CS with 2nd (or more) child - how did your LO cope?

[~Kim~]

DD was 2 and 10months when DS was born.
She was his first visitor. I had him at 12.30pm and she was there just after 5. She climbed right on up. I was just propped up but the epidural hadn't worn off quite by then so it didn't worry me. She was too busy with the baby to notice I was a/unable to get up and b/had a couple of extra tubes. By the time she came back next day after CC they were gone. It was exciting to have picnic dinners with mummy on the bed.
She had been at daycare that day so wasn't bundled off anywhere different. It was exciting getting to spend a few hours with people she adored in the few hours when they hospitalised me and DH was 6hours away at a funeral. She then got an impromptu holiday a few days later with Nan and Pop so that was even cooler. When she came home a week later there we were. She never once skipped a beat.
I had been on bed rest for many many weeks before that so she was used to having to climb up next to me and into my lap when i was sitting or otherwise just holding my hand. No way I could have lifted her when sitting. But I am starting with DS now. When he wants to be picked up I hold his hand until I can sit down and then get him to climb up. Same with his carseat/stroller etc.

[wysiwyg]

DD was 26 months when I had second C-Section

- when after your CS did they come to visit? I had him about 16:00 (e-csect planned a VBAC) on a Sunday so no visitors that day and the next day she was in daycare and came afterwards (my mum came in the UK - she was staying with us from UK to help with DD)
- how you/they managed with you not being able to pick them up for weeks afterwards - I hadn't been picking her up for the last bit of pregnancy unless I couldn't avoid it, so she was used to it and would say "Mummy can't pick me up - sore tummy" - my mum was staying with us for about 8 weeks post birth so once DH was back at work she did any picking up that was required (but didn't need that much just in and out of car really)
- how they coped with you being in hospital for those few days - she was fine - had DH and Grandma and came to visit twice I went in Sun came home Wed
- were you comfortable having them sit on your lap and give them a cuddle? - yes on lap and cuddling was no problem at all
- could you lift them while sitting? - at the beginning no, but I had very bad stomach muscle separation in addition to the c-section so really weak in that area full stop. I think I would have struggled without my mum being around.