Vaginal vs Csection

emaddock

Hi ladies

I am hoping for a VBAC but getting very nervous about recovery from a vaginal birth.  To tell you the truth recovery from the csection scares me too but at least I know what to expect.

Can anyone weigh in on which recovery was easier?  I didn't post this on the VBAC board because not everyone has a csection with their first and then a vafinaldelivery.  Some have the other way around.  I guess I am most scared of tearing/other issues down below... 

monica92603

I've had 2 c/sections.  I wasn't given the option for a VBAC.  THe only thing I can tell you is my recovery from my second was a piece of cake.  So much so that I'm worried my 3rd won't be AS easy.  I was begging to get up about 6 hours after Grace was born where the first time, I didn't get out of bed till the next day, a full 24+ hours later. 

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

HarrietNJMommy

I have only had c-sections. I've had 3 and am having my 4th end of September. I have had FABULOUS recoveries. I don't take pain meds, I'm up, walking and showering by myself the very next day. I feel great (although sore) and wear yoga pants and t-shirts.

All that being said, I really wanted to VBAC, and VBA2C, but wasn't allowed.

GL! 

aandg

I had a vaginal delivery with my son. I had an episiotamy(sp?) and a 2nd degree tear. I was definitly sore but the recovery was nothing compared to my c section with DD. I was able to be up caring for DS the day after he was born. With DD I was completly out of it and totally useless from all the meds they were giving me. It took me MUCH longer to recover from my c section than vaginal birth. I would do vaginal over c section any day!

mlf625

monica92603:

I've had 2 c/sections.  I wasn't given the option for a VBAC.  THe only thing I can tell you is my recovery from my second was a piece of cake.  So much so that I'm worried my 3rd won't be AS easy.  

Same.  I've had fantastic recoveries and have absolutely no desire to try for a vaginal birth, despite being offered VBA2C by an OB I interviewed up here.  Meh.  I'm up the same day and caring for the baby no problem after a c/s, showered and dressed with make up on the next day, and just have no desire to try it out the other way. 

That said, every birth is different.  Some people have crappy vag deliveries, some people have fabulous ones.  Same goes for c/s births.  You just never know. 

iris427

I had an unplanned c/s and then a VBAC.  My recoveries were very different and it's a little hard to compare them.  I'm not sure I would say one was easier than the other.

With my c/s, I had to take Percocet and ibuprofen for 5 days or I was in a LOT of pain.  But as long as I took it, I felt pretty good.  I never had issues with stairs or getting up or abdominal pain like many people have.  After 5 days, I went off pain meds and felt really good, although still exhausted (of course I was up all night with a newborn).  Probably the worst part about my c/s recovery was the constipation.  It hurt like a mofo to go to the bathroom for a good 7 weeks.

After my vaginal birth, I was able to get up and walk down the hall with my baby, which emotionally felt awesome.  I never needed to take anything stronger than ibuprofen.  But peeing was unpleasant for a few weeks and it was a good two weeks before I stopped feeling like one of those monkeys with the big red swollen bottoms.   I didn't have the horrific constipation either which was nice.  I also didn't feel as tired (but my second baby was also a better sleeper).  I had a first degree tear, no stitches.  

So my c/s recovery required heavier pain meds but was still very manageable.  My VBAC recovery took a little longer but did not require prescription pain meds.  FWIW I preferred my vaginal delivery by far and if I ever have another baby, I will shoot for another vaginal birth.  GL.

MAprincess

I had a c/s and then a VBAC.  I had an average recovery with my c/s (no major issues or anything) and I did tear during my vaginal delivery.

My VBAC recovery was much easier than my c/s recovery.  I was showered and ready to go home in an hour.  I was sore for about a week, but nothing compared to my c/s recovery (I was definitely sore for at least a month after that).  After my VBAC I was able to pick my DS up when he came to the hospital to meet his sister and interact with him normally, which was important to me. 

When people I know IRL are on the fence about a RCS or a VBAC, I always suggest to plan for a VBAC because I have found that it is easier to change your mind to a c/s at the very end than it is to change your mind to VBAC.  You might want to talk to your doctor about questions/concerns you have with both so you can make an informed decision that you are comfortable with.

nosoup4u

I had a second-degree tear with my son who was a VBAC, and it was still an easier recovery than my c/s. I was sore and worn out, but moving around was a lot easier post-VBAC.

I had a med-free birth with him, and didn't feel myself tearing at the time. And even though I had to be stitched up, I was so happy and relieved I had a vaginal birth, the tear was the least of my concerns. hth and good luck!

Monicagail1

I had a vaginal delivery with DD1, and a c/s with DD2 (breech presentation). 

With my vaginal delivery I was walking around shortly after delivery, and easily able to care for myself and my baby on my own by the next morning (delivered at 9pm).  After the c/s I needed help getting out of bed for the first couple of days, and even when I could get up on my own it was super painful and a really slow process despite the fact that I was taking vicodin and motrin around the clock.

I also feel that the c/s affected my ability to breastfeed from the standpoint that it was hard to get into a comfortable position.  I used the football hold, so there was no pressure on my incision, but it was hard for me to get set up in the right position, even with pillows and the adjustable bed.  And the chair was difficult unless I had someone there to hand me the baby because I needed 2 hands to get up and down.  I never had those issues after the vaginal delivery.

 There are some pros to the c/s though.  For example, it wasn't uncomfortable to pee or sit on a hard chair after delivery, and I bled a lot less.  Overall I would prefer a vaginal to a c/s though, most definitely.  But I've heard plenty of vaginal delivery horror stories, and lots of people have great c/s recoveries and wouldn't do it any other way.

Temp6313048411121614

I had my vaginal delivery first and my c/s 2nd.  I was TERRIFIED of having a c/s because like you said about your c/s I knew what to expect with a vaginal birth.  Honestly, neither was easier or harder.  With the c/s, it hurt to cough/sneeze/blow my nose/laugh.  With my vaginal delivery, using the bathroom the first few times was so scary and a little uncomfortable, and sex was frightening at first.  I did have an episiotomy with my vaginal delivery, but after a few days it wasn't too bad. 

I will say, given the option without added risks (breech, baby not tolerating labor, etc) I would always opt for the vaginal birth.  I don't think the decision for a c/s should be taken lightly, it's a major surgery with serious risks.  Other than the risks to you, the baby usually does better with a vaginal delivery because your body helps to squeeze fluid out of the baby.  I'm so thankful that in our time we have so many different options to get our babies here safe, do what your ultimiately comfortable with, but don't write of a vaginal delivery because you're scared of the recovery, it's hard but it's not any worse than a c/s in my personal experience.

emaddock

Thanks ladies.  I think this affirms my decision to try my best to VBAC.  I am not one of those easy recovery from surgery kind of people.  Every surgery I have had I have had an infection after or just feel lousy way longer.  I know if I have to have  a RCS I can manage but hope to VBAC.  Let's just hope this little guy is cooperative!