Hey Fiona, I know you've had heaps of responses already but just wanted to say that I was flat on my back for 24 hours afterwards (unforseen complications of an unplanned c-section). I could feed DS when he was passed to me and that was it. I needed a lot of help from two nurses to get into and out of the shower chair the next morning and moving was very ginger/painful/slow after that. Those beds that are able to mechanically go up and down and raise the feet/head seperately are great. DP was around a lot and so I did rely on him to bring stuff or help with nappy changes/feeding/wrapping etc. DS actually slept a lot of the first day so there wasn't as much to do as I'd expected but I still found my inability to do things like nappy changes for him extremely frustrating. (I didn't mind if DP was doing it, but hated watching nursing staff do things I "should" have been doing itms). I hate asking for help too but also my c-section was unplanned so I had no idea I'd be in the situation I was in.

I think if you've thought ahead about your limitations (which sound like they will continue even after you can get up and move about) and are mentally prepared for needing to rely on others then that is a great start! I found too, that I had to be a bit assertive with the night shift that first night to hand me DS when I wanted to feed. They were trying to tell me that I didn't have to feed him and didn't have any milk yet anyway

I wonder whether putting your specific post-birth support needs into your birth plan would help?

Good luck with your birth. I really hope your SPD takes no where near 18 months to heal this time hun. xx