Repeat C Section

[Anonymous]

Tell me about your repeat c sections. How was the surgery?

Was it better/worse/the same recovery wise?

Any key differences or things to know?

This will be my third delivery but second c section and I am getting nervous.

[Anonymous]

I had a singleton. Then I had twins. Two c sections. No problems whatsoever

[Anonymous]

I had an emergency c-section. Then I had a crash c-section attempting a VBAC (one of the absolute scariest moments of my life, but DC is fine). Last I had a scheduled c-section. It was vastly superior to the other two because it wasn't under duress and because I knew how to handle recovery. This was even with 3 kids at home, which as everyone will tell you is a little insane in the newborn phase.

My OB was so amazing that she managed nearly the exact same scar line 3 times in a row, which was nice.

[Anonymous]

Thank goodness I had a second one. First was by a very nice man, but terrible scar. Second was with a woman who’d had 4 and had an issue with the last, so she studied up on how to suture. Way better outcome! Don’t recall any difference from first one - both were long ago.

[Anonymous]

3 c-sections here. No issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had an emergency c-section. Then I had a crash c-section attempting a VBAC (one of the absolute scariest moments of my life, but DC is fine). Last I had a scheduled c-section. It was vastly superior to the other two because it wasn't under duress and because I knew how to handle recovery. This was even with 3 kids at home, which as everyone will tell you is a little insane in the newborn phase.

My OB was so amazing that she managed nearly the exact same scar line 3 times in a row, which was nice.

That’s great. Would you be able to share her name?

[Anonymous]

My second was urgent but not after a failed induction so I was significantly less sore, did not hemorrhage because my uterus was floppy from being maxed out on oxytocin. I had a severe C-section isthmocele from my first that totally ruptured after my second. Low grade postpartum endometritis that was blown off by doctors, anemia from heavy bleeding after the 2nd C. That being said, I still don't regret it because my son is healthy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank goodness I had a second one. First was by a very nice man, but terrible scar. Second was with a woman who’d had 4 and had an issue with the last, so she studied up on how to suture. Way better outcome! Don’t recall any difference from first one - both were long ago.

Obstetricians are notoriously crappy surgeons. It is a running "joke" in the surgery world. There is a scan that measures the scar thickness that would probably prevent all ruptures in TOLAC that they hide from women/don't do randomized clinical trials to validate because it would expose which of the obstetricians have been butchering women for decades

[Anonymous]

I had a second C and it was fine. Easier than first. I had my tubes tied at the same time as the c section.

[Anonymous]

First c-section was an emergency and second one was planned. The planned c-section was a walk in the park compared to the first experience. Absolutely no regrets.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs that the recovery from a 2nd planned C is easier than the first. I was up walking sooner, didn't need pain meds as long, etc. Just felt much better very quickly.

That said, actual risks are higher with each one. I had some bleeding in that was concerning, but ultimately managed. Good luck OP.

[Anonymous]

I had my first c section in May 2022 and my second one 3 months ago in September 2024. Recovery in the hospital was much easier the 2nd time around but once I got home, I felt like my recovery wasn’t as quick. HOWEVER, I also have a 2.5 year old this time around and wasn’t able to just lay in bed for a solid week like I did with my first. I also did way too much too soon with this 2nd one and definitely felt like it delayed my healing some.

[Anonymous]

Second one was so much easier. I left the hospital after 48 hours because I was ready and knew I’d get better rest at home.

[Anonymous]

I had an unplanned c-section for my first pregnancy, planned for the second. Key differences:

- Unplanned I was extremely tired and out of it by the time we did it. I had had an epidural during labor that had failed in the sense that it was basically a spinal. I felt nothing (no tugging or pain) VS planned where I was fully awake and felt all kinds of tugging. If I felt anything during the first, I do not remember it. I still remember how uncomfortable I was in the second.
- Recovery after the second was so much better because I was not also induced, get to 10cm and push for a few hours beforehand.
- I was very nauseated for 12 hours after both.
- I was very shaky during both and did not hold either baby in the OR until they were wheeling me out of there. But it was really nice being more alert during the planned c-section. I remember so much more of it (good and bad). The unplanned one kinda feels like a dream that did not really happen.
- Scar line is basically the same. But at least I knew I was supposed to massage the scar (after the second healed enough to do so). If they told me to massage it after the first, I completely forgot. I found out about a year later when I was still dealing with issues. It's my #1 tip when I hear someone had a C-section.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank goodness I had a second one. First was by a very nice man, but terrible scar. Second was with a woman who’d had 4 and had an issue with the last, so she studied up on how to suture. Way better outcome! Don’t recall any difference from first one - both were long ago.

Obstetricians are notoriously crappy surgeons. It is a running "joke" in the surgery world. There is a scan that measures the scar thickness that would probably prevent all ruptures in TOLAC that they hide from women/don't do randomized clinical trials to validate because it would expose which of the obstetricians have been butchering women for decades

There’s been a lot of peer reviewed research on ultrasounds and MRIs measuring scar thickness and it’s repeatedly shown it’s not diagnostic whatsoever. There are doctors who are solely dedicated to this field of research so it’s absurd to claim they’re purposely causing women and infant deaths. You are actually insane.