C section and visitors

[Cafeaulait27]

Hey everyone, having my first baby by c section in October (no medical need, just elective).

I know it varies for everyone but I wondered if anyone could tell me when you felt up to having visitors? I’m thinking I’ll need a week after the birth to start to feel a little better before having people visit but really not sure. It’s going to be hard to keep MIL away but I really don’t want to have people over when I don’t feel ready as it’ll be overwhelming. I’m already overwhelmed at the thought of everyone descending on us!

Had my baby by C Section back in June. I was in hospital for 2 nights and then Grandparents visited 3 days after he was born once we'd got settled back at home and caught up on sleep. It's entirely up to you. Before he was born I was adamant that I wouldn't want any visitors for a whole week but really I was so proud and happy that I was fine having visitors and just wanted to spread the joy and love.

C section recovery is a lot easier if you are pro-active about getting up and moving about, if you stay horizontal and don't move your recovery will be much slower.

It doesn’t matter how you give birth, you’ll feel shit either way!

I’m putting my foot down this time (no 4) and having at least a week just us. My mum won’t be happy but I don’t want to have to get up and dressed this time. I want to take my time with breast feeding as well. I’m not having any non close family members for at least a month (due in November and worried about covid, flu, norovirus etc).

You don’t get that first week back so do what you wants to do x

@Chelyanne I think the ideals of what you should and shouldn't do shift a little once you've got kid(s) at home. I got told off for picking a box up in the office on Tuesday and I had to explain that my 4 year old was a great deal heavier!! ;-)
Once you have multiple kids to deal with, you just have to get on with it a bit I think hey!

In terms of visitors, I've not had a C Section, but I've given birth and separately had abdominal surgery... so know how it is to recover from things... I think there is a big difference between allowing parents round and friends. The only people that wanted to visit us in the very early days were parents, who I welcomed with open arms. They bought food, they made their own drinks and couldn't give a damn how I looked. (And neither did I really - but equally, I'm not one to lie in bed all day... I'm a get up and get on with it sort of person.)
Don't feel that visitors have to be a hardship - or hosting!
I think most other people waited until hubby was back to work to come visiting. But also, in those early days, people coming to see you is a lot easier than having to go anywhere!!

It doesn’t matter how you give birth, you’ll feel shit either way!

Speak for yourself.
I felt like wonder woman.

Everyone is different. I don't think anyone knows how they'll feel until they experience it.

@SillyBry exactly that, having a brood already completely changes how you deal with things. Some of these midwives saying avoid lifting a full kettle though, I move 20kg plates around in the gym on fingertip strength.

@Chelyanne There is also that! I also got told off for climbing on a step stool to get to the top shelf... I had to bite my tongue to say I'd been climbing on a horse that is 170cm tall until 2 weeks ago, so I was probably fairly safe! ;-)
I'm probably one of those annoying pregnant people that just gets on with stuff! I feel like I'm old and ugly enough to be sensible and risk assess for myself... if something doesn't feel right, of course, I'll stop, but equally... the rest of life can't just pause because you've had a baby/surgery etc. In fact, if me having surgery was any measure of things, my 4 year old wanted picking up and cuddles more than ever when I was recovering!

If visitors come then they must be prepared to either cook, clean or do the washing! 😂

@SillyBry I'm one of those too! You know yourself best and your body let's you know if you're doing too much. Typical child behaviour lol, our toddlers were the same after my last elcs.

@Cafeaulait27 just thought I would update, as I had my CS on Monday.

We went home Tuesday evening and recovery has surprised me. The first few days was really sore getting up from sitting or laying down, but also totally manageable. Now I barely notice the pain, and again it's only when getting up from sitting/laying down.

We've only had a couple of visitors so far but would have been happy having more. For me personally the fact it was a CS hadn't made any difference to how I feel about visitors.

I'm so so glad I opted for an ELCS, I hope it all goes well for you.

I had a c section 7 weeks ago with my first (rainbow) baby and in all honesty I was so happy to have my family around. My mum and her partner stayed with us for 10 days and my dad and step mum stayed in a hotel opposite us for a week. It was such a special time having them all around and getting to share it with them. It’s their first grandchild so they were all completely besotted. I think it massively helped that they also helped so much by doing all the cooking and cleaning, taking the dog out and also having the baby so I could nap and catch up on some sleep. I was also nervous about the recovery but it really isn’t that bad and as others have said, it really does help to be a little active. Good luck and enjoy as that first week really is the best!

Another positive c-section experience here 😊 had mine 6 days ago expecting to be basically bed bound this week but after 2/3 days of taking it verrrry slow I’m able to do a lot of stuff again and I’m considering taking the pram out for a short walk today 😊 the only thing I really can’t do is pick up things from the floor or get up from lying down without needing to awkwardly push myself off the back of the bed. I’ve only had immediate family visiting this week and will try to delay people a bit over the next week. I was hoping it was sunny so visitors could be in the garden, I’m a bit wary of people holding him, especially inside but it’s rained all week 🤦🏼‍♀️

Just be prepared to change your mind. I thought I'd want tk be left alone to 'enjoy' it.
Ended up moving in with my parents for a month.

Hey! I’m due in September and when baby arrives and we naturally will be messaging friends and family to let them know I’m doing to add a ‘thanks for all your love & good wishes, we will let you know when we’re ready for you to meet her!’ That way the ball is in your court however you feel and people hopefully will respect it and wait for you to say ok come on round! Good luck :)

@sarah13xx I asked my midwife a couple of days ago if I could go for a walk as I felt able to. And she said yes, definitely. Just start short and get husband to push pram, so that what we did but now I go on my own and it's totally fine. I am able to pick things up off the floor now though (slowly) so just take it at a pace you're happy with x

@Daffodil21 aw great, glad you’ve managed to get out! My friend waited 2 weeks before going a walk so that was in my mind as when I’d be up to it but I’d say I could have managed it the last two days. I’ve been out the house in the car the last two days but haven’t taken the pram out yet, going to walk to a coffee shop round the corner tomorrow 😊 will just very gradually build up and walk quite slowly but I really expected to be in agony and I’m not at all!