C-section...need some advice .

[westy]

Hi ladies,

Having not had a c-section before (and hopefully not needing one now) i really have no idea as to exactly what i will and will not be able to do afterwards. I know your not able to drive for 6 weeks after, and you can't lift things but what else is there that i would not be able to do ???

I have two children already (aged 7.5 & 4.5) and a husband who works 12hrs a day 6 days a week but is away from home for up to 16hrs a day, i am really worried as to how i am going to cope should a c/s be needed.....please tell me how you managed after your c/s.

Thanks in advance x

[Arimeh]

The hardest thing after my second one was lifting DS who was 19 months at the time. He didn't understand why I couldn't lift him up. Washing was ok, I just took it easy and whenever it would hurt, I would stop and have a rest. Getting up in bed was the hardest part, so I had to roll over onto my side, and then lift myself up with my arms, instead of my tummy muscles.

Umm.. oh and I drove about a week afterwards - its not exactly true about the not driving after 6 week rule - some insurance agencies don't cover you for that period, but my insurance (AAMI) had no problem with me driving as long as I had clearance from my OB - which I did. So yeah, I drove a week afterwards.

[krisp]

The thing I remembered the most was making sure I held my incision if I needed to cough or sneeze. It hurts if you don't!

[~Kim~]

I checked with my car insurance and they were all good for me to drive, but I found a manual involved too much core muscle movement, so didn't.
I did pretty much everything at home. I didn't carry washing obviously but I didn't have a trouble. Yeah it was a little harder, but not a massive inconvenience (for me, just my opinion).
I did know I would probably have one and the few weeks before I was on bed rest so my LO was used to climbing up on the lounge/bed if she wanted a cuddle and she already knew I couldn't pick her up. Your kids are a bit older so they're probably not fussed.

[westy]

Thanks for the replies ladies, i think a phone call migth be in order to see exactly what my insurance policy states - sounds as though they are all different.

I guess i am lucky in the sense that my two children are that much older and dont need me nor rely on me for everything they can both pretty much do everything they need to do themselves. Washing was another thing i had though of but i guess i could just use the clothes airer (like i am now) that way there is no stretching above my head (not ment to do that either are you?).

Oh well i think i am slowly coming to terms with the fact that i 'MIGHT ' end up having this c/s but i will be able to get through it ....i guess 6 weeks really isnt that long out of my life is it?

[*Infinity*]

I have to be honest with you and say that I barely managed in the first week, but after that it progressively got easier. Like Mel, getting out of bed is really tough. Expect to find anything where you need to recruit your tummy muscles difficult. I actually had trouble walking upright for about a week or so....just got around a bit hunched over IYKWIM?

I had the benefit though of no other children and lots of helpers, so I barely had to lift DS even - DP did a lot of the carrying him to me, into his cradle etc. Probably if I was forced to, I would have done it and been ok though.

I drove a manual car about 3 weeks post c-section, I just checked with insurance and it was all good, no problems there.

I would say I was feeling a lot closer to normal by about the start of week 3 - still not doing anything silly like lifting heavy things or running marathons, but back to pretty normal function.

[westy]

Thanks for your honesty Infinity, it's good to hear both the good and bad experiences of having a c/s it seems as though the recovery is different for everyone.

Did you find sleeping elevated helped with getting out of bed or was is sore no matter how you tried to get out of bed?

When do you start to feel normal again and could get back to doing all the everyday things is life again without any pain or discomfort?

[jackrose]

Everyone is so different so it is a great idea to get people's experiences so you can have an understanding of the range of experiences you might have.

I had a bad recovery as my scar got infected but I did not have a problem with driving. I think one of the problems with driving, apart from the muscle control needed when using a manual car is that if you need to stop suddenly you may not be able to as the pain from the scar could hold you back. It makes you more at risk of having an accident. Still, as I said, I did not necessarily have pain so I had no problem driving.

Lifting things was definitely a problem for me and getting up and down off the bed and couches etc. It is also so hard to follow the advice to take it easy, we just have so much to do with a house to run! You really do need to take that advice though as I do know of someone whose scar ruptured due to the fact that they were doing too much. They did not realise it had ruptured so it became a bit of a complication.

I have another friend who has had 3 c/s and has had no problems with any of them! All her boys were big babies, and have been off the chart size wise as they grew. This meant she had very heavy toddlers to lift with each c/s. As I said, she was absolutely fine though!

Just put lots of things in place to allow you to take it easy! If you can afford it, get some home help or some meals delivered (Gourmet dinner service do pre-prepared meals which are fantastic!). Stock the cupboards and get as much of the bulky shopping done so you don't have to carry shopping bags full of heavy items for 6 weeks and impress on those around you that you are about to have some time out with only a newborn attached!!

[suse]

Just a very quick reply - but should you require support post surgery, your partner would be entitled to carers leave if you have a doctors' certificate. He should also be entitled to parental leave if he has been at his job longer than 12 months (assuming that it is a full time and not contract position). So perhaps look into your entitlements.

I had an emergency c/s last time - this one will be an elective (for reasons not germane to this thread), so we are able to plan for it. My partner is taking parental leave for six weeks which will be a great help. Last time I found it extremely hard to manage as it was a difficult surgery and recovery, and my DP went back to work four days after I came home from hospital. He didn't drive then, and we didn't have local support so we were literally in the worst possible situation for recovery. I got a certificate to say that I could drive after three weeks. Even though I was 'functioning' properly well before then, I was still in quite a bit of pain two months later, although my recovery was not a typical one.

Even if you don't intend to have a c/s I don't think it is defeatist to plan for the possibility of having one. I didn't, and it made it so much harder as we had no support in place. If your husband cannot take time off work, organising a support person to stay with you for a while would be of most benefit, especially with two other children. Then you can focus on your recovery as well as your newborn.

[westy]

Jackrose, thanks very much for your reply ...and yes it has been great hearing everyone's stories they are all very different. Thanks to everyone who has posted and given me an insight as to what i could expect.

Ouch an infection would be terrible , how did you get the infection and what did they do to treat it ? Sorry for all the questions but i am extremely interested to gather any information i can. As for driving my car is an automatic so i wont have the extra issues that come with driving a manual.

I also have a friend who has had 3 c/s and i take my hat off to her. It really makes me think if people can have 3 c/s and get through them then i will be fine with having one .... although it doesnt make me any less nervous!

As for the shopping i am going to try and do my first online shop this week, not sure how it will go but i figure thats one less thing for me to do. They deliver it, not sure if they bring it inside or not but i guess i could ask the delivery guy when he arrives, surely if i explain to him/her that i've had a c/s they will be happy to help and put it on the kitchen bench for me. I haven't heard of the Gourmet dinner service, do they have a website that i could check out?

Thanks again i appreciate each and everyone of you for taking the time to reply to my posts.

[westy]

Suse,

I am sorry to hear that your recovery took so long and i really hope that your experince this time is a much better one.

Unfortunately my husband has not been at his current job for 12months and has no entitlements at this stage, which is a shame but there is nothing we can do about it. My mum has offered to come up and help for at least a week maybe two which will be great. I'm lucky enough that i have lots of fantastic friends who have offered to help me should the need arise but i'm one of these people who doesn't like to be relying on people, especially for 6 weeks.

Can i just say i think you are absolutely right in saying that it's good to plan for the possiblity of having to have a c/s even if you dont intend on having one (like myself) because you just never know and it's better to be prepared then not.

[*Infinity*]

Did you find sleeping elevated helped with getting out of bed or was is sore no matter how you tried to get out of bed?

When do you start to feel normal again and could get back to doing all the everyday things is life again without any pain or discomfort?

Sleep was so rare in those early few weeks I can't really recall how I managed. I know in hospital I had a bed which I could move up & down, and recline etc which did make it easier. Once home I just took my time (lots of time) to roll over, and push myself up with my arms, swing legs over the bed etc. to get up. What I wish I had at home was a nice big comfy recliner chair or the like that was more supportive and easier to get out of. We have really uncomfy lounges and had no real feeding chair to speak of, and it made it extra hard having to get up and down IYKWIM?

In terms of getting back to everyday things....I purposely took my time as I didn't want to impede my recovery. Like I mentioned, I was fine driving at about 3 weeks-post surgery. I wasn't walking long distances, but I could walk around the supermarket etc. and felt ok. Doing light loads of washing, and hanging on airers rather than reaching up to the clothes line. Probably by about 6 weeks I was back to feeling normal, but still aware of the scar and taking care. Just as another indicator I went back to pilates classes about 8 weeks post c-section quite comfortably and just eased my way back in.

[jackrose]

Ouch an infection would be terrible , how did you get the infection and what did they do to treat it ? Sorry for all the questions but i am extremely interested to gather any information i can. As for driving my car is an automatic so i wont have the extra issues that come with driving a manual.

Online shopping is an excellent idea! I would hope the delivery guys were decent enough to bring it in. Another good delivery idea is Aussie Farmers direct. There is a thread on here about them and people's experiences with them. You can order staples such as milk and bread or a box of mixed fruit/veg. If you check out their website you can see if you are in a delivery area.

WRT Gourmet dinner service, they do have a website, google should direct you. I bought a "New mum pack" for a friend who had a baby a few years ago and then she returned the favour for me when I had DD. The food is cooked in Sydney, frozen and packed then couriered out nation wide on a Tuesday. It was really good food and so handy to have. We kept ours in the freezer and just pulled out a meal every now and again when we needed it. We split one meal between the two of us and just bulked with salad and sides and it was so simple. I highly recommend them!!!

About my infection: I don't really know how it happened. I did take good care of my scar externally, but the infection was internal. It was difficult to know what was going on as I wasn't too sure how painful the healing was supposed to be. About 2 weeks after the birth, I figured the pain should be getting better but it seemed to be getting worse. I didn't have a fever or any other 'red flag' signs but was definitely not feeling good. Finally, I was getting up one day and felt something 'burst' (*TMI Warning*) then noticed some fluid leaking out the side of the scar which had still not healed properly. I ended up having to wear a maternity pad over the scar to soak up the fluid and was back in the hospital to have it looked at. So, a course of Antibiotics later... great for my nipple thrush and bf issues I was finally looking at healing properly!

Infections can be common, not sure of the statistics but it is often listed on the possible side effects of a cs so being aware might save you from getting to my stage!

All the best!

[blackduckies]

I have had 3 CS and probablly will be having a 4th on 6th April unless some miracle happens. 1st one was by far the worst I got an infection golden staph from the inside out, so it did'nt get picked up for weeks until it started ooozing puss. Being my first experience I thought maybe the pain was normal? So I was out of action and in a lot of pain for 16weeks, luckily I had an older child, and she was a great help. Next was a dream recovery, I drove about 3 weeks later, easily!!!! pretty much could do anyhthing after the first week. I would say though even if you feel like you could do it don't it is easy to injure yourself and getting better will take time, so give yourself a good 3-4 weeks recovery for everyday things and around 10 weeks before getting back to excerise etc. 3rd Cs was very good as well.

Things I noticed the most coming home from hospital was sleeping, I have spent a few nights sitting up and crying, because I could'nt lay down the bed was too flat, so kind of slept in a chair not so great, hopefully a few nights is the most you would have to do, when you can sleep in your bed (you might be able to straight way) keep baby right next to you or even better plan on co-sleeping for a little while saves the getting up for feeding which can be a real strain. Best advice, take the pain relief even if you think you don't need it, by the time you realize you do, its hard to catch up..ouch!!! stay as long as you can stand it in hospital, the bed is in a semi reclined postion and you have a hand thing to pull you up, which you don't have at home. Take it easy, some hospitals have a home help program, if you ask and tell them your DH is working long hours you might be able to access it??? Get the kids to help with the chores, carrying the washing basket etc, a clothes airer is the perfect choice. Getting over the first few weeks is all you need really, maybe a friend could do your dishes etc, that can be a hard job cause it means you have to lean forward slightly, and use the chore muscles, plus your back will hurt.
Goodluck its not as bad as it first seems. I had a VB which was a painful recovery, in a different way though!!!

[westy]

Thankyou so much ladies for all of your advice and support it has been wonderful to hear all of your different stories and recoveries. I have to run now but i will be back later to reply in more detail...until then thanks again x