Are subsequent C-sections more difficult to recover from?

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I had an EMCS with my first and I had a fairly easy recovery. It was painful for the first couple of days, but I was up and about moving quickly and didn't find it overly difficult. My wound also healed really well.

I'm having an ELCS this time and just wondering about the recovery. I know it varies, but can anybody here tell me how they found their experience the second time around and how they were different?

I'm trying to prepare myself as much as possible!

I had a EMCS with my first. It was a difficult birth, hours of labour then they tried a ventouse and forceps but she was back to back and not budging😀 Immediately after my cs dh said I looked like a ghost! The actual recovery was ok like you I was up and moving quite quickly. (Although a three mile country walk a week later was definitely a mistake 😀)
My ds was breech so I had a planned cs. It was much easier during and after because I knew what to expect and how to look after myself.

I found the second a bit easier in some ways, just because I knew what to expect I think. I was more tired though, and did too much too soon like most women who have toddlers and a new baby. Rest as much as possible, that seems to help speed up recovery.
I have a much worse scar from the second one though. So annoying as my first surgeon did an amazing job but my tummy is wrecked now.

I've had four sections. I think it just depends. My second went smoothly, my third had problems because they nicked my bladder as they were cutting me and I had to have a catheter in for 2 days. They said I had a lot of scar tissue inside that can start connecting to my bladder and bowel and recommended no more, but I went on to have another soon afterwards and that went smoothly. I noticed after my third and fourth c sections that I was in more pain afterwards and took me a while longer to completely out of pain. I had to stay in an extra night because I needed more morphine.

I had a very relaxed EMCS for my first and am ELCS with complications for my second. I think the recovery was similar, but I think I had different perspectives. I think the first time I was expecting it to be difficult so when it was ok I was delighted. Second time I remembered it being easy first time round, but of course there was still a couple of sore days at the start and so they sort of took me by surprise even though I don't think they were actually any worse.

I've had 3. Two EMCS and then a planned one. The planed one was the easiest recovery even though I was nearly 10 years older. Good luck!

Two planned sections here-both straight forward recoveries. My second surgeon commented that my pervious surgeon was an 'excellent seamstress' and was able to use the same scar which most likely helped xxx

In my experience ELCS a millions times easier to recover from than EMCS because you haven't gone through labour first!

I found recovering from my second EMCS much easier than my first. I guess because there was less stress when it ended up going that way and I knew what to expect with the recovery.

I’ve had two - first emergency; second elective. The second was soooooo much easier. They had time to use a spinal block instead of general anaesthetic, I knew what to expect and knew how to handle the wound afterwards.

EMCS followed by an ELCS a couple of years later. I found recovery from the second section easier. I was up and about much quicker!

I had two ELCS 2 years in between as both DD's were breach. Both of mine were fantastic with really quick recovery and no issues. I spent a couple of days sore all over and was absolutely fine after that. I'd even go as far to say the second was easier.

Both of mine were about the same. Both technically emergencies as I went into labour before booked date, but didn't feel like emergencies if you see what I mean. Both we're easy - up and about quickly, took it a little bit easy for a few weeks but didn't feel any significant consequences.

I've had two both elective. The first was an absolute breeze. The easiest recovery out of all of my kids so I wasn't worried at all when I had my second one. The second section was much harder; I could barely believe it was the same procedure. Not unbearable or anything but definitely not a breeze either.

I'd always assume after that that they got harder each time but I've a friend thats just had her fourth section and says that was the quickest recovery out of all of them.

if your first child is still young please plan to have help. DH went back to work after a couple of days, I didn’t have any help (person I’d arranged got other work) I did too much too soon (first child under 2) and my wound got infected and recovery took longer than with first CS. I really hope you have a better time!

I’ve had three, each recovery was easier than the last.

I found them progressively easier.

First was a section due to twins (and one breach)

Second and third were sections due to my preference only.

First one I genuinely felt like I'd been hit by a bus when I tried to stand 24 hours after delivery. Totally floored. Offered a blood transfusion due to blood loss during delivery but I declined.

Second recovery was tough but I knew what to expect and it didn't seems as bad as the first.

Third was much much much easier. I got up 1.5 hour after delivery so my own "bed bath" as I didn't want the indignity of the HCA doing it! Got changed after the wash, since I was already standing. Totally easy recovery.

The only material differences, aside from the twin delivery, was that a female surgeon did my third second. The whole thing felt softer and slower and more considered. I think that might have led to a smoother recovery.

Second was a breeze. First was horrific.