Having had a friend who had a serious infection post c/s that put her in intensive care and who finally had her last operation to clear the majority of the nasty stuff that had caused numerous adhesions and scar tissue build up inside her abdomen as a result of that surgery, I would say it's by far the most risky recovery option there is. Considering that her DD was born four days before mine, so that was 3 1/2 years of pain and several other necessary operations (all from an unpredictable reaction during the c/s). She had pain every day until the last op, couldn't ride her beloved horses or do anything strenuous.
I have had a second degree tear, that I think needed about 100 stitches as it took over an hour to repair, and I have had a c/s. I would choose the second degree tear any day.
I also had varicose veins of the vulva after my labour which ached and were probably worse than the perineum. They went away at some point, probably by about 2 months PP, I haven't been in pain for a long time.
It sounds to me like you are suffering in ways that you would after any birth as they are not necessarily birth related. The varicose veins will be there regardless, you will always be tired, and your abs will be stretched way too far.
Your vagina is the fastest healing part of your body (I love telling year 9s that fact during sex ed), your abdomen isn't. So if recovery from a tear is hard for you, recovery from surgery probably will be too. You still have plenty of time, you don't need to decide anything now.
I was very sore after I had my first but I can say that the recovery after my others was a lot easier. I would attribute that in part to already having given birth so the tissues had been stretched previously, but I also knew what made the tearing worse so I purposely slowed things when I was pushing to let the perineum stretch and then post birth I was very vigilant with icing and taking an anti inflammatory.
Also something else to consider is if you are having problems from the pads causing irritation to the wound. I had major problems from wearing pads constantly for weeks.
ETA Don't forget that it takes at least 6 weeks to heal post birth and it can be longer for some people.
Last edited by ~Raven~; December 2nd, 2009 at 01:37 PM.
My first DD was a VB with a cut that got stitched up wrong??? Long back labour and very sore down there for weeks, but after having a CS that got infected from the inside out and in pain for 16 weeks i would say go VB again...next time will be a lot easier having done if before.
Just a regular CS you will be in pain for 4weeks a different type of pain but constant nontheless. A bit of time inbetween will make all the difference to how you feel, all the ouchiness is still fresh in your mind, in 12 months you will feel differnetly Maybe????
Best wishes for a quicker recovery.
Hun I feel your pain. I too had a second degree tear and some grazes too. It does take time. Some of my stitches weren't under the skin enough, therefore didn't dissolve, and then became irriatating. It was always stingy to go to the loo too. I highly recommend the salt sitz bath. I also would fill a squishy water bottle with warm water and salt and squeeze the water onto my perenium whilst weeing - it really helps. Repeat this whilst in the shower too. Also, try to keep the area as dry as possible. Have some 'free air' time to help healing along. I had to get my GP to take out remaining stitches at week 5, in all honesty I felt better (ie no stinging or soreness) at 10 weeks. It just takes time I am afraid .
I have never had a ceaser but I can't imagine it being easier at all.
Wishing you a speedy recovery, you will get there!
Rach xx
Glad you're feeling better . After an episiotomy, I had a granuloma that was a pain for months, despite repeated treatment. When it finally healed properly I was like a new woman LOL! I then really knew that it wasn't a normal recovery. it is hard work when you're so sore, but you forget it very quickly!
I havent had a c-section but i have had major abdo surgery and i suffer from pain from scarred tissue and am on morphine. any operation causes scarred tissue and iv got to say unless its medically necessary i wouldnt. i had 18 years with no pain then ended up ill. im not saying everyone is the same but i wouldnt want anyone to go through this. xxxx
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Maybe????
. After an episiotomy, I had a granuloma that was a pain for months, despite repeated treatment. When it finally healed properly I was like a new woman LOL! I then really knew that it wasn't a normal recovery. 
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