moms who have had 2 c/s...

amiamish

Was recovery easier or harder with your 2nd c/s? I'm worried that DS is going to want to be held/picked up so much and I won't be able to. Can some one fill me in on what it was like?

Also, DH was thinking of taking a week or 2 off to stay home and help (not sure how MUCH help he'll be, but...) I was thinking of asking my mom or grandma to come stay a week or so with us too after DH goes back to work? WDYT?

Mrs.Tony

If you can get the help, I say go for that.  I know alot of people say it was easier with their second but I didn't feel that way.  I tried to take it easy but it's hard when you have a little one running around who is already struggling for your attention!!  I felt like my recovery was similar or a little worse only because of having my DD around.

amiamish

Mrs.Tony:

If you can get the help, I say go for that.  I know alot of people say it was easier with their second but I didn't feel that way.  I tried to take it easy but it's hard when you have a little one running around who is already struggling for your attention!!  I felt like my recovery was similar or a little worse only because of having my DD around.

 that's what I'm worried about. I want to keep him happy too so he doesn't get jealous or sad. If my Mom and G'ma come down, they'll spoil him and he LOVES them.

KoriBrett

Recovery was easier w/the 2nd.  However, DD still needed help in & out of the car, in & out of her booster/highchair, etc.  We used a stepstool for her at the table, that helped a ton.  The OB modified the restrictions a little.  I couldn't pick anything up heavier than DS, but if DD needed some help I could do a little bit.

You'll want the help.  You never know how DS will react to #2, and it's that much harder to get anything done/eat/etc.  We did DH off (but DS was in NICU the whole time), then he & my mom alternated.  The 2nd week was both of them for a half day each, so a full day of help.  The 3rd week was just mom for half days, the 4th was DH for half days.  Not being able to drive for 2 weeks is a b*tch with a toddler (DD was 23mos when he was born).

amiamish

Oh crap, I forgot about that no driving restriction...I don't think I followed that rule last time. I think I'll ask my mom and g'ma tonight so they can plan ahead. (we're all a bunch of over-planners. )

mauceddie

My recovery was much easier, mostly because my c/s was planned with #2, and I didn't have to go through 22 hours of labour first.

 Dh stayed home for 2 weeks., my dd was much younger than your ds is, and I showed her my incision, and told her I couldn't carry her because of my boo-boo. 

ETA: I've never heard of a driving restriction, other than on the nest, LOL.  

lsufan

If you're comfortable with MIL and your mom hanging out at your house, then get all the help you can.

Neither of my c/s recoveries was particularly easy, and with both of them I already had a toddler or two to take care of as well as the baby.  I was on my own during the day with all three of mine just one week after my c/s with Thomas, and it really set back my recovery.  There was no way I could keep from picking up Bennett, as he was only 18 months at the time and not especially cooperative at nap time or when I needed to change his diaper.

SaraSmile

I was in much more pain afterward the 2nd time around.

amiamish

lsufan:

If you're comfortable with MIL and your mom hanging out at your house, then get all the help you can.

Neither of my c/s recoveries was particularly easy, and with both of them I already had a toddler or two to take care of as well as the baby.  I was on my own during the day with all three of mine just one week after my c/s with Thomas, and it really set back my recovery.  There was no way I could keep from picking up Bennett, as he was only 18 months at the time and not especially cooperative at nap time or when I needed to change his diaper.

Not MIL-- my grandma.

kevschickee2

I say recovery with #2 was easier and let dh stay home those 2 weeks because that is what my DH did and it was great.  Any help would be great.  There was no way I could have followed the lifting rules because I had a 17 month old that could not take no for an answer.  So I held her and did what I had to.

lsufan

amiamish:

lsufan:

If you're comfortable with MIL and your mom hanging out at your house, then get all the help you can.

Neither of my c/s recoveries was particularly easy, and with both of them I already had a toddler or two to take care of as well as the baby.  I was on my own during the day with all three of mine just one week after my c/s with Thomas, and it really set back my recovery.  There was no way I could keep from picking up Bennett, as he was only 18 months at the time and not especially cooperative at nap time or when I needed to change his diaper.

Not MIL-- my grandma.

Oops.  Guess I should slow down when I'm reading!

I'm much more comfortable around my MIL than I am my own mother.  My mom drives me nuts! 

amiamish

LOL

MrsOlson

2nd was much easier.

AnnapolisLari

Get as much help as you can. My second c/s was a breeze to recover from in the hospital, but once I was home I tended to overdo it. DS wanted to be held and carried all the time, and sometimes I just couldn't say no.

 

tanda627

I would get help if you can. I had someone here for the first three weeks. Between my best friend, mom and ILs. It was nice to have someone to just play with DC #1 and take her outside when she wanted to go and to help with meals.  I did recover much quicker this time. Overall it was a better experience this time around. I had an unplanned C-section the first time after 18 hours of labor.

Bellisimo

My second C was a breeze!  I guess not going through a day long labor and pushing this time helped.  I knew what to expect.  Recovery was MUCH easier.  DS didn't want to be picked up or anything....but I did have to remind myself to not pick him and other heavy things like the infant carrier up.  MH took 2 weeks off to help with DS and the baby.  Then my Mom took the third week off to be home with me.  The extra help was needed and much appreciated!   Taking care of a toddler AND a newborn was totally overwhelming for me!  I was trying to nurse, pump, tend to both kids AND the house, husband, etc.  It took me a while to get into the groove of how things should be done.  But now it's all good!

amiamish

thanks girls!!

So, sounds like up to 3ish weeks pp would be good to have help with.