C section recovery with a toddler

[Countjc]

Hiya,

Just wondering if any of you ladies that have had c sections 2nd or 3rd time around have coped with toddlers.

I am 3 weeks post-op and managed to totally overdo it this week mainly in my excitement to lift and play with my toddler again. Feel like I have regressed back to week one and am really sore. I don't think it's any thing serious, more just pulled my tummy muscles but am now wondering how long I should wait to do lifting, is 6 weeks about the right mark did you find?

Many thanks

Jenny

[snowboarder]

Have to say I just got on with it as best I could - hefting toddler in and out of the bath/cot etc once husband back at work as you have to really. I also did start driving sooner than the 6 weeks that seems to be recommended - just found it less of a strain to drive than to walk with double buggy.

It's pretty tough and I suppose you have to take it as easy as you can, but demanding 2 yr olds don't understand this....Just make sure you check your wound is healing ok and you're not straining that.

[cg]

I am 4 weeks post c-section and have a 2 1/2 year old toddler. I also over did it about a week or so ago and started to bleed again quite heavily (sorry about TMI) but after visit to doctor he said i was fine and that you have to do something quite serious to damage yourself at this point. Whilst i felt i regressed a bit i know feel much stronger and happy to lift toddler a bit and walk etc a lot more. Like snowboarder though i am going to try and get doctor to sign me off early (i.e. Monday) as i need to drive toddler to nursery to give me and baby a break!!

[pommie]

i am 4 weeks post c-section (my first c-section) and i have a 3 1/2 year old. I must admit that i am still getting a few sharp twinges on my left side and i try not to pick my daughter up but like cg, i too must have done too much as i also started bleeding again. I dont think the midwives understand that you cant really take it that easy when you have other kids. My midwife told me it will take about 6 weeks to heal properly.

[ClareC]

I just took it as easy as possible, you can limit lifting the toddler, impossible to avoid all together. I lifted with my arms, ie avoided using my stomach muscles.

The big issue is to avoid stretching.

I also had a CSection belt that protected the wound from the toddler if she jumped on me etc.

I felt "normal" within 2-3 weeks this time round. Recovery was far easier second time round strangely.

[chantelle]

It took me until 6 or 7 weeks to feel comfortable picking up my 3.5 year old. Around then was a real turning point for feeling back to normal and I started jogging and other exercise around then.

[Countjc]

Many thanks ladies. It sounds like several of us felt ok at 3 weeks but obviously shouldn't have been lifting. I gues s that first time around it was just lifting a newborn so we didn't notice.

I already feel a bit better after a few days of not lifting but husband back to work this week so going to have to do a bit.

Cg and pommei I hope you recover soon too and thanks to you all for the advice.

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