Does a second c/s take longer to heal?

[FenChick]

Just found out am pregnant again, had ds by emergency c/s...healed ok...if I elect this time, do they use the same scar? is the healing process any different and finally is it possible to get your tummy back in shape?!

[Moomin]

I had 2 elective sections - the first healed really well; the second (4 years later) not so. I had a great surgeon both times but I think it was me being older and maybe also trying to do as much as I did the 1st time too early the 2nd time, if you see what I mean! I was out of hsopital after 2 days the end time too, and maybe that was too early - but I did have lots of rest at home, that being said.

1st time I reckon I was 'back to normal' within 2-3 weeks and was certainly driving after 3. 2nd time it took the whole 6 weeks before I felt vaguely human again and it gave me quite a bit of pain for ages after.

But I wouldn't say this is always the case for everyone - just so for me maybe. and they didn't use the same scar, btw.

[Moomin]

oh, and I'm sure it's possible to get your tummy back into shape after 2 c-s.

I certainly did - although it was the shape of a carrier bag full of jelly - is that what you meant?

[Highlander]

I've had 2 elec CSs, 2 years apart. No difference in healing time. 2nd went exactly over 1st scar. Tummy flat, with a little bit of wrinkly skin around my naval.

[TuttiFrutti]

No, my second cs was much better than my first in every way, and recovery much quicker. Electives generally have a faster recovery time than emergencies.

First one: reoovery took weeks, months in fact to feel "normal" again. The second one was a breeze in comparison, I was up walking within hours and driving after 3 weeks, and felt back to normal 2 weeks later.

I think it's down to the amount of drugs they give you. For an elective, you only need enough spinal block to anaesthetise you during the operation, whereas if you have an epidural in labour as I did the first time, with lots of top ups, you will have a lot more anaesthetic in your system.

[tobysmumkent]

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[jenjins]

i had my first em section in 2003 then attempted a vbac in 2006 but after 54 hours was only 2.5cm so i had another section which was done without the urgency of the first one and i did heal far better and quicker this time around. the first time i could not stand straight for nearly a month for some reason but this time the scar was better too. suppose depends on the surgeon and we are all different. are you going to attempt a vbac?

[McDreamy]

Mine was quicker.

[FenChick]

thanks for this info, very reassuring. situation as follows: scared to attempt vbac in case I go overdue again, have to be induced and end up with same es....would rather not set myself up for failure...is this really sad?!

[tobysmumkent]

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[TuttiFrutti]

FenChick, they won't usually induce anyone who's had a c-section before, so if you want a VBAC you will normally be given a date and if you go beyond this it will be an elective c-section straight away. But remember, it's your choice whether or not to have a VBAC or another section.

[JacOLantanne]

Hi, they wouldn't induce me for my second and as I was overdue I ended up with an elective section. To be completely honest with you I found the aftermath a little harder to deal with, it was a little more painful probably because I didn't allow myself to rest due to existing toddler. Conversely my friend found her second section a doddle.

They do use the same scar. The actual experience of an elective section is much much more pleasant than an emergency one - the hardest bit is being away from dc1 (well it was for me )

[SorcerersCameroonianApprentice]

I had an em cs with dd and healed pretty quickly, induced at 2 weeks overdue with ds1 hoping for a VBAC ended up with another em cs, it seemed easier than the first time, maybe because I knew what to expect both cs-wise and baby-wise. Ds2 was an elective section and was also straightforward, driving after 3 weeks etc. The actual operation took longer each time as there is more scar tissue to negotiate but I have just one single scar