wet from the milk. That was the only day I ever had a milk issue but it was a lovely day nonetheless & our son got lots of attention & we were up late with the guests too

MyBreadIsEggy · 07/03/2019 08:28

I went to my cousin’s wedding when DC1 was 4 weeks old, and in all honesty I wish I didn’t go. I spent the whole day changing breastpads because I was leaking everywhere, feeding the baby, and I was completely knackered because I swear to god that baby didn’t sleep for 2 damn years Blush
At 4 weeks post birth, I was also only just at a semi-normal level of discomfort. I still had a horrible heavy, dragging feeling in my belly when I walked more than a few minutes, and sitting down on my bruised, stitches lady bits had only just become more bearable. Church pews did not help that situation in the slightest Blush
If I was in your position, I’d politely decline the invitation and send a nice gift Smile

mrsk28 · 07/03/2019 08:33

Thanks everyone for your replies, I wasn't expecting so many!

I'll have a chat with her and see when she would need to give definite numbers by and go from there.

If she needs to know well in advance I might decline attending the dinner/reception and even just go to the ceremony because it won't cost them anything and I'll see her get married at least. And they won't lose out if I need to stay home and can't get out at all.

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cloudymelonade · 08/03/2019 10:57

@mrsk28 your thread got me planning what I'm going to do with the wedding we are attending so if it helps, here's what we're doing!

Option A - My mum is going to travel up with us and take baby for a few hours while we attend the wedding and stay close by in case I'm needed.

Option B- Couple have said they're happy for the ceremony and lunch to be baby friendly but not the evening so worst case scenario we just miss the evening do :)

AntiHop · 08/03/2019 11:06

I had to attend a work commitment when dd was 3 weeks old. It involved travelling on the tube and concentrating. But it really will vary from person to person.

A friend of mine has a newborn when I got married. We told her to decide on the day if they were up to coming and put her under no pressure. The popped in for around an hour or so.

coral13 · 08/03/2019 11:13

We have a cousins wedding on 17th August and I'm due on 1st August. Wedding about 90mins away.

The only reason we wouldn't go is of I was really late and born on say 15th so baby would literally be days old. We've explained this though and they have children so understand.

We will take plenty of breaks on the drive down and getting a hotel room nearby so that if it becomes too much for me or baby we can just sneak off (or go for a nap and come back haha).

coral13 · 08/03/2019 11:17

I agree though (having recently ish planned our own wedding) that the best thing is just to talk to your friend. The chances are if she's a good friend and she understands that she won't mind if you do have to cancel last minute. But at least if you speak to her, then she can tell you how she feels and then you don't need to worry or feel guilty. Or she might say they'd lose an awful lot of money if you cancel and you might both come to the decision to say you will only attend part of it etc but again at least if you have the conversation, you don't need to feel guilty and can relax.

Karigan195 · 08/03/2019 11:23

You MAY be ok or it MAY be too much. I’d just rsvp saying yes if you want to go and you’re going to have to call it closer to the time

mrsk28 · 08/03/2019 11:24

Thanks everyone. Yes I think I'll meet her for lunch soon and have a chat about what works best and I'll let you know what she says!

It's the possibility of being late that scares me more than anything, if he's born on time I think we could manage to go but no way of knowing how it's going to go.

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