Cesarean Section

[Missmac]

Hi,

Im having a nightmare pregnancy and have now been told that the only way I can deliver my child will be a cesarean section.

Has anyone on here had one? How long was it untill you were able to ride/muck out groom etc? Iv barely been able to do this since Christmas and my op will be in April sometime. Luckily both of mine are out 24/7 anyway but I was hoping to move to a yard where I can start bringing my 6yr old back into work (she was off last year due to injury)

Thank you.

A.

 

[Cazza525]

I had a c-section with my youngest 4 years ago, since then I've had a total hysterectomy last March.

I'm going to be honest, but you will not be able to see to your horses for at least one month. For the first fortnight you will walk very gingerly and protect your tummy and not be able to lift anything heavier than your baby. It flies by though and I was driving at 28 days post op on both c section and hysterectomy, although I put a pillow over my tummy where the seatbelt lies.

Once your up and about properly, then recovery is even quicker. You really need to rest up totally and take all the painkillers properly and then you'll be fine.

I would like to stress though that you will not feel like seeing to your horses during this time anyway as you need to recover and also see to your new baby so I would arrange cover asap.

 

[ew1801]

ive had two sections and found them alright to be honest. i was back driving and up at the horses a week later. i was mucking out after two weeks and back in the saddle after six (would have been before if family had let me). the key is to move around as soon as. i was walking around ward ten hours later. pick up with your knees and take your pain killers regularly.
good luck you will be fine

 

[noblesteed]

I have been told that you are not even insured to drive a car for 6 weeks after a c-section!!!!!

I am not expecting a c-section but am suffering from SPD so have been seeing a consultant. I have been told not to expect to be riding until at least 3 months after the birth. They class horse riding as 'high impact exercise'. My baby is due in March but horsey has a sharer and hopefully will be out 24/7 by end of March, and I expect to start riding in June.
I would speak to your consultant/midwife because I was also told that you shouldn't ride for 6 months after a c-section... but I am sure everyone is different.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I had an emergency C Section on 17th Nov 2011. I was mucking out within about 7 days and poo picking etc. I didn't ride for 5 weeks and went hunting after 7 weeks. I think I was just very lucky in healing etc, have always been very active and just did as much as I felt comfortable with.

I think I have a pretty high pain threshold though!!

 

[smiles24]

Hi, I had an emergency c-section with my twins. I was out of theatre by 9am, up and about by 2pm with some pain relief. Yes I was a bit sore but nothing major.

I was driving again within the week, I rang my insurance company who were happy for this as long as my gp had checked me over which he did.

I was mucking out but not pushing wheelbarrows within 2 weeks and riding within 4 weeks ( very gentle hacking).

I understand I was probably very lucky and have a high pain threshold and that everyone is different. I'm sure that your body will let you know what you can manage.

My biggest thing I had to deal with was my fustration of not being able to go back to doing as much in a day as I used too, two little men make that very difficult. I coped by getting into a routine as quick as I could and everything became so much easier.

 

[Perce]

I think like most things, it effects people differently, and possibly depends on your reasons for c - section also.
I ended up having an emercengy c-section after 25 hours of labour and me saying "NOOO I have horses, I need to be able to drive!!!"
They do reccomend you don't drive for 6 weeks (at least mine did but depends on the person)
Check your insurance. My insurance was happy for me to drive after 3.
a agin am very active and my two horses were DIY at my own rented yard so I had to go up there asap. I was poo picking slowly from about one week (i think..long time ago now)and just needed help with heavy stuff. I rode after about 4 weeks on silly but safe horse. I wouldn;t have got on my present horse for a lot longer as she is much more challenging and likely tro leap and buck - would have been agony and possibly not goo for healing!

got to go...cause of C-section nagging to go on computer.

 

[Phoebe]

I've had 3 sections. My 1st and 2nd fairly easy and riding at 6 weeks...steadily. My 3rd was very painful due to scarring from previous ones but I was still driving at 3 weeks, doctor signed me off as ok to drive. It is very very painful at first though... Worse when I got a cough directly after the second, thought I was going to bust my stitches!!

 

[Booboos]

Each person is different so it's important that you listen to your body and don't do anything to hurt yourself further - remember C-section is a major abdominal surgery!

Having said that I had an elective c-section and it was a breeze. I took all the painkillers on offer so I never suffered, I could pick up the baby on day 2 (OH and MWs had to hand her to me before that, no big deal!), I was walking as normal a week after, and rode at 7 weeks. I could probably have ridden sooner but all my time was taken up by the baby. I was not told anything about not driving, and didn't have any pain with laughing, coughing, etc.

 

[mulledwhine]

Mine was elected and was fine, operation was at 14.30 22 December, allowed to try and walk the next morning, felt strange but not unbearable, and was home the following lunchtim ( Christmas eve)

As has already been said, try and get up and about as soon as the ward tell you that you can, take the pain killers they give you wether you feel you still need them or not ( I only had co-codamol).

Was back driving a fortnight later, and happily mucking out with no twinges a month later.

Listen to your body, and above all rest.

It really us not that bad, at least not for me.

And good luck with your new arrival

 

[Inthemud]

I had 2 electives and was placed at an area festival 5 weeks later (v genuine pony!), after the first.

It's different for everybody, but move about as much as you can and follow your pain relief plan.

The surgery wasn't the hindrance to my riding, that was lack of energy, time and inclination, 'cos I wanted to stay home and play with new sprog! Lol.

 

[mulledwhine]

^^^^ this , did not want to admit that I preferred sprogglet for about 2 months after that came as a big surprise

 

[Toffee_monster]

I had an emergency c-section on xmas day 2007, i healed very well and was up and about 10 hours after the operation. I live on a top floor flat with no lift and it was very painful getting home but i kept active (you have to with a newborn anyway) and was driving 10 days later

I rode about 9 weeks later but found dismounting quite painful
just look after yourself and dont rush things

 

[jaquelin]

I have had two, and was driving fairly soon after. The key restriction is caused by the fact they cut in and around your abdominal muscles so that area, which is pretty key to yard work and riding, is affected. It takes awhile to be able to lift any weight but your body lets you know PDQ what it can tolerate. I found lateral (twisting) movement around my middle the most restricted for the longest time.
The standard medical advice is pretty conservative and if you went into the pregnancy pretty fit and maintained that as best you could during, you should recover pretty quickly. I wouldn't be too concerned. As others say, it is your tiredness post birth that will slow you down too, but you should be back in the saddle in a month or so. Good luck and I hope the birth goes well!

 

[Shazzababs]

I had an emergency C-Section. Spent 2 weeks in hospital, because the baby was in Special care. As someone else said, even walking gingerly at this stage was very painful.

However, I was driving after 4 weeks, my insurance company said it was OK as long as my Dr certified me fit to drive.

I tried riding, at walk, after 8 weeks, the actual riding was OK, but getting off was agony, I didn't ride again until 12 weeks and it was all OK then. I didn't need to muck out cos it was summer.

I will say that don't forget you are going to be completely exhausted whether you have a C-Section or a natural Birth. You are unlikely to be getting much sleep for the first month or so at least. The early weeks with close together feeds, nappy changes and everything else that comes with your bundle of joy will surprisingly take 100% of your time, and that is how it should be.

I would recommend you find someone to look after your horses for 3 or 4 weeks, unless you are lucky enough to have family on your doorstep who will help you out with the child care for a few hours a day (although I would have just gone to bed rather than see the horses had I that option!).

BTW, it does get easier!

 

[Sarah Sum1]

I had a C section and recovered really quickly. I had no painkillers either.

I remember the nurse just sitting me upright in my bed the day after, saying the sooner you do it the better. It obviously hurt, but from that moment onwards I just sucked it up and got on with it. I was on my own had no choice really

Take it one day at a time and know in your mind that you will heal well and quickly

 

[Missmac]

Thank you for all your replies.

Unfortunately after all this I wont have a newborn to look after as the doctors have told me that he wont survive (when I say nightmare pregnancy I really do mean nightmare) but due to complications I have to wait until its safe for me to have the cesarean to deliver him.

I had hoped that my horses would be my therapy and a valued distraction but I will just have to wait a while for that.

Thank you again.

A

 

[Phoebe]

My honest advice is to get up as soon as possible. I had the catheter removed as soon as I got the feeling back in my legs and went to the bathroom myself the afternoon after the op each time. Its worse if you stiffen up I think.... it is very painful at first and getting in the car to go home brings tears to your eyes but I think movement and healing and its very evident that horse people are fit and supple going on the responses on this thread

 

[mulledwhine]

Oh no, I dont know what to say at this news, bless you, I can't even imagine what you are going through.

It will be even more important, that you get 100 0/0 physically well.

All the very best of luck and love to you xxx

 

[Toffee44]

Very different for every person. Depends what surgery you have had down there before as well with regards to recovery.

Providing it all goes straight forward you will be expected to up and about within 24hrs of the surgery.

Keep up with the pain killers they give you. To begin with even if you dont feel like you need them try and take them regualry for the first few days, that way you wont get too much break through pain. Listen to your body, if it really hurts or you start to bleed it means your doing too much.

I tell women to ring their insurance company after the surgery to find out as every one is different. I also tend to say to women go out with OH or a friend and try and do an emergency stop to make sure A)you can B)it doesnt hurt too much. I know we dont do them everyday but if your driving you should be able to.

Remember it goes through your pelvic floor so start tightening them muscles and now and as soon as you feel you can post surgery.

I Wouldnt be riding in the first month tbh but there is no harm going up the yard to see him as soon as you feel comfortable to. Remember hand hygene while the wound is still fresh and it might be worth putting a sanitary pad infront of it and tuck into your knickers if you do go up the yard early on.


Good luck, hope it all goes smoothly and wish you a speed recovery.

 

[maggiesmum]

Thank you for all your replies.

Unfortunately after all this I wont have a newborn to look after as the doctors have told me that he wont survive (when I say nightmare pregnancy I really do mean nightmare) but due to complications I have to wait until its safe for me to have the cesarean to deliver him.

I had hoped that my horses would be my therapy and a valued distraction but I will just have to wait a while for that.

Thank you again.

A

Oh... i;m so sorry. :-( you really do mean nightmare don;t you!
Can you just 'BE' with your horses? theres something about just being around them expecting nothing of each other that I find therapeutic. ((((Big Hugs)))) for you. xxx

 

[jendie]

Haven't had a C-section but had hysterectomy which I guess is similar. I was out of hospital within 36 hours of op and felt fine. Riding again after eight weeks.

 

[jendie]

Unfortunately after all this I wont have a newborn to look after as the doctors have told me that he wont survive (when I say nightmare pregnancy I really do mean nightmare) but due to complications I have to wait until its safe for me to have the cesarean to deliver him.

>>>I had hoped that my horses would be my therapy and a valued distraction but I will just have to wait a while for that.

Thank you again.

A<<<<

Oh I'm so sorry, that is horrendous. Have you had a second opinion, maybe from a consultant at a teaching hospital?? You may not be able to ride but I'm sure you'll be able to see your horse after a week or so. Just being with them can be therapeutic. Good luck and I pray that things turn out better than you fear.

 

[Booboos]

I am so sorry that is absolutely terrible news.

You should be able to be with your horses fairly quickly, stroking, getting nuzzled, etc. which I hope will be of some help to you.

 

[Shazzababs]

I'm so sorry for your loss Mismac.

I think in the circumstances, that as long as you take it easy you should be OK with pottering about the yard from a couple of weeks. You should be able to groom gently (probably not pick out feet), and muck out (but not push the wheelbarrow).

I would take it slowly and see what you can do. Try not to sit around the house by yourself. Get someone like up to drive you, and make sure you have a comfy deck chair to sit in when you need a rest.

Good luck with everything.

 

[Missmac]

Thank you all for your kind words.

I am very fortunate to have two of the loveliest natured horses who love fuss and just being around people. they both seem to sense that something is upseting me and have been on gold star behaviour for weeks (long may that continue!)

My oldest Charlie has seen me throught some especially rough times and has before now actually licked tears off my face!!

Thank you again

A

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Missmac, you look after yourself. Your horses wont dissolve without you polishing their underfrillies and they know you need to put you first.

If there are any problems, just shout on the board, there's bound to be a HHO-er nearby and for all niggly arguments that go on in posts, everyone cares about everyone else and would be more than happy to come and do what's needed with the naglets.

I doubt whether you are in Aberdeenshire but if so, I'll be volunteer no 1