Odd request that may fall 2-3 weeks post op

[rocknrollmama1980 20]

So I was asked to be a labor coach with a due date in late October. Would I be ok to do this 2 weeks after surgery? I said I would be unable to if it fell in the 2 weeks after.

Anyone have experience with this (nurses etc)

[Catherine707 253]

Wow, there are so many different variables to consider here. I had a longer than most recovery due to catching a respiratory infection in the hospital. I could barely care for myself 2 weeks post op neverless be a birth coach! My recovery was slower than some, but it is hard to know in advance if you will bounce back in 4 days, or 4 weeks.

Another thing to consider is that babies have a timeline of their own. The baby may be due 2 weeks post sx, but it could come anytime from week 37 of the pregnancy to week 41! The mother should have a back up plan if you remain the coach.

Good luck, in the birth process and with your surgery!

[rocknrollmama1980 20]

I know that babies have their own schedule I guess I am thinking worse case scenario it happens around the two week window.

[gamergirl 4,609]

I would not have wanted to rely on me when I was 2 weeks out to be an effective birth coach. I was light headed, dizzy, tired, cranky and sometimes nauseated, sometimes head-aches etc, my physical state at any given hour was unpredictable--and I had an easy recovery.

Birthing is hard work, could go on for a long time, and you will need to put aside what you need and put your friend first. I'd worry if my birth coach was me at 2-weeks, if that makes sense.

[DeniseM 238]

Having been a labor coach for my sister with her three pregnancies, I would say no. Two weeks after surgery you will still be very sore, and labor is intense. With my sister, there was running around to get her what she needed, spending HOURS at the hospital eating from vending machines and sitting in those awful chairs, and staying awake for 24-36 hours straight. I also helped hold her legs when she pushed (no way you would be able to do that) and of course held my beautiful nieces and nephew, two of which were over the 10 pound limit

Ultimately, it really depends on how you are feeling and how sore you are. We are all different, and all heal differently, so it is really hard to say. I can say there is no way I would have been able to be with my sister until week 4.

[LifetimeLoser 208]

I think you should definitely have a back up plan. You don't know how you will feel yet.

[Pookeyism 1,143]

That has the potential to be a very labor intensive task (pun intended). I would say nay, OR maybe tag-team this with another buddy? Someone who can help out if you are too pooped to do much more than sit in a chair?

[NMJG 1,266]

everyone is different, but personally, I could not have done it at 2 or 3 weeks. At 4 weeks, yes (and I would be as tired as the new mama after it was over LOL).