riding after c section? Any new mums?

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elsielouise

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Gosh its months since I've posted here but my excuse is my 5 and half week old baby. Sooooooooooooo cute. BUT how on earth do/did people with babies copw wiith getting back to riding fitness? getting suitable babysitters so you could ride? Finding time to ride?

I paid someone to 'do' my two for the last month as had a c section and couldn't do much at all but am ready now I think to start again. When did other people start riding?

I have a relatively safe cob though she's only 5 and I think I'll start with her as my WB is a bit spooky and I worry a 'bad' spook might hurt the muscles.

Am a first time mum and although in my thirties am a bit overwhelmed with all this so anyone who has been through this - HELP

and anyone in the Kent/Surrey border areas who knows of good babysitters/good mother baby groups with sensible people also much appreciated as although me and baby went to the farrier yesterday we have to get out a bit more than that!
 
Can't help with logistics but congratulations!
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I would speak to your HV about starting riding. I know after a hysterectomy you are advised not to drive for six weeks, but that is more to do with being a danger to other road users I think... If you feel ready to ride again you probably are.
 
Congratulations! I've got a 7 week old baby and it's my first one too, so going through exactly the same dilemmas. I had a natural labour, with stitches, and had a sit on my horse two weeks after the birth, but it was a bit sore still. I tried again a week later and found that I was unable to restrain myself to just walking round the school, so decided to wait until she was 6 weeks old before riding. The chaos of christmas and weather haven't exactly inspired me to get on either.

I had a hack last week and felt fine, and really enjoyed myself. My OH had little one on Sunday morning, and I timed my ride between feeds but am finding it hard to ride for more than 20 mins at a time. Mine is going longer between feeds now, so I'm hoping it will get easier...
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Hi I had a c section and boy I know what you are going through. I couldnt wait to get back on and was supposed to be going straight back to work (I was a groom) hahaha how stupid was I!! Had I not had such a hard time with the birth ect I thinkl I would have managed it. I got back on seven wks after having Luke m doctor said it was ok when I asked her at my 6wk check. Its easier when they are tiny because hopefully they sleep more I stand the pram in the corner of the school and quick;y jump on even if just for a short while at least its better than nothing. It is SOOO difficult to mix my job with my son sometimes but we get there!!!
 
My son is now 19 months old and believe me it does get easier fitting them in around the horses. My mum or aunt have him 1 day a weekend when we can go out and ride otherwise it has to be fitted in in the school when his asleep.

I had a c section, although my horses were both 2 at the time so couldn't ride them but I know it is 6 weeks before you can begin to excercies but would be worth asking you HV so not to cause yourself a mischief, although riding the quieter ride sound like a very good idea (i still get twinges in my scar nearly 2 years later!)

I've also found it a good idea to keep a box or draw of thing for the baby up the yard, like a change of clothes incase they get dirty, wet or cold etc, cartons of milk and the sterile bottles you can by in a box (for single use then you chuck them away) if you are bottle feeding, and jars when weaning just incase you get stuck at the yard with your baby for some reason.

As they get older they become easier as they begin to keep themselves occupied, my son Logan has just started helpingus when grooming (so cute) and has even had a couple of rides!

HTH
 
Congratulations. I am so hoping I wont need a c -sec (am 33 weeks ATM). I would take advice from your DR or HV before I would start, you dont want to do more damge in the long run and have to wait even longer.

As far as logistics go are there any other mums on your yard you could do a babysitting pool with? My first (17 years ago!) was a very quiet baby and would sleep peacefuly for a good couple of hours at a time, long enough for a quick buzz round the school, esp if BB is safely wrapped up in her pram or car seat (if you have a baby monitor its no different to then being in a different room). Poo picking etc could be done with her in her baby sling. The only difficulty would be hacking out, perhaps you could do this when your OH is home, or at weekends. On the plus side it wont be too long before the nights start drawing out, then prehaps evening rides will be possible again, and before you know it your bb will be at play group , then school.........
 
Hi, congratulations! I don't know what to do with C Section (had "natural birth" with mine although with stitches and was riding after 2 weeks again) but generally, when you are finally ready, it may work out just fine. I just took baby along to the yard as don't have family nearby and don't want to pay for childcare and while I was riding he would sleep in the car seat by the arena (arguably it was the summer at first but on colder days he would also stay in the car quite well and sleep, I made sure that there were people around to keep an eye). He still comes along now and waits in the buggy while I ride (no longer than 20-30mins a time mind) so is well accustomed to the procedure. After the riding he gets to run about the yard and is having fun and 'helps' with the jobs. At weekends hubby takes over and I get to hack out. This has been working fine for 19 months now.
We are not in your area so can't help with the other things but GOOD LUCK, if you want to do it you will!
I have baby number 2 on the way and I am not letting it stop me enjoy my horsey!
 
Congratulations!!
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Ive had several c sections and each one was different, the first one was definitely the worst and I seemed to take ages to heal properly. Scar was terrible too.
I had a great surgeon with the 2nd and 3rd and was riding again after 5/6 weeks both times and feeling fab.

It can be a bit of a juggle and you really have to call in lots of favours. Dont be backward in asking relatives and friends to help. I too have left baby sleeping in the corner whilst I rode and mucked out on many occasions and later on a buggy with a play tray is a must. A travel play pen can help also when they get a bit older to keep them out of harms way.

Some nurseries can do a very reasonable part time rate and will give you some time of your own too. Good Luck x
 
I had a hysterectomy in the October, the incision was the third time operated through the same wound so mine will most possibly be weaker than yours.,...I tried a nice quiet ride in the following February and it didn't hurt, so much as horrible twinges... Left it until the end of May to try again and I was fine. I don't like getting on from the ground (rarely ever do that anyway) as I find it "pulls" the scar tissue, but other than that I was fine.

Would suggest you get advice and just "listen" to what your body tells you..

Good Luck and Congratulations on your new arrival XXX
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congratulations.

I haven't had a c section but I did have an ectopic removal and I understand that is it very similar surgery. I was not back in the saddle until about 8 weeks after.

As for the juggling I am not in a position to advise
 
I had a natural birth but was back in the saddle within weeks. I hacked out once and then the next time I was on I was jumping! (My horse was on a competition yard whilst I had my baby so I was going watching him at shows with a 3 week old baby! Also male instructor had to stand outside menange rocking pram whilst giving lesson!!). Not sure about c-section though, my sister had two of those and they looked painfull.

As for jugling it's do-able. In summer my bf looked after Sam in the evenings whilst I rode and did jobs. Now due to the dark nights I put him in his car seat in the car next to the menage with a DVD on (brilliant buy, get one, really usefull). I can ride and keep an eye on Sam and he never cries unless the DVD ends or runs out of power! I even have a playpen in the stable block for him although he hasn't used it for a while!
 
i had a c-section and was pottering round the yard as soon as i could!
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but didnt ride until after my 6 week check up as it wasnt worth my horse spooking and me pulling muscles.

if my OH is in then i went out riding and also the grandparents are great and look after my daughter when i ride. but normally i sort the horse out with baby in a pushchair or carrier (obv not riding) my horse is great with pushchairs and little people in carriers now and so are some of the other horses on the yard!

its really funny when you do get back riding again and canter as you lose all those muscles and i couldnt keep the canter going at first. its weird how many muscles you use for canter!!
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thank you everyone for your congratulations and 'how tos'. My biggest issue is I think I may need to sell my hunter and put my comp mare back into livery but since now is not the time to sell I might just see how we are when we get to spring. Assuming my OH hasn't sold one for me by then as its him doing all the work for now.

Ah well.. my little boy is worth it. Watch this space when I'm looking for ideas on how to keep a boy interested in ponies when his dad prefers football!
 
Congratulations
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I've got a 6 week old and a 2.5yr old.

I've not had a c-sec either time, but with my first, I had to wait 3 months before riding and have been asked to wait a similar amount of time this time too. There weren't the problems this time round but it was the severity of what happened the first time that have made my Dr more wary.

I'll wait, but I am itching to get back into riding.

I would speak to your Hv or GP, best not to take any risks.
 
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