Is a C-section really that bad?

I have had 2 caesars. The first one was sore but I was up and about the next day but I was sore and it took me 6 weeks to start driving.

Second one was so much easier. I was up with minimal pain and really was back to normal by the time I was home.

Its sore but not unbearable and if you take it easy it really isnt that bad

I am not sure it does interfere with getting back into shape though!

Lalie, after reading some of the responses I was scared sh&tless, but wanted to come give you my experience

did you ladies that had a c-section really find it that sore and bad?
sore - it was but its 7 layers so its understandable. bad - no - my baby was in distress and cord around neck
Was the recovery process difficult? no, just take the meds especially the voltaren I did a lot of positive affirmations about having no pain and healing really quickly - for me it was/is mind over matter.

How long did it take for you to recover? I feel better this week, no meds and only use hot bean bag thingie at night.
How soon were you on your feet?
10 hours after surgery so 9 am next morning

Does it really interfere with getting back into shape after the birth?
I have already lost 10 kilos but I am eating incredibly healthily. my shape is different but my DH loves me still and that is what is important

Reluctant mom, I LOVE your response. Too true! I wish personal choice was as respected as public opinion. Your response was just refreshing.

Jules: always the voice of reason. I just love reading your posts and advice!

Twinbee, your experience sounds traumatic but I'm glad you're well and enjoying your twins.

As a first time mom, I only look forward to holding, loving and bringing up my child. After struggling to conceive her/him, it's of no consequence HOW s/he ends up in my arms.

As I read through these last few posts "reluctant mom", "Julzdylan" and "twinbee" I wish there was a "LIKE" button.

I had a natural birth the first time around and it was AMAZING! With the twins I was forced to have an emergency c-sec at 33 weeks and although I really prefer the quick recovery after a natural birth the c-sec was just as a great experience. With both deliveries I were awake and aware of every thing going on around me and 'part' of the deliveries. And the most amazing part - babies and myself were / are all perfectly healthy.

So, that's what important! MOM & BABY(S) health.

I have friends that had horror c-section like someone mentioned (I think reluctant mom). My best friend didnt go completely 'numb' from the spinal and the gynie started the surgery without realising it and she had to be sedated half way through. I had another good friend who had a natural delivery and the baby died after birth cause it was in so much distress during the delivery. This paragraph is not to scare any moms to be but the facts about both procedures. Like anything can go wrong with a c-sec the same with a v-delivery and visa versa.

girly - my c-sec was also planned so no shock just crappy LOL

chanz - i agree and feel very sorry for ladies living far from reliability shame man

but saying that my sus-in-law just went through same thing she lived in cpt previously had 1st natural - loved it

then moved to kathu and had to drive 300km to good hospital so had c-sec and all she had to say was if she knew before how bad the recovery and prosess was she would have rather had another natural and risked the local hospital or the drive - but once again thats after experiencing both

girly - dont think me and joli's was different to other people just think we know how much easier natural/pain free/ recovery free natural is as we can truly compare the 2 processes

with natural only nurse and dr in room where with c-sec u have narcotics/ dr, dr's asssistant, nurse's assistant etc etc - prenatal classes says its required to have 7 people there for everything that needs attending to with the process

Hi Ladies

I am going to be honest my csection was horoble. I had a emergancy csection after 35 hours in labour. The epidural did not work from the start I could pick up my left leg the whole time. So after a hour the dr said she must start to cut she can not wait anymore. She cut from right to left and when she went to the left I was screaming for her to stop but after I heard my baby cry I was put to sleep. I did not hold her. The first time I could hold her was about a hour after her birth.

I was also done in a plastic surgery unit cause there was no teater availble for me. So just imagine me with a big tummy laying there and being pushed in that teater

And the next morning I had to get up and use the toilet was so not fun it hurt like a mother for me.

I am now pregant again and thinking of a VBAC but there is so much that can go wrong and with my luck it will

Some of my friend that had a csection thinks it is the best think ever. One even said it is like going to a garage to get petrol so easy

So I think is all depends on woman to woman

Goodmorning Ladies

Well as a mommy-to-be in November, reading all your posts has been really interesting. Alot of nice tips too.

Well like most ladies I would love a natural. However my pregnancy is high risk and we have also chosen to stick with our FS/Gynae which is 2 hours from where we stay. So I kind of think a natural is already out of the picture. Do I feel guilty...yes but then I realize we have been trying for a baby for just over 2 years and I wouldnt want to do anything that will harm our baby.

A couple ladies have chosen elective csec, and its not always because they like to be in control. Some women have very different job situations. As much as our employers are not allowed to discriminate, alot of them do.

If you are able to have a natural, that is fantastic and you are really blessed to be able to go that route. But I don't think its fair to look down upon women who go the csec route. Every women has a very valid reason for making their choices.

My valid reason, we don't have reliable gynaes where we stay. So we would rather have an awesome gynae with a csec, 2 hours away from home than be stuck at home with gynaes who
cant give you that peace of mind.

I also believe whether you have natural or csec, every person has a very different pain threshold and way of managing recovery. So one woman might find natural painful whereas another would find it pain free. Same for csec.

Like Reluctant mom said , every women is bound to defend their birthing method. Its human. But I think to frown upon others isnt fair. I always say put yourself in that persons shoes before making judgements.

I look forward to reading more stories. Definitely interesting