Up and about after giving birth - how soon for you?

I had to spend a week in hospital after my daughter was born because she had jaundice. Was going stir crazy and resumed normal life as soon as I got home (no partying though )

First emergency c section . 3 nights in hospital, breast fed , home with no support apart from husband.
Second planned c section, 3 nights in hospital, breast fed , no support apart from husband. Infection in wound from a new type of stitch apparently . Uncomfortable and had to be drained .

My hairdresser was back working on the Saturday after having her 3rd baby by c section on the Tuesday.
She is one of those super women that nothing phases or gets in her way.

I had both of my children by emergency c section.The first time in 1969, both DS1 and myself nearly died and were very ill for first couple of days and was in for 14 days afterwards.
Was two weeks overdue and DH had arranged a fortnight off work for the expected time, but as t happened he had to go back to work day after we came home no paternity leave then.
My DM stayed for one day then she too went back to work, MIL came in everyday but just cuddled the baby for a short time then left.
Second time DH was in the merchant navy and did not come home until 2 months after the birth.MIL was more help this time as she came everyday to take DS1 out (he had stayed with her the 10 days I was in hospital).My DM was conspicuous by her absence again.
My two DILs were home the next day except for one time when the baby was premature born by c section.DIL in for a week afterwards baby had to stay in for 6 weeks.
My DGD2 was home the next day after both her children births.

2 days for me after my C section. First baby, I was 32 and when I was home just wanted to cry. Pain was awful, Hubby at work, I couldn't breastfeed and making all those formula bottles was difficult. I survived Lol but think the experience could have been better for me with support in place. [Family 300 miles away}.Scary time.

First labour was long and protracted and I was kept in hospital for a week, and even though I was up and about, I was knackered for several months.

No 2, however arrived so fast and so painlessly I would quite happily have got off the delivery bed and walked home with her immediately.

I was home 8 hours later and even though DM was staying, I just threw a pillow and sleeping bag on the settee, to lie under when the midwife called and from day one was up and about and doing everything as normal. I was as full of energy and as bouncy as normal.

I see nothing remarkable about what the Duchess of Sussex is doing.

My first, in 1963, in hospital for a week, but up and about the day after she was born.
The second, in 1965,I had an infection so was kept in hospital for 11 days, not up and about until a week after the birth.
Number 3, in 1967, in hospital for 3 days, but up and about straightaway.
Number 4, in 1969, at home, up after a few hours because I was hungry and hubby was fast asleep!
Number 5, in 1971, at home, born at 10 pm, up washing nappies mid morning the following day.

6 days in hospital after having both my babies. I was advised to stay after the birth of the first as I had extremely low blood pressure. After the birth of no. 2 I had to wear compression stockings for varicose veins, and they were worried about deep veins thrombosis.
I didn't have varicose veins, I've always had prominent veins on one leg. I tried to explain but they wouldn't listen.

I had both my children (in 1976 and 1979) in hospital then spent a week in the local maternity unit. It was lovely, with chocolate cake in the afternoons. My mother came to stay for ten days or so afterwards. I can't remember there being any paternity leave then. (DH was in the Royal Navy so couldn't easily take time off, in fact, just after my mother left in '76 he sailed unexpectedly to the cod war.)
My grandmother had ten children and I was told she never put a foot on the floor for two weeks after giving birth as she believed 'everything would drop out'!

came home.

Six days with DS1, which was about the norm in 1971. It was a forceps delivery because he was getting tired - so was I. Second time, as DS2 was vomiting after feeds, he was taken to SCBU in a different hospital after 2 days and I was sent home in great distress at not being allowed to see him, though his dad was. I spent a week expressing my milk and was able to breast feed him when he came

I gave birth in British Military Hospitals, stayed in 10 days with first and 6 days with second. I longed to be home.

I had a c-section and had spent many months being immobile- but was out walking at about a week old. I had to stay in hospital for four days though.

I was lucky to have no complications with my three births. 1978, 80 and 84.
In hospital 48 hours each time.
DH had a week off work after each of the first two. With number 3 he only had the day off when I came out and when she was 10 days old all 5 of us went off on holiday in our tourer caravan.

I was in hospital for a week with the first one and 24 hours with the second. MiL was staying with us to look after DD but spent most of her stay having funny turns so was not much help.

I wouldn't have thought Meghan being out and about already was unusual in America. Their new mothers are lucky if they get two weeks maternity leave. Perhaps she's showing solidarity with the workers.

Three days in hospital with the first (1972), then ever decreasing time for subsequent babies, until I was in hospital for only 6 hours or so with the last two (1990-1991) When the youngest was three days old he was baby Jesus in the Sunday School Nativity that I directed and narrated.

The longest time I spent in hospital was five days, I think. Once I got home, I was keen to get out and was definitely pushing the pram to the shops within a week or ten days. I had to lug one of our cats to the vet a couple of miles away in a basket on top of the pram when my first baby was just three or four weeks old!

At the same time, I don’t think new mums should be expected to be back in their size 10 jeans and wearing full make up by the time the baby is a week old. Everyone is different, in fact, even my own experiences were different from one another.

1973, long labour then totally unexpected emergency section as turned out to be transversal breech. Home on day 4, no help or support whatsoever apart from midwife and healthvisitor.

My 3rd was born in December in a very old draughty hospital. I was in the annex( with 3 others , ) which had large windows like a conservatory. So our babies were taken to the nursery at night, as it was too cold to keep them with us. We had lovely nights sleep, good company, and thoroughly enjoyed our week away from home. My other two children visited every day, just for half an hour. By the time I went home I was fighting fit, relaxed and raring to go , just in time for Christmas.
Perfect !

Both of mine were 6 hour hospital stays then home. I went out and about after 3 days and got told off by my midwife. Hardly makes her super woman does it.

Sarnia

Such a trouper, isn't she? Back to all the hard graft of being a Mum to a newborn and a toddler and all on a shoestring budget. I don't know how she does it. Such an inspiration

The Duke has been “picking vegetables from the garden” and carrying out daily chores around the house
(Daily Express).

This will help, Sarnia, I am sure.

Rus in urbe ?

My first two were born in 1982 and 1984. Each time I was in hospital for 3 days then had to spend the next 7 days under house arrest staying indoors being looked after by my mam. I wouldn't have dared go out because the midwife came every day and expected me to be there no matter when she chose to come. When I had my third in 1988 things had changed and I only stayed in for 24 hours but I still had to stay at home for the next 9 days.

I don't think it did me any harm. It gave me time to bond with the baby, rest and let the baby get used to the outside world gradually. Now it seems like everything is rushed. DDs both went shopping on their way home from the hospital.

Such a trouper, isn't she? Back to all the hard graft of being a Mum to a newborn and a toddler and all on a shoestring budget. I don't know how she does it. Such an inspiration

For my first, in 1982, I was in hospital for three days. For the second two years later I went home the next day.

Just as an aside, when my mum had my oldest brother she had 2 weeks in hospital (as she did with the following three of us). Dad collected her and very kindly ordered a taxi as he didn't drive. When they got home, he carried her bag up to the front door, opened it and said, "OK, I'm off to the football now, see you later" and just left her there! To be fair, he was a wonderful dad to all of us but that was just how it was in the 1950s - women were expected to get on with it!

DD had her child on the 12th May by CS she went for a run with both children in the running buggy yesterday, the only thing she moaned about was the heat!!
Everyone is different and will do things in their own time at their own pace. No new parents should be judged for their choices❤️

14 days in hospital 1961, Still 14days’rest’ with home help too, at home in 1965.