To ask about your c section experience?

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Sorry, posting for traffic.. I'm starting to panic because I've got to make a decision soon and either book elective c section or go completely naturally.

Dc1 birth resulted in bad 3rd degree tear, haemorrhage and surgery was required afterwards. I do find myself having less control over bowel movements, I have to rush to the loo ASAP. So I'm worried about long term damage. Friends keep suggesting section but have never had one themselves.

What was your experience? I'm terrified of the recovery and having to stay in hospital away from dc1.

I've had two c-sections. No experience of natural delivery.

My first section was an emergency. I was in hospital for 5 days afterwards, mainly because DS1 needed antibiotics after delivery. It took me longer to recover with my first. I think a lot of this was because of my mentality. I expected to just be able to pick myself up and get on with it. I didn't rest properly, I didn't take pain killers etc and it wasn't until 3 months after I felt like a normal person again. I did also have PND and was adjusting to life with a baby for the first time which didn't help either!

My elective with DS2 was a much better experience. DS1 was 2 when I had him. I was in hospital for a total of 8 days (5 before, 3 after). I took pain relief religiously every four hours. I took my iron supplements and everything else I was prescribed religiously. DH was off for a month and we kept DS1 full time with the childminder for a month as well. I slept when DS1 slept, I stopped trying to do everything and just made sure I rested for the first few weeks. As a result, I recovered much quicker and was feeling like my old self within about 3-4 weeks.

It wasn't easy for that first month, but it was so important to rest properly so I was back to full strength for when DH went back to work and I was left with a 2YO and a new born.

My recovery was really quick. I was approved for discharge when DD was 4 days old. I was out shopping with her that very day.
However my friends well more a friend of a friend had one she took months to recover.
So everyone's experience is very different.

I've been through both a natural birth and a c-section. My natural birth was a far better experience with regards recovery. After my c-section I was in hospital for 3 days after and couldn't do much when I got home. My scar got infected and caused me a lot of discomfort. If I was to have another then I would definitely want a natural birth. I do understand your concerns though. Good luck with whatever decision you make

Both my c-sections were overwhelmingly positive experiences, OP. There's a big difference in terms of recovery and experience between elective and emergency, I think.

With my second, I was home within 24hours; off painkillers within 3 days; and in the pub for a Sunday roast by the end of the week. My first was the same physically, just much more daunting practically/emotionally!

It's nowhere near as frightening as it seems before you have one, and you lose that fear of the baby getting stuck/heart rate dropping etc.

You need to think it through with your medical team, as it may well not be right for you, but I wanted to tell you my experiences as they were so much easier than I'd have believed.

I’ve had an emergency section and a planned section. Both were fine. Think I had 3 nights in for the first one (inc the night I had it done) but I’d had preeclampsia so had been v unwell. Think it was just a night with the second one. Didn’t labour either time which I think helps. Minimal pain/pain relief afterwards and felt pretty well in myself. Well supported by Family both times and kept childcare going for big sister. Biggest downside was not being able to drive for a month and having to be careful about lifting, eg not carrying baby in car seat. Very happy with how they both worked out.

After this baby please go and see a specialist physio to see if they can help with your bowel issues. You don’t need to put up with this.

I’ve had four. All positive and happy experiences, I loved their births. Just take all the painkillers after and don’t overdo it and you’ll be fine. I was driving within 2-3 weeks each time and felt back to normal by about 3 weeks too.

I must add my c/section was 19 years ago and they wanted me to stay in for a week, but I mithered to go home.
I understand 4 days would be a long time now. You're sent home the next bloody day now aren't you.

3 or 4 days for me, no issues, was out and about but still taking it easy. (Shopping and cafes ok, housework not ok 😄)

Mine was planned due to medical reasons.

I had a c section as stubborn (first) baby was breech. Was utterly terrified partly due to the form they made me sign but also the needles BUT it was great, very calm - and baby was in my arms 40 minutes from leaving ward. Very positive experience x

Yes, sent home quickly, next day. My post above means 3 or 4 days before i was out and about.

I had an emergency section after a long labour. Quite a long recovery, but I wasn’t in agony or anything like that, just a bit slow and sore!! After the first couple of weeks, I felt pretty normal.

A year on and I wouldn’t even know I’d had it.

Due to the type of section I had I have to have an elective C section next time, and I’m not worried at all. Even though mine was an emergency, I still feel it was a positive experience. I would highly recommend a section!

I have had two after a first delivery that was catastrophic and nearly resulted in me and the baby dying. I couldn't believe how much easier it was to have an elective C section. i bonded much better wth the baby and recovered far more quickly, but everyone is different. I would discuss it with your GP and midwife. It is major surgery, but sounds like a VD might exacerbate your issues.

Hi OP - my first birth was a lot like yours. Have you joined the Facebook group Birth Tear Support (severe birth tears)? It's for women who have had 3rd and 4th degree tears and there's lots of help and support when it comes to making these desicions. It may help you decide. Fwiw, if/when I have another, I will be opting for an ELCS as I am terrified of a repeat experience but you will see on the group lots of women go on to have vaginal births successfully and with minimal / no tearing. Good luck.

I had an EMCS at 6.30pm in Jan and left hospital at 5pm the next day having pushed hard for a quick discharge (postnatal ward was dreadful, wanted to get out ASAP)! Stupidly didn’t take painkillers around 9pm because I thought I felt great (yeah, because I was dosed up to the eyeballs!) and then couldn’t move when I woke up at midnight. So take the painkillers!! Although a lot of that was muscular pain all over my body from labour before the section. Overall recovery was fine, gave myself a month to feel human but then was back in make up etc, and have showered every day since I had the baby. No experience of vaginal delivery or section recovery whilst looking after another child though.

I had a planned c-section at 36 weeks:

Epidural in at 11am, back in delivery room with baby in arms at 11:45. No pain(because epidural).

The next morning I felt a bit battered and bruised when I got out of bed (lots of referred shoulder and neck pain from air/blood under the diaphragm). But I felt much better after a shower, and was off painkillers entirely by day 3.

I've had 3 vaginal births, a semi elective section (planned 2 days before it happened and before labour started) and an emergency section. Both sections were awful and I still have ptsd 4 years after the emergency one. I can go into more detail if you like but I don't want to scare you if you are going to have one.

I've only had a planned section. DC born Monday morning, discharged Wednesday (which I knew in advance due to my complications, otherwise I could have been discharged Tuesday).

Recovery was easy - I had to remind myself to take it easy as from day 3 I was fine with stairs, getting up and down etc. Didn't drive until 6 weeks, but that's largely because DH managed to get 6 weeks off work - I could happily have driven much earlier if I'd needed to. Had a minor infection, but that's because DC was readmitted and I spent too much time worrying and forgot to look after myself properly, all fine after antibiotics.

Not had a second DC yet. If I do, my one worry will be not being able to lift DC1 for a few weeks.

Had DD by section at 8:20pm and was at home the next day by 5pm. I got up and showered and dressed and stood at the end of my bed with her in her car seat. It's not too bad - I found standing up a lot more comfortable than sitting down (but got told off by the health visitor).

Make sure you have a cushion or pillow you can hold against the cut when you laugh/caugh/sneeze as it really helps you feel more secure. Stitches came out after 5 days and that was a huge relief.

Best of luck x

Should have said it was an emergency C section

DD was an emergency c section under general anaesthetic, recovery was difficult. 4 days in hospital. Pain medication effected me badly (mental health) but recovery was painful and I was out of action for a while. Definitely took at least 6+ weeks for me to feel normal again.

DS was a VBAC. 100 x easier. Went home a few hours later and felt recovered after 2 weeks. Able to look after both children etc.

I was advised to have a second c section but was very happy that I chose to have a natural birth

Also, emergency c section and I hear planned are much better more positive experiences

I’ve had 2 sections. First due to failed induction and second was elective. Both were very positive with quick recovery, no infection etc. Lovely neat scars (due to female surgeon I reckon, lol). Just dont overdo it, take the painkillers and all the help you can afterwards.

I stayed with my parents for 4 and 3 weeks afterwards as my OH works away from home so my mum and dad made sure I concentrated on baby only and got plenty of rest (they took the baby in their room overnight a few times too so I could get a good sleep).

I had an emergency section for first baby and a planned one for my second. The planned one was AMAZING! Each to their own but I would personally recommend it. The whole experience was so quick and relaxed and I felt very well cared for.

I was 'done' first thing in the morning and only kept in hospital for one night. My partner brought my son in to meet the new baby the following morning - which was lovely, then I came home that afternoon. I found the recovery for both sections ok. You take painkillers for a couple of weeks. It took a few days to be walking around normally and after that it was just a case of taking things relatively easy for a couple of weeks.

Obviously you get a scar, which may be a down side for some - but not a big deal for me to be honest, as it's usually covered by the line of my knickers and I am not much obsessed with beach bodies. x

I had to have a c section due to medical reasons last pregnancy and will definitely have one with this one, even if I could give birth naturally. The worst thing was the epidural for me as they couldn't do it properly but honestly everything was much less painful than I thought. Also you don't bleed as much after or so I was told. The worst thing was trying to get in and out of bed when the cot was alongside. I would definitely recommend. One thing to note is that I had to inject myself every day with a anti coagulant but that may not be for all patients