C-section recovery

[fairysoft1]

This is my 4th child and with my other 3 I've had quick vaginal births and good recovery.
This time I'm a bit over 40 and they are talking about induction so I don't go over which I know can lead to emergency c-section so I'm considering elective.
I am worried about recovery and overhang which I've heard you get from a c-section which I would hate because I've always gone back into shape (eventually) has anyone had a c-section and managed to get back to pre pregnancy again or is the overhang permanent and guaranteed.

I don’t have a overhang at all!

That's reassuring.

You don't have to agree to induction. Risk increases as you age but it's not like you're suddenly in the danger zone on the stroke of midnight when you turn 40.

Unless there are other factors, don't feel you have to go with whatever they say because the guidelines are quite crude, based on yes/no over 40.

With three previous easy births, I'd say your chances are quite high of having the same again. You could ask for elective say one week after due date if nothing has happened by then.

Ps I do have an overhang from my cs

I don't have an overhang, it's not guaranteed. I think (but I'm not sure) it's related to diastasis recti, which is treatable with physio. So if you do get the overhang, there's ways to try and treat it.

I had two CS and got back to pre-pregnancy shape and size by about 12-18mo postpartum with my first. I'm only 6mo pp with my second right now, so gradually getting there!

I'd recommend an elective c section to everyone. It was fab.

Well Faith Kipyegon had a c-section in 2018, and broke the world records for 1500m and 5000m in 2023... It's certainly possible to get back into shape and in her case in better "shape" than anyone has ever been in! It may take you slightly longer initially to resume normal exercise levels, and you may be more immobilized in those very early days, but once you resume there's no reason you can't recover well.

I've had two c sections (emergency and elective) and physically the recovery is no where near as bad as you think. Within a week I was walking around the shops and well enough to go to a restaurant and within 2 weeks I was driving. Regarding the overhang, naturally I carry my weight in my belly so I do have a pouch, but then I've always had that and I really don't think it's any worse from the c sections. Within 3 months I was back to my normal weight/shape with the first one and second time round within 8-12 months but I was more relaxed that time round.

I was almost 40 when I had my little boy by elective c section. I have no overhang whatsoever and my tummy is completely flat. I'm smaller overall than I was pre pregnancy and my abdominal area is strong. You can also barely see my scar now unless you're really looking (it was just over 3 years ago). I have pale skin that scars easily too so I was pleasantly surprised by that bit!!

My first boy was vaginal delivery (episiotomy with stitches)
Second was elective section.. I found this actually better recovery wise. Mild pain days 1-5, but nothing some painkillers wouldn't help with.
I'm 3 months PP now and have no overhang, scar is flat bit red but that will go over time
I will 100% be opting for another section if I decide to have another baby in future.

With my vaginal delivery I was so so sore and swollen down there.. afraid to go to the toilet, sore to sit down.. MASSIVE amount of bleeding
Section recovery was far easier in my opinion.
Only thing was I could lift my other son for around 4ish weeks (he's 2.5 years old)

Btw if you're worried about the scar...

I had a large keloid scar after my first. I didn't mind the way it looked but it rubbed against my clothes and got itchy, even years later. Particularly in hot weather but just all the time. The surgeon who did my second, said it was because I'd had dissolvable stitches and she strongly suggested to do non dissolvable the second time. No keloid scar this time! Hardly any itchiness now! Removing the stitches was a bit gross but it was over in literally less than a minute, so worth it to have an itch-free scar.

Oh yes also I recommend the book "my mommy is having a c section" to explain to your older dc that you can't lift them etc while you recover.

My dd was so good, thanks to that book she memorised a list of things that I couldn't do "because Mummy is RECOVERING". Even now if I get tired carrying shopping bags etc "that's because you're Recovering, Mummy" ...yep, 6 months on...I'll take that excuse!

I have no overhang at all.

Genius. I still have an itchy keloid scar almost 2 years on and am due again in September. I was told by a Gynae the surgeon next time can inject to stop keloids but will also ask about this.

Yes my surgeon was a very reputable consultant (I was told by her colleagues who spoke of her in awed tones that I was lucky to have her that day).

She looked at me on the morning of my second CS and waved her hands "oh dear! We'll scrape all that off and start again" [scraping hand motion]

My birth plan had had dissolvable stitches again because I'm phobic of stitches and having them removed. But the surgeon was just so convincing I braved the non dissolvable stitches and I'm glad I did - I was a little bit distressed while they removed them but so glad not to have an itchy scar any more