C-Section Recovery (Vs Episiotomy Recovery)

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Hi,

I had a difficult first birth ending in an Episiotomy that didn't heal well and I was in a lot of pain for about 5-6 weeks.

The midwife has mentioned having a c-Section this time (my second) but I'm nervous about the recovery. What were people's c-Section recoveries like and anyone had both and can compare?

Thanks in advance!

My first was forceps delivery with an episiotomy. I had to have a Fentons procedure six months later (basically redo the episiotomy). In the six months in between I had a lot of pain and discomfort.

I also had an ELCS. Home after 24 hours. By 2 weeks I was fine.

I also found people were far more helpful and supportive after a c-section. Everyone expects you not to able to lift things and or drive. No such support after my first and I actually needed it far more after that.

I was up and showered 12hours later. Home the next day, tesco weekly shop the day after and driving after a week.
After 3/4 weeks felt good as new

Ventouse with episiotomy for DD1, and I still tore badly so needed loads of stitches. Agony after the epidural had worn off and I struggled for weeks.I could still feel some discomfort when sitting down six months later, although it faded quickly after that.

I had fewer problems with DD2 (vaginal birth, relatively straightforward).

With DD3 I needed an emergency caesarean at 35 weeks. It was a bit scary at the time but it was still far, far better than the ventouse with episiotomy that I had for DD1. I had minimal discomfort afterwards and was largely recovered within 2 weeks.

I had complete break down of episiotomy with a forceps delivery. Lots of scar tissue as area had to heal with secondary intention. My second birth was ELCS due to the trauma and scar tissue. I had to push for this though. It was a breeze compared to the recovery of the first. Neither is easy but yes I would try for ELCS.

Thank you everybody! These messages have been wonderful to read and have really helped put my mind at ease.

I do understand there is a risk it won't be plain sailing, but my first labour, delivery and recovery was so awful I can't go through that again. I'll have another chat with the midwife about an elective c-Section.

I've had both. Recovery from section was way way easier

I've had both , episiotomy was way quicker . C section recovery is pretty brutal but I would still have a c section again ( now called abdominal birth btw because my vaginal birth was terrifying !

My c section recoveries were all fantastic! Driving after 10-14 days, paracetamol after leaving hospital. Walked round a zoo with DC3 at 6 days old. Make sure you’re as fit and healthy as you can be through your pregnancy, it definitely helps.
My hardest once was my first, but I ate like crap and stopped exercising at 15 weeks. I could definitely tell the difference.
Don’t stop moving completely, get up as soon as possible after the section.

First birth...stuck baby after 2 hours pushing. Failed ventouse, forceps, episiotomy, third degree tear and subsequent blood transfusion. Worst experience of my life. Recovery was painful and slow.
Second birth, some years later, elective Caesarian. Wonderful! Recovery quicker and easier.

My DD was delivered via emergency C-section (was planning a water birth with no pain relief, yeah right) and I have to admit, I have found the whole thing much easier than expected. On day 2 I was already showering on my own and walking around a bit (although very slowly and was still a bit sore).
Taking care of the baby once home wasn’t easy but also not as hard as I expected it to be after the operation (I did have DH at home with me for teo weeks though - without that it would have been different).
I’d say it took me about 10 days to feel better enough to put on some clothes and leave the house for some fresh air and about 3 weeks until I felt I was fully back to feeling 100% (well, obv I was sleep deprived and tired because of the baby but not related to the C-S iykwim).

Good luck!

Had both. Episiotomy wound healed more quickly and without complications. C section scar became infected and dehisced. However my vaginal birth was traumatic and left psychological trauma. C section birth didn't.

I had emergency forceps with an episiotomy. Turns out I had an infection that led to sepsis and the baby needed to be born there and then. I was absolutely fine. After day 1, just had paracetamol for a couple of days and then that was it. Minimal bleeding in theatre and afterwards. Scar healed fine, doesn’t feel any different down there and I’m told doesn’t look any different. I made sure to clean the stitches with water and dry them with a cool hairdryer after every trip to the toilet. Lockdown helped as I was always at home. I was fully healed within 3 weeks I’d say. I appreciate I may be one of the lucky ones but a friend had exact same experience with an episiotomy. On the other hand seeing the experiences of some of the women who were recovering from c-sections on the post natal ward has gone some way to scaring me out of any more children.

You can't compare really. I only had two c sections, emergency and elective.

After my emergency, I felt terrible for about 3 months afterwards. Although I had physically recovered, I lost a lot of blood, was anaemic and generally exhausted with a new baby and trying to do it all.

With my elective, I was fine after 5 weeks. But I pretty much did nothing other than sleep for the first two weeks, having learnt my lesson from the first time around. I tried driving after three weeks and suffered for it for a week afterwards.

What helped my recovery was rest, rest and more rest. Make sure someone is home with you for at least two weeks afterwards, if not longer. So they can do everything and you can just sleep. Take painkillers religiously as well as iron tablets. Don't try to do it all.

My first birth was much like yours. 3rd degree tear and difficult healing. I opted for a c-section second time round ( A registrar offered it which I really relieved about). I was on Paracetamol only from day 2 of section. Totally recovered and driving by 4 weeks. I loved it. Also took away all the fear of labour and childbirth.

I would take C section every time. I went home on day 3. Was walking I to shower on day 2. Felt fine not even sore after day 4. Only drawback you can't drive for 6 weeks.

Not exactly what you asked as I have had 3 vaginal births, but the first was horrific - long (36 hours), went on drip, baby got stressed and ended up with an episiotomy followed by PPH needing blood transfusion, recovery was horrendous. The 2nd was 8 hours, very straightforward, no real pushing and only a graze, and the third was 4 hours, went 2-10cm in less than an hour, no pain relief, baby just came out! So first awful labour doesnt mean the next will be.

Maybe it is down to the midwife/surgeon involved? Just thinking one of my kids had to have two operations, identifical but one on the left side and one on the right. The first one he was fine afterwards, he and the other kids on his ward who had surgery that day all seemed to cope well and the next morning they were up and about. So a year passes and he has the second op. The vomiting and crying on the ward for hours afterwards was terrible. I said to one of the nurses that I couldn't believe the difference and her reply was, "different anaesthetist."

Has anyone had two sections, one with GA and one with epidural? On the ward I was on the ones who had epidurals seemed to recover more quickly or maybe it was because if your having a GA you've probably been in labour a long time? I've always wondered.

I was also told my a physio, who turned up on day 4 or 5, that I needed to sit and stand straight, no holding onto stomach and sort of bending forward. She said I'd made it worse by not being straight. Not sure if there is anything in that.

Thanks for asking this, I was going to do the same. I'm so conflicted about what to do but this has been very helpful.

I've had both and would take the section any day of the week compared to an episiotomy. The episiotomy took months to feel better and I think I'm still coming to terms with the trauma, C section was such a pleasant experience - you're obviously in pain afterwards but the mental side of it was so much better. It felt very healing after a difficult first birth.

Hi everyone;

just wanted some advise in 2024 I was induced due to medical reasons, I was unable to walk for the last 2 months and was on crunches from 4 months had servere back pain and sciatica so I was induced at 37.5 weeks and gave went into labour 2 days later was in label for 12.5 hours then rushed to theatre for a episiotomy and forcep delivery the recovery was painful and it took weeks to heel but im now pregnant with baby number 2 and I already have really really bad back to the point I have to lay down cannot play with my little one it effect everything I was going to suggest to my midwife about having a planned c section again around 37 weeks I just worried about the recovery especially with a 2.5 year old

whats everyone thoughts

your best bet is to start a new thread on this asking for advice.

I had back problems after delivery of a 10 lb baby. It affected my leg which would just fold under me. I was persuaded to see a chiropractor as GP and physio couldn't seem to help. The chiropractor was brilliant. Don't know if it would help but just thought it was worth saying.

I think recovery varies so much it isn't possible to know how it will be for a specific person. I had a big episiotomy after forceps delivery of 10lb baby and it healed so much better than the c section scar which had a sort of phantom itch that I couldn't scratch. It was sort of numb but with this it lch that nearly drove me insane.