Multiples

What were your restrictions post C-section?

Chances are now back to nearly 100% that these little ones will enter the world via C-section on Aug 21st due to constant flip flopping and general noncooperation. My question to you awesome ladies is what kind of restrictions are there physically after having a C-section? I imagine there must be some kind of lifting or bending restrictions. My mom was originally going to come down from Wisconsin after the twins were born to help us for about a month but now suddenly can't. My husband was hurt at work and really only has one arm that he can use right now. I'm worried about our ability to properly cope. We don't have any family within 500 miles of here and although we have great friends I don't think we can count on someone around the clock. So, give it to me straight. Will I be able to physically take care of my babies or do I need to figure out a plan B before they make their arrival next week Monday? As of right now they are estimated at weighing 5lbs5oz and 5lbs10oz.


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Re: What were your restrictions post C-section?

  • The only restrictions you would have right after surgery is recovery. You will be fairly tired & loopy & you will probably still have your catheter in. They didn't take mine out until the next morning so I wasn't able to get up & walk around until then. So your DH will most likely be changing diapers IF they are able to room with you. In my case one went to NICU & the other stayed with us. DH had to change diapers & hand him to me that whole 1st day. Once I was able to walk around I could do pretty much anything just at a much slower pace. Within a weeks time, I was feeling pretty good. The only Dr. restrictions I was given was not to lift anything heavier than the babies & no driving for 3 weeks.
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  • My recovery has not been great.   I have been in a considerable amount of pain and 2 weeks pp I'm still not able to sleep in my bed.  So, for me, it's imperative that DH be able to help at night.  I can handle both of them now, but when I got home and at least a week it would have been impossible.  And this isn't my first c-section so it's not like I didn't know w.hat I was in for yet in truth, this pregnancy was just harder on me and so my recovery reflects that.

    Actual medical restrictions are no driving, no carrying anything heavier than the babies (not including their infant car seats), and strong encouragement to rest and recover.

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  • I've read that you can't go up and down flights of stairs more than twice a day for the first two weeks. Don't know if there's any truth to that but it stuck with me when I read it because my bedroom is upstairs.
  • I was actually really surprised how easy it was to recover.  The first week I was sore and needed help with my older son. By the end of the second week I could lift him if I needed, he's right around the 20lb weight restriction I was given, my incision was healed, and I started driving.  Definitely keep up with the pain meds and wearing the binder really helps.  
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  • I just had a c section 7/20 and I'm still not driving or lifting from the ground. Thank God for my husband and mom. You will definitely need assistance. 
  • They said to avoid stairs when possible and to not lift anything heavier then the babies for a couple of weeks.  By day 3 at the hospital I was going up and down the stairs to get to the NICU one floor down just to practice moving a little and it wasn't bad.  Slow, but not bad.  We stayed at my parent's house for the extra 5 days that they were in the NICU once I was released and slept in my old bedroom upstairs.

    The only thing that might be nice is to have someone meet you at home when you get back from the hospital.  H carried both of the babies upstairs in their infant car seats and then went back and got the rest of the stuff.  The babies can be heavy in their seats, so especially if they let you out after 3-4 days it would be nice if you didn't have to carry them in their car seats.  If someone could help you unload the car and get things organized then I would think you'll be fine after that.  And if not, I'm sure you and your H can make do, just do a little bit at a time.  Your H can always carry one up at a time.  

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  • You will be fine.  I had round the clock extra help for the first 3 weeks and am glad I did, but I could have made do if I had to.  I couldn't lift anything heavier than babies for a month I think (and I was told not to lift a baby in a carseat), and couldn't drive for 2 weeks.  You will be ok to do it physically, the only thing that will be hard is exhaustion.  My advice is take all of the help in the hospital, and send them to the nursery at night so you can try to get some sleep.  Are you planning to BF?  There is no way I could have handling BFing if I didn't have the help because we had so many problems.  Try and prepare meals ahead of time if you can, but our friends from work prepared meals for us that lasted about 2 weeks.  You will figure it out somehow, all moms do.  Good luck :)
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