United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Those of you whom have had c-sections after a previous bpi injury, when did you have it done? One week prior to due date or two weeks prior? I have been forewarned about the importance of having it done prior to due date. Will most doctors agree to 2 weeks early if you feel most comfortable with that? Could you please share how early yours was done and how you felt about it?

Also, if you can share, how was the recovery and healing period? Were you able to care for your child with a bpi and take to therapy, etc. or were you out of commision? For how long?

Thank you for sharing.

I cant talk about recovery, etc yet but I am pregnant again and I can tell you that my c-section is scheduled 11 days before my due date.

I think it depends on your first deliveries. My first pregnancy had to be induced when I was overdue. So with my second baby, my c-section was scheduled just a few days before my due date.
As far as recovery, I felt pretty good in two weeks and in 6 was almost back to normal. I couldn't carry my baby up and down the stairs for about a week or so, then it wasn't much problem. You can't drive the first two weeks or so after c-section. My bpi baby was age 5 by then, so actually he was a helper to me. I can imagine if your bpi child was much younger, it'd be more difficult. However, I don't think it would be any more difficult than having two young children close in age. Therapy may have to take a temporary backseat while you recover. That may be beneficial for everyone though! I will say that going to therapy lugging another baby around is difficult, whether or not you 've had a c-section.
Jaime

My c-section was one week prior to due date.

My first two children were over 9lbs and were Shoulder dystocia's and the 2nd had the BPI. The third was a c-section and I think it was 3 weeks early-he was only 7 lbs 6 oz. I felt the recovery was a breeze compared the two difficult deliveries. I had a lot of stitches with my BPI child and was so sore for weeks afterwards and could barely walk. The csection, I stayed in the hospital for 5 days and totally took advantage of that and just RESTED and after that it was a 2 week rest period, no driving and stairs. I nursed so maybe that helped with the recovery, who knows but I didnt think it was so bad. My BPI child was 1 year 6 months when I had the next child and so therapy was easy, they came to the house (Early Intervention). I think maybe I took one week off but pretty much she still came. If you have to drive your child then you wont be able to do it for the 2 weeks unless you have someone to help you and can drive your child. Good luck!

Mine was 1 week prior to my due date. I have no idea how it might have been otherwise, taking care of 2 young children is tough however you look at it. But, we managed just fine with a babysitter to help out periodically (We hadn't any family nearby.) when needed. We all went to therapy together and still go to appointments together years later. It's just a part of our lives! The biggest relief is that I had a healthy baby second time around and that was the peace of mind we surely needed. Cathy

My c-section is scheduled 2 weeks before my due date. (Only 2 1/2 weeks away) We can hardly wait.

I just wanted to share something. When Andrew was at therapy this week, there is a little girl who comes in the hour after him for therapy. She is not BPI, much more serious problems, but her mom was there with her on Tuesday after having a c-section the previous Wednesday evening. She seemed to be doing really well. I thought it was a little early, but she didn't seem to be having any problems at all. Everyone's recovery is different, though, just like our kids.
Best of luck,
Connie

You may want to ask your OB about your baby's lungs, they are some of the last to develop and if you are scheduling your birth early he may want to test for fetal lung maturity.
blessed birthing

I had my second daughter via c-section 9 days early. Why 9? Well, it was the only time that fit into the schedule of the dr. that I chose to perform the surgery. (I was in a group, and I really wanted one dr. in particular to deliver.) She was 8lbs 8 oz. (My first was 9 lbs 15 oz 3 days past her edd).

I had an amazingly quick recovery after the c-section. I was in the hospital for the full 72 hrs after, felt somewhat crappy going home. Once I was home though, I couldn't believe how good I felt. I was even one of those moms that was taking my other child to therapy the following week.

A few cautions...for me, coming out of the anesthesia was a little rough. I vomitted all day. It felt like a really bad hangover. I delivered around 11 am and it took me until 6 pm to feel better.

There are driving restrictions and weight restrictions after a c-section. Talk to your dr. about it. I think it was 4 weeks for driving, and 6 weeks for lifting over 20 lbs. or so. Obviously, this provides complications for getting to therapy and for lifting an older child in and out of the car.

Finally, I felt so good that I was forgetting that I had just had a baby and ended up doing WAY to much...which got be back into the dr's office because of too much bleeding.

Oh yeah, the incision site was sensitive for awhile, which I had to be careful with because my older one is a real cuddler, but squirmy when she's settling in. I got kicked a few times in that area and it did hurt.

Overall though, my c-section recovery was 1,000 times better than my vaginal recovery. The delivery was beautiful, I saw my baby right away, and even got to hold her once I got to the recovery room (I had to wait 5 days to hold my other baby!!!). The mood was happy and exciting.

Best to you and the baby!
Lisa

Dear Anon for now,

I too delivered my 2nd child via planned c-section, 1 week prior to the due date & it was wonderful compared to the **ll that my first 'natural' delivery was.

My girls are 20 months apart & after my initail stay at the hospital, I was doing everything- just a little slower & a little more carefully. I would make sure I was sitting down before my first child climbed on me to cuddle. As for stairs, well I did that the minute I got home, & driving to therapy as usual the following week. I did have bleeding for about 8 weeks, but my incision healed just fine & "NO GUILT" And that was enough to make feel like a million bucks.

I did rest a bit more when my hubby got home from work & he did help out with the house work. And I did breastfeed both of my children (not at the same time of course) which I think helped too.