C section mummy’s, advice?

[mumaabearxo]

i currently have 2 children, planning to start trying for a 3rd. Both my first two were natural births and out on the same day. I’m obviously nervous it might not happen like that again. My partner would only get 2 weeks off paternity leave and he said he will try and book 2 weeks holidays so he can have 1 month off with us once the baby is born (when we do conceive)

my question is, how did you cope once your partner went back to work? As 4 weeks isn’t a lot for recovery? And I’d have to do school runs etc and I know they say no driving for 6 weeks ish.

im thinking ahead of myself just INCASE I had to have one in the future and my partner was at home with me.

Unless you have huge blood loss, you will be fine by the 2 week mark. Honestly. I had to take my 2nd back into hospital at 11 days old, and was left sleeping on the tiny pull out bed on paediatrics for a week, and v limited washing facilities. That was tough with a CS recovery, but perfectly fine. My first I did lose quite a bit of blood, so was very tired for ages, but was up and about within a couple of days still. Have a pram or Bassinet downstairs as well as the crib upstairs, and a changing station at table height, and you will be grand.

I have had 2cs - 1 emergency as in unplanned, but fairly unrushed; I imagine this is much more like a planned CS than my second CS, which was a crash section under GA.

First recovery - all fine by 4 weeks, including driving.
Second - could barely stand for 8 weeks.

You’ll probably, hopefully, be fine, and if not, you can cross that bridge if and when you come to it. I’ve had two children, and two c-sections, both planned, a detail which I feel probably makes all the difference to recovery in many cases. First time DH went back to work after 5 days, albeit of course the first is much easier, due to the lack of an elder child still needing care, but nonetheless I was absolutely fine, felt fit and well within a couple of days, honestly. Second time, I think he had more like 8-9 days(?) but I can’t quite remember, weirdly. I was driving within a month though, must have been I think, and coped just fine with then-3.5 year old elder child.
I think the most important things are to ensure you’re eating well, drinking enough water, taking rest whenever you can and that you make as many preparations as you can (nappies and wipes dotted everywhere, drinks bottles and snacks in usual spots etc etc)

Double check the wording on your insurance policy - mine said 'when you feel ready'. I drove myself home from hospital after 3 days.

With all that (my previous post!) being said though, there’s no prize for being a martyr. The absolute worst thing you could do for yourself IF you find yourself in the hypothetical situation you pose, there’s no shame in needing more support, for longer. A c-section is a big deal and while some (myself included) are lucky and have good recoveries, it’s no guarantee and you must allow yourself to heal.

Personally my recovery was great, I was discharged 24hrs after the CS and was up walking around the ward that day (slowly, of course!) From the day we got home I was slowly walking around the house, able to change DD's nappies and make bottles but my husband/mum did most of this as they were around the first couple of weeks. My husband had 2 weeks paternity and used 2 weeks of A/L so he was home for 4 weeks which was nice, but tbh I was pretty much fine after the 2 week mark if he would have had to go back. My car insurance policy said I had to wait until after the Dr cleared me to drive, so I didn't drive until the 6 week check...but honestly I could have driven much much sooner. I was taking slow walks with the pram after a week which I really think helped me build my stamina back up as I gradually got back to my usual pace and felt a lot better. Every CS and recovery is different, I really feel for the women whose recovery is tough - a few of my friends experienced this. I hope everything goes to plan and if you do need a CS, I hope all goes well with recovery xx