traveling after a c-section

MUAprilTiger

How long will you wait before traveling after your c-section with a newborn?

I have my c-section scheduled, and 3 weeks later my goddaughter is having her first communion.  It's a 5 1/2 hour drive from where I live, and I would be breastfeeding and taking my newborn with me.  I would have someone to ride/drive me on the way there, but would have to make the trip back by myself.

What are your thoughts at 3 weeks post c-section?

alizabethanne

I personally was not ready to drive at 3 weeks pp and I wouldn't have been able to last a 5.5 hour car ride. I am also a first time mom and my CS was not planned. I was still in a new mom haze. That is just how I felt, I think lots of ladies will say they were ok by then. 

ladybugpjb

First, you have no idea how your recovery will be. A lot of people recover quickly and well, but that's not a guarantee. 

I took a pretty long airplane trip one month PP. The first leg was about 5 hours. Since it was a plane, I could get up and walk around - I wouldn't have wanted to sit still that long. DS was great and slept the entire way. It wouldn't be the same in the car.

What you have to remember is that a 5.5 hour trip is going to be longer than that with a newborn, especially if you are BFing. Every time baby needs to eat, you'll have to stop, get out, BF, etc - even if BFing goes well for you, it takes more time than you think.

I wouldn't want to make that drive back by myself. I was so exhausted for the first few months - making a long drive is not ideal when you are sleep deprived.

lil_jen051708

I wouldn't be too concerned traveling after a c/s. I would be more concerned because babies eat every 2 or 3 hours, sometimes for 30 to 45 minutes each feeding. Also the sleep deprivation and feeding driving back yourself. I would say a normal 5 and a half hour drive would take at least 7 hours. That's a long way by yourself with baby.

pepomntpat

I would probably ride in the car. I would not want to drive back alone.  I think that would be a very bad idea.  Not just because of a c/s...but BFing, sleep deprivation, sleep deprivation, a crying baby and your belly will still hurt if you move wrong. Send a nice card and gift and stay home and take care of yourself.

magdalina.h

I was not ready to drive that long 3w out. I was still having some minor pain and being in the car would have made that worse.

MUAprilTiger

Thanks ladies.  I was feeling a lot of guilt to miss her special day, but from what I remember from my first c/s I just didn't think there was any way I'd be able to do it for all of the reasons you listed.  Everything ran together in those first few weeks, and I can't really remember how I felt at 3 weeks.

 

Thanks again!

Leap08

I think it really is going to depend on how easy your recovery is. I had a really easy c-section recovery, and traveled by plane with my newborn daughter when she was 4 weeks old. But, honestly, I felt pretty much back to my normal self by 2 weeks. Not everyone feels that way.

MrsB*s

I wouldn't guarantee you can be there.  Recovery was tougher with my second -- I had a lot of scar tissue apparently, and also, you just never get as much sleep and rest when you already have one at home!  I was still in pain three weeks out, and definitely wouldn't have wanted to be in the car that long.  Take it easy!