Just to give you my experience after 2nd csec

[WhyTheHeckMe]

I'm writing this because I spent many hours googling how people felt after their 2nd section.
2 years ago I had my ds by emcs. It was very traumatic and I took a long time to recover. I had 3 infections, was in a lot of pain and didn't feel up to driving for a long time. I couldn't walk more than 10 mins without being in agony for 2 days after.
This time it was recommended I had an elcs. I was extremely nervous about how I'd look after 2yo ds and a newborn.
My experience with it being planned has been totally different. I was in hospital for 4 days due to the baby having breathing difficulties. During this time I was in pain, I won't lie!
The hospital gave me regular tramadol and even gave me some to come home with. I felt this totally took the edge off and was able to get me through day to day. Once home the only time I struggled was sitting up in bed to do night feeds.
On day 13 I started to drive again as I was in no pain whatsoever.
My scar has healed perfectly, no infections, no weeping and they've repaired the botch job from the emcs.
Since 14 days post op I've been walking 1 hour every night also with the pushchair.
This isn't a brag and I know others will have had different experiences but honestly for me this has been like a dream. Ds is now almost 4 weeks old and I don't feel like I ever had surgery. So if you have a 2nd section coming up in hope this will give you some reassurance

We always wanted two children close in age but I had an emcs and over a year later I still haven't dealt with how traumatic I found it, the damage it's done to my body and how I couldn't look after myself after. Hearing your story is reassuring that maybe my son will have a sibling!

This gives me some reassurance OP! Thanks

Different situation to yourself though - I had DC1 a few weeks ago and unfortunately needed a third degree tear repair.

Have already been thinking about whether I would dare go for DC2 in future, and whether I would choose a section instead of another vaginal birth. The other lady on my ward had an EMCS and could hardly walk! It's good to know that an ELCS could be entirely different.

Really glad you shared this.

I too had an EMCS with DS1. It was pretty traumatic and I took a long time to recover. I had an elective with DS2 and it really was completely different and much more positive. It helped me make peace with a lot of what happened with my eldest. I'm so glad I didn't let my negative experience with my first put me off having more.

I must admit I'm worried, got an elective booked for just under 4 weeks but for the opposite reason. My emcs recovery was so easy physically (possibly because I lost all grip on reality) that I can't help believing this is going to be 10 x worse. Fingers crossed it won't be.

@comeonbabyboo - I was like that on the ward. I could barely walk and was extremely dizzy for 48 hours. If i stood up I would feel faint. I had an upset tummy on day 2 which was awful because I kept having to "rush" to the toilet which was almost impossible due to the pain and the dizziness.
The first few days were hard and I did have doubts about my choice however within a week i was feeling good and now it's like to never happened.
I hope my post has given some reassurance. I honestly cannot believe the difference between emcs and elcs.
The whole experience from start to finish was so much nicer. Had such a laugh with the surgeons and anaesthetist in theatre too, no panic or stress.
Would never hesitate to have a 3rd section now if it came to me having a third :-)

Hi

Thank you very much for posting this. Chai ask how long it was between c sections?

Hi Denise. Of course, it was 2 years 3 months between the 2 sections :-)

Thank you for posting this. I had an ELCS with my twins, which was amazing, but I’ve been very nervous thinking of having another one as and when we have another baby. This has reassured me!

I had 2 CS in 2 years which was absolutely no problem. (Elective following emergency one)

However, I had my 3rd elective and it's taken me 3 months to recover. Internal infection, ductal thrush, kidney infection and blood poisoning! We think it was caused by the catheter as previously I was fit and healthy.

No matter how well you can plan something, things can happen way out of your control. Had I not had decent support I would have been screwed. Totally messed up my plan of going back to work (am self employed!). DP had to quit his job to care for me as I was in and out of hospital for months. It's had a huge impact financially & physically. Luckily DC3 is an extremely easy baby!

I don't mean to put a downer on this thread but it's major surgery and it's easy to forget that. Things can go wrong

Thank you for posting your story OP. I appreciate it might be very different for different people but it is good to hear other people's experiences. I had an EMCS with my first dc 2 years ago and am due an elective. Congratulations with your new baby!

I had an emcs and it was awful, I think the body goes into shock, you’re already tired from labour, the medical staff are rushing etc. And my pain was not managed well- basically treating pain after it starts. I was up and about after two days but tender for at least another month. I had an elcs two years later, all very calm, well rested before, but again my pain was not managed well. I also had a two these old to care for so took things too fast too soon and ended up with an abscess. 13 YEARS later and I had another elcs, planned pain management (I.e. a grid showing which drugs to take and when) and it was perfect! Little bit tender and uncomfortable moving around at night but a different case entirely to my first. I’ve been told I can have one more child but may have to be monitored and delivered a little earlier. I’ve been told I can also have my tubes tied at that time too if I wish. Yes drinksinthesun no one is denying it’s a major op, things can go wrong and everyone is different but it’s so much easier to make an informed decision where necessary armed with some similar experiences! Good post which I wish I had found after my first- but there wasn’t internet then

Glad to read this thread OP. Had EMCS 5 years ago following failed induction at 37 weeks. Have a section booked for this Friday where I'll be 38 weeks.
Recovery last time was horrid, was still feeling feint at three - four weeks post section, and just so fragile. Had a vaginal delivery with first and that felt like a walk in the park in comparison.

Am prepared to do lots of resting this time around but if I felt ok after two weeks I'd be very happy am aware it's a slow recovery but just being able to mentally get up and feel independent is what I need.

Thank you for sharing this. I had an emergency section 3 years ago, and I'm having an elective in a couple of months. Dreading it. This helps.

Thanks OP! I had an emcs and luckily recovered very quickly. The lack of Damage to my pelvic floor has been a massive advantage. Would definitely consider an elcs next time