Need advice on travel after a c-section, please

Medic99 · June 2012

I am probably going to end up having to have a c-section. I am thinking about packing me and the kids up and staying with my parents for a few weeks after the birth. The trip is about 12 hours normally, but we will have to stop a lot to feed LO. Do you think this will work after a c-section? I cannot travel right now as per my OB or else I would go now and just deliver up there. Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated!

rebeccaparis · June 2012

I can't imagine that will be a very comfortable ride. I wouldn't even want to do a 12 hour car ride after giving birth via a non c-section. I'm not going to say it's impossible but I wouldn't recommend even trying to be honest. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Medic99 · June 2012

Yeah the drive is going to stink and be very uncomfortable. I am leaving my husband for a while and this is the only place I can go. I wish I could go now, but I am too close to delivery. I am just trying to figure this all out.

rainyday31 · June 2012

Could you split it up into two or three days so that you can rest? Maybe even see if a friend will drive out with you and then fly back. I'm so sorry that you feel it is necessary to make the trip, but I understand that you need to do what is best for you.

byidieppa · June 2012

I can't imagine that will be a very comfortable ride. I wouldn't even want to do a 12 hour car ride after giving birth via a non c-section. I'm not going to say it's impossible but I wouldn't recommend even trying to be honest. Good luck with whatever you decide!

lil_jen051708 · June 2012

I'm sorry to hear you are leaving your husband. Is there any way to kick him out of the house and have your parents come to you?

Honestly, it would be miserable riding that far and probably horrible if you actually drove and took care of kids. My dr asked that I not drive for 2 wks because the incision and I could be less likely to slam on my brakes if needed to avoid to hurting myself.

MrsJax2011 · June 2012

rainyday31:
Could you split it up into two or three days so that you can rest? Maybe even see if a friend will drive out with you and then fly back. I'm so sorry that you feel it is necessary to make the trip, but I understand that you need to do what is best for you.

I would go this route. Split the drive into two days, take lots of breaks and bring a friend. Also, from what I hear there is no driving for 2 weeks after a C section...so ask your doc about that.

joakin · June 2012

I wasn't allowed to drive for the first two weeks after my c-section. Plus, you will have several well baby visits within the first two weeks. My advice would be to see if you can have your family or a friend help you at home and then make the trip once you've had a chance to heal and rest a little.

surprise3rd · June 2012

Do you plan on staying for a couple months and finding a pediatrician at your parents house? Is this potentially a permenant move? Those things would all play into it. I have had c-sections and if you wait two weeks, as uncomfortable as the trip will be, your mental health is also important and if being with your mom is important I am sure there is a way you can work it out. I would just be concerned about all the well baby visits. Good luck.

pugznploons · June 2012

I vote he leaves and you stay! You will need rest and support, see if friends/family can some stay with you after the birth until you are on your feet again and have a plan.

White0rchid · June 2012

lissydee:
could both or one of your parents come down so that they can drive you back to their place in your car? that would alleviate some of the burden of you having to drive and stop so often to tend kids.

I vote for this plan. It makes the most sense.

AmberMH08 · June 2012

LoisLane23:
There's just no way you could travel 12 hours with 2 children right after a c-section, especially alone.

sitting up driving for 12 hrs with a fresh scar is going to be super painful and if you don't break it up 2-3 days you will be so sore you wont be able o move for a week when u do get there. I would wait a month-6weeks after birth to go that far

HeyJune · June 2012

Could your parents come to you? I had a c-section last time and small things like bumps in the road really hurt me for a couple weeks. I was told not to drive for several weeks, too.

If you have any complications, your doctor will want to see you again during that time. My pedi saw us every week for 5 weeks due to my child not gaining weight in the beginning, and I had to go in for several OB check-ups in the first few weeks, so travel wouldn't have been possible for us.

APendola · June 2012

I would talk to your doctor. They might recommend that you wait a certain number of days/weeks before making the trip.

Would you be driving yourself or would someone else be driving. It's pretty common for doctor's to put a two-week driving restriction on women after a c-section.

Is it possible for you to fly instead? It would probably be a lot easier. Or could your parents come to you?

If you decide to do the drive - spend at least two days doing it. Good luck.

DCsara · June 2012

Whoa, if you were just going to be a passenger on this trip, with another adult along to help with the kids, I would say it's doable, but there's no way you can do this on your own right after a c section. As others have said, you are not supposed to drive for two weeks. I didn't wait quite that long, but I did wait 11 or 12 days. Now, 2-3 weeks after, maybe--I just had my second c section and by the 2 week point I was about 90% physically recovered both times, but dealing with a newborn and other children as well would be a challenge for anyone, much less someone recovering from surgery.

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