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12-04-2012 at 10:30 AM
NicoleWI
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Joined on 08-19-2006
Germantown, WI
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NicoleWI is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 8:13 PMSilver

RP from C-sections: please critique recovery plans, if you had a c-section

My c-section is scheduled for the 12th. Maybe something will happen sooner, or maybe breech baby will turn, but I'm trying to make tentative plans, which is really hard just not knowing how I will feel! Plus everyone's schedules are tight b/c of Christmas.

12--15th in hospital: Have DH come and go during the day, stay overnight with me the first two nights, and sleep at home on night 3 with the kids. Kids at his mom's house the first couple nights and with nanny during the day.

15th/16th: I am asking my mom to come so that both my mom and DH could be around for the day I get home and the following day, so that one could help me/baby and one could help with the kids. What do you think? I don't think DH is really "getting it" and when I mentioned having my mom come, he said, "oh, good, than I could go do some work and stuff." I had to explain, no, the point is to have someone there for the kids plus someone for me!! 

17th--21st (days 5--9 post surgery): have one helper at home with me pretty much the whole time, between the nanny and DH

22nd--26th or so (days 10--14): Family will be in town for Christmas; mostly OK with random helpers? Should I make sure someone is with me and the kids full on 22nd and 23rd? 

THANKS!! I can't predict how everything will go but I would rather be "overprepared" with help than left on my own and struggling, especially with all the Christmas stuff going on at the same time. 


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12-04-2012 at 11:32 AM
emilyfranc...
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Joined on 04-28-2012
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emilyfrancis is not online. Last active: 03-30-2013, 8:56 PMNewbie

I'm 13 days out from an uncomplicated breech c-section.  She is my first baby, so I didn't have the extra needs you have. I've been feeling decently mobile since about 9 days after surgery. For the first week, I really needed help getting from laying down to sitting up and doing anything other than basic baby care. 

The most difficult part of the whole process was the time in the hospital. People came in every hour to look at me or the baby or the leg compressors or the iv. I went 3 days without sleep because they woke me up so often. It would be great to have as much help as possible for the first week so you can catch up on sleep and showers. If I had other kids I'd probably want full-time help for the first two weeks if possible.  

 
12-04-2012 at 12:00 PM
jnnfrrose6
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Joined on 05-22-2008
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jnnfrrose6 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 8:58 AMNewbie

I'm a big believer in being over prepared and not needing something than the other way around.  I had an unplanned c-section after finding LO breech once I got to the hospital in labor, so I didn't get the chance to plan for this.  He's our first, so we didn't have the older kids to worry about, but we have two dogs that needed looking after.  I called and made arrangements for boarding while in my hospital bed recovering!  They stayed there until we got home from the hospital and DH did as you're planning, coming and going during the day and staying in the night.  It was a big help.

 A lot of how quickly you recover and therefore how much help you'll need is going to come from how active/in shape you are before hand.  I worked out throughout my pregnancy with a trainer (I hadn't worked out regularly until I got pregnant).  In fact, I had a session the night before going into labor.  As a result, I had really good ab strength and was able to sit up and get moving pretty quickly.  

 I think what you've got worked out is a great place to start, just go with the flow, though, if things have to change.

 Good luck! 

 
12-04-2012 at 1:13 PM
inateapot
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Joined on 08-27-2003
Seattle area
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inateapot is not online. Last active: 05-10-2013, 12:38 PMNewbie

I just had my second C-section a little over a month ago - my advice is to not insist DH stay at the hospital with you. The nurses are CONSTANTLY coming & going during the night and there is no reason for you & DH to be sleep deprived.

We had my parents here to watch DD1 & the dog at the house, so DH could be with me during the day, but there was no need for him to stay at night with me. He also went home for a few hours late afternoon/dinner to see DD1 & spend time with her. He'd come back in the evening for a few hours with me before heading home to sleep.  

My hospital was FANTASTIC & had wonderful nurses & a nursery where they'd keep the baby so I could sleep a bit. They'd just wheel her back down when it was time for me to breast feed. 

I was off pain meds & pretty much back to usual work load about 1 week after surgery. Saw the OB 10 days after & she cleared me for everything except exercise & heavy lifting.  

Good luck!  I think you'll be fine. Like someone else said - better to be over prepared... 



BFP #1 - Madeline Rose, born 9/15/2008
BFP #2 - miscarriage at 12 weeks due to triploidy, D&C in Feb 2011
BFP #3 - ectopic pregnancy. methotrexate 9/2011
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12-04-2012 at 1:17 PM
HAFranklin
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Joined on 08-30-2005
Detroit, Michigan
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HAFranklin is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 8:03 PMBronze

I've had 2 c/s and the recovery was very different for both. For my first, it was an emergency after 30 hours of labor. My recovery was rough. It took about a week before I could get up unassisted, and I needed about 3 weeks of pain relief. This time, it was much easier. I only needed meds for about 4 days, and I was up and moving by myself by the second day. If it weren't for the fact that I couldn't poop, I would have gone home a day earlier. lol DH had to go back to work the day after I got home, and I was able to care for both kids on my own. 

I'm not sure that ab strength has everything to do with how soon you can sit up. It wasn't about the abs for me... it was the pain of the incision. 

That said, I think you probably won't need so much help, but it doesn't hurt to plan for the worst. It will be a lot easier to cancel help, than to find it at the last minute. 



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12-05-2012 at 1:50 PM
byrne15
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Joined on 01-24-2007
Rochester, NY
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byrne15 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 10:19 AMGold

If that is what you feel comfortable with .... that is totally fine.

I had DH stay with me all 3 nights in the hospital.  My mom stayed at our house with ds#1 at night and DH went home to be with ds#1 during the day.

Once, I came home it was just me, DH and the 2 kids.  DH basically hung out and played with ds#1 while I took care of ds#2.  He would still help me before they went outside or something, but I was able to handle the baby on my own.

My mom does however still come over in the evenings (5-7pm) to play with ds#1 and I will usually put ds#2 to bed around that time.  She does this about 4 times/week which is really helpful.


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12-05-2012 at 6:02 PM
BenandSuzy
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Joined on 08-29-2004
Cincinnati, OH
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BenandSuzy is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 6:05 PMNewbie
I have 3 kids and was completely back to normal 10 days out from my csection. You may feel really good and won't need all the extra help. I had help for about 5 days at home and then was on my own. You may be surprised how quickly you recover. Good luck!!
 
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