Vaginal Vs Elective c section recovery advice

[Ontheflipside_]

Looking for some advice/ reassurance please. I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant with baby number 2. My DD is 3 years 3 months and I had an extremely traumatic birth last time which led to both of us nearly dying, separated immediately, she was put on cooling treatment and in an induced coma, moved hospitals etc. I had really bad infection, PPH, then I went without a transfusion for ages etc. This all led to a 9 month HSIB investigation. All in all, a nightmare.

Anyways, despite all this, I am TERRIFIED of the recovery after a c section. And I'm sorry to say also having a bad scar/ c section overhang. My first birth truly was so bad because I agreed to an induction at 37 weeks after a series of reduced movements. I honestly feel if I'd gone into labour spontaneously it would have been different.

I'd like to know if you had a bad vaginal birth, was a planned c section a much better experience? How was the recovery? How have you helped heal your scar/ reduce "overhang"? My main worry about overhang is because I am quite prone to scar tissue build up, so I worry that I'll naturally have more scar tissue.

I also have scar from my episiotomy and other injuries from childhood which have taken years to fully heal.

And if you had a bad vaginal birth first time and tried for a second vaginal birth, was your birth experience better?

Thank you! I feel pretty stressed with what choice to make.

Amazing to know- thank you!

Thank you! Pleased to hear your scar has healed well. I've heard about numbness so have prepared myself for that. I had numbness on a scar on my finger for years. But after about 10 it finally went 😂

I've been working on my core strength a lot this pregnancy and also reading up about massage etc, but totally get how hard it is with 2 little ones. I think that's what my worry is. I know what to do, but it will be finding the time to do it...

Hello!

I had an elective C-section in October and the recovery was much smoother than I anticipated. I expected to be bed bound for a few days-this wasn't the case. I left hospital the following day (I was the first C-section of the day due to health issues which is why I had the section). As long as you take things slow, it's okay! The hardest thing I found was the mornings for the following week-it was hard to get out of bed but this passed after a few days. Also sneezing and coughing can cause a bit of discomfort so I was recommended to hold a cushion across my stomach which helped. The hospital give you pain killers for a week but after 3 days I was able to manage on just paracetamol and ibuprofen. The ten day injections are not fun and can sting when the liquid goes in but honestly not as bad as I was expecting -just make sure to rotate sides (full disclosure I am type 1 diabetic so I'm used to injecting which could be why i didn't find it as bad).

All in all, I found my section and recovery to be a very positive experience. Give yourself time and don't push yourself.

I recovered really well from both mine, best decisions I ever made, seriously. I have overhang but it's just not a big deal, doesn't bother me.

Thanks for sharing this!

I actually had the injections during my last birth because she was delivered in theatre under a full spinal just in case it needed to be an emergency c section and I didn't find them too bad. For me the worst part was connecting my brain/bladder again

I felt panicky at various stages during my pregnancy. Talking to the consultants and having a plan for a second pph/delivery of the placenta helped. I sort-of trusted that my first birth experience was a mix of bad luck and a bad reaction to the opiates... But I think I had a less traumatic time than you did. Being high on the diamorphine probably dulled the shock of the bleeding and being messed about with getting the rest of the placenta out.

I had a really good midwife for my second birth. I was sitting up and chatting between contractions (as opposed to lying down shaking/drifting in and out of consciousness), I found I couldn't push and huff gas and air, so the pushing stage with no pain relief was fucking intense, but as soon as she was out it was all cuddles and cups of tea.

I think if you're really anxious though then going for the C-section might be better, as you'll probably feel more relaxed during the rest of your pregnancy, there's a greater chance you'll have a more controlled, peaceful birth? And you'll still get the cuddles and cups of tea (I'd assume) with less of the risk.

I think after reading the comments here and really thinking about it, I need to set my pride/vanity aside and realise that a caesarean birth is the best option for me and the baby.

Thanks for your replies

Hi ladies,

Thanks so much for your advice and kind words on here. I had an elective c section yesterday and it was amazing. Don't regret a thing!!

I didn't do any massage, silicone strips, belly bands.... didn't do anything at all. My scar healed beautifully. No overhang at all and honestly a year or two down the line it was barely visible unless you looked for it (faint pink line, surprisingly low down and little!)

I was also slim and (thanks to HG...) did not gain body fat really in that pregnancy. And I was careful to take it pretty easy in the recovery phase.

Yeah don’t worry about silicone or massage. Just take it easy, clean it by letting shower water run over it and air it as much as possible.

when I sat down over the first few days I would lean back so my bump didn’t cover it. The first 5 days are the hardest imo.

Congratulations! Hope you're both doing well!

I had a vaginal birth with my DS and then 2.5 years later a planned c-section with my DD who was breach. In honesty I found the recovery from the section easier. I didnt have a traumatic labour with my first, but it was very long with a second degree tear. I felt like I'd been run over by a ten tonne bus after it and ached for weeks when I walked any distance (down below). The section recovery was very swift and straightforward for me personally. If I had a third (I'm too old now) I'd choose a section. With both I was in hospital overnight for 2 nights after (I don't know if its standard for a section but I had issues with breastfeeding with my first).

Amazing!!! Congratulations 🎉🎉 glad to hear it went well and thanks for the update x