Recovery with Kids at home

Brandyjean30

I had a c/s with DD because she was breech. I never really considered a VBAC but now that the time is here to start deciding I find the only thing pulling me to a VBAC is the recovery with a nearly 2 year old at home.
So talk to me about what recovery was like with toddlers in the house. Was it harder the second time around? What kind of extra help did you need? How long did it take you to feel good again?

Kim22

I also had a c section because of a breech with my first. I had a RCS with my second and found the recovery to be so much easier the second time around. My first was almost 3 though and had just been potty trained which was a huge help. DH was home for a week and spent most of that time playing with DS while I took care of the baby. After that I managed both alone for the most part. My older one was a great napper and slept almost 3 hours a day too. I will be having a third c section in the next 6 weeks sometime and I'm not worried. Other kids are 3 and 6 now.

magdalina.h

It hasn't been that bad. Granted we still send him to daycare/grandma's but that's to help keep his routine. It's been hard not being able to lift him. Up until this week, I wouldn't have been able to keep him home. I couldn't lift him into the car.

nikki_rob_weddingplans

Agree with pp, recovery second time MUCH easier but biggest issue has been not being able to lift and carry DD who is 19 months. That has been hard for her to understand and it breaks my heart. I tried to carry her a short distance 2 days ago but it caused sharp pain and bright red bleeding so it was too soon. So the age of sibling, their needs, and if you have help at home the first few weeks, could make a difference for your decision. I need to update my sig, had RCS 11 days ago.

katiezab

I am in the same boat as far as age differences between kids. I have found it so easy this time. I attribute that partly to LO's NICU stay. I couldn't go see him until I could move my legs so you can bet your a** I was doing everything I could to get feeling back! I started with rolling my ankles and just did everything I could from there. Then the nurses helped me get in a wheelchair by about 5 hours after surgery. I was up walking by myself by 36 hours. The hardest part is limiting activity with my older son.

AshleaB12

My first c-section was from arrest of descent after being in labor for 21 hours and pushing for an hour. My 2nd was after a vbac attempt. This time I had only been in labor for 15 1/2 hours or so. My DD was just over 2 1/2 at the time. The 2nd c-section was a night and day difference. I was up moving about 12 hours after my surgery. At home I was able to do things that hurt too badly the first time around. My husband was home for just shy of two weeks and he would take my DD to go do stuff during the day. Otherwise, when he went back to work I had both kids myself. It truly wasn't as bad as I figured it would be. So much easier the 2nd time for me.