Now that is why I want a VBAC...

Harper'smom

I took DD to her Saturday morning parent-and-me gymnastics class today along with our BFFs. BFF also brought her cousin and her toddler. The cousin had a baby 8 days ago and there she was chasing her active toddler all over the gym. I was amazed. It's hard to wrap my head around a recovery like that. At 8 days I was barely out of the hospital with DD. Anyways it just made feel more confident about our VBAC plans.

MAprincess

It really is a different experience.  At 8 days pp with DD, I took them to see Santa!  I felt great and it was weird to think she was so young and I was ready to take on the world again.  At 8 days pp with DS, I was in the ER for an allergic reaction related to my cs. 

Geekchick921

The difference really is night and day.  I had a hard time getting out of bed for weeks after my C/S.  It hurt to laugh, cough, sneeze, etc.  With my VBAC, I felt fine in a few days to a week.  I think I just took plain ibuprofen my first day or two home and that was it.  I didn't feel sore unless I accidentally sat down too fast on a hard surface (like the floor or a wood chair).  I'm sure I'd feel differently if I'd had a bad tear or something, but I can't tell you how much better I feel after having DS vs. DD.  

iris427

Just FWIW, there's no way I could have been doing that 8 days after my VBAC.  It was a good 2.5 weeks before I could really walk around without any pain, to say nothing of chasing a child around.

GL though, I hope you have a VBAC and easy recovery.

Harper'smom

iris427:

Just FWIW, there's no way I could have been doing that 8 days after my VBAC.  It was a good 2.5 weeks before I could really walk around without any pain, to say nothing of chasing a child around.

GL though, I hope you have a VBAC and easy recovery.

I realize that every recovery is different and I know some people who had rough vaginal deliveries but I was still in pain when I went back to work at 12 weeks pp. I was in awe of this woman today.

kcvasquez

iris427:

Just FWIW, there's no way I could have been doing that 8 days after my VBAC.  It was a good 2.5 weeks before I could really walk around without any pain, to say nothing of chasing a child around.

GL though, I hope you have a VBAC and easy recovery.

Do you mind me asking about your VBAC recovery? Like the PP said obviously every recovery is different but I've seen you mention before about your recovery being hard, did you tear a lot or were you really swollen? I know each c-section recovery is different but mine was actually a piece of cake recovery compared to some, I felt better after 2 weeks and was in no pain. I was a little sore if I went for a long walk or something but that was it. Just wondering and I hope you don't mind my asking!

disbride061103

iris427:

Just FWIW, there's no way I could have been doing that 8 days after my VBAC.  It was a good 2.5 weeks before I could really walk around without any pain, to say nothing of chasing a child around.

GL though, I hope you have a VBAC and easy recovery.

And on the flip side, after my unsuccessful VBAC attempt (20 hours of labor followed by an unplanned c/s), I felt pretty much back to normal by 5 days pp. I had a birthday party for my 2 yr old at 9 days pp. 30 people in my house, on my feet all day and I honestly felt good afterwards, just a little tired. Every recovery is different and while my 1st c/a recovery was fairly easy but no one was more shocked than I was at how well I recovered the second time.

BlinkingLight1

With #2, I felt SO much better than I did after my c/s. But, I had just had a baby. I way over did it because of how good I felt compared to my c/s. I was up walking around the grocery store less than 1 week pp, and I think that was too soon (I had a 2nd degree tear).

However, 1 week pp after my c/s I couldn't even get off the couch or walk to the bathroom without assistance.

For me, the recovery was a night and day difference... but 8 days pp seems a little crazy to be chasing a toddler at gymnastics! 

iris427

Harper'smom:

iris427:

Just FWIW, there's no way I could have been doing that 8 days after my VBAC.  It was a good 2.5 weeks before I could really walk around without any pain, to say nothing of chasing a child around.

GL though, I hope you have a VBAC and easy recovery.

I realize that every recovery is different and I know some people who had rough vaginal deliveries but I was still in pain when I went back to work at 12 weeks pp. I was in awe of this woman today.

Oh of course.  I just hear a lot of stories like the one you posted and I was frustrated when I wasn't back on my feet that quickly after my VBAC.  I'm sorry to hear you were in pain for so long after your c/s--that is awful and I hope things go much better for you with baby #2. 

iris427

kcvasquez:

iris427:

Just FWIW, there's no way I could have been doing that 8 days after my VBAC.  It was a good 2.5 weeks before I could really walk around without any pain, to say nothing of chasing a child around.

GL though, I hope you have a VBAC and easy recovery.

Do you mind me asking about your VBAC recovery? Like the PP said obviously every recovery is different but I've seen you mention before about your recovery being hard, did you tear a lot or were you really swollen? I know each c-section recovery is different but mine was actually a piece of cake recovery compared to some, I felt better after 2 weeks and was in no pain. I was a little sore if I went for a long walk or something but that was it. Just wondering and I hope you don't mind my asking!

I don't mind at all.  I had a ridiculously easy c/s recovery.  The only time I was ever in pain was once when I forgot to take my meds on time, but then it was a lot of pain.  I had zero pain with the meds and I stopped needing them at all 5 days pp.  I never had trouble going up stairs, getting out of bed, laughing or any of those things like I hear from other c/s moms.  I was exhausted and bowel movements were pretty excruciating for the first month or two.  Emotionally, I felt pretty shell-shocked.

My VBAC recovery was very different. In the short-term, it was much easier.  After I gave birth, I stood up and walked down the hall.  I never needed more than an ibuprofen for pain and I was OK even if I took nothing.  Bowel movements were much easier but it stung a lot when I peed.  But even though my pain level was much lower, it took longer for it to go away.  I remember going to BRU at 2 weeks postpartum and getting sore just from walking around a few sections.  But by 3 weeks that was no longer an issue.  I had a very small first degree tear and some swelling, but I don't think it was an unusual amount for a first vaginal birth.  I don't think I had a hard recovery--it was pretty normal.  And I am comparing it to an unusually easy c/s recovery.  Emotionally, I felt so so much better after my VBAC.  

HTH 

Harper'smom

iris427:

Harper'smom:

iris427:

Just FWIW, there's no way I could have been doing that 8 days after my VBAC.  It was a good 2.5 weeks before I could really walk around without any pain, to say nothing of chasing a child around.

GL though, I hope you have a VBAC and easy recovery.

I realize that every recovery is different and I know some people who had rough vaginal deliveries but I was still in pain when I went back to work at 12 weeks pp. I was in awe of this woman today.

Oh of course.  I just hear a lot of stories like the one you posted and I was frustrated when I wasn't back on my feet that quickly after my VBAC.  I'm sorry to hear you were in pain for so long after your c/s--that is awful and I hope things go much better for you with baby #2. 

I understand your frustration because that is how I feel when I hear about "easy" C-Section recoveries. I've mentioned this before on this board but I still feel like there was something wrong with me because it took so long for me to feel better. I would go back to the OB and she would say everything has healed perfectly and I was like WTF? this is not any where close to perfect. But I also didn't bounce back from oral surgery that fast either so I just don't think surgery is something my body handles all that well. The unknown regarding recovery from a VBAC or future C-Section is a bit unnerving but I just have to file it away in the "wait and see" folder along with a lot of other things regarding this birth. Thanks for explaining your VBAC recovery in greater detail.

Brownie_222

I'll chime in since my recovery is in process.    I had a 2nd degree tear.  I'm 11 days pp and am still taking it pretty easy.  I could probably do more, but I'm taking it slow.  I've been out on drives for fresh air and to pick up a pizza over the weekend.  I'm not as stir-crazy to get out this time, but I am planning to go buy some thank you notes today.  I will say the emotional side of things this time is what has been worlds better.  Even though I've had some discomfort post-delivery, I don't have the sadness I had immediately following my first birth.  I suppose that's been the best thing for me - just being happy this time with no regrets.

 

kcvasquez

iris427:

kcvasquez:

iris427:

Just FWIW, there's no way I could have been doing that 8 days after my VBAC.  It was a good 2.5 weeks before I could really walk around without any pain, to say nothing of chasing a child around.

GL though, I hope you have a VBAC and easy recovery.

Do you mind me asking about your VBAC recovery? Like the PP said obviously every recovery is different but I've seen you mention before about your recovery being hard, did you tear a lot or were you really swollen? I know each c-section recovery is different but mine was actually a piece of cake recovery compared to some, I felt better after 2 weeks and was in no pain. I was a little sore if I went for a long walk or something but that was it. Just wondering and I hope you don't mind my asking!

I don't mind at all.  I had a ridiculously easy c/s recovery.  The only time I was ever in pain was once when I forgot to take my meds on time, but then it was a lot of pain.  I had zero pain with the meds and I stopped needing them at all 5 days pp.  I never had trouble going up stairs, getting out of bed, laughing or any of those things like I hear from other c/s moms.  I was exhausted and bowel movements were pretty excruciating for the first month or two.  Emotionally, I felt pretty shell-shocked.

My VBAC recovery was very different. In the short-term, it was much easier.  After I gave birth, I stood up and walked down the hall.  I never needed more than an ibuprofen for pain and I was OK even if I took nothing.  Bowel movements were much easier but it stung a lot when I peed.  But even though my pain level was much lower, it took longer for it to go away.  I remember going to BRU at 2 weeks postpartum and getting sore just from walking around a few sections.  But by 3 weeks that was no longer an issue.  I had a very small first degree tear and some swelling, but I don't think it was an unusual amount for a first vaginal birth.  I don't think I had a hard recovery--it was pretty normal.  And I am comparing it to an unusually easy c/s recovery.  Emotionally, I felt so so much better after my VBAC.  

HTH 

That's wonderful to know! Honestly that's one reason I am hoping to have a successful VBAC, the emotional recovery is really what I would like. I would say my c-section recovery was like yours and I could only hope my VBAC would go that well too! Thank you for sharing!! 

JenniferL923

My VBAC recovery was a piece of cake compared to the c/s.  I felt amazing the next day....like I was never pregnant/gave birth.  It was the best decision I ever made.  My only reminder was the amazing hemorrhoids.  ;-)

Daisy41459

I agree 100% with you on this.  DH's grandfather passed away recently and SIL had given birth a week prior.  She drove 4 hours to the funeral and didn't look or act like she had just had a baby.  We had to walk about half a block from the funeral home to the church.  Her husband was a pall bearer, so I offered to carry the baby in the carrier for her on the walk, and she looked at me like I was crazy.

There is NO way I would've been able to travel that far, walk that far, or carry DS in his carrier at 8 days pp.

erbear

meh. I took DD1 to a birthday party less than 2 weeks pp and I had a c-section after a failed VBAC. It's not the end of the world and everyone's c-section recovery isn't awful...I had her on Saturday afternoon and I was home by 9AM Monday.