4 weeks post c-section..... has anyone else done this?

[jconrad]

I will only be about 4 weeks post c-section when we take our 6 year old twins and new baby girl to Disney. Has anyone else gone so close after a c-section? What should I expect? This is our first trip to Disney. Thanks

 

[kathie859]

OP--Are you SERIOUS? WDW is extremely physically taxing given the amount of walking required. Unless you are super-woman, I'd never attempt it.

 

[dunbarfamily]

Don't push yourself too hard mama! Remember that a cesarean is a MAJOR opperation, and you'll have a new baby to care for. It is typical to walk at least a few miles a day at Disney. I would think of waiting a bit longer if you can. Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

 

[SueM in MN]

Taking a 4 week old baby would be hard enough without the C-section thrown in.
I would wait.

 

[ldrprn]

I am not sure that it is a good idea to go so soon after a c/section. I am a L&D nurse and have seen women return to the hospital a couple of weeks after delivery with post partum hemorhage mainly from overdoing. One day at WDW as PP said can be several miles of walking as well as dealing with 6 year old twins and a new baby. I'm sure your twins are wonderful, but even the best of kids get tired at WDW and sometimes have a meltdown. Not to mention the postpartum hormone changes that can affect your moods as well.
If you can at all consider changing the timeframe I would, but If you have to go, plan for several breaks during the day, and at least one where you can put your feet up for an hour or so. Cosider renting an ECV for yourself to cut down on the walking, Drink, drink, drink to keep hydrated, and if you could find a third person to go to help with the kids that would be wonderful. Be sure you have a stroller for the twins. Our twins happily rode in a stroller until they were 6. It is a lot of walking for little legs.

 

[brergnat]

Uh, I had two c-sections. I was on STRICT orders for 8 WEEKS following my surgery. LIGHT walking and "normal" housework only. I wasn't allowed to vacuum for 6 weeks! I wasn't allowed to drive for 2 weeks...

Not to mention that I was bleeding for 6 1/2 weeks. It was like the period that would never end. NOT fun...

My doctor would have had a FIT if I took a vacation (ANY vacation) at 4 weeks pp....

Plus, taking a 4 week old baby to WDW? For real? NOT safe from a germ point of view. Babies aren't vaccinated yet at 4 wks...and WDW has a huge International guest population.

There is no way in you know where that I would even consider what you are. You need to talk this over with your OB/GYN and the baby's pediatrician.

 

[JUJU814]

No way!!! Don't do it. Seriously, that is extremely dangerous. 4 weeks post op with a new baby and twins???

I'd be willing to bet if you mentioned this to your doctor they'd say no way.

I personally know someone that tried to do too much like this a few weeks after her c section and she had a hemmorhage.

C section is major abdominal surgery. It's asking for trouble.

Please be kind to yourself and wait....better for your kids too!

My doctor would have a fit.

 

[honugirl]

I'm going to be having major abdominal surgery in a few months and I wouldn't even consider going to WDW 4 weeks after. It's daunting enough to think about daily life much less dealing with children at a theme park. For at least 2 weeks I'm not even allowed to lift anything over 5 pounds and I can work my way up from there, slowly... I think it would be better to move your vacation and get some rest. WDW will still be there when you're all healed up.

 

[Daydreamer64]

Is this your first C-section?

I only ask because I've had three, each recovery was different.

MY birth Mom had a heart attack in April after my second son was born. He was 4 weeks old. We drove from Ga to Penn to see her as we were told she was on death's bed.

Even though I didn't drive, pack or lift luggage, and only cared for the 4 week old, I bleed much more then I did at home during recovery.

Also, I pulled an area, reopened a small area- I was itching and just reached there and I scratched the healing skin - not thinking until after it hurt- , and ended up with an infection.

DH drove, packed and managed our older child and I was exhausted with the situation. I am not one to sit or lay - I do what I need to do but would never, ever even try to go to WDW that soon after the surgery.

I'm sorry Mom, but I think it would be a very big mistake. The kids would have to slow down for you, DH would have extra work on his hands, and depending on the time of year, the temperatures would reek havoc with your surgery area.

Please reconsider your vacation time.

Also, don't forget how your after birth, hormones play with your emotions AND engorgment if b r e a s t feedng your little one.

 

[dizcrazee]

C-section aside, I wouldn't take my 4 week old infant to a theme park of any kind! I always feel so sorry for tiny little newborn babies when I see them in the parks.

 

[dunbarfamily]

My concern is for the mother, as she will have just had a major surgery and needs time to recover. I am afraid this will be too much to do so soon.

I am curious though....why do people feel bad for a newborn in a theme park? Do newborns not like theme parks? For my newborns, a day at a theme park would be just like a day at home....the baby would spend the day in the sling, close to me, eating on demand, just like at home. What am I not getting here?? I'm not trying to be dumb or act stupid, I just don't understand.

 

[KingdomKeepersFinn]

I wouldn't do it.. Its not safe for you and the baby

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Everyone heals differently, but based on my c section experience, I would have to say reschedule if you can. At 4 weeks, I was starting to regain my strength, but I don't think I would have had much fun at WDW.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

I had one c-section that was very tough to recover from and could not have possibly done this. THe 2nd c-section was much easier and I could have easily done it....but...4 weeks is probably too soon...especially with a 4 week old newborn...can you move your trip to a sooner or later date? it is an expensive trip so be sure you are at your best to enjoy it...also...this 1st trip for your daughter will be magical...you wnat to feel your best to enjoy it...

 

[KirstenB]

My concern is for the mother, as she will have just had a major surgery and needs time to recover. I am afraid this will be too much to do so soon.

I am curious though....why do people feel bad for a newborn in a theme park? Do newborns not like theme parks? For my newborns, a day at a theme park would be just like a day at home....the baby would spend the day in the sling, close to me, eating on demand, just like at home. What am I not getting here?? I'm not trying to be dumb or act stupid, I just don't understand.

I'd be worried about germs. Think about it...you're touching handrails, ride seatbelts, etc all day. Then you're touching your baby without even thinking about it. At that age, I was always patting my daughters' cheeks, their fingers, etc. Also, they've only gotten a few vaccines at that point, and you have travelers at WDW from all over the world. Just not worth the exposure, imho.

 

[dizcrazee]

I'd be worried about germs. Think about it...you're touching handrails, ride seatbelts, etc all day. Then you're touching your baby without even thinking about it. At that age, I was always patting my daughters' cheeks, their fingers, etc. Also, they've only gotten a few vaccines at that point, and you have travelers at WDW from all over the world. Just not worth the exposure, imho.

In addition to the exposure to germs, I'd be concerned about exposure to the elements (heat/cold/wind/rain) at that tender age. It gets really, really, hot and humid in Orlando (as we know). I've seen the tiniest little babies being carried around in the hottest, most miserable weather at WDW.

 

[jconrad]

I guess I should have given a little bit more information. We are taking the whole family with us. My husbands parents and my Mom are both coming to help. His parents will help with the twins at the park with us and my mom will be staying at the house we are renting with the baby during the day. This is also my second C-Section and I healed very quickly with the first one. It might have been partly because I had 2 new babies at home and needed to care for both of them. Thank you for your advise.

 

[KingdomKeepersFinn]

I guess I should have given a little bit more information. We are taking the whole family with us. My husbands parents and my Mom are both coming to help. His parents will help with the twins at the park with us and my mom will be staying at the house we are renting with the baby during the day. This is also my second C-Section and I healed very quickly with the first one. It might have been partly because I had 2 new babies at home and needed to care for both of them. Thank you for your advise.

Hmm.. Its still pretty risky.. I guess if you have a chair or something it would be a little better... and with the extra help its ok.. but its up to you

 

[Maryrn11168]

I guess I should have given a little bit more information. We are taking the whole family with us. My husbands parents and my Mom are both coming to help. His parents will help with the twins at the park with us and my mom will be staying at the house we are renting with the baby during the day. This is also my second C-Section and I healed very quickly with the first one. It might have been partly because I had 2 new babies at home and needed to care for both of them. Thank you for your advise.

Because this is not your 1st c-section, you never know how much scar tissue and how intense your surgery will be until your doctor starts the case. You may have healed quickly the 1st time, but do not know what they are going to find on you this time.

As for the baby, the germ factor is huge. Any baby with a fever before 6 wks of age, usually would be required to a full work-up including a spinal tap! I know that even if you were home people would be around the newborn, but do you want to chance a problem away, with strange doctors.....I would put it off a couple of weeks.

I am not the worrying type, I took my son to Disney the day after he had surgery (ear tubes placed). When the nurses told me they would call me in the morning to see how he was doing, my response was don't bother we are on a 6:30am flight to Florida!! The doctor said it was fine to go!

Have you asked your doctor or pediatrician what they think??

 

[mamaminnie]

Add me to the "not a good idea" crew.

On top of what everyone else has mentioned, how about a 4 week old (if it's anything like mine) needing to eat every hour or 2 around the clock. I would not want to be in a hotel room or even in a condo with my entire family and get up to nurse (or even bottle feed) all night and then hit the parks all day.

YMMV of course.