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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

If you had two (or more) c-sections...

33 replies

GeeKayChesterton · 27/01/2018 20:49

...did you have a similar recovery for subsequent ones?

I had a EMCS with DD (although it was only an emergency as my waters broke ahead of my elective date - elective because she was breech - it was all very chilled and I tend to think of it as "an elective without an appointment"). I had a great recovery. Little pain, could shuffle about happily within a day or so, pootle to the shops after 5 days. No problems picking her up, feeding went okay, all healed well. Lucky fucking me, eh?!

My question is: is it wildly optimistic to expect similar again? It was definitely a better than average recovery and, based on that, I have no desire to try for a VBAC. But before making that decision, I probably need to research whether I can expect a roughly similar recovery next time round? I know there are no guarantees and it will depend on circumstances - but is there any correlation between recovery experiences for multiple sections?

OP posts:

TheLegendOfBeans · 27/01/2018 20:56

EMCS with DD (Feb 2016)
Back to “normal” in 4 weeks.

ELCS with DS 15 weeks ago
Many a wound weep and left with a huge “shelf”. Wound still hurts when pressed.

Sultanainasalad · 27/01/2018 21:02

Pretty much the same for me both times, relatively easy recovery. Trying to explain to a toddler why I couldn't lift/ run after her was the hardest part.

megletthesecond · 27/01/2018 21:11

EMCS - on painkillers for over three weeks. Miserable, couldn't stand up. Clothes / pants hurt for weeks. Felt better by week 8. Back at the gym at week 12 although it hurt when I ran until about month 6.

Planned cs - stayed in pj's for two weeks. Off painkillers in about 10 days. Took it easy. Far less pain. Although waited until week 12 to go back to the gym.

doreme · 27/01/2018 21:14

Two ELCS and great recovery both times, if not better with the second. Pretty much the same as your first experience. Had a few issues with wound not healing properly with number two, but nothing major. I definitely think it was the right way to go.

Foxedme · 27/01/2018 21:17

EMCS due to Pre eclampsia with DD1 - very nearly died due to P.E. But very quick recovery from CS.

10.5 years later...
EMCS due to pre eclampsia with DD2 - rather bodged imo and has awful infection so I could hardly walk!

Planned CS with DS - absolutely joyous and quick pain free recovery...

Sorry, it was a bit hit and miss for me! I was terrified for 3rd and it was the best of the three by far. Good luck OP, I'm sure it will all be ok x

chorusline79 · 27/01/2018 21:26

I've had 2 c sections and second time round was easier as knew what to expect but possibly slightly more painful for first 2 weeks... but I think I didn't manage my medication well enough 2nd time round, and if I had been taking adequate painkillers it would have been better.
I think my elcs was better recovery emotionally as knew what to expect, in control and knew to be careful with activity levels
All the best and hope it goes well!

Samewitches · 27/01/2018 21:28

I had exactly the same as you OP for my first pregnancy (except elcs was agreed before dd was found to be breech) and with my second 15 weeks ago I was so afraid of waters going beforehand. They didn't and I had another cs that I recovered from brilliantly as the first time. Walked home, out and about immediately, back to normal within 2 weeks. I had a few problems with the scar because my stitches didn't dissolve this time but only mild discomfort and didn't require any intervention. Driving, pushing pram uphill, cleaning, lifting baby etc no problem at all, as with my first. I'm not pushing my luck and doing it again though! I did use more of the pain relief I was discharged with this time though, having a toddler as well as a newborn meant Iifted and twisted more which caused a bit more discomfort but I used pain medication for less than a week with the first and just over a week for the second. Fingers crossed for a good recovery for you too!

stellenbosch · 27/01/2018 21:28

First bad
Second worse
Third, fucking terrible - year later and still not right.

Good luck

pallisers · 27/01/2018 21:29

Found recovering from the second one easier (both elective). Knew what to expect maybe. I discharged myself early from the hospital and was fine. I had a 1 year old and a 3 year old at home too.

mrsnoon · 27/01/2018 21:30

2 planned sections, recovery was better second time as I knew what to expect eg couldn't sleep on my side, struggled to open the door to my room as I had no idea how much you use your core muscles for things like that but to be honest my recovery was pretty good both times. Out an about shopping within a few days with both and just about back to normal after a month or so.

anothernetter · 27/01/2018 21:32

In a nutshell yes both times straightforward recovery although two very different experiences; one emergency, one planned.

Alwaysfrank · 27/01/2018 21:34

Had three, all very good recoveries. Third was probably the least painful due to an amazing dressing holding everything together! Was out and about Christmas shopping with newborn twins within 8 days. Good luck!

BlackeyedPetitsPois · 27/01/2018 21:34

Two elective sections 5 years apart...both pretty miserable and long recovery periods (despite following midwife instructions and being fastidious about cleaning/airing the wound etc) huge overhanging belly bulge low down, still numb around scar area.

But i have two amazing girls so all worth it!!

fruitpastille · 27/01/2018 21:35

All three of mine have been fine. First few days were a bit tough but I felt better every day. Made sure not to over do it - no hoovering etc for 4 weeks even though I felt fine just to be on safe side. Scar is barely visible.

SansaClegane · 27/01/2018 21:38

Two EMCS and an ELCS. Recovery was bad with the first two but fucking horrendous with the elective (when I thought it might be easier)! There were complications due to having had caesareans before, I couldn't even bloody move in the first week.
It is highly individual though so who knows you might be lucky again!

Original poster

GeeKayChesterton · 27/01/2018 21:38

Thanks all! Sounds like quite a mixed bag in terms of predictability. Although I guess that's sort of the issue with a VBAC too! I'm not sure if this is the sort of thing there's any stats on - didn't seem to be any readily available via Google, but I'll keep digging. It is helpful to hear experiences!

OP posts:

SarahBeeney · 27/01/2018 21:39

1st baby EMCS after long labour. Felt like I'd been run over.

2nd baby semi elective (was booked in for elective but went into labour). Was standing up straight he following day and felt great.

WellTidy · 27/01/2018 21:43

Two emergency sections, 4 years apart.

First Emcs was after a 3 day labour. Second was after a shorter labour as there is a concern of rupture after a previous section, so you're not allowed to labour for as long. As a result, I was loads less tired. That made recovery a lot easier, despite DS2 being a whopper and obviously there was ds1 to look after too.

I also I nsisted on better pain relief to take home from hospital too. Our local Trust doesn't routinely prescribe any painkillers at all after leaving hospital having had a CS. It is paracetamol and ibuprofen only. I found that very difficult after ds1. I realised via mumsnet that not all trusts have the same policy so. Insisted in being prescribed diclofenac too, and that also helped.

2ndbestof2 · 27/01/2018 21:47

Recovery from 2 Nd much better and easier and quicker than recovery from 1st

Doobydoo · 27/01/2018 21:49

Similar to Legend and had infection.

DenPerry · 27/01/2018 21:50

Healed much better the second time despite being far more overweight, it being an emergency, getting cut vertical as well as horizontal, having to have a wound drain and being older. I wasn't expecting it!

Whirlytastic · 27/01/2018 22:03

Have had two. First emergency, second elective. Recovered very quickly both times - much as the OP describes - but a bit slower the second time. Definitely more pain on the second day, and harder to sit up and move. But fine after a week! Hope you have similar experience.

Falcon1 · 27/01/2018 22:06

First ELCS was painful for first week but off all painkillers by 10 days. 2nd ELCS took much longer to recover from - was still on painkillers at 6 weeks and had to hire a mother's help as still couldn't lift DD1.

Ikeameatballs · 27/01/2018 22:09

Em C section for pre-eclampsia, loads of wound issues but actually fine and normal self but 6 weeks.

El c section, totally fine, normal self by 3 weeks.

Scar looks fine now, neatened up second time round, no overhang at all but naturally v slim and didn't gain lots of weight in pregnancy.

Whilst the scar issues, dehiscence of wound to muscle, were horrendous at the time with dc1 actually they were dealt with well and i have no long-term issues at all, in contrast with lots of women who have VBs and have significant and long-term continence and sexual dysfunction difficulties.

DorotheaHomeAlone · 27/01/2018 22:17

Two easy recoveries 20 months apart. I take the advice to rest very seriously though. No nappies, no housework. Just bf and sit around and occasionally stroll round the park for a couple of weeks. Then I'm back to normal service.

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