Recovery from a c/s with a toddler?

cmw&tdm · June 2009

I went ahead and scheduled an induction for next Tuesday (my EDD). I'm getting worried about ending up with a c/s. I was induced with DS and he was delivered vaginally but it was very difficult. She's going to be close to 2 lbs heavier and she's really high so I want to be realistic of my chances of the induction going well.

If you had a c/s when you had a toddler around how was your recovery afterwards? How long were you not really able to do stuff? If you BF, how did that go with the pain and all?

Thanks!

AnnapolisLari · June 2009

I had 2 c/s.

It did take longer to recover this time, because I was overdoing it and lifted DS LONG before I was supposed to. You are not supposed to lift anything heavier than the baby for 2 weeks and nothing more than baby + carrier until the 6 week checkup. DS was just 2, and didn't understand that. The actual c/s was a piece of cake because it was scheduled, it was just once I got home that it got harder.

I BF both of them in the recovery room. I don't see why a c/s would make a difference in BFing.

beta7 · June 2009

This was my 2nd c/s too and the recovery was about the same as the first time around. I had a LOT of help at home this time, though, so I wasn't chasing after DD#1 so much. I would definitely try to line up help if you can. Just take it easy and stay in the hospital as long as they let you (as awful as that may sound, at least you will be getting pain meds and help from nurses there).

No issues with BFing due to c-section, but I highly recommend getting a My Brest Friend pillow if you don't already have it. I brought it to the hospital and it was a lifesaver since I used it to protect my incision area (so DD was lying on the pillow instead of right on my very sore belly!)

GL and hopefully you will have a successful induction.

LizLovesJason · June 2009

I had a vaginal birth with DD and then a scheduled C-section with DS, because he was transverse (sideways). I was surprised that recovery from my C-section was actually much easier than recovery from the vaginal birth (an induction that resulted in a third-degree tear and an infection). After the C-section, I was in mild pain for only a few days, compared to moderate pain for a few months after my first birth.

My first was 2 when DS was born. My DH took off a week or so from work to help, and then my mom stayed with us for about another week. After that I felt fine doing everything on my own.

As for the BFing, I don't remember having any problems related to the C-section, other than having to be careful where I held DS so he didn't rub against my scar.

Good luck, you'll do fine either way!

Temp970088312507122 · June 2009

I can't answer the recovery question because I haven't had my 2nd c/s yet, but as far as bf'ing, my c/s didn't really cause any problems. I just had to use the football hold so she was lying to my side and not across my tummy. We actually ended up using that position the whole time she nursed.

luckyluvr · June 2009

My son turned 2 two days before my 2nd c-section. I even left the hospital a day early b/c the recovery was way better. I had the dermabond instead of staples or stitches, so my incision never even drained a bit. At home, I had a lot of help from DH, but after the first few days, it wasn't bad. I hadn't been able to pick up my large 2 year old for over a month, so he had learned to not even try. Honestly, the c-section was the least of my issues...trying to keep an aggressive boy away from a little bitty newborn was/is my hardest battle.

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