Hi all!

I need a little help planning for child care when I'm in the hospital and get home. My MIL has offered to stay for two weeks until she has to go back to work, but I don't think I can handle her here for that long. Also, I was wondering how people were feeling when they got home? I know it's major surgery, but I was thinking of having my daughter (who will be 18 months by then) stay with my parents during the day for a few days, and have my husband pick her up everyday. I just don't think I can rest while she's home with me (and my MIL watching her) because she will want me to pick her up, snuggle, etc. I'd love to just have her stay with my MIL for a few days, but my MIL is terrified of driving with her in the car--she's a nervous nelly, and not sure how to work the newer car seats. Ugh....

What did you all do with your younger children? 

 I had surgery on the 12th of June and my discharge instructions were no bending down and no lifting over 10 pounds for the first 10 days and even at that, I would encourage you to play it by ear -- some feel great, others have a hard time of it and you really don't know which way you will be until you have the surgery -- hope this helps a bit.

I had surgery on June 21st and have three little kids (6,4, 10 months). My sister took them Wednesday night - Friday afternoon, when my hubby picked them up. He stayed home with them Friday night and they all came to get me on Saturday. My husband stayed home with me thru Tuesday and then I had friends help me out, at least part days, thru the rest of the week. That brings us til now. I felt pretty good after surgery but my energy level is low, so I tire easily. I also had several instances of having to run to the bathroom quickly for the first 5 days, which would not have been easy had a been alone with the kids (feeding a bottle, etc). So my recommendation is to have some help lined up and have a contigency plan in place in case you feel icky for longer.

Best of luck!

Amy

Having her stay with your parents for a few days is probably a good idea.  I suggest getting some new toys/new videos/something new and fun for her to do when she is back with you.  Some things that will entertain her and require minimal work on your part.  You won't be able to pick her up for a while but can she climb up on the couch herself, with you sitting there to help her?  She can sit next to you and snuggle.  I would just arrange to have everything you're likely to need close at hand and plan to do quiet activities with her.

 Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I think I'm going to have my MIL take the first week, and then have my parents take the second week. I'm having my surgery on a Tuesday, and tentatively to be  released on that Thursday (barring any complications). My husband will be home on weekends, so he can do daddy duty then. 

I was super worried about this when I had my surgery, too. My DH was home w/me for the first week. My son was 20 mos. at the time. After DH went back at one week, I managed by not picking him up at all except for nap times, when I lifted him into and out of his crib. I had practiced w/him going up and down the stairs holding my hand and things like that. If he crawled into my lap, I held a pillow on my stomach so he wouldn't kick me. It really wasn't that bad. Not ideal, of course, but we managed. My Dr.s rule was not to lift more than 20 lbs for a month i think, but he assured me that it would be fine to pick him up for naps. He said it wouldn't cause any damage to the internal work he had done. Mine was laparoscopic, though, so I don't know if it would be different for an open procedure. Good luck!