Repeat C Section Question...

Both of my c-sections were scheduled. Even so, my second c-section was so much better than my first (and I thought I had a pretty good one the first time around). Since I knew what to expect I felt more confident. I just had it one month ago, and I was feeling almost completely back to normal by two weeks postpartum. Good luck!

My second c-section was easier than my first. The doctor used the same incision he used last time. The recovery time was faster. I think in some becaue I wasnt as scared and I knew what to expect, so I didnt baby myself as much.

i was terrified with my 2nd c-section. i was shaking, and cold. the dr. must have hit a nerve when he gave me my shot because my leg was jumping like crazy :). but i can tell you. it went great. everything went quickly, even with my tubes being tied. recovery was much better, i felt much better much quicker. make sure you don't go too quickly though. i tried to sit up to quickly and got sick because my blood pressure shot up. also i got to leave the hospital a day early because i was doing so well. i was up and walking by late that evening.

edited to add: i didn't even need the whole bottle of pain pills. i only took a few when i got home. by the end of the week i was doing everything that i was doing before i left to have my baby besides washing my older one.

I also got pregnant when my son was 6 months old! My repeat c-section was SO MUCH BETTER than the first! I was 3 weeks early, so my two are 15 months apart. It was difficult not being able to pick up and carry the oldest for the six-week recovery period, but the time passed quickly. :)

My biggest regret: Not going to the hospital as soon as I went into labor. I knew I was having a c-section so I wanted to deep clean the house quick (since I knew I wouldn't be able to clean for 6 weeks!)...by the time I got to the hospital, I had been having semi-strong contractions for about 6 hours (eeks!) and the doctor who performed my c-section said the wall of my uterus was stretched so thin that she was surprised that it didn't rupture!! :(

I think the anesthesiologist used something called "astra-gel" (not 100% sure if that's what it was called) but I literally did not have ANY pain after the surgery. I kept waiting for the anesthesia to "wear off" and for my severe pain to start......and it never did! It was awesome!!! (I had HORRIBLE pain during my first c-section--the hospital couldn't "find" the medicine or something so as soon as my epidural wore off I felt everything...it was horrible! So going into my second c-section I was soooooo scared! But like I said...astra-gel. Worked wonders for me!! :-)

I had 2 scheduled c-sections. My first was breech so luckily I didn't have to deal with labor and then a c-section! My first was pretty rough. It took me a solid 2 weeks to recover, but the second was much easier. I was nervous too b/c I'd have a 2 y/o running around but I think knowing what to expect was a huge advantage! I'd say if possible you'll need help the first week, just from sheer exhaustion and soreness, but you'll be able to do more than you did last time, I'm pretty sure! Good luck and congrats!

My second c-section was a breeze compared to the first! I had my daughter on Monday night and went home Wednesday afternoon because I wasn't having a lot of bleeding, not a lot of pain, was up walking, baby was nursing great, etc.

Every woman I have read about on here that had a repeat c said the same thing-second one was much, much easier.

Second was much easier than first - first was an emergency c-section. I can't believe how much easier it was and no pain! I thought they were killing me the first time. And the recovery was easier as well. I was nervous too, especially during the prep but like I said, it was much easier. Good luck and grats!

I have not read the other responses but I'm sure everyone has said about the same thing. I had my second c section 5 months ago and from personal experience it gets easier the more you have. With my daughter(my first) my incision got infected so my healing was about 1 week or two longer(7 1/2 weeks all together). With my son(my second) I was up and doing everyday things within about 2 weeks. Its always easier with things the second time around. You know exactly what to expect with the second one.

Good luck and congrats.

Will they cut your muscles? Did you know there's a variation of the c-section where the muscles are pulled aside.

I had 2 c-sections. My girls are 18 months apart. It's hard.
Make sure you have help lined up. Ask friends and family
to help you through the first few weeks. If you can afford it,
make sure your husband is with you for the first week, at
the very least. With my 2nd c-section at least I knew what
to expect and what I didn't want to deal with. I wish I'd known
about the muscle pulling c-section. I would have opted for
that. I used a different doctor with my 2nd section bc my
first wasn't on-call for the date- my scar is a bit ugly.
but- I figure it'll only be seen by 1 person besides me, so
it's ok.

Best wishes-

Well, I guess I am the only one who differs from the rest. I went through labor with my son and an unnecessary C-section. My husband and I both agree on this; however, the recovery from the first was so much easier and I was up and about very quickly. It was like I never had one. The second one was planned and not much fun at the recovery. My doctor was wonderful; the actual C went very well but the recover I got a very bad infection and it took my over 6 months to recoup. My daughter is 21 months and sometimes, I still feel some tendernous. I did not want a C-section but since we weren't planning for any more even though we would love more, I decided on the 2nd C-section. I also didn't want to give up my doctor; If I was going to have more, I would switch practices; I have another doctor that does V-Bacs. I would also like to say that after having my son, I switched doctors to the doctor that I have now. His practice doesn't do repeat sections. If I had to do it over again, I might have changed my mind. When you have multiple children to take care of, it's very hard to be up and about and I was doing too much.

You can't do anything. It hurts to hug; lift strollers, . . you name it. Just a thought.

My first c-section was a failed induction, with tons of interventions that was completely unnecessary. I found out later that my doctor wanted to induce because she was going on vacation.

My second was a CBAC. I had planned to VBAC but baby decided otherwise. I did go into labor naturally, and labored naturally until about 5 minutes before the c-section. While this one was necessary - it was a much, much harder recovery. I don't get these ladies who say the second time around was easier. Maybe mentally, because you've already done it and you know what to expect. But taking care of a young child (or baby - yours will only be about 15 months old, right) plus a newborn, while recovering from major abdominal surgery SUCKS!!!

There are options - you could still switch care providers if you want to pursue a VBAC. Message me directly with your email address and I will send you an invite to the local ICAN Yahoo group. We work to educate women on your rights regarding childbirth (you don't have to have a c-section just because you had one before), the true statistics on c-section safety for both mother and baby, and assist with recovery from c-section. I am in Ft. Lauderdale but our group is tri-county.

Even if you decide you want to pursue a c-section, we can help you make it more baby friendly and provide you with some support as you recover.

It was absolutely awful for me to not be able to pick up my 4 year old after my second was born. He knew that Mama was "sick" for a good 3 months afer his brother was born - much, much more difficult recovery plus the guilt over not being the best mama to the first born.

Cheers,
C.

I never had a C-Section but my friend did 3x's she said that they got easier each time. The 1st was the hardest you did not know what would cause more pain and what would not, now you do. YOu know the technique to getting off the couch, or bed. You know that &*%$# will hurt like HEL! .

This is what she told me so I hope this helps you! My last was breach FOREVER until I went into labor and then FLIP so she calmed me down with all the do's and don'ts.

My first was an emergency, so there was no time to be scared. But I had no idea what to expect the next few days, so that was kind of hard.

My second was schedule, so i had plenty of time to think about it. I was very apprehensive during the half hour or hour before. Recovery was nothing compared to the first one. I think because I had a pretty good idea of what I could and could not do. Also, I took my pain meds on schedule the first few days. I think that's very important.

I really didn't think it was that bad, but having never been though labor I really don't have anything to compare it to.

I think the anticipation is harder than the actually surgery and recovery. Try to relax as much as possible and let the nurses help you while you're in the hospital. You'll be fine.

my 2nd was much easier, and it was with twins!! my oldest, 2 1/2, i had a c-section after laboring 10 hours, i never dilated past 5cm plus my BP went through the roof. recovery sucked because i ended up with a blood clot in my leg and my baby boy was in the childrens hospital about 15 miles away. it took what seemed like forever to heal and feel better and i ended up using the whole bottle of pain meds. 2nd was a scheduled c-section at 38 weeks. had twins, big babies- 7lbs14oz and 6lbs12oz...second time around was much better. i was up walking the same night, already knew what to expect so i was able to do more quicker, and didnt use even half the bottle of pain meds, still have them. i got preggers with my twins just before my oldest turned 1. good luck and let us know how it goes!!

Interesting that most say the second was easier. I went through 14 hours of labor and had an emergency C section with my first one. I thought that emotionally it was really tough since I really thought it was going to be vaginal. I was also tired from the labor and being up like 28 hours straight. I was scared of the surgery, not knowing what to expect. But I got up and walked around, used less pain meds, and went home in 2.5 days. I was already pretty comfy within a week of the surgery.
My second was planned. I was still nervous, but did know what to expect so it wasn't quite as emotionally difficult. I was able to sleep up until the surgery, so I was very alert for it. But the recovery was MUCH harder. I was in the hopsital 5 days and it took at least a month to feel normalish. I had horrible contractions in comparison to the first as well. Overall, it was a calmer, but more painful experience for me.

My second was easier, but I think it was for one particular reason... my OB gave me a wrap, about 14 inches wide and elastic, to wrap around my middle once the surgery was over. It made all the difference in the world. It just kind of held me in and up and made it easier to walk, to feel human, etc. I'd send you the wrap (no more kids for me), but I already sent it to my aunt when she had a c-section, to help her out.

It was also better the second time because it was planned. My first c-section happened after 18 hours of labor... not so happy. But my second one came before schedule, but we just went right in to surgery, and I was far less tired from the very beginning.

Updated

My second was easier, but I think it was for one particular reason... my OB gave me a wrap, about 14 inches wide and elastic, to wrap around my middle once the surgery was over. It made all the difference in the world. It just kind of held me in and up and made it easier to walk, to feel human, etc. I'd send you the wrap (no more kids for me), but I already sent it to my aunt when she had a c-section, to help her out.

It was also better the second time because it was planned. My first c-section happened after 18 hours of labor... not so happy. But my second one came before schedule, but we just went right in to surgery, and I was far less tired from the very beginning.

Hi!
I've had 2 c-sections & my boys are 19 mos apart. So I get your apprehension. My experience was that, my 2nd c-section wasn't nearly as bad. Try to have someone at your house to help w/your oldest baby. You really shouldn't lift anything heavier than your new baby for at least 2 weeks.
B/c having someone at my house around the clock wasn't going to happen, I put one of those booster seats (highchair) on the ground so I didn't have to lift him up. Just take it easy & don't over do it. You don't want to end up back in the hospital.
Best of luck!!
H.