C-section...need some advice .

[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