Has anyone had both a VB and C-section?

[AwesomeFoursome]

I DO NOT want to start a debate about VB vs C-section.

After a very traumatic first birth I have been given the chose of having a c-section, which I was happy with but now I am having second thoughts.

My question is, which did you find more painful the VB or the C-section birth?

Thank you for any replies.

[aussienic]

I had a VB with my first child and then c/s with my next 3. reason for c/s was due to 2nd child being large and other reasons. Anyways I honestly think they were just as painful as each other. I was in labour for 18 and a half hours with my first and I was prob in some pain for about 2 days with my c/sections. Of course I had other pain with the c.s but I;m talking about the pain that mkes you wince kwim?

I will admit I found the c/s easier to deal with as I really only hurt when I moved so I was able to control the pain where with labour you have no control over the pain. At least I didn't

[Fleur]

I had VB with my first 2, then an emergency CS, then a VBAC.

The reason I chose the VBAC was because I found the recovery time so much quicker & easier, (plus I must admit to a fear of anaesthetic).

My VBAC bub was 10lb8, it was a painful birth & I tore BUT the recovery has been great compared to my CS & I was happy with my decision.

FWIW my second VB was so much better than the first!
I had hoped my VBAC would be also, but they are all different & I was confined to the bed for my VBAC as they were worried about cord prolapse. I think this led to a longer labour...but as I said, my second VB was totally different & quite enjoyable.

I think in your case it depends on the circumstances of your first labour.. do you have reason to think it would be difficult this time? Can you work through any anxiety or trauma that you may still have? I would think that probably is at least as important as the pain factor...JMO

Good luck whatever you choose, I know this would not be an easy decision

[christy]

I had a traumatic first birth which ended in c/s. My recovery was quick, I was up and walking around within 12 hours.

I had a VBAC with my second and I had a second degree tear.

The difference for the two was that my hormones did the right thing & helped the healing process the second time. My body had a hard time dealing with the recovery from the c/s. I couldn't lift much and I couldn't bend over. I hurt everytime I got out of a car, or tried to stand up. I had to keep moving to not be in pain.

With my VBAC, I had pain where I tore for a few days, but that only hurt for the first 24 hours and then when I sat down. It hurt when they had to check things out at 6 weeks, and the sutures etc, but after that it was all good. I was able to do a lot more after the VBAC.

Aside from physical, its the emotional that is important, because often that is what keeps you in bed in the morning, just not being able to cope with it. After my first, I was traumatised emotionally and wasn't able to deal with things. After my second, I was empowered.

I would suggest doing something like Hypnobirthing, or Calm Birthing no matter what choice you make. Remember you don't have to book your c/s now... you can wait and decide as you go on. You need emotional support through the decision, so maybe get a doula as well? Doula's can attend a c/s, their job is to support you through whatever way you birth.

[squidipa]

yep vb with 1st born and cs for 2,3,4 born pm me if you have any questions.

[berrme]

I had a c/s for my first birth and vbac for my second.
I had a 'great' recovery from my c/s. No complications and was relatively pain free within a couple of weeks. I found though that even though I felt ok and walking etc didn't hurt, overdoing it was very easy. Just pushing the pram to the shop and back could make me bleed again or my scar site hurt later on that day. This was very frustrating and also scary as I would start wondering if I had done real damage.

I had quite a quick labour for my vbac which I fould fairly easy to deal with, but did get a 2nd degree tear. The tear was very painful for a couple of days but only when sitting up straight or going to the toilet. I could still walk, sit up from a lying position etc without pain. It also healed completely much faster the the c/s scar. DTD was scarier and more painful after the vbac.

I agree with christy that it was the difference emotionally that was more significant for me. It was just more satisfying for me to know that I had actually squeezed DS2 out. However if you are really scared about labouring again then it probably won't be a good experience for you and a c/s is a legitimate option. If you think you may want to vb again then you will need to be able to separate your first experience from this one and go in thinking positively.