Leaving hospital after cesearean

[DamitJamit]

I have been given the date for my ELCS in 4 weeks but I'm now stressing out about how I'm going to leave the hospital. Im planning to go to hospital and have our baby on my own which is fine I did it with my second child during covid. My husband doesn't drive, my fil has just had his own operation so will no longer be able to assist which leaves my mum to drive to pick me up. Her car is only a 5 seater so husband will have to stay at home with dc as won't all fit in the car. My mum is disabled and needs sticks to walk so won't be able to carry the baby out of the hospital.

So my question is will I be able to carry the baby in their carseat when I leave(and wheel my suitcase)? I'm not seeing my midwife for another week but I will ask when I do.

I would have been unable to carry the carseat with baby in after my c section.

Could you book a taxi and then you and your husband leave together in that?

In my experience, no, you'll definitely not be able to lift the car seat. You possibly may be able to wheel a light suitcase but walking was sore and stiff at first for me so maybe not.

I don't think you will. Carseats are heavy and awkward to carry even if you haven't just had abdominal surgery. I'd get a taxi.

Explain to the midwife when you’re being discharged, they can book a porter for you to help with the carrying, make sure your mum can pull up right up to the unit. Good luck.

Does you car seat fit on the pushchair?

I had an emergency section 8 weeks and I was only able to start lifting baby in her car seat about two weeks ago. I couldn't lift baby at all, even by herself for a week after surgery.

Can't your mum babysit and husband gets a taxi?

In my experience it's not the car seat weight that's the issue but the bending/ twisting of getting it in position in the backseat.

You won't be able to lift the car seat. I think you'd be better to get a taxi back from the hospital asi take a cushion. You can place it between the seatbelt and your stomach. The journey home was a bumpy and painful.

Can't you get a taxi with husband? I live in London and everyone i know did this. I wouldnt advise trying to carry a car seat on your own that wouldn't be good for you

Congratulations!
Get a taxi with your husband. I couldn't lift the car seat, let alone with baby in it, for several weeks after my planned CS

Have the car seat already in the car and push baby out in their pushchair to the car

Yep, husband plus taxi/Uber. Your mum isn't really able-bodied enough to help with the carrying. Child seats are really heavy and awkward - you'll do yourself a mischief!

Why do couples divorce??

I’ve had 2 ELCSs and you won’t be able to lift baby in the carseat. It’s nothing heavier than baby whilst you’re healing.
Would any of the following work?

• Mum picks you up, she lifts the car seat but you have it on the pram frame so she doesn’t have to walk carrying it
• Car seat already installed in mum’s car, you take baby out of hospital in the pram
• Mum babysits the other kids so DH can meet you and go home together in a taxi
• Take the pram in with you, take baby home in that and then into a black cab where they can be wheeled into it, no need for a car seat
• Ask midwife about a hospital porter
• Get a friend to meet you and come home with you in a taxi to do the lifting

Thanks everyone I thought it was unlikely but after my last elcs I pretty much went back to doing everything straight away (I know I shouldn't have) he could get a taxi but the hospitals an hour away from us so would imagine it would be pretty costly especially if it had to wait. I think I'll get my mum to bring the pram in which is what we had been considering anyway

Ask a midwife or support worker to help you down to your waiting transport at the main entrance. Or wherever, the car is.

Not a chance I could have done that.

Both of my sections I could barely walk leaving the hospital and the car ride home was agony.

Ask the hospital if a porter can help you out to the car.

My first child I came back with babe in arms in a taxi.

My second I carried the baby to the car, where the carseat was already installed.

Both were EMCS - apparently I'm too scary when I've just had a baby for my partner to suggest that he carried the baby instead.