3rd Trimester
valeivegas
member
Labor recovery question (natural birth)
valeivegas
member
This is a question for you ladies who already have one or more children: if you delivered naturally (not a c/s), how was your recovery? I hear stories that you can't sit for weeks, tearing recovery, extra skin from healing down there, etc. & some women make it sound worse than my c/s recovery was...
I'm really on the fence about whether to attempt a vbac - I had a c/s with DS since he was breech. This baby is head down & my Dr said I have about 75-80% chance of delivering, but he will not induce me (if no progress then I have a c/s at 41 wks). I'm really leaning towards trying the vbac since I know I'll be up & moving quicker than with the c/s & it would make it easier with DS (altho Dh will be home for 3 wks anyways to help).
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Re: Labor recovery question (natural birth)
They had an interesting discussion on the VBAC board about the recovery after a VBAC vs the recovery after a cesarean.
https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/9841109/ShowForum.aspx
https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/73105374.aspx
I had a third degree tear with DS. I used ice packs and took Advil for the first few days, but really, it wasn't that bad. I did use calendula cream on the stitches, and made sure to soak them for 10 minutes, 3 x a day for the first 2 weeks. I think that helped things heal well. I had no problems with my recovery, no extra skin or sex issues, and generally didn't think it was a huge deal. Definitely not on par with slicing open my abdomen for major surgery.
If you're even slightly considering a 3rd baby, I'd really hope for a VBAC. Every c-section has increased risks over the previous one, and increased risk of problems with the placenta for the next pregnancy.
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This is another factor - we may be done after this one but I'm really not sure... but then again I hear stories of women having like 5-6 c-sections!! (I really need to stop listening to all these stories... lol
My first pregnancy I was induced, and had an episiotomy. I was really sore!! I was so sore sometimes it hurt to walk or sit. It lasted MONTHS!!!
My second baby I went into labor on my own. My midwife (in Germany) did the perineum massage to help me stretch. I delivered my baby, and didn't tear or anything! I didn't even feel like I had a baby! I was up and walking around, and sitting and all that with no issue. The only thing I can say that felt different was that my tummy and organs felt really heavy. Probably because everything was in it's place again, and of course the belly felt like Jell-O. Over all I felt great!!
I hope this one is the same way!!
I had a by the book vaginal delivery with DS1. I did have a small episiotomy, but it wasn't horrible by any means. It hurt (or was uncomfortable) to sit on hard surfaces for a week or so (bed, sofa, padded chair were all fine), I was terrified of that first poop (no big deal in the end), terrified of sex (use lots of lube when you're ready to start again), but none of it was that bad. *oh, and there's no extra skin down there, I've heard of it happening, but my OB could seriously be a plastic surgeon for his stitching. DH took a peek when he was done, and DH said you couldn't even tell that I'd been snipped, I think that's pretty darn impressive seeing as how it was literally maybe 30-45 minutes after DS1 was born.
I had a c/s with my twins, also by the book with no complications, and I don't need to probably tell you what my recovery was like with it, but not that bad either.
I really don't think either was harder/easier, they both had different benefits and challenges. I've experienced both and I'm attempting a VBAC this time around (I'm 39w as a surrogate) so it obviously can't be that bad or I'd have opted for the RCS.
GSx1 - 05/13/2013
GSx2 for T&B - EDD 6/21/2015 - They're having a GIRL!
I had a natural delivery with my first and had a minimal tear. I felt fine after about a week. Yes, it was sore for a bit but I used the dermaplast they gave me as well as tucks pads to help.
DD2 8.22.13
MMC 1.4.17 at 16w
Expecting #3, EDD 1.29.18
With my third, I was so happy to have the witch hazel pads. Made me feel so much better! I had to have nice too-my vagina was swollen really bad so they mad me sitting on ice for a long time. I didn't have any ears. With my first child, I had two stiches and with my son I had six. It only hurt to pee with my oldest and I was scared to poop with both my oldest and my middle child. By the time I had my youngest, after I got off the bed I went and peed and pooped and I was walking around like I didn't even just push a human being out of my vagina lol
But if you are scared to poop or even have problems they will give you laxatives to help. But its really not that bad at all!!
I did have a rather long battle with my hemerrhoids that lasted probably four or five months. That was miserable.
Honestly, if you don't try to over do it for the first couple of weeks you should be ok... But I really got up and about far sooner than I should have.
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***Twin fraternal girls born at 35w6d in 12/2008***
I have not experienced VBAC, but my recovery was fairly easy. My labia was swollen and I had dissolvable stitches from my second degree tearing. Sitting and going to the restroom was an adventure for a while, but not that bad. I had lochia for about 6 weeks and then it tapered off.
If you are a candidate for VBAC and want to attempt it then I say go for it! Good luck!
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I appreciate all the input! Yes, the sleep deprivation and b/fing were tough with DS... This LO kicks up a storm every night around 3am so I know what's in store for me....