Recovery from LAVH with small children

Hi to all. I am new here, and aside from introducing myself in my bio, this is my first post. I am so incredibly grateful for all of the info on this site....I have been on here off and on all day.

My LAVH is scheduled for 1/25. I have 2 daughters, 5 and 10 months old, and I am wondering in terms of recovery, what my limitations will be. Will I still be able to hold my little one (who, actually, is not so little at 20+ pounds )? My husband will be taking a few days off from work, and my parents will be around to help, as well. I am just wondering about night-time feedings and getting the little ones in and out of carseats. I was on bedrest during my pregnancy with my youngest, so my oldest understands when I can't do much. But, with my littlest one, it's going to be difficult not being able to hold her, carry her, etc.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has any advice. I am really starting to freak out about the surgery, and worrying about the girls is just increasing my anxiety levels.

Thanks so much!
Jess

Hi Jess you will not be able to pick your daughters up, but you could have someone bring her to you. I f you have a boppy pillow you can lay her on that and feed her . A boppy pillow is a u shaped pillow that fits around your body. You can buy them in any baby supply store ie babies r us or wal mart etc Hope this helps
Celticd

You won't be allowed to lift your daughter.... Can your husband, get up with her at night? Or have someone stay that can? I know everyone is Diff. and everyone recovers different. At 4 weeks I was aloud to start lifting again.... What have they told you?

Thanks for your quick responses. My ob said it would probably be 4 weeks, but to be honest, I was hoping that it wouldn't be that long. Usually, my daughter sleeps through the night, so it most likely won't be an issue. And, while my husband is a VERY sound sleeper, I will just have to kick him out of bed if she does. He is amazing with both of the girls, so I know he won't mind getting up...it's just the actual waking up that's the problem. My parents actually want the girls and I to stay with them for a few nights, too, so that they can take care of all of us. That way, my husband can go to work (we own our own business, so even though his hours are flexible and he can take some time off, he still needs to be there off and on, as well as be available to customers, if necessary.)

The boppy is a great idea....thanks for the suggestion. I have one that I used when I was breastfeeding, so I will get it back out and use it after the surgery.

Thanks so much!!!
Jess

I have a 7 yo and now 22 mth old. I'm still not supposed to be lifting Madeline, but how long can I go without holding my "baby"??

My dh did all the daddy duties, including getting Emily up for school and on the bus. He also took Madeline to the sitter and then picked her up at 5 when he was done with work. It sucked because of the monetary expenses, but it was the only way I would have made it through it. Is that an option?

Babies also love to bounce on Momma's belly, so that's another issue you have to deal with. Wear that Boppy 24/7!

Thanks, Kristy. I am a SAHM, so that is definitely posing a problem after my surgery in terms of childcare. Thankfully, my parents live around the corner, and their house is a second home to the girls. So, I imagine we will be spending a lot of time there. And, my husband can take our 5 year old to preschool, and then she can just hang out at his office and "help" him work til it is time to come home. I was on bedrest with my youngest Emma, so my oldest (Mackenzie) understands when I need lots of help. It's just my concern over taking care of Emma. Are you able to hold Madeline on your lap now? Should I just not be lifting her and carrying her around? She is at that age where she loves to crawl up on my lap - is that OK?

Thanks for responding to my post....I appreciate it so much!

Jessica