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Postnatal health

As with all health-related issues, please seek advice from a RL health professional if you're worried about anything.

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Original poster

Tell me about your vaginal birth recovery

39 replies

Mushroo · 08/10/2025 10:28

I’m currently weighing up VBAC vs C-section and I feel a bit in the dark about what recovery from a vaginal birth actually looks like.

Everything I read online says that recovery is about 2-4 weeks, compared to c-section 4-6 weeks.

However, I recovered SO well from my c section. I was never in pain, just some discomfort, I was walking to get a coffee 3 days later, went to a family party 5 days later.

So when I read the downsides of a c section it doesn’t really resonate. The worst part was staying in hospital for 24 hours and the blood thinning injections.

So I’m kind of leaning towards c section, but what does recovery look like after vaginal? Is the 2-4 week recovery just the post partum bleeding and that’s it? What could I expect?

Interested in best and worst case scenarios.

OP posts:

Original poster

Mushroo · 08/10/2025 16:36

This is so useful thanks all, so pretty mixed but generally positive.

@ToThineOwnSelfBe your feelings on c section are similar to mine, I just wanted to get home and get on with things and found that frustrating.

Obviously I won’t know how VBAC will go, but this thread is pretty reassuring overalll

OP posts:

Btowngirl · 08/10/2025 16:37

Mushroo · 08/10/2025 16:36

This is so useful thanks all, so pretty mixed but generally positive.

@ToThineOwnSelfBe your feelings on c section are similar to mine, I just wanted to get home and get on with things and found that frustrating.

Obviously I won’t know how VBAC will go, but this thread is pretty reassuring overalll

Good luck if you do decide to go for it!

Original poster

Mushroo · 08/10/2025 16:41

@Btowngirl thank you!

OP posts:

pokewoman · 08/10/2025 16:46

Absolutely fine.

Four vaginal births. All between 36 and 39 weeks. One induced.

Had 1st degree tear with 1st, 2nd degree with 2nd, 3rd degree (stitched under epidural in theatre) with 3rd and nothing with 4th.

Longest labour was 4 hours (first), shortest was 30 mins.

Was up, out and about within 48 hours with all of them.

Rottenbanana250 · 08/10/2025 16:50

In my experience, totally unpredictable and variable! DS1 was a forceps delivery, had to be cut/stitched and was VERY painful, took ages (well over a month) to recover. DS2 was a very quick water birth delivery, had a small tear which again required stitches but lots less and I was up and walking around the next day with little to no discomfort.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 08/10/2025 16:56

You don't mention how old your first child is @Mushroo, but one of the best things about having a VBAC was that I didn't need to worry about picking my toddler up, or him jumping or climbing on me. I was much less fragile (and more mobile).

BuntyBeaufort · 08/10/2025 17:00

I was incredibly lucky with my vag births. Two babies, very short labours, no stitches either time, bleeding for about a week, then pretty much back to normal.
Very unusual I suppose, although we do seem only to hear the bad stories not the good one, but I do wish it could be like that for everyone.
Best of luck with whatever you decide.

troppibambini6 · 08/10/2025 17:01

I was very lucky. 4 vaginal births all very straight forward and no stitches. I was pretty much back to normal with 3 of them the next day felt like I’d been in the gym but other than fine. I took dc2 out for lunch on day 2 and other than feeling tired was fine. One of them I had really bad after pains and felt like my body had been through it a bit. He was 10lb 8 though and the biggest so I think it was probably that. After about 3 days I was feeling ok though.

Original poster

Mushroo · 08/10/2025 17:06

@MissScarletInTheBallroom yes that’s a big factor in wanting VBAC. She’ll be just over 2 and still very much likes being picked up. (And even basics like lifting her out the cot).

Its one of the main reasons really I’m thinking of trying for VBAC

OP posts:

dizzydizzydizzy · 08/10/2025 17:07

2 DCs both born vaginally at almost 42 weeks. Both absolute whoppers (at birth)! A lot of tearing with both DC. An episiotomy with DC1. There was no time for that with DC2 because they were very nearly born in the hospital car park. (We were delayed waiting for DM to come to babysit!).

I had absolutely no pain or discomfort afterwards. I could sit and walk normally.

AM1994 · 08/10/2025 17:18

2 water births, no stitches and home 6 hours after both and recovery was fine, a bit sore but didn’t need painkillers or anything and up and about as normal straight after birth. Very thankful for my good experiences!

Paaseitjes · 08/10/2025 18:17

Mushroo · 08/10/2025 17:06

@MissScarletInTheBallroom yes that’s a big factor in wanting VBAC. She’ll be just over 2 and still very much likes being picked up. (And even basics like lifting her out the cot).

Its one of the main reasons really I’m thinking of trying for VBAC

Where I am we're strongly recommended not to lift anything heavier than the baby for 6 weeks, including older children. It risks fucking up your pelvis if you do and increases the risk of a prolapse.

RummidgeGeneral · 08/10/2025 19:22

Third degree tear almost to my anus. Painful for 6 months. Tender for a year.

mo25 · 09/10/2025 08:33

My first I went out with my in-laws and husband to a coffee shop on day 2. I was fine but why anyone thought that was appropriate is now beyond me. My second I did the school run the following day. Recovery is v fast from a vaginal birth unless you need stitches and even then it can be quite quick unless it’s a bad tear. The constipation after was the worst bit for me.

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