Recovery from C-Section vs Vaginal Birth

[Jaxvipe]

Hey Ladies!

I have a questions for any women who have had a vaginal birth and a c-section. What was the recovery like for them and if you have to choose would you rather have a c-section or a vaginal birth just in terms of recovery?

Thanks!

 

[HeatherBabe]

I havent had a baby yet but my aunt had vaginal births and one of my friends had a C-section. I'd say vaginal is much easier to recover from, you get to go home from the hospital sooner and all you really do is squirt your peepee with a perineal irrigation bottle filled with warm water while you go peepee so it doesn't burn, and you can still walk around and do things. With a C-section you are basically on strict bed rest, it will hurt to lift your baby and recovery time is usually many weeks plus I've heard of ladies having a lot of pain in the stitches, you can get an infection in the stitches or strain yourself accidently and easily tear them. You don't get to hold your baby with a C-section right away either, you have to wait until they stitch you up and clean you up and cart you to recovery room first. A C-section is really something you want to avoid at all cost, unless it is an emergency or your doctor says you need one but I wouldn't ever consider one elective myself!

 

[DragonTamer]

I know this was geared towards women with both csections and vaginal births and I only had a vaginal birth but I do know someone who's had both and she did nothing but complain about the incision pain and how long it took for her to be able to move around without pain after her section. From what I've heard recovery time is longer for sections and more painful...remember they are cutting into your abdomin and we aren't meant to be cut open. We are however designed to give birth vaginally and even with an episiotomy I'm sure recovery is a lot easier. I know with my youngest I was up and about the same day. I didn't even feel like I had given birth. If I would have had a csection I don't think I would have been up to doing much of anything...

 

[HeatherBabe]

I know this was geared towards women with both csections and vaginal births and I only had a vaginal birth but I do know someone who's had both and she did nothing but complain about the incision pain and how long it took for her to be able to move around without pain after her section. From what I've heard recovery time is longer for sections and more painful...remember they are cutting into your abdomin and we aren't meant to be cut open. We are however designed to give birth vaginally and even with an episiotomy I'm sure recovery is a lot easier. I know with my youngest I was up and about the same day. I didn't even feel like I had given birth. If I would have had a csection I don't think I would have been up to doing much of anything...

My friend that had the C-section told me while she was in recovery at the hospital her incision was so painful she could not sit up to get her crying baby that was beside her bed, she could do nothing but lay there and try to get a midwife to come in and they were really bad with her care...left her in bloody sheets and made a fuss about handing her the baby.

 

[Jaxvipe]

I am terrified of having a c-section. My doctor is talking about it because my little girl is already almost 7lbs and THey are treating me like I have gestational diabetes. I dont techinically have gestational diabetes but I have impaired fasting glucose where my blood sugar stays high while I sleep. So, they are afraid that because I am like borderline GD that he shoulders will be too large and that I will need a c-section. I am really going to push to be induced at 39 weeks because I dont want a c-section but I guess we will just have to wait and see.

But I have talked with 2 friends who have said that they would rather have a c-section after having a natural birth. So I just wanted to see what other ladies have to say

 

[Zephram]

Still to have my first baby, but I wanted to jump in and say I'm hoping to avoid a c-section! I've had abdominal surgery three times in my life already and I wouldn't under any circumstances want to go through that again unless it's to save my or my baby's life.

Recovery from abdominal surgery is hell - you don't realize how much you use and rely on your abdominal muscles until they are chopped up! I don't understand why people 'elect' to have a c-section when not medically necessary - your vagina recovers WAY quicker than surgical wounds do. Hopefully I get to 'push'!!

 

[minties]

I've only had a c-section but I was not on bedrest or restricted in any way shape or form. Neither was I really ever in any pain.

In saying that, I'm really hoping for a vaginal birth this time. For emotional reasons.

 

[HeatherBabe]

I am terrified of having a c-section. My doctor is talking about it because my little girl is already almost 7lbs and THey are treating me like I have gestational diabetes. I dont techinically have gestational diabetes but I have impaired fasting glucose where my blood sugar stays high while I sleep. So, they are afraid that because I am like borderline GD that he shoulders will be too large and that I will need a c-section. I am really going to push to be induced at 39 weeks because I dont want a c-section but I guess we will just have to wait and see.

But I have talked with 2 friends who have said that they would rather have a c-section after having a natural birth. So I just wanted to see what other ladies have to say

7lbs isn't all that bad though, I mean it isnt even yet above average but there are women here who have pushed out 10+ pounders just fine. Take what they say about baby's weight with a grain of salt, they are usually wrong when they try to make guesses on the babies weight. I have been told all through pregnancy that our baby is measuring all fine and normal, but when I actually go through my charts and read his scan measurements he is very small and has been measuring small all along. There is a website I go to where you put in all the scan measurments and other info and it converts it, it's really useful and neat. MIL's friend was told she would have a small baby, went overdue and her little girl was like 8lbs so I really am cautious about the validity of their weight guesses. I was even told by my midwife that ultrasounds are only 35% accurate when it comes to guessing the weight. I looked this up online and it's true, they can't really tell you. I knew one lady who was told her baby had IUGR and she had a HUGE baby that came out 9+ lbs lol! The worst that can happen is they "think" baby is measuring too big and do a C-section on you and you come to find baby is average/normal weight...which seems to happen a lot. Baby also doesn't grow too much more in the last month and lots of women naturally go into labor around 38-39 weeks.

I think people say they'd rather have a C-section because they don't really know what it is like to go through that and assume recovery is pain free which isn't true but then there are some I think who do get them and like them more for whatever reasons. All the people I've known who talk about their C-sections wish they had a vaginal delivery and found recovery very difficult.

I don't know why any doctor would be pushing for you to get a C-section right now even with GD when your baby is still in the average weight range, lots of women with GD have normal vaginal births. I'd say just do whatever you and doctor are most comfortable with, I'd research C-sections a lot if I were you, look around online on some medical sites where you could get some facts and what to expect and all that jazz. Nothing more terrifying then being uneducated about a surgery you may have to get! Just be sure you talk it over a lot with your doctor, and have them explain everything in detail to you so you know what's going on exactly and don't just dive into it.

With that said, I haven't had my baby yet so don't know personally! There are ladies here that could give you much better insight than I can since they experienced this stuff first hand. I only know from other people.

 

[tu123]

Only a vaginal birth here but I ended up with a third degree tear, a daughter with strep b, a DVT, a second visit to the operating theatre two weeks later, a bloody sore arse and a year long recovery and incontinence. Having a c sec this time and looking forward to it

 

[stephie_corin]

Only a vaginal birth here but I ended up with a third degree tear, a daughter with strep b, a DVT, a second visit to the operating theatre two weeks later, a bloody sore arse and a year long recovery and incontinence. Having a c sec this time and looking forward to it

This sort of experience really scares me about having a vaginal birth. I *was* very pro natural birth but the closer I get to my due date the more I am contemplating a c-section. I am small (5'2 and slim) and my husband is 6'4 and was over 10 pounds at birth. All the male babies on my side were big too. I have an anterior placenta and small feet (supposed to be an indication of pelvic size)... all signs are pointing to a c-section in my mind. It's such a tough decision!!!

 

[LovingLimes]

Only a vaginal birth here but I ended up with a third degree tear, a daughter with strep b, a DVT, a second visit to the operating theatre two weeks later, a bloody sore arse and a year long recovery and incontinence. Having a c sec this time and looking forward to it

This sort of experience really scares me about having a vaginal birth. I *was* very pro natural birth but the closer I get to my due date the more I am contemplating a c-section. I am small (5'2 and slim) and my husband is 6'4 and was over 10 pounds at birth. All the male babies on my side were big too. I have an anterior placenta and small feet (supposed to be an indication of pelvic size)... all signs are pointing to a c-section in my mind. It's such a tough decision!!!

I have pretty big feet, size 10 and am a big girl in general. I was shocked when my Dr told me I had a very narrow pelvis which is also kind of flat. She didn't think I could deliver, so instead of an emcs I choose an elective one. I found out that is why my mom had csections-because of her pelvis shape and size. So I don't think it is as much about the size of your feet or even body type, but the doctor should be able to tell closer to your due date. I haven't dropped or dialated or ANYTHING yet because baby can't get down and thin my cervix. Just fyi. I do have an anterior placenta though.

 

[rockabillymom]

Vaginal Birth definetly for me. With my first I was up and walking around the same day I gave birth with no tearing or stitches just had to wear a giant pad. Im hoping I can do the same with the baby but she is wayy bigger than her sister was

 

[TTCinBC]

I had a c-section and will be having a repeat in kess then 2 weeks. Yes they hurt, yes the recovery *can* be longer, but its not as bad as some people seem to be making it out to be.
My SIL had a vaginal and tore and it took her longer to recover then it did me!

I was only on T3's for about 1 week and then just regualt tylenol after that for another week. I was able to hold my DD right in the OR and I was able to get up and walk around 12 hours later AND hold my DD. I did take advantage of having the nurses there to help me more as I was also a first time mom, but i was able to do everything for her..a littler slower then normal, but that didnt matter.

Yes of course its best to avoid any unnecessary surgeries. But I dont think people should put such a stigma on a c-section because then it makes us women who HAVE to have them feel like failures.

There can be good to every side of things. I would have loved to have a vbac this time, bur my scar is just too thin so because of increased risks, im doing whats best.

As long as there is no complications, I expect myself to be fairly back to 'normal' by the end of the second week...which is more then I can say for my SIL who had the tear wih her vaginal birth.

 

[Scuba]

I have no idea what to do.. I had my daughter vaginally but it was traumatic, long, drawn out and very stressful on both of us. This time around I've also tested GBS positive so have that to worry about on top of the labour and birth itself.
I WAS opting towards a c section initially, but the thought of the recovery period and not being able to lift baby, drive for 6 weeks, the risk of infection etc - just terrifies me..
However after my last birth, the thought of giving birth vaginally is horrific to me too.
I know this isn't any help at all but it kind of fitted with the topic do thought of add it here!xx

 

[Miss Broody]

I havent had a baby yet but from friends and what you can see above it varies more on the birth iteself. It seems an easy straight forward vaginal birth is the easiest to recover from but if you have any tearing or complications the recovery is often as bad as a c section.

I would like a natural vaginal birth, but ultimately will do whatever is best for baby and me. x

 

[tu123]

Only a vaginal birth here but I ended up with a third degree tear, a daughter with strep b, a DVT, a second visit to the operating theatre two weeks later, a bloody sore arse and a year long recovery and incontinence. Having a c sec this time and looking forward to it

This sort of experience really scares me about having a vaginal birth. I *was* very pro natural birth but the closer I get to my due date the more I am contemplating a c-section. I am small (5'2 and slim) and my husband is 6'4 and was over 10 pounds at birth. All the male babies on my side were big too. I have an anterior placenta and small feet (supposed to be an indication of pelvic size)... all signs are pointing to a c-section in my mind. It's such a tough decision!!!

Hun
You could be fine! My problems were down to bad and negligent nursing mainly! My daughter was only 7 1/2 lbs and whilst not overweight i had been an athlete for 12 years and i think my abdo muscles were my wost enemy!

My hubby is over 6ft 4 and this baby was estimated at nearly 7lbs at 32 weeks-so in light of all the past a c section is the best for me

 

[M&S+Bump]

I haven't had a vaginal birth but an uncomplicated recovery from a c-section really wasn't bad at all - I was off painkillers by week 3 and by then the incision was a bit tender but not affecting every day life in any way, other than not being able to drive. Yes, the first few days were quite painful and I'm not sure what I would have done if Joe hadn't been in NICU as I don't know if I'd have been able to care for him, but from friends' experiences, you can be in the same state after a complicated vaginal birth as well, and I've known a few girls take way longer to recover from a vaginal birth than I did from the c-section.

On the flip-side of the coin though, I've known others who were out and about to toddler group the day after they had their baby because they felt fine, and a friend who nearly died because of complications from her c-sec. It all just depends on how it goes on the day!

I'll be trying for a VBAC this time, but if it was necessary for the health of the baby or because of previous complications to have a c-section, I wouldn't hesitate to do so without any fear whatsoever about either the operation or the recovery.

 

[Laura80]

I had a section and was not on strict bed rest, i was up and about walking the same day. It didn't hurt to pick up my baby at all and I could care for her with no problems. Yes of course it's a bit sore and I took painkillers for a while, but you're sore after a vaginal birth too.

 

[08marchbean]

iv only had vaginal. I had a 3rd degree tear and (3c) and had a few problems afterwards, it was painful etc. BUT I have been offered a section this time and have declined. Even though i risk the same or worse happening again. i would rather that than a c-section. Especially for emotional reasons, given the choice it vaginal every time for me, ill risk it for the birth i want.

 

[aliss]

I had a vaginal delivery - 4 hours pushing (+ the labour), dystocia with large-ish baby (9lb 3oz) and an episiotomy (which is standard for a dystocia delivery). I am a smaller girl but big babies run in my family and I was no exception.

Not gonna lie, felt like I was kicked in the crotch, episiotomy was sore. But I was in the gym after 1 week and having sex in 2 weeks.

As you can see, I'm planning a home birth. I was offered a C-section due to the dystocia but you know what... it was my swift recovery that really encouraged me to refuse it. For those girls who are small and scared of birthing big babies, PLEASE reconsider and talk to a midwife skilled in dealing with big babies. Understand that you are much better off just going natural (ie no epidural) to help you get into good positions to open your pelvis and doing it the old fashioned way. Dystocia can be managed safely in nearly all cases in this manner.

Just because you are small does not mean you cannot birth a big baby. And even if baby is rather large and needs a little 'help', does not mean you are destroyed down there.

Good luck with your choices, having been through it myself, I can't say yet whether I've made the right choice for #2, but I am feeling quite confident in my ability to deal with it and recover.

Of coruse, there are always exceptions, I can't speak for those, just sharing my own experience.