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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
C-section...need some advice .
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