How was your second C-Section compared to your first?

[YankNCock]

I had a EMCS with DS and am TTC again now. When I had the CS, I was surprised by how fast I recovered. Compared to my friends who had vaginal births, I was having near the easiest time. Aside from a minor superficial infection in the wound, I really felt good afterward. Perhaps this was because after hyperemesis, SPD and antenatal depression I was just so relieved not to be pregnant anymore, I don't know.

Just thinking about whether I'd want to try of a VBAC or just ask for a CS again, given it went so well the first time.

So if you had two or more sections, was the recovery the same?

No. My first was an emergency after a 30 odd hour labour and the recovery took forever and was hellish.

The second (elective due to breech) was wonderful - the op, the aftercare and the recovery. I'm sure it was at least in part due to the fact my body hadn't been through the stresses of labour the second time, but I was also in much better shape physically beforehand than I was with ds1.

To put it in perspective - after 4 weeks with ds1 I could just about walk to church and back 2 hours later (500 yards away). By the same stage with ds2, I could walk ds1 to school and come home again straight away, 2.25 miles in total.

my second was very much the same as my first - quite easy but it didnt feel like it the morning after, that feeling of being weak and ill only lasted for a day. Both were elcs, and a week on I was pretty much fine.

had an EMCS with DC1 - physically ok but mentally took a little longer to recover (had to be induced early for a number of reasons which wa a bit of a shock).

2nd time round elective - all like a dream - physically fine and recovered a lot faster, but wonder how much of that is because "i had to" as i had an older child at home (was private both times and in hosp for 5 nights with baby in nursery at night so i'm sure that had something to do with it too). i was also physically fitter 2nd time round.

i was definitely up and walking around quite happily within 24 hours, both times.

personally, for me i was always going to have a CS 2nd time round.

My second was much nicer. Both were EMCS but the second was with a spinal and much less of an emergency. First was under GA and very traumatic.

I would opt for ELCS in the unlikely event of having more babies now, but mostly because I have tried a VB twice and while I am quite good at being pregnant, I am just no good at getting the buggers out.

Having a newborn and a toddler after CS was hard though. Especially when the older one runs off and you are hobbling chasing after them

Both mine were ELCS. Slightly more tugging around on oerating table with#2 as had adhesions from #1. Recovery as good/quick as first (back out running in 5 weeks) although did have an internal infection with #2 but this was easily sorted with anti biotics.

With DS1 I had an elective due to severe SPD, had him at 11am (wed) and by 3am was on my feet walking around the ward, was home friday lunchtime. Was a lovely time, felt very relaxed in theatre.

With my twins 15 months later, went into prem labour at 33 weeks, kept in labour 36 hours to keep steroids going in so spinal was while having contractions. I stopped breathing on the operating table and the girls whizzed off to SCBU. Had them wed at 5pm and was on my feet the next morning and home that night (girls left in for 3 weeks). Managed to split the wound open again and put myself back an extra 4 weeks.

Currently pregnant with 2nd set of twins and pooping myself about theatre this time due to stopping breathing last time and prem delivery, also going to be a tough slog looking after 5 kids after a c-sec!

I was still a tad nervous with the 2nd ELCS, but it was damn FUN!

I only stayed in hosital for 48 hours (that was sooooooooooooo relaxing). At day 4 I felt fine, although a bit sore and knackered with DS1 around.

I had to push myself to sit and delegate so I could take it easy (that wasn't so successful at times).

The best bit was insisting that DH took 4 weeks off work (2 weeks pat leave and 2 weeks hols). By 10 days were out and about a lot. I knew when he went back it would be hard work as he worked late a lot.

Have had two EMCS, both fairly traumatic but second was marginally better as a)they didn't stick my back 17 times trying to get the spinal in and b)I knew what to expect. Recovery was very similar, no infections, up and about v quickly. Difficult running about after a toddler though.

First was an EMCS after a horrible long labour. Second (and third) were ELCS and I recovered much faster than the first time. I put it down to the fact I didn;t have a long and tiring labour beforehand, and that I knew what to expect with it all.

The walk to theatre though was pretty scary!

Thanks for the input everyone. I am leaning toward an ELCS if I get a choice, but it's a bit of a moot point as I'm not even pregnant yet.

hi all, just found the thread and found it really useful as i am having my 2nd cs in 4 weeks. I am really worried as how to deal with ds1 after cs as mummy is his fav climbing frame and he goes mental as soon as i look at another child. Do you have any tips for recovering quickly/quicker as 1st cs was not a pleasant experience or recovery??

Just thought I'd jump in here with my experience!

1st section was EMCS and wasn't a pleasant experience, epidural didn't work so I had a lot of pain. Think I had PTSD after and PND, recovery took a long time.

2nd section was a planned one, and a much nicer experience. They were well aware that I was very scared, and we took things very slowly. I went home the next day and recovery was much quicker.

Knowing what to expect, not being as terrified and not being exhausted from nearly 24 hours of labour helped too I imagine!

Honestly?

Horrid.

First C/S was emergency after baby's head flexed back, easy recovery.

Second was elective (at term +5 with induction not possible). Awful. 11 hour nil-by-mouth wait on the ward before going to theatre. No nice labour hormones to help through the stress of the op or the recovery. Adhesions, drain. Hard to look after DC1 who was not much more than a baby, but bloody heavy. Swore I wouldn't do it again.

So I didn't. VBA2C with DC3, wonderful wonderful, wonderful, born 1 hour after arriving at hospital, home by teatime.