Emergency vs. Planned C-Section (Recovery)

[AvianasMommy]

I posted this in 3rd tri also but not sure if I'll get many responses there so decided to post here as well...

I've been obsessing about this and am hoping some of you ladies can give me some positive stories.

With DD1 (almost 5 years ago), I was induced (with cervidil and pitocin). I was in labor for 35 hours and didn't progress past the 3 cm that I was when I went in. My doctor decided a c-section was necessary and after, told me that I hadn't been progressing because baby's chin was up (?). I had the worst c-section recovery ever. I was in the hospital for almost a week and on some pretty strong antibiotics. I had a drain and staples in the incision. When it was time to go home, I cried the whole car ride there and up every single step. I didn't move from the couch for a long time. When I would stand up, it felt like my stomach was on fire. I was like a cripple for 4 weeks. I'm overweight too and carry it in my belly so I'm sure that didn't help much either.

Now, I'm 35 weeks pregnant with DD2. Since 20 weeks, she's either been breech or transverse. While I'm still holding out hope she'll turn, deep down I don't think she will... so I'm trying to come to grips with the possibility of another c-section.

Is there a difference in the recovery from a planned c-section vs. the recovery from an emergency c-section (after being in labor so long)? I'm just trying to get myself mentally prepared. I'm terrified of having another c-section and I feel like it's the end of the world. Any advice would be greatly appreciated .

[Edit] Thought of something else! If I do have to have a c-section, how can I make sure that they don't take the baby away from me this time? With DD1, I never had any special moments as they took her away and then brought her to the nursery. I have GD so I know they'll have to medically clear her first but do I tell my doctor that I don't want her taken to the nursery? Just not sure how that works.

 

[baileybubs]

I'd also be interested in this as I had an EMCS after 16 hours of labour and she got stuck so don't know what recovery will be like next time if I have to have an elective c section.

What I can say to you though is that my recovery wasn't as bad as yours sounds so maybe every c section is different. Was it a bikini cut you had? I didn't have any staples it was just dissolvable stitches and although the first 4 weeks were hard every day got a little easier and before I knew it I felt fine. I still can't bend certain ways or do stomach crunches (10 weeks pp at the mo). Hopefully a planned c section would be easier recovery seen as you won't have the recovery of your uterus experiencing all those contractions too.

 

[dgirllamius]

I had a planned section and I was up and walking the day after. They did try and get me up the same day but it felt like my insides just dropped and was quite painful but i was walking next day. I was in hospital for 3 days and had no problems. My scar healed very well and you can barely see it now a year later. I did have back pain for a few weeks after but I was entitled to 6 massage sessions. I don't know if having an elective c section makes it any better, maybe I was just lucky with mine and had great doctors.

 

[MnMommy]

I think it really depends on the mom. I had an EMCS with DS almost 5 years ago (we are on the same schedule). I am also overweight and carry it in my tummy. That said, I was up and walking within 24 hours. I stayed in the hospital for 5 days because DS lost too much weight and I had a bad allergic reaction to the scrub, but not due to having the EMCS. I was fine within 2 weeks for sure. Probably even sooner than that. I know the first couple of nights were tough just getting up out of bed to nurse, but I was doing stairs, etc., fine the day I came home. (In fact, my recovery was way easier than several friends who had natural births.)

This time I have to havea planned CS (due to the complications that lead to the EMCS last time) and I am hoping it goes as well as it did before. Well, it will be planned as long as I don't go into labor first, which doesn't seem real likely with how things are going.

I truly think the key is to get up and get walking as soon as possible, even if just a little at a time and even if it hurts a little. I think it made a world of difference for me.

 

[ZubZub]

I had an em cs after being induced and in labour for 15 hours. I know the ripping, burning pain you speak of! I think the trauma of an em cs makes it worse too. My second was a planned cs and recovery seemed way way better. But then I did have another child to think of and was distracted by my lo being in nicu. I was driving to the hospital daily by the end of the first week (I didn't room in as my DS needed me at home). Too busy to notice my own recovery!

 

[Mum2befirst]

Hi i had emergency c section after a 10 hour labour my son was undiagnosed breech..my csection healed well and i was hoovering 3 days after it Allthough i am dreading the thought of another c section because i didnt feel supported in hospital..when i needed to get my baby to feed him i just couldnt reach him and felt like i was 'doing the nurses heads in' never felt so sad and desperate to get home