Yeah, like Janie, I was pretty much on a very slow shuffle for the first 2-3 days. I needed help to shower and I was a bit wobbly going to the toilet on that first day out of bed. Mind you I had a bit of a rough landing pain-wise after the surgery and I really rode the PCA button overnight, so perhaps it was the after effects of the drugs as well.
I had my CS around 2 in the afternoon, so 12 hours later would've been in the middle of the night??! It was late morning before they got me up and I went all of a metre, if that. I agree with MG, if you need to buzz that button, do it. I wanted DH there because of the experience I had with DD1, when for reasons I still don't understand, there were several occasions when I really needed help and the staff just literally *never* came. I wasn't about to risk that again, plus I was scared about how debilitated the actual surgery would leave me. It's a big thing, giving birth and having surgery all in one hit, but for the staff it's just a normal routine thing. So you need to speak up and be very specific about the help you need. I discovered after my last surgery when I was in bed for 2 full days, some nurses are fantastic, they come in and look around and think about what you need and just do it for you. Others are clueless and will happily leave without checking basic things like do you have a drink, or if you need the light turned off at bedtime. So if it looks like you can't roganise to have DP there, then you just need to ask for the help you need. Not easy when you're used to being so self-sufficient and managing by yourself even in extreme circumstances - but that's what those nurses are there for.
Fiona - if your physio isn't affiliated with the hospital, it is going to be difficult... encourage her to get affiliated!
Re: DVT's - don't stress. There are exercises you can do in bed but there is also medication and TED stockings
Now, I know how independent you like to be but here is what I'm going to say. And don't just say no because I wouldn't put this offer on the table if it wasn't doable for me or genuine... I work VERY close to where you are going. VERY VERY CLOSE. I am more than happy to pop over before/after shift and help you with bubs. I'll sit quietly in the corner and do what you'd ask DH to do if he can't be there. If, by chance, you are birthing on a Tuesday, you can have me all day because I don't work Tuesday's If you just want someone to hang so DH can go home and feed DD and get her into bed, that's fine too. With a bit of co-ordination, I can get a shift that will allow us to work out what's best for you. I birthed at St V's and am fully aware of how they work so if you say no and then change you're mind, it's not an issue. You can have my mobile and just SMS or call. Honestly, I work scarily close In fact, you'll probably have prime view of where I park my car!
Oh MG, you're such a bloody gem. You know it's not in my nature to say, "that's great, I'll see you at x time," because I have to think about it 100 different ways first. Let me have a chat with DP - I still think it might be easiest to get DD sorted with a nanny/babysitter because at the end of the day she WILL be fine and it's only for one night. I am currently scheduled for a Tuesday but that could change depending on if they want DD2 out earlier because of my GD. My tummy is the size of a small elephant at the moment
I really, really appreciate all that info and your very kind offer.
Of course! And I don't expect an answer now. But know you have OPTIONS. And you can let me know whenever. If you think it's something you might want, just let me know and I'll PM you my mobile number. Don't worry, I'm not an axe murderer... I may get called Nurse Ratchet but I'm no seriel killer It's your decision to make and your decision will be respected.
I had a pretty bad experience with my c/s and my DH proved invaluable to me at that time. I went into labour that progressed extremely fast but the hospital wouldn't let me deliver naturally so they gave me an injection in my stomach to stop my labour which meant after surgery, I had an oxytocin drip and my uterus was constantly contracting so I was in immense pain. The m/w was pretty non-understanding and made me get up for a shower 3 hours after my surgery which set me back an extra day. I was put into a bed that had a crank on the end of it so I was stuck flat on my back until someone could come and crank it up for me, my m/w also decided that I should go onto eating solids straight away which I was too sick and in pain to do.
DH proved pretty valuable because it was hard and I needed the support. While the m/w was quite horrific the first day, DH got pretty good at standing up for me (I was too sore and out of it from all the drugs to do it for myself). I also didn't want my kids near me while I was like that because I didn't want them to see me in that state and they wouldn't have understood that they couldn't climb all over me.
Because of everything that happened, I needed DH for 48 hours after the birth to help. I didn't want the m/w anywhere near me. He helped me shower, he helped me walk and in the end, he took me home 48 hours after my surgery because when I buzzed, they were too busy to help. He could take better care of me at home.
I guess my point is that your experience probably won't be anything like mine but unexpected things can crop up that you don't plan for. It might be easier to make arrangements to have your DD looked after for the first couple of days and undo those plans if it is all smooth sailing. At least if things do hit the wall a bit, that is one less stress for you. Some people have great experiences with c/s and feel fine very soon after. If this happens it would be easier to cancel arrangements than have to try and make them at that point.
Good luck with everything. I hope your c/s goes really well and your DD can be with you soon after.
- but that's what those nurses are there for.
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