C section advice.

My DD had a C-section but I am sorry but I cannot think of anything in particular. A bit of help lifting the baby about would probably be best! DD got over it very quickly, and went on to have two vaginal births with no problem.

Can't think of anything you could buy Tegan , as Mishap says help with any lifting and doing house cleaning , loading washing machine and dishwasher etc , she shouldn't be doing that kind of stuff for a bit.. walking is supposed to aid with a quicker recovery.

That's good to know. It wasn't, thankfully a last minute 'get baby out quickly' situation. But she doesn't seem to have had a great deal of advice from the hospital. Dad is off work for a couple of weeks anyway. I read that the NCT sell special knickers that cover and support the scar really well. What annoys me is new mothers going outside for a fag and bringing the smell in with them onto a ward where other mothers and newborn babies are who wouldn't dream of doing such a thing . Grrrr...

My Dil has just had c section as well and it's the lifting/bending which are off limits for 4/6 weeks. As others have said, help with housework, laundry and shopping are useful, as driving is also off limits for same length of time. Nice light pyjama bottoms in dark, plain colours are good - Dil wears these round the house to avoid any pressure on wound. We've treated them to a cleaner for 3 months as our gift. Takes huge pressure off both parents.

Something like this?

https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en-GB&q=long+stick+grabber&gbv=2&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ei=AZfgVL35Eczmap3AgPgG&ved=0CEcQsAQ&tbm=isch

A cleaner! What a brilliant idea, Katek. I wish I'd thought of that when DiL had an emergency C-section. I did quite a lot of ironing and other household jobs, but when she came home from hospital, DS turned quite domesticated and I came home. When she had her second - a normal delivery - she reported two women who were smoking with their heads out of the window and they were transferred - maybe to a penal ward!

DDIL had emergency caesarean, when we went up a week later I took a V pillow and pillowcases to help with feeding- you put it on your lap with the two 'arms' to each side and lay baby on it- just as good for bottle or breast feeding. DDIL said it was the best gift she had, so may be worth trying?
I went up and stayed for first couple of days DS went back to work, just to do cooking etc, which worked very well (also lots of cuddles of course!) and also we went for short walks.

Are C section mums still advised not to hoover ?
I was told not to push the pram or drive so would have been house bound if I hadn't ignored this advice after about 10 days as I knew no other drivers at the time.
I can't suggest anything to buy though.

A cleaner is a brilliant idea.

Could consider an ironing service for a few weeks.

I've got a grabber thing that I could pass on. And my daughter had a v shaped pillow which she may have passed on to DIL.

I think as much help as you can manage or that she will accept! I had all mine by C section and in those days you got 8 days in hospital but I was wiped out and DH would come home to a tip with me crying because I couldn't cope! Fortunately my Health Visitor arranged a home help for me for a few hours once a week (those were the days) when I had DD2 as DD1 was a stroppy 2 year old giving a whole new dimension to the word "tantrum") and we were living in a first floor flat, miles from shops and no car even I had been allowed to drive.
A cleaner, an ironing service, shopping - anything

I wish you had been my mother Katek

I had both of my now grown up children by EMCS and got precious little help.Granted it was different in those days as I was in hospital 14 days post birth both times. There was no paternity leave so just had to get on with it. I think you are wonderful doing this.

Tegan you are a wonderful person indeed as well.Send my good wishes to your DIL and hope she makes a good recovery, you are all doing well.This goes for all you grandmothers who have contributed to this thread.

My ex DIL had an EMCS for her third baby 18 years ago.DGD was a premature baby and had to stay in hospital for 6 weeks. DIL was in for a week, but she and DS2 were at the hospital every day seeing the baby so I helped by looking after the two older children for them.DS2 would leave DIL with the baby after an hour and would give me a hand before going back to collect DIL.By the time DGD was allowed home her mother was thoroughly back on her feet so no more daily help was needed.

I was pleased to be able to help them.My DGD is a beautiful girl now after a very shaky start to life.

New dads these days are far more domesticated. I remember the doctor coming to see me after I'd had my first baby. I opened the door wearing my Marigolds saying 'you can tell you've come to the right house can't you', to which he replied 'so where is your husband'? I think he spent his paternity leave fiddling about with his motor bike in the garage. Although he did cook me breakfast one day.

Thanks Tegan
I can remember only too well!

Some lovely oil to minimise any scarring?

You can get a silicone pad that helps to eliminate scarring as well. I bought some lavender oil a few weeks ago in case of stitches [we had to rush out and get some for DD cause I thought they still advised to use salt ]. I asked the nurse if it was recommended for bathing after a c section and she said it was ok [but with no great confidence or interest ]. Hoping for a phone call tonight to have an update. Baby has got a name but her little cousin wants to call her 'Flower' and I've got a feeling that might stick . I saw a programme once that showed how people treated boy babies differently to girls and I poo poo'd it but I'm ashamed to say I'm finding myself looking at stereotypical girlie things all the time now. Having insisted on buying shops and cookers for the boys [kept at my house] I'll probably get a Thomas the Tank set to keep at my house to balance things a bit.

My daughter had the loan of a special baby bath that fitted on top of the bath, so she did not have to bend over. I also agree with the cleaner - what a great idea. If you have a travel kettle, she could use one of those instead of filling a big kettle for her cups of tea. It is surprising how heavy a full kettle is. Also, maybe buy lots of small bottles of water for the new mum to drink - again not so heavy as a big jug/bottle. Have fun with with new baby. How lovely.

Katek Please would you be my mummy now?
and the

Tegan I used Bach's Flower Remedy Cream on my son's scar when he was scalded in a bank and he hasn't any mark now.

I bet you're having a grand time collecting things, it sounds lovely for the little darling baby girl. [teddy bear emoticon]

Bio Oil is also very good for treating scarring Tegan

You might also find some useful tips on Mumsnet I would imagine. It's lovely to hear how besotted you are with your little granddaughter flower'

What a brilliant idea the cleaner was Katek. Serious brownie points for that one

My DiL has her first baby by C-section. She wasn't allowed to drive for 6 weeks so after son's paternity leave I made sure I was always available to drive her and baby and pick them up again if necessary.

A basket of healthy snacks in small one-serving packets - cheese, crackers, granola, almonds, raisins, etc....to eat in hospital or when she gets home. Home made cookies. And Cadbury eggs! (if chocolate is ok)! Quick pick-me-ups. Happy for you Tegan

A good supply of pillows under the baby when feeding to bring the baby up to boob height or if you are using a bottle and want to cuddle the baby close while feeding. Bending over to feed is painful on the C section scar.

You need to be careful with lifting but you do have a baby to carry.
The big problem for me in hospital was lifting the baby out of the cot and trying to climb onto the bed to get back into the right position to feed.

In those days we had 10 days in hospital after a C section and they took the baby to the nursery at night which was a blessing.
Just before I came home my in laws who lived nearer, came over and Mil had to tidy up the mess my hubby had left in the house.

In the early days at home OH would get up at night when the baby cried change him hand him over for me to feed then make a cup of tea.

Ten days nelliemoser? I only got 8 (x4) can I have 8 days in bed now please? (tea, milk, no sugar please)