To C or not to C....

sberickson · February 2013

My dr told me I need to decide if I want a C-section or try vaginally. Both babies are head down. I'm just wondering your opinions. How was your experience, recovery, pain, scar, esc. Was it hard to get your stomach back in shape after? I just don't want to have to do it both ways and I want the babies to be safe.

kpearse99 · February 2013

Wow, what a decision to make!!

I was induced, had a 30 hour labor, dialated to 10 and pushed for 3 hours and just couldn't get DS to go any lower than where he was at. It was 2:30am and I couldn't go anymore so I opted for the C/S.

Recovery really wasn't anything like I thought it would have been. The first few days of moving around were rough, and I relyed on the nurses the first day to help me in and out of bed and to help me go to the bathroom. The next day in the hospital I was more independent and was able to get out of bed on my own and even do some light walking up and down the hallway. I stayed on top of my meds and followed the nurses reccommendations to wear the binder they provided me with and to keep ice packs on my incision, as well as down below since my lady bits were quite swollen!

I am one of the lucky ones who lost the baby weight very quickly and was back in my pre-pregnancy clothes one month out. Now at 7 months PP I have my flat tummy back... it could use a little more toning, but I'm active with teaching dance and I work in a theme park so I'm always out and about walking around so I'm confident I'll get it back.

Recovery will be what you make of it, if you decide on a CS. As much as it will hurt at first, get up and start moving around as soon as they let you. It really makes the world of a difference. Stay on top of your meds and slowly wean yourself off. I was off my percs by the end of week one and off the motrin by the end of week two. I also reccommend staying in the hospital as many days as your insurance will cover. I know you'll be eager to get home, but you won't have the nurses there to help or the nursery to take the LO's when you want and NEED to get some rest.

HTH from the CS portion, I don't have any advice from vaginal births but I do plan on trying for a VBAC with my next one. Good luck and congrats on the twins!!

1026pumpkin · February 2013

This is a tough decision and I agree with PP who suggested asking your doc about the chances for being able to deliver both vaginally.

I had my c-section after 12 hours of labor with pitocin (DS was having major decels, his head was obviously stuck against my pubic bone, and I wasn't dilating). I had a really great experience. My c-section was at 11pm, and by the next morning I was able to get up, shower, and change into sweats. We were also able to breastfeed with no issues. I started doing laps around the nursing station that day, and continued taking 30-45 minute walks with DS every day when we got home.

The only thing that was tough was for the first 2 weeks, it was hard to get into/out of bed, and to lean over to pick DS up out of a crib or bassinet. I was able to get him out of a rock and play or the sleeper part of a pack and play on my own. DH stayed home for the first 2 weeks with me, and was able to help pull me up out of bed and help me get DS.

FWIW, I think you might have an easier time with lifting with a vaginal delivery, but there is still tearing, stitches, and issues sitting and going to the bathroom after a vaginal delivery. It's not like those moms push a baby out and are ready to go on their merry way- they have recovery issues, too.

chicky1231 · February 2013

My fear would be trying to do it vaginally and only being able to deliver one vaginally and having to do a c-section with the other. Recovery from a c-section after laboring is harder then just going in for a scheduled c-section

pennysuedog · February 2013

Take a chance and go vaginally.

pettycrocker · February 2013

I'd absolutely try vaginally if it's a possibility. I can not imagine having to tend to 2 newborns after a c-section. My H had to go back to work, basically the day I was discharged from the hospital, so taking care of one newborn was brutal in those first couple weeks.

nosoup4u · February 2013

Mrs Castillo:
I'd absolutely try vaginally if it's a possibility. I can not imagine having to tend to 2 newborns after a c-section. My H had to go back to work, basically the day I was discharged from the hospital, so taking care of one newborn was brutal in those first couple weeks.

This! I can't imagine dealing with twins after a c/s. Go for the vaginal birth. Good luck!

AppleJacks81 · February 2013

I have a friend who delivered one twin naturally, then the second by csection, which I think would be the absolute worst to recover from. I have now had two csections. It takes about two weeks to really feel back to normal, but the pain meds I got have taken care of the majority of the pain so don't let that scare you. I was in good shape with both pregnancies and was back to working out normally by six weeks the first time around, and i expect to be this time too. To be honest though, my old pants didn't quite fit until 9 months after. Your body does change quite a bit afterwards! As far as scar, it wasn't as pretty from my emergency csection, but with my repeat, my doctor worked really hard at cutting out the old one and using a different type of suture that she removed after three days. She said i might have reacted to the dissolving sutures and my scar was a little raised. The difference is night and day when comparing incisions! The scheduled csection was really not bad, and it was nice to have everything planned out as much as possible, instead of playing the waiting game.

penguingrrl · February 2013

Since both babies are head down I would definitely try for a vaginal delivery. I've had one c-section and one vaginal birth and while my c-section recovery wasn't awful (after the first 12 hours, the first 12 hours were horrible due to a reaction to meds) my vaginal birth recovery was so much easier. I would never opt for major surgery if there was a way to avoid it.

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