VBAC recovery?

valeivegas · April 2013

I just got back from the Dr & had my 32 wk u/s - baby is head down (yay! DS was breech so I had to have a c/s) & she looks very healthy. He said the chances of her turning breech at this time are rare. My Dr said he'd let me go up to 41 wks to see if I go into labor. I did actually go into labor w/ DS at 41 wks - the night before the c/s was scheduled, so I'm hoping there's a good chance I will again (he does not want to induce me). I'm really leaning towards trying for the vbac after talking to my Dr today. I just keep thinking of the recovery of a c/s vs. vbac & being able to walk around, carry DS, etc.

You ladies who've had a vbac, can you tell me more about your recovery?

mrs.jenRN · April 2013

For me, the recovery was a million times easier for my VBAC. I still can't believe I was walking to the bathroom less than 2 hours after delivery (and I had an epidural, but it had worn off by then). I had one second degree tear and was sore for a week and then was just a little tender when I wiped for about another week. HUGE difference from my c section. With that, I had trapped air in my shoulder blade, was in excruciating pain whenever I sat on the toilet, got up and down from a chair, in and out of bed....you get the picture. I couldn't even sleep in my bed the first 2 weeks because of the trapped air. I slept in my glider. I was doped up on Percocet (I was alternating that and Advil). Basically all I did for the first few weeks was nurse my daughter. This time, I was playing on the floor with my toddler a week later. Doing light cleaning 3 days after he was born. I drove a lot sooner. I can't say enough about how awesome it has been!

valeivegas · April 2013

mrs.jenRN:
This time, I was playing on the floor with my toddler a week later. Doing light cleaning 3 days after he was born. I drove a lot sooner. I can't say enough about how awesome it has been!

Thanks for the input. This is really why I'm thinking of giving the vbac a go - DS is 2.5 yrs old & I don't want to be totally out of commission for ~2 weeks. It was different w/ him since we only had him - no other kids to take care of. Dh will be home to help, but still - I want to be up & moving around.

smi024 · April 2013

Great feedback Jen... I am goig to try this VBAC deal after a horrible c/s with #1... thanks!

margeincharge3 · April 2013

My vbac recovery was a million times better as well. I had an epidural and within an hour of delivery the nurse was getting me out of bed to go to the bathroom. I was pretty much on my own as soon as the epidural wore off in my one leg. That was probably no longer than 2 hours post-partum.

I really felt like normal as soon as my baby was born. Especially compared to my c/s, I couldn't believe how much I was doing right after giving birth. I had a 2nd degree tear but that also wasn't really painful. The worst ppart was the pp hemorrhoids. Those were pretty tough but even with that pain I would take that over surgery any day. And obviously not everyone is going to have that particular issue. lol

nosoup4u · April 2013

I was actually surprised that I was so sore after my VBAC! But it was only for a day or two, I was able to move (though a little slower than normal) after that. I had a tear that didn't bother me after about 2-3 weeks. And I could get up off the bed or sitting SO much easier, because I still had my abs! All in all, a much faster and easier recovery than my c/s also.

CalMum_Momma · April 2013

Don't expect to not be in pain after a VBAC. Squeezing a baby out of your vajayjay hurts like a sonofabitch! I couldn't sit comfortably for weeks. That being said, recovery was WAY better than it was with a c/s. I didn't have the screaming pain every time I laughed, coughed, or moved. It just hurt to sit directly on the bits, so you could get comfortable. I actually sat on a boppy pillow for a few weeks after, and that helped. And wear loose pants. Jeans will not be your friend! Smile

Ceefome · April 2013

My VBAC delivery was amazing. I know it's not always the case with a vaginal birth, but I had a slight tear, so a few stitches, and some swelling (inc hemi's). It wasn't anything that some Advil didn't take care of. I could move around immediately after my delivery, and had no restricitons when I got home. I was able to sit and play with my daughter the day I came home.

Shortly after my delivery, my BFF (who had 3 c/s) brought me some food, and she was amazed by how I was able to maneuver the stairs so easily so soon after having a baby.

cedgar778 · April 2013

Much easier! My VBAC delivery went sooo fast that I didn't have time for an epidural and I was up moving within 1 hr of giving birth. I did have an episiotomy with 2nd degree tear so that was painful the first week and has been tender, especially if I'm doing too much, since I'm currently 2 weeks pp but overall, a much easier recovery then my c/s.

holly321 · April 2013

I felt better the day after my vbac than I felt 3 weeks after my csection. I remember the way I felt a few hours after giving birth, it was so much easier. I did have a 2nd degree labial tear, and an episiotomy. I do have some occasional tenderness still, but then again, I felt a slight jab in my csection scar earlier today.

cchill01 · April 2013

Sounds like things are progressing very well. My VBAC recovery was night and day compared with my c-section. I had my VBAC on a Thursday and by Monday I drove DD#1 to school. I could have easily carried her right away - but I waited a week, because it was recommended.

I had a few stitches, which I never even noticed. And I had some pretty good hemmies, which took a few months to go away. With my c-section, I had lingering abdominal pain for a year.

The mental recovery was a big difference for me, too. With #1, I had a lot of baby blues. With #2, I had none of that. It was a healing experience for me.

valeivegas · April 2013

cchill01:

Sounds like things are progressing very well. My VBAC recovery was night and day compared with my c-section. I had my VBAC on a Thursday and by Monday I drove DD#1 to school. I could have easily carried her right away - but I waited a week, because it was recommended.

I had a few stitches, which I never even noticed. And I had some pretty good hemmies, which took a few months to go away. With my c-section, I had lingering abdominal pain for a year.

The mental recovery was a big difference for me, too. With #1, I had a lot of baby blues. With #2, I had none of that. It was a healing experience for me.

wow - I really appreciate all the input from everyone! Of course I know it's still going to hurt & there is recovery. I would probably have some bad hemmies too - I get them occassionally not being so pg so I'm probably more prone to them. I've heard that some women can't even sit for a few weeks =( With my c/s I had some internal ones that were very painful too though...

Thanks for the input on the 'mental recovery' - I had some ppd when DS was about 6 mos old - but my life is much different now & I think I'll be able to deal w/ a lot of the things I wasn't able to after I had DS..

holly321 · April 2013

I did not think to mention mental recovery. I had PPD last time, but not this time, so far at least.

shibby00 · April 2013

No comparison between the two recoveries. DS broke my tailbone when he came out and that hurt more than the 2nd degree tear. Even with the butt pain it was nothing like recovering from surgery! It was a healing experience for me as well. I had PPD last time and nothing this time. GL!

pitterpatter129 · April 2013

The recovery was a lot better than a csection overall. I was discharged from the hospital within 24 hrs. I could drive after a week (probably before, but I waited a week.) I was picking up my 2 yr old a few days later. I could bathe and put on my own pants this time in the hospital! I did have an episiotomy and a few tears (need forceps), so that's not a walk in the park, but it's still better than major abdominal surgery. I just sat on the boppy pillow for a week or so. My episotomy area still hurts 9 weeks later though and there is no squatting. I never realized how often I squat down during the day! Still, 10,000 x better than a csection!

rae_dylanzmom · May 2013

Wow. I can't thank you ladies enough for sharing. I am just now starting to consider a VBAC, and I can tell you that this has been one of the most influential threads I've ever read!

chanelsplay · June 2013

I personally haven't had a VBAC, though I had a CS. For me after my CS as soon as I could feel my les I was up and moving around. The doctors and nurses were actually surprised. I guess it depends on your tolerance level for pain. Which mine is extremely high. This time around I am opting for a VBAC.

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