Vaginal delivery vs. a planned c-section

[JoyApple]

Hi,

Those that have had both a vaginal delivery and a planned C-section, how did your recover differ each time?

I've unexpectedly been told I'm going to need a planned C-section. My first was delivered vaginally through a ventouse (and second degree episiotomy) and tbh it was traumatic and recovery took long for various reasons.

What's the reason given?
My first sounds like yours. I was given the choice and went for planned CS with my second. Was scared but it took away the fear of the unknown somewhat and really recovery was fine. Did not regret my decision. But I am only one data point!

Also when it's planned you can get more help in place, if available.

A c-section recovery is longer than a standard (no complications) vaginal delivery. If it's planned you can prepare all the help and support you'll need. It's maddening for awhile because you can't sit up and pick up your baby on your own, someone has to help. If you do too much you risk infection, etc. which sets back recovery. I had an emergency c-section and did not have any help planned at all so I had a terrible time, but I was careful and my incision still healed well, no issues. If it's an expected surgery it's so much easier to prepare, especially mentally and emotionally.

I've had 3 vaginal and the one c-section, recovered quickly with the first 3, but the c-section took a full year before I stopped feeling pain in the incision- it's just the nerves growing back, and became less and less frequent. It's not bad, it just made me nervous to exercise too much. At first the scar looks enormous! I was not prepared for that either! I thought it would be tiny like the pictures I've seen. It took months before I saw it shrinking. Now 15mo post-op its tiny lol. My stomach didn't go down quickly like it did before too. Not being able to exercise soon after was a big difference for me. You have to be really patient and let the process take its time. Although I've heard many women say they felt good as new the day after so who knows! The fact it's planned makes it so much nicer that's for sure!

I had a planned c section. Good recovery. I was fit and healthy weight. I couldn't follow advice re lifting etc as I was on my own with 3 children so just got on with it. Started driving again by 3 weeks and taking all 3 plus dog on walks (baby in sling). No issues whatsoever

I'd had a vaginal delivery which was very traumatic and the CS felt like a breeze in comparison.

Vaginal delivery ended in a third degree tear and PND. Planned section was a breeze in comparison, and I had a two-year-old at home to contend with as well, once DH was back at work after his fortnight's paternity leave. If I'd had an easy vaginal delivery the first time I daresay that would have been the best option of all, but the outcome is completely beyond your control.

I had an emergency c section ( for me this was probably better than knowing about it in advance as I couldn't worry about it though friends with planned all seem to have nice photos). Recovery was fine (no pain just scary for a couple of days as felt like things might fall out if sneezed/ coughed). I was getting up and about after the surgery even though quite swollen. I did feel like a beached whale trying to slowly manoeuvre myself in and out of bed / off the sofa.

I do think the order has bearing as when I had the c section I didn't already have children to carry/ferry around/ entertain or organise childcare for whilst in hospital. Had stitches to look after with both just in different places and healed up quickly. A lot of bruising with the vaginal. I had frequent baths with both which I think helped with keeping everything clean and was soothing and helped healing which may not be possible if you are looking after other children on your own.

I've had both. I recovered better mentally and physically from the elective c section.

My first was a vaginal birth, forceps, no pain relief, third degree tear, pph, sewed up in theatre afterwards. Long recovery with physio required. Felt like I'd been hit by a bus for ages afterwards.

Second was elective (recommended). It was calm, surgery went well. I absolutely loved being pain free. The recovery was absolutely fine, obviously it's major surgery so I was expecting it to take a few weeks. Healed fine, after a year the scar faded to silver. It was nice being able to plan babysitting and pat leave for a known date. Older DC was 17 months and fine because of being able to plan for extra help.

Only thing I found was after the section it took a lot longer for my milk to come in - something like 7 days, by which time I had a given my chompy cross newborn formula instead.
I think you can take tablets to speed that up but I didn't know that at the time.

I have a large posterior fibroid at the bottom of my cervix which is partially blocking the exit area, so consultant doesn't think I'll be able to give birth vaginally (i.e..labour wont progress). He thinks there's not enough room for the babY's head to get through with that fibroid there which is also the size of the baby's head.

"Only thing I found was after the section it took a lot longer for my milk to come in"

I forgot to add that my milk came in normally after mine, and I did lactation exercises for awhile beforehand, all instructed by my doctor. The goal was actually to harvest some colostrum just in case there were issues. I never got enough to save, but my milk came in fine. Maybe talk to your Dr about this!

First - ventouse with 2nd degree tear.
Second - planned c section due to placenta issues.

Didn't have any difference in recovery time really, was just sore in a different place! Milk actually came in quicker 2nd time, breastfeeding easier to establish as I wasn't so shattered from 24+ hour labour! Needed to stay in longer as couldn't pee when they took the catheter out however, so had another 24hrs in. But all fine after that.

Don't regret having a section at all, though I didn't have much choice, and was definitely the safer option for both me and baby.

I had a vaginally delivery with DC1 and planned c-sections with DC2 and DC3. With the vaginally delivery I had an epidural, there were no interventions and I didn't tear. I was discharged next day and was out and about doing normal stuff. With the c-sections it was calm, straightforward and I was discharged next day. I was able to move around but couldn't walk too far and couldn't do the mile walk to take DC2 to nursery. But I'm fine and back to normal now. DH gets 6 months paid paternity leave so I had plenty of support. I breastfed all three with no issues, took a few days for milk to come in for DC2 and DC3 but it was fine.

I was similar to you op, first baby vaginal, but had an episiotomy and a bad tear, lost quite a bit of blood.

Had DD2 via ELCS and got to say I hated it. The entire process was very clinical and I really struggled with recovery. Took me aeound 4 months to feel normal.

My milk also never came in which i was devastated about.

Hoping for VBAC with this one.

I had an awful first vaginal birth, followed by a planned C Section which I found significantly easier to recover from than my first. No issues with milk coming in. And most importantly, my baby was delivered safely and without trauma. That's the most important thing for me.

I had a long, back to back labour ending in vaginal birth with my 1st, 2nd degree tear.

Due to this I had an ELCS for my 2nd baby and it was perfect - no pain, slight discomfort and unsteadiness when walking for the 1st week after. Driving again by 2 1/2 weeks when I felt back to myself. I felt better after the ELCS then the vaginal birth.

Milk came in normally.

1st was induced VB, ended with rotational forceps and episiotomy that broke down. Milk didn't come in until day 6, baby was readmitted for tube feeding. I was faecally incontinent for over a year and over a decade on still have issues.

2nd was an ELCS. Calm, controlled almost relaxing. Recovery much easier in part as the wound was not where I sat and toileted and part because they'd never leave an open wound (broken down) at a CS site like they did with my episiotomy. Milk came in normally and no issues with bf. Needed to ensure I didn't lift the toddler or heavy shopping for 6 weeks but otherwise it was fine. Far less painful, far less damaging, far less traumatic.

There's such a variety of outcomes for both honestly. I begged for a planned section with my second because of a traumatic first vaginal delivery but they told me no, you'll need much more medical care with the section. I did not believe them at all. But actually they were totally right. My second vaginal delivery was 4 hours long, no tearing no intervention nothing. I was out of the hospital same day and walking about like nothing had happened. I would not have been like that with a section.

Hi OP, I’m 3 weeks post ELCS and starting to feel like I’m fully back to normal activity. I’ve had 2 straightforward (minor tear requiring stitches both times) vaginal deliveries with my 2 DS and recovery was far harder this time after ELCS.
My DD was breech so I didn’t have a choice this time round and I was really nervous about ELCS. It was a really positive birth experience - my milk came in even quicker because DD was feeding like a champ the first 2 days.
My consultant said uncomplicated vaginal birth is painful before baby and fairly quick recovery after, ELCS is a relatively stress-free birth but is major abdominal surgery and the recovery is hard.
You’ll be fine OP, just take it as easy as humanly possible with a newborn and older children! The way I got my head around it is that as much as I wanted a vaginal birth, ultimately what I wanted the most was my baby in my arms and ELCS was the safest option.