Planned C-section v Emergency C section experiences

[Gigi89x]

Hi

I had an emergency C-section in feb, due to the cord being wrapped round my DS neck. I was in a lot of pain post C-section and then developed a very severe bladder infection which was extremely painful, it was like contractions from my bladder, i was put on very strong pain relief and was unable to stay awake for days.

Im just curious to know if those that have had both experiences could tell me if the planned C-section made any difference in terms of recovery etc

Thanks

I’ve had both and recovery was worlds apart; both were painful but after my emergency one I felt like I’d been hit by a bus whereas the planned one I was in pain but much more manageable and less shell shocked. A big part being that with the second I went into it relatively well rested and i was prepared for it both mentally and practically including making things ready at home to make life easier. Also second time I took it much more easy and didn’t push myself to do things before I was ready and then found that I could do things such as walks earlier than with my first

I also think that your body is less pulled about in a planned one compared to emergency as there’s no rush to get the baby out in the same way as with a lot of emergency ones.

Had both, and I remember I didn't even finish my codeine after the second one, whereas after the first I was definitely keeping track of painkillers as I could definitely feel when they'd worn off. I was definitely more mobile, earlier. Also, the second surgeon did a much neater job and straightened up my previous scar.
Recovery really was world's apart.

I've had both. The EMCS wasn't too bad to recover from, but the planned one was a walk in the park. I was back driving 10 days PP, no painkillers after discharge. I felt better than I had for the last two months of pregnancy for sure! Also just that first night with baby, not being exhausted after a failed labour and stressed; I was well rested and genuinely enjoyed it. I even read a book while DD2 slept between feeds!

First baby was five days labour then an emergency section, so recovering both from the section and the labour – all that sleeplessness and energy and dilation and pain, phew. Plus the mental “WTF just happened” aspect and unplanned hospital stay etc etc. Recovery was long and brutal and demoralising.

Second baby, planned section, no labour, no slog, even just knowing in advance I’d get my baby on X day without issue was wonderfully freeing for my mind. The operation was incredibly healing in a sense (not literally obviously!) because it was so different, calm, happy, reassuring; Christmas music playing on the radio (it was 23 December!), a jolly festive atmosphere, whole team excited to find out the sex. My hospital had a “home in 24 hours policy” and a bring your own paracetamol policy so no waiting for painkillers, just kept myself topped up and rang for morphine when needed. Stayed in bed from birth at midday to 8am the next day, midwives did all nappies and brought him to me for feeds, but largely we both just slept and recovered, I was on my feet after breakfast, discharged home after lunch once DS had woken up a bit and had a feed.

Once home I felt miles better than I had first time round. DP took charge with our older DC, thankfully DS liked sleeping so we just did that for a week, and gradually I built up my walking stamina. It’s all a big foggy milky blur in retrospect but I certainly feel joyful about it in my memories Vs the visceral horror of everything the first time round. Though the blood thinning injections are a bastard any way you shape it!

I actually found my emergency c section with twins easier and quicker to recover from than my planned first c section - the main difference being the twins were moved to NICU and if I wanted to see them I had to be up on my feet so I had incentive to be up as quick as possible x

Planned one was almost quite healing after an emergency one mentally. Physically I think the pain was worse for the planned but probably only because I've got a 3 year old to look after rather than just being able to rest first time round.