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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Your body after 2 sections

24 replies

Molotov · 16/01/2015 11:54

I've had one VB in 2009 and one ELCS in 2012. I think I would like to TTC one more baby, who would be born by repeat ELCS.

My body is good after one section (I'm in my early 30s, tall, a healthy weight and have only the scar to show I had a CS) but I'm wondering if I'd be as 'lucky' if I got pg with my 3rd baby/2nd ELCS?

Also, how did your second section compare to your first?

TIA!

OP posts:

ExitStageLeft · 16/01/2015 11:55

Interesting thread, I'd also be please to hear the responses.

puddleduck27 · 16/01/2015 13:19

yes - i would be interested to know as well

Chrysanthemum5 · 16/01/2015 13:26

I had two sections I emergency 1 elective. The elective was a much better experience and the scar from that is almost invisible. I am pretty petite (size 6-8, just over 5') but I do have a slight tummy which I can't get rid of. My skin is pretty stretched but that's due to 2 big babies not the sections. I have no regrets about the sections and recovery time from number 2 was about the same as number 1.

Showy · 16/01/2015 13:26

There is absolutely no way of knowing how your body will be after two sections. It depends on myriad factors: age; pregnancy; weight gain; surgeon; genes. To name a few.

I have had two cs and the second one in particular was a positive, lovely, joyful experience. I needed no pain relief afterwards and was back running at 8 weeks. The surgery itself took slightly longer as it often does second time round. This is because of scar tissue and adhesions from the first surgery. Otherwise, it was fine.

My body wasn't much different after the first section either. Second time round, there is a lasting effect but who know what caused that. I did have excess water, obviously everything was stretched from first time round and I was 4 years older. However, I am a v fit size 8. The rest of my body is pretty bloody toned. I have quite impressive abs and I have no visible scar to speak of. The overhang of loose skin will never, ever go. The very slight lopsided effect of it being stitched tighter on one side will never, ever go. The remaining slight diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscle) will never, ever close. But in the sum of my whole body, it's insignificant. It's low down, hidden by a bikini and it's just where my babies came from. I work hard to be fit and healthy and day to day, it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

GillSans · 16/01/2015 13:27

They basically, in most cases, cut out your old scar and replace it with your new one.

I had a crash section with my first and the scar was long and jagged with big cartoon stitch marks from hip to hip. I thought everyone's was like that until I got pregnant with my second and the midwives and consultant were all a bit about it. The second scar replaced the first and is straight and nowhere as noticeable. The stitch marks have mostly gone but it is just as long. The Consultant said if I had a third they would have to consider a vertical cut.

I've only recently realized that some women have tiny little bikini line scars even after 2 sections.

Showy · 16/01/2015 13:30

GillSans, my scar after two sections is about 3 inches long, completely hidden by the hairline and just the tiniest of thin white lines.

MIL had a CS 33 years ago when she developed severe, sudden onset preeclampsia and has a scar just as you describe it. I, oddly, quite like it. It's a badge of survival for her and v premature DH.

LollyLondon · 16/01/2015 13:34

2 sections here also and have neat/faint scars just above bikini line, BUT I have terrible stretch marks and a definite jelly belly. I think that's down to "eating for 2" the second time around and skin tone (some skin types seem more susceptive to stretch marks apparently).

GillSans · 16/01/2015 13:37

I know Showy I've never felt bad about it as I was just so thankful they got my baby out and both she and I were ok. And also, as I say, I just thought that was the norm.

I'm a big pants kind of girl anyway

Nice of MIL to show you her scar.... I think

DarylDixonsDarlin · 16/01/2015 13:40

It varies so hugely from one woman to another, i should think you'd get roughly half 'i look great' stories and the other half not so great. Good if you can use that as comfort to know that you might end up being happy with how you look after, not so good if you are going to fear how your body looks.

My body after 3 sections looks mostly like it did before, only 8 years older and fatter, which is not as a result of my pregnancies or sections - i just eat too much and don't do enough exercise! The scar itself is insignificant to me, i was never a bikini or crop top wearer so its not a biggie.

There is an overhang but id guess that's due to me being fat rather than because of the scar? I have been slim (17kg less than i weigh now) in between no.2 and no.3 section, and my tummy just looked like a normal slim woman's. But then i had hardly any stretch marks from any of the pregnancies and my babies were fairly small.

GillSans · 16/01/2015 13:40

oh, and also, despite having stretchmarks on my thighs, I haven't got a single one on my stomach despite being the size of a whale with my second.

Mrsstevejones · 16/01/2015 13:41

I had 2 secs one emergency and one elective. The scar was much better on my elective and i healed sooo much faster i was back driving in 3 weeks, didnt need much in the way of pain relief.

However i am a big chunka (15 st) and i do have much more of a noticeable overhang but i also had 2 very large babies so i stretched alot.

I read ( not sure if its true) that massaging your scar can help to break down the excess scar tissue and adhesions under the incision and help prevent the overhang as the scar tissue can cause everything to tighten and make it worse - apparently. The surgeon told me i had a lot of scar tissue so i am trying this. Loosing the weight slowly so it will be interesting to see what my tummy looks like when i slim down a bit.

My scar is virtually invisible even if the overhang didnt hide it!!

YorkshireTeaGold · 16/01/2015 13:42

Hi! I had 2 elcs, 2 yrs apart. Both pgs I was a size 10/12 when I got pg and put on an average amount of weight. I'm 5'8" so I carry well as plenty of room.

After cs1 you could hardly tell I'd had a cs, flat stomach and tiny scar. After cs2 the scar is a bit more visible and longer and the skin above it is a tiny bit looser but nothing major (and I'm very vain!).

My thighs, on the other hand, are horrific but can't blame the cs for that!

Newyearnewoutlook · 16/01/2015 13:42

I've had four c sections. The second was most painful due to some complications but others not as bad. The scar looks like just one scar unless you look closely and then can see the four lines.

bonzo77 · 16/01/2015 13:42

I'm the same now as after my first. I'm 5'2 and size 8-10 so not big in any sense. I've got a bit of a ledge, not an overhang. Probably noticeable in a swim suit, less so in a bikini. My second scar is superimposed over my first. There are definitely 2 scars visible. I don't care one bit.

Showy · 16/01/2015 13:45

I go on holiday with MIL! She wears a bikini with pride.

Most people wouldn't know I have a CS scar if they saw me in a bikini (they wouldn't, I'm Mrs Big Pants too). Stretch marks on the other hand. Ooooh that's a different question. I have stretch marks on my stomach, bottom, thighs, breasts and knees even. They're pale and silvery now but there's no hiding them. Again, I don't care.

GillSans · 16/01/2015 13:54

Sorry Showy just had an image of you and MIL comparing scars. Never thought of being on holiday . Glad you expanded though.

cathpip · 16/01/2015 14:04

Have had 3 sections, 1 emcs and 2 elcs. I have only had a bad recovery from one and that was due to an infection. I have a very neat scar but a large overhang (3in), unfortunately for me I go from 10st and size 10 to 16st and size 16/18 when pregnant, oh and I have very large babies so even when I get back to 10st, my stomach is like an over expanded elastic band, and just won't ping back! As my ds says " mummy's tummy smiles"

cuphat · 16/01/2015 14:15

I'm due to have a second ELCS. After my first, and a very large baby, my body went back to normal. No overhang - in fact the midwife told said "you're going to have a flat stomach!" while I was still in theatre. I thought she meant literally, right then, but now I know what she meant! And the scar is almost invisible. It's below my bikini line so can't be seen in a bikini. So I'm interested in what will happen next time.

rallytog1 · 16/01/2015 18:02

Gillsans my scar sounds identical to yours after one emcs. It also took me a while to realise it wasn't normal! Really good to hear how it was affected by your second cs though as I've been wondering a lot about that recently (thinking about ttc dc2)

1944girl · 16/01/2015 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Molotov · 17/01/2015 19:11

Thanks all for your replies.

I am very pleased with how I healed after the ELCS I had in 2012 and just wondered if I would fare as well one last time, or if I'd get a monumental jelly belly and/or overhang; massive scar, etc. I'd be at least 32yo/3y older than last time. My tummy feels a little softer since the last birth to me, but it's nothing anyone else would notice. I look down at my belly and wonder if another pg would wallop it!

I guess I won't know until it happens! If only I could have a crystal ball ...

OP posts:

DarylDixonsDarlin · 18/01/2015 10:56

I think as long as you're comfortable with your body when you conceive Molotov you'll be alright . I put on less weight with my 3rd pregnancy than any of the others, as I rarely sat down! I was still working then and had plenty to do at home so pretty much maintained my normal level of activity, was surprised just how flat my tum was immediately after birth. Then the breastfeeding/cake merry go round started haha

Go for it!

plentyofshoes · 18/01/2015 11:31

I have had two. There is no difference in the scar at all. I have gone back to normal really. However it has taken longer....

Original poster

Molotov · 19/01/2015 19:51

I definitely noticed that my tummy took longer to shrink/body took longer to get back to normal after dd2: perhaps as a combination of her being my 2nd child and having an ELCS. I think that's why I'm wondering what a 3rd child/2nd ELCS might do to me!

If we did go ahead and I get pg again, I think I'll make sure I do my usual exercise (walking lots) and take up ante-natal pilates. I found post-natal pilates really helped after dd2's birth.

Thanks all for your replies

OP posts:

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