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Original poster

Post c-section buggy pushing?

35 replies

Verso · 17/11/2008 18:51

A friend of mine had a c-section a couple of weeks ago and has been told no buggy/pram pushing before six weeks, which means she's pretty much housebound unless someone comes round to push the buggy for her. I'm booked in for one next week and was wondering if this is the standard advice?

OP posts:
broodymom · 17/11/2008 18:54

Ermm i have never heard of it, but i have never had a c section.

ouchthishurts · 17/11/2008 18:58

I had an emergency c-section last year, and am booked in for another next week..and that sounds crazy to me!! Never heard of that advice, and cant believe anyone would ever stick to it if they were advised - surely you would go mad if compeltely housebound/THAT dependent on someone else to even step out the door? In fact, if anything, having the buggy to lean on while still sore was probably quite a relief when I was recovering (once initial first week or so was over).

DontlookatmeImshy · 17/11/2008 18:58

Did she have any complications that might have prompted this advice?

Otherwise it sounds a bit strange. I had a section and found the buggy very handy to hang on to when out and about during recovery.

nulgirl · 17/11/2008 19:15

I had a section with my dd and couldn't go out and about with the pram on my own for quite a few weeks. The pushing on the flat was fine but the bumping up and down kerbs, steps etc was not.

I did find it really hard being housebound and it is one of the main reasons that I am trying for a natural birth this time. However at 5 days overdue may end up having another cs.

Wheelybug · 17/11/2008 19:37

Never heard of this - I had an emergency c-sec with dd and was pushing the pram as soon as I was out of hospital. As others have said, it was v. handy to hang off.

girliefriend · 17/11/2008 19:41

I had a c section and only got the advice re no driving although only stuck to that for 4 wks (meant to be 6!) I think it is up to the individual and how well she feels, you are prob not going to feel up to walking very far for the first couple of wks but 6 is taking it a bit far! How are you meant to buy food, get fresh air, see the hv, not go insane etc etc!

yama · 17/11/2008 19:43

I was out and about within a couple of days. We lived on a very steep hill at the time and I remember having to be a little careful at the steepest part but otherwise no worries.

chutneymary · 17/11/2008 19:50

Verso, I've had 2 CS and never been told this. I stayed in through choice with DD1 for a week, but with DD2, I was champing at the bit to get out a bit. I had a large double buggy and managed to push that quite easily. The only tricky bit was pushing it over the step at home. Kerbs etc fine as I used my (not inconsiderable) weight to flip it up, as it were .

I'd say so long as you have no complications and take it slowly, you'll be fine. Ask for help if you need it (I got someone in a shop to put the shopping underneath as didn't want to lift the bag) but bank on being fine for short everyday journeys fairly soon. I think it'd be much worse to be imprisoned in the house with 2 small children if you feel up to a little light exercise.

HTH.

bikerunski · 17/11/2008 19:59

I had an emergency cs 10 weeks ago and was told the same - also not to push Hoover, supermarket trolley etc or anything that engages your stomach muscles, or to carry anything heavier tha ds. I followed this advice becuase I didn't want to jepordise my stomach muscles healing. I carried DS in a sling during that time, as it puts the weight on your back. Also advised not to drive until I felt confident that I could stamp down and do an emergency stop. Did a practice one in stationary car at 4 weeks and was OK. Had to do a real one at 6 weeks and really felt it!

At 10 weeks I am running and cycling again.

I know someone else who didn't follow the "no lifting, no carrying" rule and is still having problems healing over a year later.

Original poster
Verso · 17/11/2008 21:24

bikerunski she was also told not to use a sling!

Thanks for the replies, everyone. She had an emergency c/s with her first DC and this was a planned c/s because of placenta praevia. Maybe that's the reason?

I really hope I can get out and about sooner than 6 weeks. I knew about the driving/lifting rule, but thought a walk after a couple of weeks would be ok...

OP posts:
girliefriend · 17/11/2008 21:35

Am sure it will be! Good luck Xx

melmamof3 · 17/11/2008 21:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

twinklytoes · 17/11/2008 22:36

rules here seem to be not to lift or push anything heavier than the new baby.

I struggled at 3wks post csec pushing 3yr old in maclaren and baby in sling to do the 5 min school run. It was a one off but would never have got dd1 home from school otherwise and dd2 was asleep.

EBenes · 17/11/2008 22:42

Sorry to ask a related but different question. What do you do if you have a toddler? You just can't lift them? dh has to bathe, put in high chair, put in cot, etc?

chutneymary · 18/11/2008 08:05

EBenes - DD1 was nearly 2 when DD2 was born. I put a step next to her cot and dropped the side to get her in at night. Did her nappies on the floor. Can't remember what I did for the high chair but must have got her into it somehow. Can always have a floor picnic for a couple of weeks if not.

Bath - this did stump me I am afraid as DH gets home too late to help out. He was around for a fortnight, but after that I just washed her face and her bottom (as well as any dirty patches) until I felt up to helping her in. The step was too low to get her over the side. I felt ok to lift her in after 3-4 weeks. I wouldn't do any prolonged lifting but felt well enough to do that.

Driving - my insurance co doesn't say 6 weeks but when the Dr says you are ready. My Dr says ready when you feel OK. I'd say if you can do a hard brake, can turn to reverse and also see your blind spot, you would be OK. I am booked for CS3 on 1st Dec and hope to be back behind the wheel at the beg of Jan.

Sling - strangely I was told not to use a sling, but no one mentioned the buggy. I didn't find the sling esp comfortable after the CS had healed but perhaps that's just me. A friend was out slinging with baby 4 when he was 5 days old. She has 2 school runs to do though, and clearly couldn't drive so staying at home wasn't an option. She said she found the sling better than the buggy, but mainly because no 2 and 3 are twins aged 2 1/2 and she couldn't face a heavy double and carry the baby. Or make the twins hot seat and face the arguments from the one who had to walk.....

HTH.

JLo2 · 18/11/2008 09:05

On the driving issue, many insurance companies will regard you as not insured if you drive before 6 weeks after surgery. It is worth checking with them if you feel ready to drive before then.

SazzlesA · 18/11/2008 09:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

mistlethrush · 18/11/2008 09:18

I must say that an easy to push buggy also helps - MB didn't have any problems with kerbs etc - with a little momentum, didn't even have to tip it back - would just go up.

No, didn't have advice not to push buggy - after emergency section, was out on about day 4 for short, flatish walk and built up from that. No significant problems healing

SazzlesA · 18/11/2008 09:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ceebee74 · 18/11/2008 09:27

Interesting thread.

I had a emergency c-section 2 years ago and am booked for an elective one on Thursday.

I have been wondering about the buggy as DH will be at home for about 3 weeks after which is fine - but once he is back at work, I need to get DS to nursery somehow and driving will probably be out which just leaves the pushchair.

I remember pushing DS in his pram quite early on but now I would have a 2-stone toddler and a baby in the pushchair so it may be different.

I hadn't thought about bathing either - DS is in a bed now which is better and I am training him to climb into his carseat himself but the bath is just too high - maybe I need to invest in a step of some sort.

2point4kids · 18/11/2008 09:32

My friend had a c section 2 weeks ago and has been told to push the pram herself and to lean on it like a walking frame as it will aid the healing!
She was told the same thing in hospital after 2 days with regards to pushing the baby in the cot on wheeels herself rather than the midwifes doing it for her

bikerunski · 18/11/2008 10:02

The thing to remember is that with a c section you have major surgery as well as a baby. If you'd had a hernia operation say, then you wouldn't be surprised that you had to limit yourself physically for a while.

Surprised at advice not to use a sling! I can't see how it would out pressure on c section, and it certainly stopped me getting cabin fever!

EBenes · 18/11/2008 13:44

Superb advice, chutneymary, thanks for all of it!

EBenes · 18/11/2008 13:48

Oh heck, have just realised you've all put your nearly 2 year olds in proper beds by now! I must start thinking about that.

IllegallyBrunette · 18/11/2008 13:49

I had to carry ds up and down stairs in his buggy a week after my section and although i'd not reccomend it, i was ok.

Pushing a pram/buggy is fine imo just don't over do it.