Comparing recoveries

[xxxemmaxxx]

Has anyone had a brutal forceps delivery and an c section?
Which one was better to recover from?

Ds2 was dragged out by forceps, took me over a year to feel normal again down below and I dont think I'll ever recover fully mentally. Now im pregnant again and want to see where i stand for elective c section but also worried about the recovery!

 

[sarah1980]

I've not had a section but like you I had quite a traumatic forceps delivery with no1. It took me a long time to recover and to be honest I'm still not the same as I was before! I'm feeling the same with this one, should I have an elective section this time?

Sarah xxx

 

[xxxemmaxxx]

Have you spoken to the midwife about it? Are they giving you the option?

 

[sarah1980]

Have you spoken to the midwife about it? Are they giving you the option?

Not exactly but I have a low lying placenta so I've to wait and see if that moves up otherwise I'll need a section anyway but after my first birth the doctor did say if I wanted a section next time around it shouldn't be an issue. I'm waiting out til my 32 week scan regarding the placenta then I'll have to think seriously about it.

 

[xxxemmaxxx]

I've actually had two assisted deliveries now.. I really don't want to risk another for the sake of my downstairs region!

 

[Lullabye]

I had a ventouse delivery with my son because my weak epidural pushes weren't doing the trick. This time around i have a low placenta, so may not have the choice. I'd love a shot at a 'better' vaginal delivery and the thought of a section scares the crap out of me.

 

[xxxemmaxxx]

Ahh fingers crosses you get your wish..
i had ventouse first time - i hadnt had any pain relief so not sure what the problem was with. With ds2 i had an epidural.. but needed forceps that time. He was 10lb 1oz though.
They think this time it could go bigger hence why I'm not keen!

 

[Ziggy2]

I have had both a forceps and a c section, I am booked for another c section in 10 days time. my forceps recovery was awful, stitches got infected and came apart, was two months before I could sit down and I still don't feel completely right 7 years on, I opted for a c section 2nd time around and consultant agreed I could have one, recovery was much easier, I think because you know you've had surgery you automatically take it easier I was up and about a few days later and no pain after a week. Hoping this next c section will be the same!

 

[baileybubs]

Hi there,

I had an EMCS with my first followed by a horrible forceps delivery with my second and to be honest I'm back and forth over what to do this time because of the recovery and trauma of the forceps!

I was lucky that my c section was quite good though as I've heard some bad stories about those too even elective ones so sometimes I think it's just pure luck on how it goes.

My forceps delivery with my son was horrible though and I remember constantly crying from pain, midwives that came to check used to wince and say "ooh you're quite swollen and badly bruised arent you"
Honestly I would take my recovery of EMCS any day in comparison. But as I said I had a good EMCS so who knows?

Hence why I don't know what to do this time. Keep hoping something will help me make up my mind but I guess until I'm closer I'll just keep batting back and forth. For now I've told the midwife I would like to try for another VBAC but I want to discuss it all in more detail with my consultant.

 

[xxxemmaxxx]

I've not had a section but like you I had quite a traumatic forceps delivery with no1. It took me a long time to recover and to be honest I'm still not the same as I was before! I'm feeling the same with this one, should I have an elective section this time?

Sarah xxx

Congrats i can see you had baby?!
Did you get a section in the end?

 

[Zephram]

I had an emcs with my first. My second was a VBAC with forceps delivery. I ended up with a third degree tear (nearly fourth) and an episiotomy. My poor downstairs was in bits. Despite the injuries from my forceps VBAC, I found the recovery from the episiotomy and tear MUCH easier than the recovery from the caesarean. A c section is major surgery that cuts through all of your stomach muscles and uterus, a tear or episiotomy does no where near that level of damage and will not restrict your movements or activities anywhere near as much.