2+ Moms Question: RCS Recovery

luckibrat · December 2011

I am still trying to decide on trying for a VBAC vs. RCS. I had a pretty awful experience the first time around leading up to an emergency C-section ( placental abruption due to pre-e). But after I was off the terrible meds for Pre-E I had a fairly good recovery from the CS itself.

The biggest advantage I see to trying for a VBAC this time is a quicker recovery. However, I've talked wiht a few RCS moms who say that the recovery from CS #2 seemed to be easier than CS #1 (often unplanned CS).

Can any of you share your experiences with recovery from CS #2 vs. CS #1?

Thanks!

jnealet · December 2011

I'm still I'm recovery from c/s 2 but it is easier than c/s1. 7 days out and, while still taking pain meds, I'm feeling about 90% normal. It took me about 2 weeks to feel this way the first time.

I think it helps that my world wasn't as rocked with changes the second time. I knew what I was getting into with the surgery, caring for a baby and bf-ing. The thing we really have to figure out is the toddler dynamic. Whole not easy, being more relaxed about everything else has helped.

Mrs_MBed · December 2011

my 2nd was a lot easier as well. I was concerned about having to recover from a c/s, take care of a newborn and a toddler all at once, but it wasn't really that bad. I am really hoping that this time around the recovery is just as easy/quick since I'll have two newborns, a toddler and a preschooler demanding attention

)

manbearpig31610 · December 2011

My cs and rcs experiences were like night and day. My first cs was after 21 hours of labor (I was induced) and was an absolute nightmare. My epi was never great and I felt a whole lot more than I should have with the surgery. I pretty much lost it in the OR, because of the pain. It was not a pretty moment. My recovery was awful. I took my pain meds but still could not even get out of bed without extreme pain. It was 3 weeks before I even felt somewhat normal. I was hoping to try for a vbac with #2 but I never went in to labor on my own (or even dilated at all) and my dr would not induce due to the previous cs. The second cs was absolutely perfect! The spinal was amazing! The surgery went fabulous and my recovery was a breeze. Never, during the surgery or the recovery, was I in any pain. The worst part of my recovery was the crampiness from gas (which lasted 2 days but was much less on the 2nd). I was in the hospital for 2 days and by the time I was discharged I was feeling about 90%.

JMack1117 · December 2011

manbearpig31610:
My cs and rcs experiences were like night and day. My first cs was after 21 hours of labor (I was induced) and was an absolute nightmare. My epi was never great and I felt a whole lot more than I should have with the surgery. I pretty much lost it in the OR, because of the pain. It was not a pretty moment. My recovery was awful. I took my pain meds but still could not even get out of bed without extreme pain. It was 3 weeks before I even felt somewhat normal. I was hoping to try for a vbac with #2 but I never went in to labor on my own (or even dilated at all) and my dr would not induce due to the previous cs. The second cs was absolutely perfect! The spinal was amazing! The surgery went fabulous and my recovery was a breeze. Never, during the surgery or the recovery, was I in any pain. The worst part of my recovery was the crampiness from gas (which lasted 2 days but was much less on the 2nd). I was in the hospital for 2 days and by the time I was discharged I was feeling about 90%.

All of this..almost word for word. Except, that with my first, I shook for hours and wasn't able to hold DD until the next morning..and I don't even remember the first time I saw my daughter. This time around, i was able to hold her in recovery and I remember every wonderful second of it. I actually think of my rcs as a beautiful birth experience, which normally isn't how ppl think of c-sections, but it was such a great experience after such a bad one.

JMack1117 · December 2011

Where are you having your baby? I had mine at Inova Fair Oaks.

CommAve07 · December 2011

manbearpig31610:
My cs and rcs experiences were like night and day. My first cs was after 21 hours of labor (I was induced) and was an absolute nightmare. My epi was never great and I felt a whole lot more than I should have with the surgery. I pretty much lost it in the OR, because of the pain. It was not a pretty moment. My recovery was awful. I took my pain meds but still could not even get out of bed without extreme pain. It was 3 weeks before I even felt somewhat normal. I was hoping to try for a vbac with #2 but I never went in to labor on my own (or even dilated at all) and my dr would not induce due to the previous cs. The second cs was absolutely perfect! The spinal was amazing! The surgery went fabulous and my recovery was a breeze. Never, during the surgery or the recovery, was I in any pain. The worst part of my recovery was the crampiness from gas (which lasted 2 days but was much less on the 2nd). I was in the hospital for 2 days and by the time I was discharged I was feeling about 90%.

This for me as well. I can't get over how much better the 2nd one was. For my first I measured my recovered in weeks and months rather than days.

Agape2007 · December 2011

My second c-section was easier as well. For me I didn't struggle with the first delivery because my 1st son was breach so I didn't have a choice. It wasn't planned by kind of expected. I went in to see if they could turn him (80% success rate) and it didn't work so we had to do a c-section.

I think the second one was easier because I knew what to do. I knew to get up and moving right away and knew exactly what to expect. Plus my body had already been through it.

Soon2BMrsN · December 2011

My recoveries were night and day. The first time, my c/s occurred after 22 hours of labor. I was exhausted... and then I got a headache from the epi on top of everything. I couldn't keep food down for days and wasn't allowed to get out of bed for 2+ days... so when I finally did, I was slow to get back on my feet.

The second time, I had my RCS first thing in the morning and had a much better experience with the spinal. I was out of bed the next morning and was home by about 50 hours post-op.

Sooo... I think you'll be in for an easier recovery either way. I would have liked to try VBAC but I couldn't find an OB around here that does them.

RedCardinal · December 2011

I also feel like my repeat C-section was easier than my first un-planned C-section. Still the same amount of pain, and recovery time but I knew what to expect and what my limits were ( how long to go without pain medication, etc.).

I was more prepared mentally, because with my first I was so focused on doing everything 'natural' but I never got past 5 cm Sad . Therefore, I was emotionally exhausted, scared, but most of all sad.

+diana82+ · December 2011

I would have had a vbac but never went into labor after my water broke on its own at 40w2d.

My recovery from CS#2 was fine. DD ended up in the NICU (NOT related to the c/s) so I was out of bed in a wheelchair about 12 hours post c/s. The next morning I was up and walking unassisted to the NICU. I was able to pick my son up occasionally and do the stairs in our house without pain after I got home. I never took more than motrin and/or tylenol for pain.

Because I had an older child + one in the NICU (she came home on day 6, but was readmitted on day 7 for 2 nights) I did have to be careful about overdoing it - but all in all there were no issues related to the surgery.

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