C sections 17 months apart... How far apart were yours?

PockerMaus · 2026-02-26T22:36:05+00:00

Anyone had two c sections relatively close together? Please let me know how it went? Were the doctors concerned? How was your recovery? I have an 8 month old son and recently found out I am pregnant again. He was born by elective c section at 42 weeks. I haven't had my booking appointment yet or anything and I imagine I'm only a couple of weeks at the moment. What was it like having two under two? Honesty please!

WafflesOrIceCream · 26/02/2026 22:45

I didn't want to read and run.I don't know any women who have had c section in a short space of time,but do know of women who have had vaginal delivery.

They found having two under two easy as they were already in the routine with nappies and sleepless nights.

I was told that it's the best thing ever(once a routine for the two is established) and that both children grow up together.

It may be scary at first but it will be worth it.You've got this!

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 26/02/2026 22:48

Congrats!!!!

I had 20m gap both csections were textbook.

My friend also had 20m gap it was more problematic as she had endometriosis and adhesions.

How did you heal after your first?
If you are concerned had a chat with the midwife...

They found having two under two easy
Not sure i agree with this. I found it very hard. But it was an active choice and I dont regret it at all. Youngest is 2 now and its significantly easier.

Plasticdreams · 26/02/2026 22:57

Same gap here. One was an emergency and one was elective. Recovery was straight forward and much easier second time as I hadn’t had a labour before hand.

Original poster

PockerMaus · 26/02/2026 22:58

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 26/02/2026 22:48

Congrats!!!!

I had 20m gap both csections were textbook.

My friend also had 20m gap it was more problematic as she had endometriosis and adhesions.

How did you heal after your first?
If you are concerned had a chat with the midwife...

They found having two under two easy
Not sure i agree with this. I found it very hard. But it was an active choice and I dont regret it at all. Youngest is 2 now and its significantly easier.

Edited

Thank you for your reply.

I healed really well, had no issues throughout the pregnancy nor the recovery. Sounded like my first section was textbook too.

Were you advised to have a section for your second?

My son wasn't an easy newborn and a terrible sleeper so I am worrying about how I'll cope with two under two. I've always wanted children close in age though 🫣

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Original poster

PockerMaus · 26/02/2026 22:58

WafflesOrIceCream · 26/02/2026 22:45

I didn't want to read and run.I don't know any women who have had c section in a short space of time,but do know of women who have had vaginal delivery.

They found having two under two easy as they were already in the routine with nappies and sleepless nights.

I was told that it's the best thing ever(once a routine for the two is established) and that both children grow up together.

It may be scary at first but it will be worth it.You've got this!

Thank you for your reply! Yes I love the idea that they will be so close and grow up together, I can't imagine describing it as easy though haha! But we shall see. The mum guilt is already setting in 😭

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Original poster

PockerMaus · 26/02/2026 22:59

Plasticdreams · 26/02/2026 22:57

Same gap here. One was an emergency and one was elective. Recovery was straight forward and much easier second time as I hadn’t had a labour before hand.

Ah wow! Thank you for your reply! Did anyone seem concerned due to the short gap between?

How was two under two?

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LarryUnderwood · 26/02/2026 23:00

19 months, emergency c section at 42+2 then elective at 39 weeks. Recovery from the second was harder but that is because I had a very difficult pregnancy with severe PGP and baby kept going breech and transverse, and he was tangled in the cord so the op took a long time and I lost a lot of blood. I was already in bad shape when I had the c section and that would have been the case whether it was my first or second. My MIL stayed for 3 weeks after I had DS2 and I was so grateful for the help.

Two under two...it's not easy I'm not going to lie. Take all the help you can get, don't sweat the small stuff and do whatever you need to get proper sleep - if you have slept you can deal with everything better. To be honest my two were really tricky, DS1 started walking at 10 months and DS2 was a climber so I spent the toddler years just trying to stop them running away and hurling themselves off things. I had them on reins for quite a while. But having them close is also easier on lots of ways - they sort of came as a pair for years and there was no juggling of separate stuff for a long time. They were similar sizes for ages too so clothes were easy. And they made/make each other laugh so much.

One thing I do wish I had done differently: I pushed myself to BF Ds2 for 6 months because that's what I did with DS1 and I felt like it would be 'unfair' if I didn't. But with DS1 it was fairly easy and he fed regularly and quickly. Ds2 fed for hours at a time and it made it so hard for me to spend any real time with DS1. It made me miserable and I was only doing it out of guilt. I'm not saying don't BF of course! But don't pressure yourself to do things for your second child just because you did them for your first, do what makes your family life easier and better for all of you including yourself. Good luck and enjoy!

Cryingatthegym · 26/02/2026 23:01

I've had 3 c sections and the last two were 16 months apart. Honestly, the last one was the best one! Because it was planned from the beginning and because I already knew what to expect and knew what I needed to heal well I was so well prepared and it all went really smoothly. Recovery also seemed a lot easier than recovering from an emergency section.

Happy to answer any other questions if you have them.

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 26/02/2026 23:12

PockerMaus · 26/02/2026 22:58

Thank you for your reply.

I healed really well, had no issues throughout the pregnancy nor the recovery. Sounded like my first section was textbook too.

Were you advised to have a section for your second?

My son wasn't an easy newborn and a terrible sleeper so I am worrying about how I'll cope with two under two. I've always wanted children close in age though 🫣

Show quote history

Funny you ask.
It was totally bizarre...

context: I developed bad GD and a heart problem in my 2nd pregnancy... I was reasonably unwell and in A&E / cardiology a fair bit.

They talked me through it all and were very its your choice.
In the actual app about it there was alot of "we support a VBA! do you want a VBAC??? You can have one! We support your choice!!!"

I said I want a elcs again and said i didnt get why they were pushing vbac and asked if they would have a vbac in my situation and the dr said the hospital supports women doing whatever they want (?!) And then something along the lines of "god no...id never do a vbac in your shoes... even with an elective theres a 30% chance you'll need general. Trying for a natural birth would almost certainly end in EMCS"

My face 😵‍💫😱🤯

I now always ask drs in every appointment "what would you do if you were me and why?"

Now youngest is 2 i LOVE it. They are little pals.
I wanted a small gap and found the napping thing okay / worked itself out.

We did get a night nanny a couple of night for first 8 weeks or so that was money well spent and really recommend it.
I also do more batch cook now and standards are slightly lower round the house

Do get the silicon strips for scar and see a good postnatal physio I had no separation in pregnancy 1 and in pregnancy 2 3-4 fingers muscle separation!!!! It closed with physio though...

horseplay12 · 26/02/2026 23:14

15 months.
dD1 my EMCS, DD2 15 months later by ELCS.
was advised to wait 6 months after first section before trying to get pg again.

elliejjtiny · 26/02/2026 23:29

I had my 2 c-sections 12 months apart for babies 4 and 5. 1st was elective because of baby's position and 2nd was an emergency after induction didn't work. Personally I preferred the emergency one as I didn't have to wait and worry like I did with the elective, it was just "theatre now" and 20 minutes later he was born. I think the hardest part was being in hospital and missing my 1 year old, then not being able to pick him up for ages. They are 11 and 12 now and very close.

TricNorthCarolina · 26/02/2026 23:30

I had a 12 month gap. No problems at all

PurpleLovecats · 26/02/2026 23:39

15 months between my first two, no issues whatsoever. Had 4 sections in 6 years.

DMouse1980 · 26/02/2026 23:51

So 2nd and 3rd were 19 months apart. All mine were planned c sections due to GD diabetes and liver issues. Recovery on 3rd was easier than the past two as i kind of knew what not to do too early. Best advice to not overdo things and lift nothing / dont drive too early. Friends pushed recovery and didnt heal as well. Whilst driving might be helpful, it is not worth having the risk of scar tissue healing badly.
Toddler years were great as they occupied one another well. Hoping teenage years are the same!!!

Plasticdreams · 27/02/2026 06:55

PockerMaus · 26/02/2026 22:59

Ah wow! Thank you for your reply! Did anyone seem concerned due to the short gap between?

How was two under two?

Show quote history

I also had a myomectomy prior to having children (which is the same incision) so it was my 3rd time being opened up in the same place. I was lucky with the healing. - all was straight forward with minimal scarring.
Two under two wasn’t easy as I had to leave an abusive relationship and did it completely alone. With help and support, I’m sure it would have been a very different experience.

Original poster

PockerMaus · 27/02/2026 20:27

Plasticdreams · 27/02/2026 06:55

I also had a myomectomy prior to having children (which is the same incision) so it was my 3rd time being opened up in the same place. I was lucky with the healing. - all was straight forward with minimal scarring.
Two under two wasn’t easy as I had to leave an abusive relationship and did it completely alone. With help and support, I’m sure it would have been a very different experience.

Show quote history

I'm sorry you had to go through that, I imagine it was really hard. ❤️ You are very strong!

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Original poster

PockerMaus · 27/02/2026 20:28

TricNorthCarolina · 26/02/2026 23:30

I had a 12 month gap. No problems at all

Wow 12 months! Was that between two sections? Did anyone seem concerned? I'm glad all went well, and how amazing how close they are!

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Original poster

PockerMaus · 27/02/2026 20:29

horseplay12 · 26/02/2026 23:14

15 months.
dD1 my EMCS, DD2 15 months later by ELCS.
was advised to wait 6 months after first section before trying to get pg again.

Ah interesting! I think my midwife told me to wait a year ~ 18 months! But life happens I suppose 🫣 how did your ecls go? Was the recovery ok?

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Original poster

PockerMaus · 27/02/2026 20:33

elliejjtiny · 26/02/2026 23:29

I had my 2 c-sections 12 months apart for babies 4 and 5. 1st was elective because of baby's position and 2nd was an emergency after induction didn't work. Personally I preferred the emergency one as I didn't have to wait and worry like I did with the elective, it was just "theatre now" and 20 minutes later he was born. I think the hardest part was being in hospital and missing my 1 year old, then not being able to pick him up for ages. They are 11 and 12 now and very close.

Yes that's something I already feel guilty about :( not being able to pick up my son and that he won't have all my attention.

That's amazing you had two 12 months apart! ❤️Love how close they are! Interesting that you initially went for an induction too! Did any doctors seem concerned throughout the pregnancy?

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Original poster

PockerMaus · 27/02/2026 20:35

DMouse1980 · 26/02/2026 23:51

So 2nd and 3rd were 19 months apart. All mine were planned c sections due to GD diabetes and liver issues. Recovery on 3rd was easier than the past two as i kind of knew what not to do too early. Best advice to not overdo things and lift nothing / dont drive too early. Friends pushed recovery and didnt heal as well. Whilst driving might be helpful, it is not worth having the risk of scar tissue healing badly.
Toddler years were great as they occupied one another well. Hoping teenage years are the same!!!

That's true, I guess I know what to expect! I found the recovery ok this time so I guess I'm worried I was lucky this time but maybe won't be next time 🫣. That's true about toddler years :) haha fingers crossed! My brother and I are 19 months apart and we have always been super close 🥰

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Riverflow6 · 27/02/2026 20:37

3 sections and 20 months between middle and last child. Completely fine! Worst section was 2 as it was a crash section under GA and no calm surgery as one might hope for

Original poster

PockerMaus · 27/02/2026 20:38

Cryingatthegym · 26/02/2026 23:01

I've had 3 c sections and the last two were 16 months apart. Honestly, the last one was the best one! Because it was planned from the beginning and because I already knew what to expect and knew what I needed to heal well I was so well prepared and it all went really smoothly. Recovery also seemed a lot easier than recovering from an emergency section.

Happy to answer any other questions if you have them.

That's amazing! :)

Was anyone concerned about the gap? I read that my maternity unit refers you to a consultant if you have had a previous c section so I'm hoping to speak to them soon 🤷🏼‍♀️.

How did you find looking after your other two with a newborn? I already have mum guilt towards my son that he won't have all my attention 😭

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Original poster

PockerMaus · 27/02/2026 20:40

Riverflow6 · 27/02/2026 20:37

3 sections and 20 months between middle and last child. Completely fine! Worst section was 2 as it was a crash section under GA and no calm surgery as one might hope for

Oh bless you, that sounds scary :( glad all was ok in the end! ❤️

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NoWordForFluffy · 27/02/2026 20:43

Plasticdreams · 26/02/2026 22:57

Same gap here. One was an emergency and one was elective. Recovery was straight forward and much easier second time as I hadn’t had a labour before hand.

Same here. Gap of 13 months.

Pallisers · 27/02/2026 20:47

14 months and like pp last one was the easiest. My girls are the best of friends and always have been (in their 20s now).