Second csection experiences

[Pinkstuffs]

I’m booked to have an elective section in a couple of weeks and I’m getting really nervous about it. My first was a cat 3 emergency due to a small baby so not really an emergency but a baby to be born today scenario. I healed fine and was home within 24 hours but I’m so nervous about the second time!

Im really worried that when they open me up again they will find something has healed badly or find a problem. I’ve had a lot of scans which should calm me but it hasn’t. Can anyone share their second csection experience to calm me down? Did you find it worse than the first?

I’ve had three and each was better than the last! An elective is so much calmer and more “enjoyable” than an emergency! Good luck

Hey, just had my second section 3 weeks ago after an emergency section 2 years ago. Honestly, it was a super positive experience. I felt very in control and calm throughout. Healing has been great and I am pretty much back to normal apart from sleep deprivation and not being able to pick up my toddler. i have been really militant in listening the advice of taking it easy and not overdoing it, so take your time to heal. Spend time resting when you can and do gentle movement but also don’t push yourself too early.

hello, I hope you're okay. I think you're likely to get a mix of good and bad experiences, like with any aspect of birth.

my 2nd c section took longer than they anticipated as I had scar tissue they weren't expecting, i was still home within 2 days, though. Despite being longer surgery, it was a more relaxed experience than my first emergency one.

Recovery was slower than with my first, though, but the doctors warned me to expect that, based on the scarring. I then think I overdid it a bit too much trying to keep up with my toddler and the outer stitches/wound took longer to heal and I ended up needing antibiotics. So I'd definitely make sure you listen to advice, rest as much as you can and avoid lifting or chasing after your older child!

I would also recommend trying to do breathing exercises/ listening to some relaxing music during it if you're feeling anxious.

My second felt very much the same as the first, except I knew kind of what to expect and they kept a closer eye on my blood pressure second time around so I wasn’t sick. So second I guess was slightly better than the first. Recovery and healing was very similar timescale. Good luck xx