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recovery with a toddler at home

spout3spout3 member
in C-sections

Just realized this board existed (i posted this question on another board)

did not have a c/s with my first so i have no idea what to expect recovery wise, but I have a 16mo old to care for at home.  


should i plan on getting help? for how long ( are we talking weeks or days)?
how much (all day or just part of the day)?  
what were your recoveries like??
Thanks ladies!

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Re: recovery with a toddler at home

  • kittycarrkittycarr

    I had three.  All my recoveries were fine.  Just use your arms if you have to lift anything, try and stay off your feet as much as you can for the first few days after you're home since you'll likely be in the hospital at least three days. Get help if you can but I didn't have any and feel it was necessary.  I realize all recoveries are different though.

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  • abba916abba916

    I had a c/s with my first and I'll repeat with this one- obvs since I only had one last time I could just rest but from my last experience- my recovery went well- the first week I was pretty sore- but since my DH is taking the week off- he'll be home to help with my son.

    I found as long as I stayed up on my meds- the aches and pains were tolerable. By the end of my first week I was feeling better and by the end of the second week- it was almost back to normal.

    I have some people coming at different times during the first few weeks mainly to shower my first son with some attention- but also to be there just in case- most people are coming in the erly evening since that seems to be the most difficult time (dinner, baths, bedtime, etc) 

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  • neya28neya28
    The way my recovery went, I'd say if you can afford it, get someone to help you out for a 6-8 weeks. If we're talking family coming by, I'd say 4 weeks. I was in a lot of pain when I came home. Granted I didn't have a toddler then and this time my toddler will be 4 so I won't be lifting him anyway. I was ok to take care of baby and do things around the house (nothing too crazy-more like making myself a snack or maybe washing dishes) at 2.5 weeks post op. I wasn't comfortable doing stairs or lifting anything until more like 4 weeks. At 6 weeks I felt almost back to normal.
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  • canthardlywait426canthardlywait426
    Hope for the best but plan for the worst. I had a horrible recovery and needed help for almost 3 weeks with my newborn. I am scared to think of how of recover with a toddler and a newborn. Hopefully you'll be just fine and not need much help, but I'd at least plan for a couple weeks of all day help. Good luck!
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  • 2-Step2-Step member

    Recovery with my first was ok, but I'm hoping this one is a little better since I had a rough labor before the first one and this one is scheduled. I definitely needed the pain meds for the first week or so and they made me quite loopy. I wouldn't trust myself home alone with two kids on those meds even if I thought I could do it all.

    My advice is to plan for a minimum of a week for someone to be with you 24/7. Personally, I am going to try to try to have someone around most of the time for 2 weeks. With LO #1 I was still sore the second week and could lift him and take care of him on my own, however there is no way I could chase my toddler and get him everything he needs in a day. Maybe for a few hours, but not all day. Getting rest is the key to a quick and uneventful recovery so I say take all the help you can get for those first few weeks. By week three I was pretty much back to normal activities, minus exercise.

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  • Kerri52480Kerri52480
    I really cant complain with how my C-section recovery was. I'd have to say it was relatively easy but I think that was due to the fact that I tried to get up and move around as much as possible right after the surgery. If you can get some help around the house for the first few weeks, I would definitely do so. The worst thing I can remember from my recovery is when the scar started to heal and the stiffening feeling. I actually needed help getting out of bed at times b/c I felt like I couldn't bend at all to actually sit up. I made the mistake of refusing my pain medications for the first 2 days in the hospital b/c I really wasn't feeling pain after the surgery due to the amount they pumped into me. I suggest that you take them as they are offered even if you want to refuse the percocet/vicodin atleast take the ibuprofen. Once the meds from the surgery wore out of my system, the pain came on fast and it was not fun waiting for the nurses to place an order for my meds and wait for them to be sent up!!!
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  • kimmyg000kimmyg000 member
    I would plan on a at least a week or two. All I did for those first 2 weeks was shower myself, sleep/rest, change diapers, fed baby. The extent of feeding myself was something easy like a bowl of cereal. My mom was there if my DH was at work, so I was never alone. That was without a toddler. I can't imagine trying to do that by myself. Get someone to help, and if you feel up to taking care of baby and toddler at least someone can help you do day to day stuff like laundry and dishes.
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  • Mrs_MBedMrs_MBed

    I just found this board as well!

    With DD1 the recovery was long, but not too bad.  DD2 was born at 33 wk 5d and spent 23 days in the NICU, so I was splitting my time between DD1 and the NICU.  As a result, my mom had come out and basically took over DD1's care until DD2 came home.  Physically, the recovery the second time around was a lot easier.  I attribute this to all the walking I had to do (to the car, up to the NICU, etc).   Just make sure your toddler understands you have an "owie/boo boo" and needs to be careful with your belly. 

    This time around we will definitely be getting somewhat long-term help, just b/c its twins and it feels like we're running a small circus in our home.  DD1 has school/activities she needs to be taken to and DD2 just started part time daycare.  DH is currently in medical school and will be doing his last rotations in February and March (I'm due in March, but have a history of PTL).  I have my sister and my mom coming out, plus other family members/friends who have volunteered to come out and help if needed. 

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