2nd Elective C-section

[Boopsy89]

Hi, Im currently 21+1 weeks I had an elective C-section with my 3rd child as my anxiety went through the roof with having no consistency with midwife's or appointments or consultants ( consultant led due to high BMI). I'm thinking of having another section with my current pregnancy as throughout I have only seen 1 midwife which was at 9 weeks for booking appointment and now my anxiety has started to play up. Please be kind but my youngest will be 13 months old when this baby due so unsure if it's possible to have another section so soon after. Is there anyone who has had a similar experience and was recovery similar to having one the first time round? Thanks 😊

Your gap is smaller than mine but I had 2 electives 20 months apart, no problem. I think the issue with back to back pregnancies after c-section is more to do the incision potentially rupturing as your stomach grows, rather than the delivery method. You'll likely be consultant led again. All the best!

@HawdMeBack thank you for your reply. I never thought about it impacting my scar. Can I ask how your recovery was the second time around please?

I’m part of a c-section group on Facebook and one of the most regular posts is about posters being pregnant again before the 12 month mark so I think it is more common that you’d think!! Most replies are from women who have been in a similar position saying it was fine, they were consultant led and apart from some pain and pressure at the scar site they didn’t have any issues. I think it would be more of a problem if you were hoping for a VBAC.

I recovered absolutely fine. Much like the first time, was up and about within 6hrs, home the following day. I only took paracetamol and ibuprofen the first time but did take oramorph for a week or so after the second. I wasn't in agony though and I was fully mobile from the minute I could feel my legs. The hardest part for me was not being able to lift my eldest when he wanted up, that hurt my heart as he didn't understand.

@MummyJ36 thank you for your reply that makes me feel better knowing it's more common with such a short gap in between.

@HawdMeBack so very similar experience. That's the only thing playing on my mind is my daughter will only be around 13 months so won't understand but my husband works from home so thinking maybe the first week of recovery won't be herrendous as he can help with her. I'm only just half way but it's playing on my mind as my post mentioned I've not seen or heard from a midwife since I booked in and I'm suppose to be consultant led which I've not heard from either. Feels the more children you have the more they leave you too it 🙈 sorry for the rant.

I had 2 sections 12 1/2 months apart. 2nd recovery was so much better, because I knew what to expect. I had no problems at all and it went smoothly.

@Cheeseplantt thank you for responding. Ah that's good, yeah knowing what to expect is better, were they both elective? How did you find having two little ones with the recovery? Especially with the older child as I struggled the first week with carrying my daughter up the stairs etc.

@Boopsy89
DC1 was emergency, DC2 was elective (& DC3 but that was a much bigger gap).

As I knew in advance when DC2 was going to be born, DH was able to start his paternity leave that day and followed by some leave so had 3 weeks off in total which really helped. DC1 still went to childcare when I was off with DC2 with gave me time just with 1 of them and DC1 enjoyed still being in their normal routine.

I found it quite easy to have 2 so close together as you are all geared up for babies. DC3 is 12 years younger than DC2 and I wish I had had them 12 months after DC2 as I think it would be much easier than having a big gap!

Good luck - you will be fine 😊

I think with the small gap there would be more of an issue with you going for VBAC