For those who've had more than one c-section

Nicole.

How was the second (or third..) recovery compared to the first one? My OB recommends that I do c-sections from here on out and said the recovery should be shorter/faster/better next time.  Did you find that to be true or the same or harder/worse?

fallbride110406

My girlfriend had two c-sections and said the second was much better than the first.

howleyshell

Easier for several reasons:

1.  I got up and walked a lot sooner because I knew the cost of not doing it.

2.  I had a toddler to chase after so I didn't spend much time laying around thinking about the discomfort.  I was in "you do what you've got to do" mode.

3.  I stayed on top of my meds better - again because I knew the cost of not doing it.

4.  I knew what to expect and knew there was a light at the end of the discomfort tunnel.

 

With the first one I didn't lift anything (including the baby in the carrier) for 2 weeks like instructed.  With the second I was hoisting the toddler into his crib the first day I was home from the hospital.  Probably not smart but again - you just do it because it needs to be done.

 

hannah&ben

I've had 3 and had the opposite. Each has been harder than the last but, I've had tons of adhesions and scar tissue form on my bladder and uterus.  My second c-section required a second surgeon to come in after my son was delivered to fix it.  And it took almost an hour to stitch me this last time.  My recoveries have taken loner and been more uncomfortable each time.

I'd like to tell you that my situation is rare but, unfortunately it's more common than you'd think.

That being said, has it been so bad I'd never do it again? Hell no! I'm trying to figure out when & how to do another ivf cycle

Hannah

howleyshell

I will warn you though that I did have a very different second pregnancy experience.

We got pregnant when #1 was around 8 months old.

I felt a LOT of stretching and pulling around my incision.  It worried me so much that I talked with the OB about it and posted asking for experiences.  Turns out that if you are one who gets scar tissue bad (fair haired people are the worst) you may have some uncomfortable experiences with your next pregnancy.

Apparently I had heavy duty scar tissue that literally ripped and pulled as my uterus grew up out of the abdominal cavity.  It wasn't comfy and it scared me.