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Original poster

Second c-section- easier or harder?

28 replies

Elisemum · 27/08/2021 10:18

Hi mums, having my second section in approx 5 weeks. I’m not afraid of the actual procedure, previously I was so excited to meet the baby I didn’t care one bit what they were doing - I’m sure I’ll be the same this time around:) but I wonder did you find the recovery easier or harder second time around? I’m in Ireland so we stay in hospital for 4 or 5 nights and previously I found day number two to be absolutely aweful- prob the worse day of my life. It got better after. What’s your experience with second section?

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Dozer · 27/08/2021 10:23

For me, the procedure was much worse 2nd time as there were a couple of (not dangerous!) complications and ended up under general part way. DC also needed checks in neonatal, all was fine.

FYI if DC did need special care, fathers are often not allowed into neonatal. I’d sent DH with DC2 but he wasn’t allowed in (they didn’t explain this), then wasn’t allowed back in with me. He spent a long couple of hours alone in a waiting room.

Recovery was much better 2nd time, I had better postnatal care 2nd time and kept on top of the painkillers.

DeadSouth · 27/08/2021 10:25

I think cause the nerves were already damaged from the first my second wasn’t as bad, DD ended up in NICU so I was walking the length of the hospital a few times a day in the first couple of days and didn’t need pain relief more than once or twice a day.

Good luck and I hope you have an easy recovery

Amz6219 · 27/08/2021 10:56

Following as I am wondering the same - I had EMCS first time so it was all a bit of a drugged up, hazy blur to be honest so I am actually looking forward to being mentally present for ELCS!

Sounds weird... but do you hear the tearing during the procedure?? Along with recovery, that is my biggest worry!

Sorry to hijack! x

MonkeyPuddle · 27/08/2021 11:04

I had a section for my first which was planned, kinda. They tried inducing me with the gels for 5 days but my cervix didn’t twitch once, so had a lovely calm section.
Had an EMCS with the second and apart from DD nearly killing me halfway through labour the section and the recovery were absolutely fine. I think cos I knew what the pain would be like, how to move gently, how much rest to have I sailed through it really. I mean, it still hurt, but certainly no worse than my first.

Moominmiss · 27/08/2021 11:23

I had an emergency section with my first, then 2 electives for my second and third. The electives were fantastic experiences.

Very calm, both had easy recoveries, and I was home from hospital in just over 24 hours later. Up and about in hospital 5-6 hours after surgery. I was driving in just under 2 weeks, and a couple of days after being gone I was out due gentle walks. Even in hospital I had no issues lifting my baby and doing pretty normal things. I just took my time and made sure not to overdo it. Breastfeeding happened perfectly fine and I even breastfed for the first time while being wheeled from theatre until recovery.

@Amz6219 I didn’t hear any sort of surgical cutting it tearing noises during any of the procedures. I could hear suction, and general chat, plus I had 2 anaesthetists up by my head chatting to me almost of the time until the surgeon asked I wanted to see my baby born so they lowered the curtain for me to see them being lifted out - although they made sure I couldn’t see the cut or any of the gore!

I’m due to have my fourth c section next week and the only bit I’m nervous over is the spinal, just because it’s an odd feeling and I’m terrified of needles. That and the drop in the back of my hand 😬

Moominmiss · 27/08/2021 11:25

Few spelling mistakes in there 🙈 sorry lol

Original poster

Elisemum · 27/08/2021 11:27

@Amz6219, no god no, I didn’t hear anything at all. It was all very calm and the doctors were so funny beforehand, made jokes and made me laugh. The actual procedure I don’t even remember, it was so short and I was so excited to see the baby that I didn’t even know when it was all over

OP posts:

Feralkidsfurandfeathers · 27/08/2021 11:30

Electives are easier to recover from than emergencies in my experience. I had two EMCS, one ELCS and will be having another ELCS at the beginning of October. My body not having been exhausted by a hard and fast labour meant I recovered from the elective much quicker. It is also a much calmer experience as they don't have the time factor involved with an emergency. I was only in for 26 hours post surgery with my third. Was so nice to be home and in my own bed.

Amz6219 · 27/08/2021 11:32

Phew, thanks @Moominmiss @Elisemum !!

Don't know why that worries me so much, just scared of hearing anything 'ripping' :-/

In a way it was nice being blissfully unaware during EMCS... but is hard looking back and not really remembering much about my son's birth :(

Seems people have nice experiences and recoveries with ELCS, so I am hopeful! x

Garman · 27/08/2021 14:57

Second was easier all round. I'm in Ireland too, having my third csection in October, I can go home after two days, nobody stays 4-5 days any more. Even on my last one nearly 4 years ago I only stayed 3 nights.

trilbydoll · 27/08/2021 15:00

My first scar was keloid so the 2nd surgeon cut it all out and redid it. The first week it definitely hurt more than it had first time round! I recovered faster overall though.

elliejjtiny · 27/08/2021 15:20

I couldn't hear any ripping, thank goodness. I could hear the midwife shaving me with the elcs, that was a bit weird.

I think the recovery depends on different things. My second was easier and I think it was because I could rest more as I was breastfeeding and ds was in nicu for less time than his big brother. I found the worst pain after my first c-section was when I was standing and waiting for the sterilizing thing to finish or shuffling to and from nicu. With my youngest after 5 days of him being in nicu I only had to get up and walk a few yards to the loo, the kitchen or the nappy bin, it was so much easier.

Garman · 27/08/2021 15:25

How would you possibly hear anything ripping or tearing? Nothing rips, it's cut precisely with a blade

GintyMcGinty · 27/08/2021 15:30

For me the procedure was better second time round as was planned rather than an emergency.

But the recovery was far, far worse with the second and included post-op complications, a week in the high dependency unit and then weeks of wound infections.

Original poster

Elisemum · 27/08/2021 15:30

Hi @Garman, I’m private, when you’re private you stay for 4 or 5 nights (completely depending on you). I know if you’re public you stay up to 3 night. Hope all goes well for you in October

OP posts:

Garman · 27/08/2021 15:32

I suppose its up to the individual so, I queried how long for public and private in my hospital and was told I could go after 2 with either, but I don't want to stay longer so that suits me.

Sceptre86 · 27/08/2021 15:42

For me the surgery itself was fine and I was somewhat clamee, knowing what to expect. The recovery was harder but I rested more and actually took my painkillers. I buzzed at the hospital to make sure I got my painkillers on time and took them whilst at home too. I think in part it took me longer to recover as my dd wasn't walking when ds was born (she was 15 months) so I had to pick them both up.

Sceptre86 · 27/08/2021 15:46

@Garman I heard ripping with my son. They weren't expecting him to be as big as he was and I assure you it was most definitely a ripping sound, it's hard to forget!

Tataru · 27/08/2021 15:49

Didn't hear or see anything either. Anesthetist was talking to me while they were doing the incision and stuff, and then she was out! Was really very fast. DH looked at the wrong time and caught an eyeful of my insides though. He said it was 'very interesting'

twinningatlife · 27/08/2021 15:55

Second time was with twins and was much much easier and recovery much quicker but i do believe that's because my babies were in NICU so I couldn't just stay in bed for several days - I had to be out of bed within 6 hours and down stairs to see them

Crazylemon86 · 27/08/2021 17:08

Hi, I had my 2nd section on Tuesday and it was all fine. My first section was an emergency so this being planned it was much more relaxed. The drs etc put me at ease and even asked what music I wanted. It was all over quickly and I got my rainbow baby girl. I'm now recovering and so far so good. Any questions please ask

Original poster

Elisemum · 27/08/2021 18:59

Thanks everyone, mix of responses as we are all different but the overall feeling I get is that the second section is generally better so here’s hope!:)

OP posts:

crikey456 · 27/08/2021 19:07

For me, I found the first section sooo easy. I was walking about with the baby in the pram 4 days later.

2nd C section was more painful and took longer to recover. I left hospital 1 night after the section as it was at the beginning of covid so they wanted you out ASAP. I found it much harder to get out of bed and to lean over to get the baby etc. It didn't hurt to walk after the first few days, just hurt to do any sort of bending/twisting.

I would still take the pain of a c section over the pain of contractions any day though!!

Chelyanne · 27/08/2021 20:40

My 1st elcs was really easy to recover from. I had no pain the day following surgery, was discharged with our twins after a 1 night stay. I was back doing most things once home but I did get an infection which needed antibiotics (pain free though).
Had my 2nd 2.5 weeks ago. I was booked in for the Tuesday (39wk) afternoon but went in to labour in the early hours of the Monday. Baby was very big (10lb 5oz/4.96kg) and I started to get scar rupture, I lost 1.6ltrs of blood in surgery and more than they expected after too. I was very unwell with low blood pressure and a high heart rate, I struggled to stay conscious whenever they tried to move me and dh had to take care of baby. The day after surgery they took me for a shower, I could barely stand and a midwife had to help me wash. I couldn't wee after catheter was removed so that had to go back in, thankfully 2nd removal I could then go so was discharged. I spend 3 nights in hospital and was in a lot of pain so needed the meds offered although they didn't help much. Everything was an effort but it's slowly got better. I managed a 2 mile walk pushing the pram today, was exhausting and painful just hanging a load of washing out when I 1st got home. On antibiotics atm as my wound was showing signs of infection again. I think labouring for over 20hrs before cs exhausted my body and contributed to a tougher recovery.

Chelyanne · 27/08/2021 20:41

**10lb 15oz

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