Community› The Bump Message Boards› C-sections
C-sections
New Discussion

RCS question...

AshleaB12AshleaB12 member
in C-sections
For those of you who had an unplanned or emergency csection and then went on to have a planned repeat csection, how was your recovery? Was it different from the unplanned csection? I'm on the fence about trying for a VBAC. I didn't have an emergency csection, but I did have an unplanned one after 21.5 hours of labor and then pushing for 1.5 hours. It was a huge let down to get that far and then need a csection. I don't want to go through that again and I'm wondering if just scheduling a RCS would just be a better option for me. I just wanted to hear others experiences. My recovery wasn't that bad but I'm worried about recovery with a newborn and a toddler at home. One of the midwives in the practice I go to says if I do decide on a RCS that I will notice a big difference in the recovery between a csection after laboring for so long and just going in and having the surgery without laboring.
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
Report Reply to Post

Re: RCS question...

  • emaddockemaddock member
    I tried to vbac this time so I don't know, but the pain this time around seemed easier even though I did labor. So that was good!

    I know from friends who have scheduled their RCS that they has an easier time the second time around.

    Good luck!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker image
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • UberBizUberBiz member
    I've heard it was a much easier recovery, and that's what I'm hoping for. I did a lot of back-and-forth in my mind about VBAC vs. RCS, and finally chose to have the RCS. My last c-section was an emergency, my DD was in distress, and I don't want anything like that happening to this LO. I'd rather take the risk myself (major abdominal surgery) than to risk any labor complications to LO.
    OMG too many tickers...
    Lilypie Kids Birthday tickersLilypie Kids Birthday tickers
    Lilypie Second Birthday tickersLilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • RebeccaMichaelRebeccaMichael
    Hey, sounds like you went through what I did, long laboring, pushing and then the inevitable c-sec. I kinda went back and forth on vbac or rcs, but after talking with my doctor (which she supported either decision) if laboring that long and pushing that long was the problem, in most cases you would end up with a c-sec the 2nd time. My DS, he never dropped, so she just feels I can make healthy babies, just can't get them out :) . The downfall to a vbac, is no pitocin, so can't speed up a process. My DH and I...and the doctor decided it's best to do a RCS, and I'm content with that decision. Good luck!!
    Report Reply
  • magdalina.hmagdalina.h member
    My recovery was different. The first time Aidan was in the NICU so I didn't have to take care of him. So I had a very easy recovery. With Lucas it was easy, but I had a newborn to take care of. Pain, bleeding and general feeling normal again was the same.
    Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickersLilypie Third Birthday tickersLilypie First Birthday tickers
    Photobucket
    Report Reply
  • sabrina69barnessabrina69barnes member

    I had one unplanned c-section and 2 RCSs. My recovery with my 2nd c-section (1st RCS) was a little easier than my unplanned c-section. I knew what to expect so there wasn't any fear. I also knew that the more I walked after surgery the faster I would recover, to keep up with pain meds, etc. I wouldn't say that the pain itself was any less and if I had known about some of the "tips" to help my recovery the first time, both recoveries probably would have been about the same.

    My 3rd c-section (2nd RCS) was a completely different story. I felt amazing during the surgery and afterwards. My recovery was very different. Instead of being content to stay in bed that first 24hrs I was begging to get up. I still needed pain meds but I was very mobile. The nurse said I didn't look like a post c-section mom when I finally got up because I was walking at a normal speed and upright. I was able to leave the hospital at around 30hrs PP.

    I had a newborn and toddler with DS2 and DS3. I had help for the first week and a half each time. After that DH went back to work. I wasn't able to carry my toddlers but I was fine changing diapers, making lunches, and other daily stuff after that. I was dead tired from having multiple kids but I didn't have anything to do with the c-section.

    If you would like to have a vaginal delivery you should try. If you don't care and a c-section is fine with you then have one. Don't schedule the RCS just because you think your recovery will be easier. I might be but it might not.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • AEN1029AEN1029 member

    Everyone is different. My first c-section was after 36 hours of labor and it was a breeze. I was at a wedding 9 days after and moving around just fine after a week. My second was a planned RCS and my recovery was a nightmare. I couldn't move for two weeks and I was sore for nearly a month after.

    My plan was to VBA2C this time, but because I've had two previous c-sections, I have what's called Placenta Accreta where a portion or all of the placenta attaches itself too deep into the uterine wall and there's a large risk of hemmorhage if I go vaginal.  I have to have a third c-section and I'm dreading it. Personally, if I could do it over again, I'd have tried a VBAC the second time around.

    Again, everyone is different. Just because I had a bad experience doesn't mean you will. My sister in law says her recovery was harder the second time as well, but not as bad as mine.

    BabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • AEN1029AEN1029 member
    imagesabrina69barnes:

    I had one unplanned c-section and 2 RCSs. My recovery with my 2nd c-section (1st RCS) was a little easier than my unplanned c-section. I knew what to expect so there wasn't any fear. I also knew that the more I walked after surgery the faster I would recover, to keep up with pain meds, etc. I wouldn't say that the pain itself was any less and if I had known about some of the "tips" to help my recovery the first time, both recoveries probably would have been about the same.

    My 3rd c-section (2nd RCS) was a completely different story. I felt amazing during the surgery and afterwards. My recovery was very different. Instead of being content to stay in bed that first 24hrs I was begging to get up. I still needed pain meds but I was very mobile. The nurse said I didn't look like a post c-section mom when I finally got up because I was walking at a normal speed and upright. I was able to leave the hospital at around 30hrs PP.

    I had a newborn and toddler with DS2 and DS3. I had help for the first week and a half each time. After that DH went back to work. I wasn't able to carry my toddlers but I was fine changing diapers, making lunches, and other daily stuff after that. I was dead tired from having multiple kids but I didn't have anything to do with the c-section.

    If you would like to have a vaginal delivery you should try. If you don't care and a c-section is fine with you then have one. Don't schedule the RCS just because you think your recovery will be easier. I might be but it might not.

    You've given me hope for my third c-section. I'm terrified and I hope I feel as great as you did!
    BabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • LauLauCC08LauLauCC08
    I had a RCS after having a similiar experience to yours with my first child.  The first few days after were better than my first.  Overall though, I was much more sore in the weeks to follow.  I became very sick from the spinal though and they think that I may have pulled something in my abdomen during the CS.  With that said, I also got sick fromt he epidural since my body seems to reject pain meds.  I would do the RCS, it is the safer route in my opinion.
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"