How bad is a c-section?

sarahjared

I had DD vaginally and it was awful.  Luckily I had the epidural and didn't feel anything, but I had a 4th degree tear and when the dr stitched me up-she missed a spot.  I didn't even walk around my room in the hospital.  I shuffled to the bathroom and back and that was it.  There was a woman that was induced the same time as me that day and DH talked about how she was up and walking that night!  I could barely sit up.  I don't remember much of the first week due to the pain and the meds.  3 months later I had to have colorectal surgery to fix the hole that the dr missed when stitching me up.  Honestly, I am scared to death to have another kid.  Due to the trama and surgery, I am required to have a c-section (fine with me!) if I ever have another child.  How bad is a c-section?  I want to know about the pain, scarring, meds, ANYTHING you think I should know or you would want someone to tell you.  Honest answers/advice would be very much appreciated.

kevschickee2

I have had 2 and really they arent bad at all.  The key is to get up and walk as soon as they take the cath out.  I walked the same day I had the c-section.  Just keep up with your pain meds too.  Its tough to catch up on them once you missed a dose.  Some say they had a tough time with stairs an such just take it slow.

springmom

oh dear god, compared to that, my two were cake! Seriously, feeling ok to drive, take the kids out, cook by the time I got home, totally fine within a couple of weeks.

msufan78

I am in the minority here compared to most people (especially on other boards) but, I think that a c section is the only way a child should ever be taken out. It was wonderful compared to my vaginal delivery. For real! The worst part were the IV and urinary catheters... everything after that was a piece of cake. I was so nervous but, handled it wonderfully. I was up the next day eating lunch in the cafteria with my family. Nothing to worry about! You will be fine!

july05bride2

i just had my 2nd last thursday and just finished washing dishes right now.  i will admit that i do have a catheter in me still but not by choice.  my bladder was nicked during the surgery....which happens rarely.  just to make sure that my bladder healed correctly, the dr. decided to leave the catheter in so that my bladder wouldn't be stressed and heal faster.  this is the only time i have had a catheter and because of that reason only.  i am doing well and also recommend getting up and walking as soon as you can. 

lsufan

I've had one vaginal birth and two c-sections, and none of them were as bad as what you're describing. ?I did have a longer recovery time with both of my c-sections, but I felt pretty crappy right after my vaginal birth as well-- and I only had a 2nd degree tear. ?At least with the c-sections, they gave me stronger pain meds.

Expecting0207

Well, I had two and I'm willing to do it another time or two!  The worst part the day of delivery was the IV in my arm (well and the contractions I felt beforehand).  I never felt the catheter going in since they put it in after my spinal.  The second day, when you stand up and shower is hard but it's a duller all over pain rather than any kind of sharp 'OMG I'm going to die' kind of pain.  The worst was when I choked on a painkiller and was coughing alot the day after the surgery. 

 Six days after DD2 was born I got DD1 out of her crib and was able to give her a bath (she was around 24 lbs).  I don't advise that, but I had no choice as I was home alone and she peed through her diaper that time.

MediaBride

kevschickee2:

I have had 2 and really they arent bad at all.  The key is to get up and walk as soon as they take the cath out.  I walked the same day I had the c-section.  Just keep up with your pain meds too.  Its tough to catch up on them once you missed a dose.  Some say they had a tough time with stairs an such just take it slow.

This exactly!  I'm getting ready for my 2nd in 2 weeks

shouldbeworkin

My c-sec experience sounds better than what you went though.  My 1st c-sec wasn't so great b/c it was after 28 hours of labor w/o an epi.  The 2nd was planned and was pretty good.  I was up and walking to the bathroom the evening DD was born and in no pain.  By later that night I was going to the bathroom on my own.  The next morning I took a shower and did my hair.  It's just really important to stay on top of your meds the 1st week and take it easy for at least the first 2 weeks.  You have to pace yourself afterwards or else it will just take longer to heal.

beanzer

My first one, not too bad, a bit sore but managable. ?My second was CAKE. ?Moving all about the first day, cleaning, packing our house when we got home and helped move into our new house 2 weeks after having DD and when I mean moving, yes, I was lifting things. ?My DR used the same incision for both. ?You can hardly see it and it is way below my swimsuit line.

chelle828

The worst part for me was the constipation from the pain meds.  Other than that, not bad!!  Granted - I never had a vaginal delivery.

Bellisimo

Not bad at all...I've had two.  My first wasn't as easy as my second only because I labored all day and pushed for 2.5 hours and it ended in a section.  The repeat C was a cake walk!  It's easiest when it's a planned thing and you just go in, get prepped, get your spinal and get your baby! 

hopefulmom

I've only had one vaginal birth...the rest were C-sections.  I had an episiotomy and even though I didn' tear I bruised really bad..even the nurse commented on it.  I didn't know that is why I was in so much pain until she said something...I just know it hurt like H.  I was in the hospital for 6 days with a vaginal birth (course "back then" you were in longer anyway).  The next was a c-section and it was so much easier.  I delivered late afternoon and I was on liquid diet through the following day (that was icky).  It is amazing to realize what muscles you use...just to pick up your glass of water from the bedside table.  I got up the day after he was born and moving was pretty slow (not slower than after the vaginal delivery though).  I was not afraid to go to the bathroom like I was with the vag. delivery.  Holding the baby was a bit of a challenge...I had to use a pillow over my lap.  It was OK though...not a big deal.  I think the worse thing is the gas.  They kept coming in asking if I felt gassy and I would always answer no.  Well, they then wanted me to lay on my stomach for a while...then I got the gas.  That was painful...but didn't last long.  I knew from my first delivery to take prune juice and so started that asap.  As far as home, recovery was about the same.  I could not go up stairs or drive for a longer period of time though.  I was in the hospital for 6 days.  My C-section recovery might have been different from others since it was a vertical incision.  I guess they knew I was having a big baby (9.7) and the doctor said they wanted as much room as possible.  I scar pretty bad and even though it looked good right after delivery it developed into a big wide..long scar.  It has been over 20 years now so it is very light...but still about 1/2 inch wide in some spots and it is about 6 inches long...from tip to tip.

If I had to do it again...I'd opt for the C-seciton.  My DD had a pretty easy vag birth (I was there) so if I had had it that easy the first time I would probably rather go with vaginal.

AnnapolisLari

Compared to your experience, both of my c/s were a walk in the park.

Keep up with your meds (take the stool softeners. You'll thank me.) Walk as soon as possible. Don't lift if they tell you not to.