Episiotomy vs C-section recovery

[Bl0ndeye]

Has anyone has an episiotomy then elected a c-section for subsequent pregnancies ?
I had an episiotomy with my first that was poorly done and i ended up with a episiotomy revision 8 months after her birth
My second baby was quite small and i just had a 1st degree tear nothing major
I’m pregnant with number 3 different partner to my other babies.
He’s measuring on the 97th percentile and i’m absolutely petrified of another episiotomy the recovery was horrendous i couldn’t walk or sit down for 3 weeks i had multiple courses of antibiotics and my dissolvable stitches ended up being removed as they didn’t dissolve 😣.
Just wondering if anyone found a section recovery more straight forward to the episiotomy

thanks

Episiotomy doesn’t need to be an issue if done properly. I had one with no issues what so ever. Was last year during first Covid so had to carry Ds and my stuff out hospital alone, and honestly no pain or issues. I wouldn’t have known one was done.

Who was it stitched by last time? Just a nurse or a an actual surgeon? I think that might make a difference.

I had an episiotomy with my first and found the recovery extremely painful.

I had an ELCS for my second and the recovery was a breeze in comparison. However I did have a very supportive partner who did all of the lifting etc with the toddler, as for the first few weeks I wasn’t able to lift her.

If you have a problem with dissolvable stitches a cesarean may not be any better than an episiotomy.

I had 1 episiotomy with my 1st and vontouse due to fetal distress (cord round neck). Took a long time to feel normal as a lot of bruising with them tugging as I pushed but the cut healed really well.
2nd I had 2 episiotomy cuts as his shoulders got stuck (he was 10lb 12oz), I healed really well from that though.
3rd tore from V2A as she came super fast when midwife was out of room, that healed a bit odd and the scar gets irritated quite easily.
4&5 were breech twins so an elective cesarean. I was well after the procedure, up walking within 12 hours and felt pretty good the next day. My scar got infected though, my stitches didn't dissolve as they should and the doctor found what she said looked like a non-disolvable stitch in there too. 2 lots of antibiotics at the same time and removal of 2.5 inches of stitches (myself) and then it healed up fine. I barely notice the scar nowadays, can be tender at af and after heavy deadlifts.
Undecided if I will go VBAC or elective cesarean again this time, depends what consultant thinks the risks of large babies and scar rupture are for me.

I had an episiotomy with my first, cellulitis and horrendous pain like I've never felt before for weeks on end, still do not feel completely normal.

My second was ELCS and recovery was SO much easier! There are only 14months between my two and even with having a toddler to manage CS was definitely a lot better!

I haven't had an episiotomy so I'm not sure if I'll be any help. I wouldn't underestimate the recovery from a caesarean. I have heard lots of positive stories, but I personally really struggled. I am usually fit and healthy but I found the pain horrendous after my csection. I struggled getting up out of bed and getting to my son. The paracetamol I was given didn't even touch the pain. I was walking half bent over for quite a few days. Then I also got an infection and the wound opened up and there was talk of more surgery. I couldn't drive for about 4 weeks. I know I'd struggle with the recovery again and managing a toddler, so I'm going for a VBAC. As I said there are a balance of experiences, but it is major surgery.

Honestly, everyone is different and as you demonstrate each birth is different.

I was in hospital a week after my c-section as had complications. Then once home I couldn't even walk upstairs for a few days. Comparatively my sister had a C-section had just one night in hospital and was pretty much back to almost all activities within a week

i had a doctor stitch me as her heart rate dropped severely and they basically yanked her out - he obviously wasn't very good ...

i'll be honest i've never ever wanted a c-section the thought of it freaks me out - but not as much as the ordeal i had to go through after my daughter and then having to have surgery to repair it

i get what what people are saying tho a section is major surgery - i'm just wanting peoples experiences to weigh the pros and cons after my next growth scan x

@ChocBeforeCock

I had an episiotomy with my first and found the recovery extremely painful.

I had an ELCS for my second and the recovery was a breeze in comparison. However I did have a very supportive partner who did all of the lifting etc with the toddler, as for the first few weeks I wasn’t able to lift her.

I'm the same, recovered from a section better as at least I could sit down. Also had a supportive partner so got long stretches of sleep (big baby slept 8 hours first night I got home - maybe cos he had a bigger tummy or he's always been quite chilled). In any case recovering from the section wasn't easy but it was way better for me than the episiotomy. Also my section was because it was a big baby so the decision was made for me (I did go through induction and labour but ended up with a section-recovery was still quicker than the episiotomy) good luck!

I had 8 weeks of complications after one of my c section, couldn’t walk properly for over a month and ended up back in hospital. Not trying to scare you, but c sections aren’t always straightforward recoveries either.

I had an emcs, admittedly I developed complications after 24hrs (I had rip internal stitches and became very ill with spesis) but even ignoring the complications I would take being cut over a c section any day, especially as you have older children too.

Everyone is different, but for what it's worth I had an episiotomy with my first child and needed medical input for 10 weeks afterwards due to complications. I'm now 30 weeks pregnant with my second child and have been given the option of either an elective c sec or induction if I go past my due date and I'll definitely be opting for c sec.

thanks for all the responses 😊