Caesarean healing for older women

[Jackofallmasterofnone]

Hello all, I'm 36 weeks and have just been told due to gestational diabetes and the size of my baby that csection would be a good way to go.

I'm considering it very seriously but wondered if anyone could share their csection healing stories? I've had two vaginal births already so I know what comes with that, done of it bloody awful!

What happens post section. I'm 37 so no spring chicken in the world of birthing!

At 43 2 I had an emcs at 35 weeks. My worst nightmare after many vaginal births. Most def wasn't bad at all but would never have opted for one. Had a natural birth with no pain relief with a 9. 3 ds.. Piece of cake...

I had my DD at just turned 42 by ECS & obviously sore at first but not that long after, I felt fine & now I feel exactly the same as before I had her. I did have like a bulbous ridge for a while where my scar was but now it’s gone.

Good luck😊

I had two around your age (as babies were breech )and they were honestly fine. Bit of discomfort for a couple of days after but nothing major. Constipation due to the painkillers was the biggest problem! Driving at 4 weeks. I know lots of people who have had c sections and all have been fine 👍

I’ve had 3 csections due to various complications, the last one I was age 37 and healed the quickest and the best so I don’t think age is really a bad thing. Best advice is don’t do too much in the first few weeks, ask for as much help as you can so you can take time to heal and also watch out for infections especially where the dissolvable stitches are knotted they have a tendency to poke out making it harder for the skin to heal over.
I've never had a vaginal birth as my first was an emergency C-section so I don’t have that to compare to but I’d be happy to have another section anytime as I’ve had 3 good experiences with them. I had 2 natural csections and they were so relaxing and I felt I was in charge and they let me keep hold of my babies straight after they were born and only weighed and checked them when I was ready.
Good luck and hope you have a good birthing experience whatever you decide x

These stories are so helpful and reassuring! Thank you! Both of my previous births have been unmedicated to because I wanted water births, got one water birth, got one forceps and a ton of pain! Not having to labour will be nice and hopefully my healing good the same way yours all did

I have had 2 emergency sections, one at 37 and one at 40. Physically I bounced back with both, even after 70 odd hours of labour, pushing, failed forceps and a baby in nicu with number 1. Minimal pain, no problems getting up and walking. Didn't take pain relief post theatre and went out for lunch with dc2 when she was 2 days old. By the time she was 3 weeks old I was back walking 3 miles a day with the pram.

@Dorriethelittlewitch , my god this is the dream!!! I've got everything crossed this is me

I had an emergency section with DD at 41 weeks when I was 39 years old.

I had a planned section with DS at 39 weeks when I was 41 years old.

I found DS's easier to recover from, despite my more advanced age. With DD I laboured unsuccessfully for 24 hours. With DS it was super-smooth and relaxed.

I'm 36 and had a section 4 weeks ago. Bear with me I have to say the immedate healing has been worse than I remember for the first couple of days, BUT- after that it's been a doddle. I was home after 2 days and out for lunch at 4 days. I kept up pain relief for the week, and felt pretty much back to normal (bar a slightly tender tummy) at 2 weeks. My point is if you're unlucky enough that it feels reeeeally really sore to start with, it probably won't last long at all. I couldn't believe how good I felt such a short time after.

That's amazing, I feel much better!