Planned C-section vs natural birth - how painful afterwards?

[DeusEx]

Hello

I am keen to have a planned Csection for a number of reasons (including balancing pros and cons from advice on here). My doctor is doing her best as far as I can see to dissuade me and one thing she has said is that the pain form having had surgery is worse than pain after child birth.

Please can you tell me, from either experience, how bad the pain was and for how long? It’s rather worried me now - especially as childbirth sounds so painful anyway and I’m just rubbish at pain.

My husband always says he is traumatised by my section. They couldn't get my organs back in the right place and I spent an hour being pushed around the table while they tried to push them back in the right place. I was in so much pain they wanted to give me a general but I refused because of the extra recovery.
Actually within a couple of the days the wound site was no longer painful, but 2 years later I still suffer with pain from abdominal adhesions.
I had to have a section but would never choose to do so. It's major surgery and not something to choose lightly.

If I had another I would chose VBAC personally.

I've had 5 vb, and recovered quickly after all of them, was slightly sore down below for a few days but apart from that, great.

I had one of each...I'd absolutely have VB again if I had a choice. Less pain, more independence. Felt normal much, much earlier. Everyone is different, so you can't really know what will be best for you. Some things like lifting and driving are definitely harder after CS though.

Vaginal - up and about straight away, episiotomy scar but no problems just a bit of dull ache. Walked with the buggy two days later, driving in less than a week. Pretty independent after a week. No painkillers needed.

CS - terrible pain afterwards. Struggled even to get out of bed and stand next day. Excruciating pain walking to the toilet. Lots of painkillers for first week, and you had to self inject with anti blood clot meds, which no one warned me about. Went for a walk after a week. Couldn't lift my toddler (or basket of washing etc) for weeks. Completely reliant on help round the house from DH and other family for about 3 weeks. Not allowed to drive for 6 weeks but was more like 8 before I felt safe to do so.

One plus if the CS was no initial fear of poohing although I did get a little constipated. I definitely felt different down there after the CS so I think it's true that pregnancy alone weakens pelvic floor & age I guess.

@Handsoffstrikesagain yes pethidine is still available, I had it in May this year. It can’t be given too close to delivery though an only in early labour in case it effects the baby’s breathing. You could take the epidural after the pethidine though.

and you had to self inject with anti blood clot meds, which no one warned me about

Yes, no-one tells you this. My mum had to administer cause I couldn't do it!

For my first I had an emergency section early in the morning, was discharged the following afternoon to a local birthing centre, had a night in there then went home. The recovery was fine...i think I was in pain for 2 days or so and then mild but manageable pain for 2 weeks after. Now pregnant again and would prefer to have an elective section if possible.

I preferred my c section as my natural birth was a car crash. But if you are only judging on pain afterwards, C section is worse. I was on morphine and dihydrocodeine and still felt it!

pethadine can make you feel sick/sick. DS was given it & had vomited before the midwife had finished saying it can cause nausea 😆

I've had both. C section first then a VBAC.

I found the VBAC so much better recovery wise (had an episiotomy too). The c section hit me like a ton of bricks.

I had an epidural with my VBAC and went from screaming in pain to having calm chats with my midwife and even a little snooze.

But I guess, as you will see from here, every birth is different. I would probably speak very differently of my VBAC if I'd had the same experiences as others on here and had a failed epidural etc. And vice versa if my c section recovery was different.

It's so hard to decide OP so I sympathise - I was torn whether to have a second ELCS or VBAC as my worst case scenario was having a long, painful labour and then ending up with an EMCS anyway. I was lucky that it worked out.

I would get all the facts and info you can and speak to your midwife/consultant etc. but ultimately follow your own instinct on what's best for you - other people's experiences will be different to your own as you can see from the mixture on this thread (although appreciate the need to seek reassurances, I'm the same!)

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Recovery from my vaginal birth was much worse than my c-section.

With the c-section I had a clearly defined injury and lots of good painkillers.

With the vaginal birth I had an episiotomy, stitches, a prolapse that still causes pain 6 years on and will need a surgery to fix, and a general attitude from the doctors that I should just pop a paracetomol and get on with it.

I don’t plan on any more babies but if it happens I would definitely go for a c section.

I've had two planned sections and they have both been the most positive experience. Both so calm and everyone was so reassuring.
Pain wise, I can't say I remember much/ if any pain. Just keep topped up with pain relief for as long as you feel you need to. The first walk to the toilet the next day is a bit of a worry but as long as you take it slow it's fine. I had lots of help at home so if you've got people who can help them I would 100% go for it. Just listen to your body after.

Good luck!

I had a natural birth with little pain relief (not through choice!) & had a second degree tear with stitches.

I was up and about instantly, recovered very quickly and well - I’d have easily gone for a walk the next day if it hadn’t been -5 outside!

I actually felt great in the hospital, especially because I hated the last few weeks of pregnancy. I was on a ward after due to my blood pressure needing monitoring, and was surrounded by women who had C Sections & were having to buzz the midwife every 10 mins or so to pass them the baby, get them a drink etc which would have really frustrated me.

@Handsoffstrikesagain after vomiting she actually slept which gave her energy, apparently she just felt a little out of it like the pain was still there but couldn't really feel it. Active labour was 2 hours & some g&a baby was here. No stitches

I found the pain after an elective caesarean significantly worse (and more long lasting) than my 2 vaginal births.

My Elective C-Section wasn't painful afterwards....I expected it to be....but it wasn't. They gave me a pain relief pessary in theatre, then a couple of morphine tablets...then I said I didn't need anything else.

I have had both, i would say natural birth...i found c-section more painful after, took a lot longer to recover and it felt like a shock to my body and mind...

Thank you @Handsoffstrikesagain - tbh it was all a bit traumatic! But I’m glad most people have a better experience, the NHS is wonderful overall but things can be hit and miss.