[mom_to_5]

Hi All,
I hope you are well. I am in a bit of a quandary and am hoping that some ladies have been in my situation also or know of others and can make comment.

We have a surprise addition arriving on the 18th March 2013 and I am booked in for my 5th Caesarean. We have a 5y/o that attends Grade 1 and a 4 y/o who has just started Kinder. We also have a 3 y/o and a 2 y/o. Lots of getting kids in and out of the car. 1 day totals getting all kids in and out 16 times!! (I'm sure I am not alone LOL)

I know that there are ALOT of posts about driving after a Caesarean, however... no one really mentions whether they are driving a manual OR an automatic. I drive a manual, so it's a little different than an automatic :-D

Unfortunately we don't have the luxury of family residing in the same state so can't call upon any of them and friends live in the opposite direction/across the other side of melbourne to where we live.

Given that I am now doing the school/kindy run frequently... if I am not able to drive once hubby returns to work after a few weeks... does anyone know of any support services offered for parents for their children to still be taken to school/kinder and picked up? (whether community, govt or private?)


I'm not sure if this question has been asked before. Ideally, I like to drive my own kids as they are my responsibility, but in the even something goes pear shaped with my recovery at least I can have bases covered.

I hope the above makes sense and appreciate the feedback.

Thanks,
M25

[ell80]

It probably varies by area - where are you?

I had 2 c/sec's and was not offered any services (not that I asked... perhaps they were available). I'm in Melb.

My friend had her 1st c/sec in regional Vic and was offered a housecleaner for 2 hours every week for the first 6 weeks. She said that it was standard for her area as a support for women after a c/sec.

I believe it was through the local council, although I'm not sure.... Sorry, not much help here!

p.s - I drove a manual car after 3 weeks with both c/s... I had to get a note from my doctor to cover the insurance incase anything happened - apparently I would not be covered if I had gone against the medical advice of not to drive.

[soontobegran]

Congratulations on your happy surprise
You say your DH has some weeks off after your C/S so I would imagine if it's more than 3 then you'll be able to drive without any discomfort by the time he is back at work.

Of course there are some women who had complications who can't but I would not necessarily plan for this to happen but if it was the case I am sure you'd be able to get some help from the local school and kinder community if the need arose.
I know we prefer to do it ourselves but you'll be surprised just how willing other parents are and how obliging many teachers are trying to help you make arrangements.
Good luck.

[Lokum]

I was able to drive 12 days after my recent c/s, but I was not able to lift my toddler in and out of his car seat, let alone multiple times per day.

Make sure your kids can climb in and out of their own car seats, so you only have to buckle them up - you want to avoid that kind of lifting and turning yourself for more than 3-4 weeks, I imagine.

Ask for a social worker at your hospital, as they may be able to refer you to service, or else your local council. Or, as STBG says, ask other parents.

Otherwise, consider hiring an au pair to either drive some of the kids, or stay home with little ones for the short time it takes you to do drop offs?

[Lynken]

I think you'd be okay to drive after a few weeks, but my main concern would be limiting the amount of lifting etc that you'd need to do and getting five kids in and out of the car assumes you're using a third row and you're needing to buckle and unbuckle most, if not all of them.

Is there another parent with little ones who you could meet in the car park? Kids stay in the cars, one parent stays with both cars and the other collects the school kids? Can another parent walk your kids from the car to the classroom and back in the afternoon so you don't have to get all the others out? Is there a teacher or assistant available (usually not, but they might help you out if it's just for a few weeks).

Otherwise, what about a mother's helper? Do you have a high school or TAFE nearby? You could contact them and see if there is a student willing to help you out with drop offs and pick ups. TAFE students doing children's services or similar might be interested for the experience or high schoolers if their school is near the primary (and you would pay, obviously). IE: you drive and one stays in the car while the other walks in with the 5 and 4 year old. They might even be willing to babysit a for couple of hours a couple of times a week so you can do a quick grocery shop or prepare dinner. Even if you can only get someone 2 or 3 times a week, it's better than nothing.

[mom_to_5]

Hi All,
Thanks so much for your replies, much appreciated. Some excellent suggestions of which I will exhaust a few. I remember when I did my nanny aupair course yonks ago I was placed at a ladies house as she had twins to help her out so I may also make contact with some private training providers in addition to TAFE's and see if anything is available.

We have lots of schools and TAFEs and childcare centres, hospitals etc round here also. I recall when I had my 2nd Caesarean I was offered cleaning at home but that was once a week... I vacume atleast twice a day LOL!!

Hubby was going to have just the 5 days off and he has extended that to 10 days, of which, 5 he doesn't get paid for as he is contracting so no luxury of annual leave to fall back on so he won't be having anymore time off than 10 days.

I did have a chat with one of the teachers last night and let me say I have had more help from the replies to my post!!

I'll let you know how I get on... thanks again,
M25