Caring for DD after a C/Section?

[DaintreeDream]

I recovered well from my CS with DD. I was walking back and forth between my room and NICU the day after her birth. I never felt pain just discomfort. 12 days after her birth I was walking 30 minutes with a backpack of EBM to the train station to see her in hospital in the city.

This time DD is 18 months and not walking, when will I be able to care for her?
When will I be able to change her nappy, get up and down to her, hold her when passed to me, pick her up from the ground, be left alone with her without someone there to help (for short periods at least)?

I hate that I will not be able to care for her, I do alot for her, she is my little girl.

Does anyone have any personal experience that they can share?

[StrawberryMumma]

Not related to your post but I just wanted to wish you and your new bundle all the best! Sending you both love and strength xx

[Just Me]

I had a c-sect with DD2. DS was 15 months and had only started walking 1 week before. I let DH do everything for DD1 and DS for the first 2 weeks and found after that I was quite capable of lifting them very carefully. I probably could have picked them up before that, but I wanted to be extremely careful and not do further damage by overdoing it. By 3 weeks, I felt completely normal again but still let DH do as much as possible when he was home so that my body still had a chance to heal. By 6 weeks, I was completely normal.

I had a lot of pain with my c-sect for the first few days and found it very difficult to move. I couldn't believe how different I felt after just one week of taking it easy though.

I think the advice is always to listen to your body and do only what you can handle. Don't be afraid to say you are not comfortable trying to do something you are not ready for. The best thing you can do for yourself and DD is to rest when you can and let others do what they can for you.

Good luck with everything tomorrow. What an exciting time for you and your family! Look forward to reading your BA

[Rach75]

I know jack is a fair bit older than your daughter but I found when Jase went back to work at 3 weeks I was fine with showering Jack, as for proper cuddles about 5 weeks before I could have him sit on my lap for real good hugs, but he would sit on the chair beside me and snuggle in...he does weigh 16kg + which would make a difference... but I would say I was well and truly fine by the 4 week mark if he had needed picking up etc, I had to lift him into shower still and did that a 3 weeks..

anyway HTH some what good luck tomorrow

[Arimeh]

DS was 19 months when I had DD1. When he wanted a cuddle (which was all the time because he was still really clingy) I would get down to his level and give him a cuddle that way, instead of bending down and picking him up. For the most part he was happy with that. If he wasn't, I would sorta throw him half over my shoulder, and brace my scar with my other hand, and then slowly get up. It felt pretty normal by 2 weeks later (until my infection took hold and then I was rendered useless again) so hopefully you won't have to feel any frustration for too long.

As for changing nappies - I always change nappies on the floor anyway, so that didn't change. I couldn't get him in and out of the bath, so DH helped me get him in and out, or he went in the shower with me or DH.

I think DH had 2 weeks off to help me out, does your DH have any time off lined up?

[feeb]

I have been wondering same thing as high chance being that I will end up with another CS and DS also not walking.

I think DH will have 2 weeks off

[maz]

You'll be amazed at what you can do physically hon just please dont over do it. Make sure that you hold your scar and move slowly for the first few weeks.

I had V aged 16months when I had M and W was 5 but still pretty bad..eg needed me to pick him up when he flipped out ect. I just did it..what choice did I have I cant comment on the rest as we were shipped to the RCH when M was 20 days old and by the time we got back home 4 weeks had passed.

for you honey....I'll be watching the clock and praying A isnt as bad as predicted.

[Doing my best]

I was left for a few hours on my own with both children when DS was about 10 days old. And I realised then that I could lift DD (didn't have much choice cause she got herself stuck in a box).

I also felt comfy giving her cuddles on my lap from about day 3. I even gently lifted her from that time to my lap while holding my scar with a pillow.

But as others have said, let your body be the guide. I didn't lift her into the bath until about 5 weeks. But I would kneal in the shower with her when DH was on evening/night shift from week 3.

Good luck.. Hope tomorrow goes well for you and you have a quick recovery.

[DaintreeDream]

Thankyou all for your replies, you don't know how much it has helped ease my mind.

I recovered really well when I had DD1 so I think I will be ok again it is just different when you have a non-toddling toddler to care for.

DH will be home with me so I won't have to lift but I am an independant person and am so close to DD1 that I won't be able to help myself .

Thanks again... your replies are just what I needed to hear.