2nd time moms who had a vaginal birth and section?

kimikins79 · April 2012

Hi! I posted a few days ago about a choice I have to make related to intermediate shoulder dystocia risk.

Right now I am still on the "natural birth" side and leaning to telling my doc no to the elective section.

However, I was just looking for comparison experiences from moms who have had both, a vaginal followed by a section or section and VBAC? I guess my question is recovery consideration, how quickly you see your little one after birth, the overall experience, etc.

TIA!

Monicagail1 · April 2012

I had a vaginal delivery with DD1 and a c/s with DD2 because she was breech. Overall, I preferred the vaginal delivery, but I will say that the c/s was not as bad as I'd feared. The first few days post c/s were much harder and more painful than my vaginal delivery, but within about a week I felt as good or better than after my vag delivery. The biggest drawback, IMO, was that I found it much more difficult to get into comfortable positions for breastfeeding post c/s.

What I didn't like about having a c/s was the lack of control over my body in the delivery process, and needing so much help in the first few days after delivery.

becketts · April 2012

I had a med-free vaginal birth with DD1 and a c-section with DD2. Both were inductions at 34 and 35 weeks due to complications. The vaginal recovery was easier, but I didn't feel like either one was terrible. C-section recovery is definitely recovery from surgery! As pp noted, it can be hard to be a bit helpless due to restrictions.

Oddly enough my c-section delivery experience was less traumatic. After the vaginal delivery, I had an emergency D&C under general anesthesia because of retained placenta, and I didn't get to see DD until the following day. After the c-section, I got to bf DD in the recovery area.

smbd · April 2012

shoulder dystocia is pretty rare, and having a planned section b/c of the "possible risk" is not really something that's recommended.

My first was a spontaneous shoulder dystocia delivery. I won't lie, it wasn't fun, but the odds of the 2nd getting stuck were still very slim (around 6% b/c of previous delivery, and even that number fluctuates depending on the study). I would not have an elective c/s based on the risk of shoulder dystocia alone.

I had a relatively easy recovery after both deliveries (both my girls went to NICUs, and it's been mentioned to me that I probably recovered quickly/easily b/c I had to in order to be with them).

I did have a c/s w/#2, but not solely b/c of the first delivery - she had several, major health issues and when all of the factors were taken into consideration, her cardi, my MFM, the neonatalogist, MH & I all decided that the c/s was best for her.

kimikins79 · April 2012

smbd:

shoulder dystocia is pretty rare, and having a planned section b/c of the "possible risk" is not really something that's recommended.

My first was a spontaneous shoulder dystocia delivery. I won't lie, it wasn't fun, but the odds of the 2nd getting stuck were still very slim (around 6% b/c of previous delivery, and even that number fluctuates depending on the study). I would not have an elective c/s based on the risk of shoulder dystocia alone.

I had a relatively easy recovery after both deliveries (both my girls went to NICUs, and it's been mentioned to me that I probably recovered quickly/easily b/c I had to in order to be with them).

I did have a c/s w/#2, but not solely b/c of the first delivery - she had several, major health issues and when all of the factors were taken into consideration, her cardi, my MFM, the neonatalogist, MH & I all decided that the c/s was best for her.

I agree that the risk alone does not require c section. But the doctors scare you so much with the chances. I know they do it because of med mal risks, but it really makes me feel guilty, like if I try vaginal and there is a break, it is my fault since they "warned me."

UGH, what to do...

MrsCali_Bride · April 2012

I had a vaginal birth with our oldest and a c-section with the twins due to their positioning. I much preferred my vaginal birth but the c-section got my twins here safely and that's what matters.

With my vaginal birth my son was placed on my chest and didn't leave my arms until at least 45 minutes later after I had fed him when they gave him his bath and took his measurements. I was up and walking later that day and felt normal within a few days. I was a little sore for a day or two but overall I felt great.

With my c-section I got to see each baby for a minute or so after they were born and then my husband and the nurses left with them. I was stitched up and rolled into recovery and didn't see either baby or my husband for probably close to an hour (my husband had my phone and I couldn't see the clock so I don't know how long it actually was). My husband and daughter joined me in recovery and my son joined me a little while later after I had been moved to my room. Moving, whether trying to stand, walk, sit or just reposition in the bed, was painful and difficult for the first couple of days and then getting used to my newly swollen calves, cankles and feet took a bit of time and was painful in its own way. Coughing, sneezing and laughing were terrible and I had to keep a pillow nearby to press against my incision just in case. I had a coughing fit while holding/nursing my daughter and it brought me to tears. It took me weeks to feel like myself again.

I know that many women are very happy with their c-sections but if given the option I would choose a vaginal birth again in a heartbeat even with the risk of shoulder dystocia. Good luck with your decision and the birth of your baby!

smerka · April 2012

I had an induction and vaginal birth with my first and a planned c-section with the second. My older son has a huge head and I got really torn up. They had to use the vacuum after I pushed for over three hours and I had episiotomy. I was a wreck for at least three weeks. I couldn't do much beyond lay on the couch for the first week and a half. And the pain was pretty bad.

My second was breech and I tried a version, but that was too painful to complete. The csection was amazing in comparison to my vaginal birth. The recovery was much less painful and I felt more like myself quicker.

In both cases, I saw my kids right after they were delivered. Both times they were checked in the room where I was. I didn't get to hold DS2 for a little while (i was being stitched up) but DH had him. He went to recovery with us.

JLS0320 · April 2012

My 1st birth was vaginal, he was 10lbs and came out w/ shoulder dystocia and a broken clavicle. For my 2nd son, they pushed for a csection, but in the end let me choose, I was induced 5 days early because this baby was measuring large again. I labored for 14 hrs, but he never dropped into the birth canal so I went in for a csection, he was 11.3 lbs. I always recommend vaginal if the health of mom and baby is not at risk, my csection was much harder to recover from, and it was close to 7wks before I felt physically well. My vaginal birth was a much easier and quicker recovery, but a csection for my 2nd birth was the safest thing for us since he was huge, thank God he never dropped, I'd hate to think what could have happened to either of us.

lite-bright · April 2012

Both of my births were positive experiences. DD1 was induced and vaginal due to pre-e at full term, and DD2 was a c/s because she was breech.

I actually got contact with DD2 sooner, because DD1 had some meconium in her fluid and need to be deeply suctioned before they could give her to me. As soon as DD2 was wrapped up (she was in my line of sight the whole time), DH brought her over and I could touch her and cuddle our faces for a few minutes. I had to wait a little longer to BF because I was being stitched up, but both of them were nursing within an hour.

The c/s was not as scary as I'd been afraid it would be. The recovery was hard. Much harder than vaginal, but I also had a toddler to take care of, too. My pain wasn't well controlled for the first few days, and I was on vicodin for two weeks, vs. my vaginal birth when I only had to take ibuprofen.

Vaginal recovery is no picnic, either, in different ways -- I had a small tear that was very painful for the first few weeks and wore ice packs in my undies.

I had more trouble BFing my first than my second, and my milk came in faster the second time -- but I think that's probably more of a first birth vs. second thing than vaginal vs. c/s.

LeggyNic · April 2012

Monicagail1:

I had a vaginal delivery with DD1 and a c/s with DD2 because she was breech. Overall, I preferred the vaginal delivery, but I will say that the c/s was not as bad as I'd feared. The first few days post c/s were much harder and more painful than my vaginal delivery, but within about a week I felt as good or better than after my vag delivery. The biggest drawback, IMO, was that I found it much more difficult to get into comfortable positions for breastfeeding post c/s.

This is very similar to my experience. I too prefer the vaginal and I'm hoping to VBAC LO#3.

I had a spinal instead of an epi and went straight to oral pain meds so I was up and walking as soon as the spinal wore off. I BF'd DD2 in recovery. I'm told there is a bigger recovery difference in emergency vs. schedule c/s.

jjhp2018 · April 2012

DD1 was a great epi free vaginal birth (and very fast too). By the time I got to the hospital (feeling only AF like cramps) I was already 7cm. They got me checked in and labor pain set in but she was here in 3 hours with barely any pushing (15 mins at the most)!

After she was born they laid her on my chest, I looked at her, then they took her to be cleaned up, weighed, checked out, etc while the doc finished up with me. I honestly don't know how long before DH brought her back and they were done. My recovery was minimal. Was up going to the bathroom after the doc had me cleaned up, then they had me switch rooms (small hospital) and I took a shower just a few hours later. Went home at 24 hours. It turned out to be a great experience.

With DD2 I was induced and she wouldn't come down. After trying to push and her showing some fluctuations in heart rate we went in for a c-section. I had been on the pitocin all day and hadn't gotten an epi by that point so I was pretty tired. Once my doc came in it was SUPER fast on getting her out. They let me look at her and then DH went with her to be cleaned and weighed. He came back in and let me see some pictures and then brought her in for me to see. It didn't seem that long after before I was in recovery with her and DH. (Not a huge difference from my vaginal honestly).

Recovery was obviously more rough with it being surgery. I had also labored beforehand so my body was exhausted due to both. The medicine made me sleep and forget most of anything post op until many hours later. The nurses took out my cath and had me walk around at the 12 hour mark. Even though I had alot of recovery pain (more than I imagined) I was able to go home at 48 hours and it was easier to relax at home. That first week was rough but I took it easy and DH helped out. Pain meds were a must though!

For me, vaginal was much better recovery and pain wise. That's not saying that people don't have really rough vaginal deliveries though. You will make the best decision for you in the end. You are looking at your options now and getting informed on each side. Wishing you the best!!

pregmama · April 2012

I had an all natural vaginal birth with my first and an emergency c-section with this one. I would say the vaginal birth was way easier. It was not traumatic, or scary. The emergency c-section was very scary for me and my DH, and we had fears of loosing our baby in the process. The recovery has been much harder, and emotionally it has just been tough. I think a scheduled c-section would be a different story. But after 20 hours of laboring without drugs I was ready to push a baby out, but got stuck at 9 1/2 cm. Then with the stalled labor, came fetal distress and the emergency c-section was necessary. My DH was also not allowed to come in with me, and then the surgery crew forgot he was locked outside! So, that sucked! The end result was worth it, we love our baby boy and feel blessed he came out healthy and happy! Recovery after my first was just a few days, with the c-section I will be 2 weeks tomorrow and I am still in bed and taking meds and in pain.

MAprincess · April 2012

Both c/s and vaginal recoveries were relatively easy, but my vaginal delivery was MUCH easier. After my c/s, they would have given my DS in the recovery room but I had an adverse reaction to the spinal medication and they ended up having to knock me out (because I kept trying to get up, apparently). With my vaginal birth, DD was with me from the second she was born until we left the hospital. They did all of her checks in my room.

If I had a third, I'd hands down do the vaginal again. Even with my good c/s recovery, I still was feeling onlu 80% after 6 weeks. After my vaginal delivery, I was ready to leave the hospital after an hour and felt 80% about three days pp (yes, I did tear and have stitches down there also). Most importantly, I was better able to take care of my two kiddos.

nosoup4u · April 2012

You have to recover either way, in all honesty. But my VBAC was a faster and easier one - I felt back to normal after 2-3 weeks, as compared to 5+ weeks with my c-section. And even though I tore with my VBAC, it was still easier to get around those first few days afterwards - with my c/s, getting up and down was horrible!

Hospitals have different policies about where babies go after a c/s, you just have to ask your dr what it is.

One more thing - if you have the c/s now, it will affect your future pregnancies. Being a VBAC candidate isn't very fun, and it is hard to find VBAC-supportive providers in some areas. You might want to ask your doctor now if he would support VBAC if yiu opt for the c/s now.

Good luck!

BritanyV · April 2012

I had an induce vaginal birth with DS#1 and an urgent c-section with DS#2. I'm sure the circumstances would have been different if it were a planned c-section and not happened the way it did but I would NEVER EVER pick a c-section over a vaginal deliver after my experience...like EVER.

The pain afterwards was horrible. A week after I got an infection in the incision area (this was due to things related with the birth, the placenta was infected when it was pulled out) that took almost a month to heal. I still don't feel 100% normal in the area.

Nope, I would never pick that over the vaginal birth I had with my first son. I'm really hoping that if we try for another child that I can do a VBAC.

kimikins79 · April 2012

Thanks so much everyone for your input! It seems each experience is differnt and unique (not that this surprises me!) I really just have to make up my own mind, the first of many difficult decisions, I am sure!

miss1991 · May 2012

I have had three vaginal birth's and 1 c-section. Mine was an emergency c-section and was scary but was best for me and baby my uterus ruptured in two place's and the baby stopped breathing for a while I had hemorhagging and has to have two blood transfusion's. I was very sad that I could not see my little one until the next day because I was so sick myself, she was in nicu so this is why I could not see her(I am guessing) I had to go down to see her. There where other Mother's that had elective c-section and there baby's where brought to see them so they could nurse.

With that said I would have preffered a vaginal birth and would choose that if I had a choice but I think a planned c-section is better than and emergency c-section but I also know that there are a lot of emergency c-section's that are wonderful. It is a hard choice but you are the only one that can make it Good luck!

Temp6313048411121614 · May 2012

I had a vaginal delivery with DS1 and a c/s with my twins. My c/s really wasn't near as bad as I thought it would've been. I feared my c/s my entire pg. With DS1 I was terrified to use the bathroom and to have sex, it was also uncomfortable to sit up (I had an episiotomy). My c/s was just different, not better or worse. The worst part of the c/s was that it was painful to cough, sneeze, or blow my nose. Honestly, if there's a risk to your baby with a vaginal delivery, I wouldn't hesitate to have a c/s. I will say that since I didn't go into labor spontaneously, I really think one of the babies wasn't ready (even at 38w) because he really didn't have the suck/swallow reflex down. Generally I think a vaginal delivery is healthier for mom and baby, but this may be one of those times when a c/s would be better.

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