Elective vs emergency c section - any difference in recovery time?

[Feathertop]

Hi, I'm booked for a planned c section in a week or so. Last time I ended up with an 'emergency' c section after 12 hrs labour then 3 hrs pushing - I dilated fully to 10 cm and pushed for ages but no luck getting him out.

What I'm wondering is - will my recovery be different this time since it is an elective one and I won't be experiencing the dilation and pushing? Will there be more/less pain? More or less bleeding? Will sex be easier sooner since I didn't have the dilation, pushing and manual stuff done in there? Just after your experiences and knowledge!

[Me+him+bub]

i had an emergency c section almost 2 weeks ago but it was a classical cut due to failed induction so not REALLY an emergency c section but thats what they classed it as, i laboured for 30 hours with no water breakage, i still have very heavy bleeding and it took a week for me to be able to walk and move properly. im still a bit sore every now and then but they said my wound has healed perfectly. I did drive 5 days after and havent attempted sex at all. I personally never want to go through it again but my midwife said an elective wont be so hard as you are mentally prepared, arent exhausted from labour and you can tell the staff what your last experience was like in order to devise a better way to handle it next time, such as in my case i felt like I couldnt breathe through the whole procedure and even vomited on the table so she said next time I can ask for the spinal block to be a little lower and also give some pre meds for the vomiting and anti anxiety drugs. I wish you all the best for your upcoming birth.

[*Belle*]

Huge difference!

My first labour was like yours 10cm dialated and Julia got stuck and had to have emergency c/s , recovery was very bad at least 3 months. I was on panadine forte for 6 weeks and keflex tool

With Tara's birth I booked in and had elective c/s I only needed to take panadine forte for 3 days, by day 3 it hurt to walk and I got tired but by day 5 felt totally normal and was driving by 3 weeks after.

Bleeding about the same, no difference really.

[~Kim~]

TBH I didn't find any real difference except the mindset. The first one I laboured a couple of days, the second my water broke but nothing happened so technically they were both emergency but the second was expected, but the recovery was the same for both.