Which has a better recovery?

[marie8736]

Which is a better recovery csection or vaginal birth?

[searra]

Omg I didnt no they do all those stitches. I got a stage 4 cut once and I got three layers of stitches but I have no idea how many I got. Ouch!!

[yourstruly21]

I had a vaginal and had 50 stitches from my episiotomy and I was really only uncomfortable for a few days...mainly when I used to restroom

[KTowne]

You can have a natural birth after a c-section, I had the option but opted otherwise because it's best for our family, and you do get to hold the baby right after, but as far as recovery, vaginal is probably (in most cases) much better

[searra]

Ive had five vaginal births including a twin vaginal birth.even after delivering twins I was able to get up and walk around and go to the soda machine the same day. by the next day I could go home and continue my normal home routine.

[a3m]

I had a c section my first pregnancy which was a boy and girl twin.. Now I'll be having a vaginAl  birth with this Baby boy

[AHP84]

Yes, if you have a c-section once or more, you DO have the potential to give birth vaginally with a following pregnancy. It is called a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarian). Many OBs are wary of having their patients VBAC because of the risk of uterine rupture along the scar tissue of previous c-section(s), but depending on the amount of time that has passed between c-section and the next birth, the risk goes down in many cases. Back to back pregnancies (within less than two years of each other) usually are discouraged to VBAC but more and more doctors are starting to encourage the practice of VBACing because vaginal births are considered so much more beneficial for a baby and the mother's recovery if they are able to VBAC with little to no risks.

[Combs7]

No I didn't feel either. With my first I had to be cut because she was facing up instead of down so the bigger part of her head was coming out instead of the crown of her head. They numb you first & there is so much pressure you don't feel that either. With my second she came fast than expected & I didn't have time for everything to stretch like it should so I tore in several places but I didn't feel that either. Just a slight burning. If baby is positioned right & you listen to when they tell you to push & not push you probably won't have to worry about either.

[Jtreeves]

Ive had 3 vaginal & the rec. was easy cheesy. I had stitches & all. my babies birth weight ranged from 5 to 8 lbs & they all were the same. Im hoping for another vaginal.. Theres really no down time when rec from vaginal. I actually walked to my recovery room after birth &begging to go home. Everyones delivery is different though

[Nellyprego1]

Vaginal because you want to hold your baby if you have to a c-section then have it but if you get preggo down tge line you can not have vaginal if you want to later.

[marie8736]

Thanks im not due till august lol im just preparing

[AHP84]

Relatively speaking, a vaginal birth is an easier and faster recovery than a c-section. I've never had a c-section, but I'm stating the basic and common statistical facts.
However, each situation is unique in it's circumstances. There is one member here (who is a the community leader here but she hasn't had a chance to be around for awhile for some personal reasons) called Ashelen. She had a very, very dangerous and traumatic vaginal birth with her first child and nearly lost her life from blood loss and tearing, and went through weeks of physical recovery. She's since had two more children and had much better birth experiences with them (she and I talk regularly via phone and text) that were nowhere near life-threatening like her first experience was.
I've had two vaginal births and no c-sections, so I can't speak for c-section recovery, but I can tell you that both my vaginal births had a pretty quick recovery time and it wasn't that painful after the first few days. With my first birth, the physical recover was longer because of an episiotomy that never "felt right" for about a year and half after giving birth. It wasn't painful or anything, the way it recovered just felt off to me, but everything corrected itself eventually. With my second birth, I got a second degree tear and I really had minimal pain with recovery, and after about a week, there was no pain at all.
So in black and white terms, a vaginal birth is optimal for recovery. But in reality, you don't know what will happen, how, or when or why. A recovery for either can be quick, easy, and uncomplicated or it can be traumatic, painful, and take a lot of time. It just depends.

[marie8736]

Omg 100 stitches im getting scared lol.. Do you feel the ripping? Or do u feel it when they cut ur vagina

[KTowne]

Thank you!! And good luck with your delivery! :)

[marie8736]

Omg!! I didnt realize that 8 layers. I guess if i could deliver vaginally ill do it .. Congrats and goodluck on ur csection :)

[Combs7]

A c-section is MAJOR surgery. Vaginal is much easier to recover from even if you tear or rip. I had over 100 stitches with my first 2 births & felt fine in 2-3 days. With my last I didn't have any stitches & walked from the delivery room to my recovery room. With a c-section they are cutting through muscles. That's going to be painful & take some time to recover from.

[KTowne]

Haha, well I'm going in for my 2nd c-section on Monday. I had an emergency with my first, it's painful for the first few days, but I recovered within about a week and a half (almost) back to 100% normal, but most women have pain for weeks after, it's cutting through 8 layers of your skin and sewing them each up individually, it's definitely painful.

[marie8736]

Oh wow i didnt know that.. I just cant picture my vagina expanding to 10 centimeters

[KTowne]

I've had a great recovery with a c-section (that most women don't get, most are in pain for weeks), never did vaginal, but I'm sure vaginal is much, much easier. Even the worst vaginal, with the worst tear/rip is probably better than a c-section.