Elective C-section

[Lou2305]

I'm looking for some advice from mums out there who have experienced both a natural/vaginal birth and a C-section.

This is my second pregnancy and my midwife has advised me to start thinking about whether I would like to opt for an elective C-section.

We are currently pregnant with identical twins (sharing the same placenta but in two separate sacks). I delivered my son vaginally (he's 2 and a half) and had a third degree tear and a lot of blood loss. The whole experience was very traumatic and it took almost a year before I was completely recovered. Having said this I was up and about the same day (although I was in absolute agony)!

Surely I will be less likely to tear this time as twins are born earlier and will be smaller than my son (although he wasn't huge, weighing 7lbs 5oz at birth).

Although I am fully aware that even if I opt for a vaginal birth I may still need a C-section, I still have a lot of concerns about it.

Recovery is obviously a big concern, also playing with and holding my eldest son after the birth is a worry (the twins are due a week before his 3rd birthday). My husband will be home for the first two weeks but they say it takes 6-8 weeks to recover from a C-section so I don't know if I would manage with new born twins and a 3 year old once he's gone back to work.

Also my husband doesn't drive so I'm a little worried about being isolated at home if I can't drive anywhere as we live in the countryside.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi there congratulations.
I have four children 8,7,4 & youngest being only 3 weeks old. My first two were natural labours and last two were planned csections (albeit my last one was semi emergency before planned day due to waters going).

First birth 6 hours, episiotomy and pph.
Second birth 50 mins, episiotomy and pph.
Third birth planned csection 37+4 days.
Fourth birth semi emergency csection 38 weeks.

I'm currently 3 weeks post partum from my csection and also had tubal ligation, they say 6-8 weeks for csection but it is usually less, i can honestly say i feel practically back to normal.

Scar healed over and stitches out day 5. I bought a recovery belt this time to wear and it has helped hold me in and support as first csection i had to hold my stomach as it hurts to laugh/cough.

Elective sections are usually easier to recover from and are much better prepared round other children.

You wont be able to lift your son but he can sit and cuddle you and you will be able to play with him.

My advice would be if you do opt for csection is to get mobile as soon as you are able too. Hope this helps x

I'm not strictly in the category you want to hear from as I had a section with my eldest before the section with my twins so can't compare recovery etc but everyone is different.

6-8 weeks is what they say for full recovery but in reality I was pretty much able to function as normal (as in move about, sit on the floor to play, pick up and carry 3YO DD) by 2 weeks post surgery. We just had lots of cuddles sitting or lying down before that and it wasn't any more difficult than explaining she had to be careful with mummy's tummy than it was when I was pregnant.
Remember that you are more likely to NEED a section with twins anyway, as they may be breech, have complications etc so I found it easier to mentally prepare by just opting for the elective anyway.
Congratulations too. Twins are a massive learning curve and a big adventure. Enjoy them.