Driving and some other questions after c section

I have had 2 previous sections and I wasn't sure if this was best asked in Pregnancy or here. I remember the doctors not wanting me to drive for about a month after the sections. This third time, that will be impossible. My husband was injured in an accident and my kids need to get to appointments, activities, etc. What is the risk and has anyone broken this rule? I am really sad and so is my daughter that I will have to miss her gymnastics showcase, but I am praying I can muster up the strength and deal with being an ugly hot mess and attend my younger daughter's preschool graduation. Before it's suggested, hiring a driver is out due to my husband's situation leaving us financially impacted.

Also related to my husband's injured state, no one will likely be at the hospital after I give birth. Is it wrong to lean on the nursing staff and the nursery to care for the baby while I recover? Do you tip them if you need them to do feedings and diaper changes? I never recovered well in the past and I am currently having excruciating pain near my c section scar.... can't help but feel this may be a long painful recovery.

Message edited 2/12/2014 11:12:30 PM.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

You don't tip the people that work in the hospital, they work there and taking care of you and the baby is their job. With that said, they probably won't let you do much laying in bed. They usually want you up and walking by the next day because you will heal better and quicker.

As for the driving, don't do anything foolish and ask your doctor. They usually don't want you driving because you may still be on pain meds.

good luck!

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

As for the nursing staff taking care of the baby, MAKE THEM!! They will try to get you to do as much as you can, but don't push yourself too much. It is their job to take care of you AND the baby...the baby is not your sole responsibility while in the hospital. I made them keep my baby in the nursery every night while I was in the hospital. They weren't happy about it, but too bad...the first 2 nights, I could not get out of bed, as my legs were completely numb from the epidural. The next 2 nights, I was not feeling well, and insisted that they care for him...I was recovering from SURGERY! That is what people fail to remember...you didn't just have a baby. You had abdominal surgery. I had an awful recovery this time too. The nurses will use all kinds of guilt tactics to try to force you to keep the baby, "rooming in is better for bonding", "rooming in is better for breast feeding", etc... They will make you feel guilty. Don't let them.

As for the driving, I drove about 10 days after the c-section. As you, I didn't have a choice. You WILL have to be careful with the lifting though. Even just taking the baby out, the infant seat weighs more than you are allowed to lift. I had the infant seat put into the car first, and then carried DS out and put him in.

Most of all, you need to be careful to take care of yourself properly or you will just delay your recovery, and make it much much worse.

Feel good!

ETA: NEVER tip the nursing staff. You can have cookies, donuts/bagels & coffee or something similar brought in to thank them, but NEVER cash. They will be fired for accepting a tip.

Message edited 2/13/2014 3:02:46 AM.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

I agree, the nursing staff is there to help you so use them! The nurses at my hospital gave me no guilt at all about sending my sons to the nursery for the night.

As far as driving they usually say to wait two weeks. I believe part of it is if you are on narcotic painkillers you obviously shouldn't be driving. But I think the other part is that it actually takes some ab muscles to switch between gas and brake and if you need to brake quickly it might be bad.

Do you have any friends that can help? Can your kids carpool with others to their activities? If not I would seriously consider having them skip activities and such for those two weeks. It's really important not to push yourself or your recovery will take even longer.

Good luck!

Driving and some other questions after c section

I drove within a week at the most. I was not in pain whatsoever though. Driving isn't going to hurt you but they tell you not to drive cause if you all of a sudden have pain your reaction to it could cause you to jerk the car or something like that.

As for in the hospital- if you are physically unable to care for the baby they will help. But the will not do it unless you absolutely can't. While the nurses are there to take care of you and baby the nurses usually have a full patient load and will not be able to be there ever time baby needs to eat or be changed.

I would really try to get friends to help or even see about hiring someone.

Driving and some other questions after c section

The nursing staff is there to help so dont worry about asking them for it.

As for driving i drove myself to my doctors appointment with the baby on day 6. I didnt ask anyone but i felt able to drive so just did it. with DS I drove on day 8 also with no problems. As pp said it has a lot to do with what pain meds you are taking. If you are taking narcotics it would not be safe to drive. I was not taking any pain meds at that point. Good Luck.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

I had a complicated c/s for DS and was not able to drive for 6 weeks with him, but for DD my c/s was much easier and I think I was able to drive 2 weeks (maybe 10 days) after delivery. I would ask a neighbor or friend for help those first few days home. Use delivery grocery services, and yes ask the nurses for help.

Driving and some other questions after c section

I had a C and was driving within 10 days, but I was able to handle the recovery because it was very similar to when I had my appendix removed. Lean on the nursing staff as much as possible, but be prepared that they can be pushy and somewhat old school in their mentalities, and I think it may be slightly unrealistic to expect them to do every feeding/change - the nurses at Stony Brook weren't having any of that! It kinda sounds like you're setting yourself up for a bad recovery, and you should really try to have a positive outlook that you will recover as expected and things will go relatively smoothly.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

You can't drive until you can safely turn and look over both shoulders without any discomfort. And I don't mean slowly turn around, I mean a quick turn, like when you're driving and have to check over your shoulder. Everyone heals differently, so some people will be able to drive in a few weeks, others not until a month or more. If you drive before you're ready, you're putting yourself, your children and other drivers at risk. Please don't drive before your body is physically ready.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

Double post.

Message edited 2/13/2014 4:11:59 PM.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

Posted by pharmcat2000

As for the nursing staff taking care of the baby, MAKE THEM!! They will try to get you to do as much as you can, but don't push yourself too much. It is their job to take care of you AND the baby...the baby is not your sole responsibility while in the hospital. I made them keep my baby in the nursery every night while I was in the hospital. They weren't happy about it, but too bad...the first 2 nights, I could not get out of bed, as my legs were completely numb from the epidural. The next 2 nights, I was not feeling well, and insisted that they care for him...I was recovering from SURGERY! That is what people fail to remember...you didn't just have a baby. You had abdominal surgery. I had an awful recovery this time too. The nurses will use all kinds of guilt tactics to try to force you to keep the baby, "rooming in is better for bonding", "rooming in is better for breast feeding", etc... They will make you feel guilty. Don't let them.

As for the driving, I drove about 10 days after the c-section. As you, I didn't have a choice. You WILL have to be careful with the lifting though. Even just taking the baby out, the infant seat weighs more than you are allowed to lift. I had the infant seat put into the car first, and then carried DS out and put him in.

Most of all, you need to be careful to take care of yourself properly or you will just delay your recovery, and make it much much worse.

Feel good!

ETA: NEVER tip the nursing staff. You can have cookies, donuts/bagels & coffee or something similar brought in to thank them, but NEVER cash. They will be fired for accepting a tip.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

I was driving by myself about 10 days after my c-section. My daughter was in the NICU for 5 weeks after she was born, so I had to drive back and forth to the hospital everyday and DH went back to work after the first week. As for caring for the baby while in the hospital, I'd DEFINITELY ask the nursing staff for help. Again, since my daughter was in the NICU, it wasn't something I even had to ask for. But I know there would have been NO way I would've been able to care for her that first week due to the pain I was in. I could barely even get out of the bed or go to the bathroom without help, I never would have been able to pick her up and change her.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

I guess that's what i was thinking when i said tip... bring stuff. I'm going to be at NSUH. Granted I know they redid the place but in 2008 and 2009 when I had my girls the nursing staff was very unhelpful. I understand getting out of bed to go to the bathroom but I'm more concerned with baby cries and needs diaper or feeding. It's not like someone will be around to hand me the baby. I don't want the baby to get hurt because I'm in too much pain to properly carry her into the bed or whatever. I will try to sit in the chair during waking hours. The other 2 times I felt that once the baby was brought in the room each morning, I was expected to get out of bed and take care of the baby as if I had not undergone horrific surgery.

Also, I just have to ask... is there a way I can bring snacks or sandwiches or something? I remember being hungry with my first one evening and no visitors were around to grab me something from the shop. Really crazy question, can I venture down to the lobby, when up to it, to grab food?

My head is all over the place, please forgive me. With my other 2 I lived 10 minutes from the hospital, I now live in Suffolk over 40 minutes. Even if my husband was not injured we have the 2 other kids who have school and such so my needs will not be a priority at all. I get that but iwant to be as comfy as possible. I'm a bit more nervous too as i didn't expect to have a third baby, and definitely not under these circumstances.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

Oh i also remember nurses yelling at me with my first because i left the baby behind my curtain so i could use the bathroom in the room. They expected me to somehow wait till someone was watching the baby or bring the baby with me to the bathroom (yuck!). If you have had a section you know a full bladder hurts. Granted at the time they didn't have private rooms unless you paid 600 a night and i was "blessed" with roommates that made the room look like grand central station with all their visitors day and night. I can understand back then why my peeing could be an issue. Hope now with private rooms the staff us more reasonable.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

You need to rely on any and all family and friends you've got. even if they are parents of other children in your DD's preschool. I'm sure they will want to help out especially if they know about your DH. This sounds too much for you to handle and if you can't afford a driver, a nanny, or a babysitter or a mothers helper... i would consider finding a way to make it work for at least those most important few days...

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

and north shore is amazing. they took great care of me and the baby even though dh was there the entire time. and they'll be leaving ur catheter in longer than u want them to... so dont worry about peeing! lol

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

After the first day you should be able to get out of bed on your own to get the baby when hungry or wet. It may take a while, but it's doable. Keep as much stuff as you can within arm's reach. But honestly the more you get up and down the faster you will recover.

For food I would think the nurses could bring you more if you need something. I would think leaving the ward is not allowed, but it probably depends on the hospital.

I got yelled at with my 2nd DS for doing the same thing with the bathroom, although I did not have a roommate. Honestly it never even occurred to me to bring him. I though that's why the babies had the ID and electronic bracelets etc.

Try not to worry to overthink it all too much. I know it's stressful, but a lot of it will just be wait and see until you figure out how you're feeling and see how the nurses are.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

By day after your section, odds are no matter what your situation is, the nurses will be getting you up and making you care for your baby. That's what they do regardless of if you have help or not at the hospital. HOWEVER< if you are putting your LO (or yourself) in any danger by holding or caring for, no doubt send your baby to the nursery if possible. I also sent my DD to the nursery at night (DH didn't stay at night) and felt this was safer than me sleeping and her being in my room.

Message edited 2/13/2014 4:37:08 PM.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

I feel you need to think more positive thoughts. You are already setting yourself up to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and to have a bad recovery. I drove after 2 weeks. Take the pain medication and move, move, move!

The nurses will help you if need be. Of course the baby can stay in the nursery if you feel you cant take care of your LO. I am a RN so I know for a fact we can not take money but all nurses love getting coffee or snacks lol it is absolutely not necessary but a nice gesture if you feel like they helped you a lot or went above and beyond.

I don't think you can leave the unit for food but bring snacks with you. My ds brought in sushi one day for me and no one even knew or said anything.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

Thanks everyone.

Nope, no takers on a volunteer helper. People have jobs, have their own stuff to deal with. I would never ask for help of people I'm not close with. Not even sure how my daughter will get to and from preschool yet, hoping DH can drive a decent amount by then.

As far as thinking negatively and setting myself up for failure... I have been through this twice in my life already. C sections for me... I would rather do just about anything else in the world and my body is already hurting pretty bad. I'm not young either uunfortunately. As I mentioned, I know they redid the hospital so at least this time I won't have a bunch of strangers in my room day and night keeping me awake. I only have had bad experiences. I am amazed that some people can have a section and be fine after. Not me. I am a hot mess for about 6 months. I never swell during pregnancy but darn... A soon as the kids come out I am a Macy's thanksgiving parade balloon. I do think using the chair during the day and not the bed may help.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

The first time I was told not to drive for 2 weeks. The second time I was told not to drive while taking any prescription strength pain medication, which I stopped completely by 1 week.

I sent the baby to the nursery at night and they brought him back when he needed to nurse. I had an easier recovery the second time, but still didn't do many diaper changes in the hospital. If you're not feeling up to it, definitely ask the nurses for help. Try to get up on your feet as quickly as possible even if it's just to go to the bathroom. Walking around, no matter how slow, will help you recover faster.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

Posted by clwp

Posted by Goobster

Posted by pharmcat2000

As for the nursing staff taking care of the baby, MAKE THEM!! They will try to get you to do as much as you can, but don't push yourself too much. It is their job to take care of you AND the baby...the baby is not your sole responsibility while in the hospital. I made them keep my baby in the nursery every night while I was in the hospital. They weren't happy about it, but too bad...the first 2 nights, I could not get out of bed, as my legs were completely numb from the epidural. The next 2 nights, I was not feeling well, and insisted that they care for him...I was recovering from SURGERY! That is what people fail to remember...you didn't just have a baby. You had abdominal surgery. I had an awful recovery this time too. The nurses will use all kinds of guilt tactics to try to force you to keep the baby, "rooming in is better for bonding", "rooming in is better for breast feeding", etc... They will make you feel guilty. Don't let them.

.

ITA with this!!!

I love this. Thank you. Bonding? Nursing? Lol. This is "surprise" baby #3... bonding is dragging the baby to whatever my older kids have going on. Nursing... failed at that twice, I won't even bother trying this time. I don't need another round of PPD because of failed nursing, failure to deliver a baby out of my Vajayjay, failed at just about all the newborn motherhood requirements. . Besides, my kids can't wait to give the baby a bottle. I can't wait to take pictures of them doing so.

Re: Driving and some other questions after c section

Like you, my DS was baby #2, so DH was very busy with my other 2, and did not spend much time at the hospital with me. When he did come, I had him bring me food & drinks which would last until the next time he came. Definately bring food/snacks with you. You can even bring beverages to keep in your room, and just get ice to make them cold. Even the food served to me was really not palatable, I didn't want for food, cause I did have people bring it to me, anybody who visited called me first and asked if I wanted anything...tell them what you want; they'll be more than happy to bring it to you.

LOL...I did try one day to get an omelette from the regular cafeteria (they had a sign up that they deliver to the hospital units). But they wouldn't deliver it to me...said they couldn't because I was a patient and they didn't know if I had any dietary restrictions. LOL!