Repeat C-Section

Andie_83

I think I've only posted on this board a couple of time, but I would love to get some insight from you ladies! I'm conflicted because I've heard that the pain from a C-Section is even worse the second time around, but I've also heard that if you schedule it and don't actually labor beforehand, it's easier! I would love to have a VBAC with my second (we're going to TTC in December), but I just found out they don't perform them anywhere near where I live. What was your experience with a repeat? TIA!

Baby Bouchard

I'm wondering the same thing. We have to have a scheduled c-section due to some high risk issues so no option for VBAC for us, I'm hoping it's not too bad.

HarrietNJMommy

All 3 of my c-sections so far have been the same - surgery and recovery. I found #2 and #3 surgery a bit easier since I already knew what to expect.

GL! 

rosesandpeonies

I had less pain the second time, but both of mine were scheduled.  It is all about pain management and getting up and moving.  

Interesting thought about the VBAC route though.  Wondering if someone has this answer. 

NicholeeK

I think what you've heard is true.  Everyone I know that had a planned rcs said it was easier.  My second one was way worse though because my water broke at 33 weeks and I ended up having 3 days of terrible contractions before we did the rcs.  I was in a lot of pain for almost 2 weeks even though I was sure to keep on top of the drugs and walked early and often.  But now that the 2 weeks are up, I am fine and feeling good.  I was told the 2nd+ cs is harder and more painful to recover from because there is scar tissue everywhere that has to be cut and it takes longer for scar tissue to reheal.  I think my pain was from that and because I had labored for so long beforehand.  But in the end, it did only take me the 2 weeks to recover, so I don't think it was really that bad.  GL!

manbearpig31610

My rcs was fantastic! My first c/s was after a very long labor and recovery was awful. The second time I planned to vbac but never went in to labor and my ob wouldn't induce because I had zero progress. My rcs was really a great experience though. Recovery was a breeze. Even with a toddler at home (and no help other than my wondeful dh) I was feeling 100% by about a week pp (first time around it was a good couple months). The experiences were really night and day. I am honestly so thankful I ended up with the experience I did. There's really no way to know what kind of experience you will have until you go through it. All you can do is do what you think is best for yourself and your family and no matter what, keep a positive attitude.

Daisy22

My first unplanned c/s was easy but my planned c/s was even easier. I had a quick recovery and to be able to plan everything out for ds1 and this time for both ds1 and ds2 was a great benefit.

JAP09-02

My scheduled RCS was a night and day difference from my first which was after 24 hours of labor.  I can't even begin to rave about how great it was. I also wanted a VBAC, but wasn't given very good odds of it being successful, thus the RCS.  I now believe it was completely the right decision. 

Trissie18

My repeat c/s was even better than the first and I thought the first was easy except for being utterly exhausted. With DS#1 I ended up with an emergency c/s after laboring hard for 13 hours and with DS#2 I early labored for about six hours while waiting for the dr. to determine that I was truly in active labor (after going into labor 3+ weeks before my scheduled c/s date). Both times I only took a couple percocets in the hospital and then the rest of the time was controlled with Tylenol 3 or extra strength Tylenol.

I do know I was a lot more alert and able to enjoy DS#2 more immediately after because I wasn't completely exhausted after being up for the day, then being sent for an emergency induction and laboring for 13 hours, and then ending up with an emergency c/s at midnight when the baby went into distress.

mrsmklynch

My second was actually a WAY better experience than the first. The first came after a long unproductive labor and I'm guessing that my painful recovery was due to the strain on my body before the surgery. My recovery was so quick and easy the second time around. I had no pain when I got up to shower the next day. Just a little tightness when I stood up straight. I even went off the pain meds before I even left the hospital. Didn't use them at home once. I even went up and down our stairs at home with no trouble. So for me, the first was far, far worse. I also had different doctors so that may have been a conributing factor. I have no concerns going into my third.

ETA: The only thing for me that was worse about the second was not having the total exhaustion and pain of contractions to distract me during the prep for the c/s. Waiting for the epidural was terrible - though it was way less painful than the iv in my hand. Listening to them counting the instruments  . . . ugh! I just had more anxiety the second time because I was fully present in what was going on.

Andie_83

Thanks for the responses ladies! I'm definitely thinking a vbac won't be in the cards for me, so I'm going to just hope that it goes easier, and like how all of you described! The pain was so bad with DD, getting up out of bed, I couldn't even get up to get her to BF, I had to call the nurses to bring her to me (it really seemed like they got annoyed after a while, probably just in my head though lol). It would really be awesome if all I felt the second time around is a little tightness when I stand up, but I guess I won't know until it happens!