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it depends. my first baby i had at 28 weighed 5#, took 5 hours labor, and i was not quite right for a month. ached all over and horrible afterbirth pains for quite awhile. my second baby at 29 weighed nearly 10#, same 5 hours labor, and i could have leapt up from the bed and danced all night. go figure.
I know it depends. I am just wondering for most women, how long it will take for postpartum recovery.
I wouldn't call it "vacation." Do you mean physical recovery? 6 or 8 weeks depending on vaginal delivery or c-section. Emotional recovery? There isn't enough time! Take off as much time as you can, depending on your child care situation. I took off about 4 -5 months with both of mine, then had some family help for a few weeks. They both started day care around 5.5-6 months. I know moms who have taken as little as 6 weeks and as much as a whole year.
At least 5 years, unless you plan to have your baby raised by daycare.
This seems unnecessarily judgmental.
Some of us work, here.
Some of us like to work; some of us don't have a choice.
The notion that one must choose between being a mother or working is a false and detrimental one. Nobody tries to place any such guilt trip on men.
I think it's great for kids to see their moms busting ass in the corporate world (or whatever world, as long as it doesn't involve sitting around the house all day watching "As The World Turns").
I also think early childhood education (by a licensed, certified teacher) gives kids a real boost when they start kindergarten and elementary, and that the social skills they gain in a quality early childhood program are invaluable.
Wow. Lotsa c-sections here.
Exactly how common are they?
I don't think I know anyone who's had one.
I'm not sure, but both of mine were c-sections. My doctor, and many others, will not do a vaginal birth after a c-section. I think that is relatively new, and is one reason why there are so many c-sections these days.
Do pregnant women who excise regularly get less chance of c-sections? Is that related?
Quote:
Originally Posted by rkb0305
I'm not sure, but both of mine were c-sections. My doctor, and many others, will not do a vaginal birth after a c-section. I think that is relatively new, and is one reason why there are so many c-sections these days.
No, I mean if you work, how much vacation will you plan to take for postpartum recovery.
Quote:
Originally Posted by maciesmom
Oh RECOVERY....I thought you said vacation!? Trust me, no woman is on VACATION after giving birth. Recovery, OTOH depends on the woman, the birth etc etc etc. Everyone is different.
My first was a looong labor and delivery (31 hours). It was two weeks before I could move normally (I had pulled a muscle) and not be totally exhausted. I would say my body needed a full four weeks for my first.
My second was a much quicker labor (about six hours), most of which I spent in the tub. I also spent four days in the hospital (two days longer than most hospital stays) because my son needed extra care (and I was nursing). I think that helped a lot. Anyhow, I went for a six mile moutain hike about three weeks later and felt great, so I think my body only needed two weeks or so.
Since it is your first, I would take as much time as you possible can. That way you can be prepared in case you need more time than *normal*, and have more time to enjoy your baby before the craziness of work combined with motherhood begins! I didn't need much time off for sickness in my son's first year, but he wasn't in daycare either. I would think about how much time you will need off for other needs, such as doctor appointments and baby's sicknesses (and your own) and family visits, etc., and subtract that from how much vacation time you currently have accrued. Take that remaining vacation time for your maternity leave.
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