People who have had both a C-section and vaginal which was more painful?

Question

Answer

Csection by far is more painful. It’s a major abdominal surgery. Not sure how one would say vaginal is worse. I don’t know of anyone who would pick csection over vaginal that’s had both.

Answer

Csection is way worse. 
I had a vaginal 9 pound boy and a emergency csection and it was WAYY worse

Answer

I haven’t had a vaginal delivery of a full term baby. I had a vaginal delivery of a stillborn child at 22 weeks. I don’t remember much because I was all doped up. Recovery time was minimal - albeit I did not give birth to a full term/full size baby. I had a caesarean with my first child and recovery was more painful. I was still having contractions when the epidural wore off. Having contractions after having abdominal surgery is the kind of pain you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. After we had my pain under control, I needed help standing up and sitting down for about a week afterward. After that, I could walk almost standing straight up, but it took a while to recover completely. I had this caesarean 4 years ago and still don’t have feeling in the lower part of my abdomen, especially around my scar. As far as what your body does after giving birth, it was the same for both. I’m hoping for a VBAC for this pregnancy, but whichever gets baby here safely at the time is what we will do.

Answer

I’ve had both and I can tell you, the only way I’d ever allow them to cut me open again would be to save our lives. I was up and walking around less than an hour after my first birth, the vaginal one. The second was an emergency c-section (complete placental abruption) and the pain of my incision was worse than the strongest contraction I ever had in the 39 hours I was in labor with my first. It was horrific. Going for a VBAC with this one. God willing, I won’t ever have to feel that pain again.

Answer

I'd say c-section because of the pain afterwards. My first was a full term vaginal breech with episiotomy with only gas and air. It was very painful at the time but so much relief when it was over and just an 'uncomfortable' feeling down there after (due to the stitches). Last was an emergency c-section as my daughter was also breech. The c-section itself obviously didn't hurt due to the spinal block but the pain afterwards was bad and longer lasting. Hurt to sit up, hurt to lay down, gas like you've never known! I still looked full term from the bloating; my partner and I had to keep trying to find an empty corridor for me to walk and 'let off', it was awful. If i had the choice i'd choose vaginal every time.

Answer

I’m just confused as to why some women would prefer a major surgery over a vaginal delivery??? I’ve never had a C Section, but I just know it’s not easy at all. Props to all you mamas who have given birth via C Section!! Actual troopers!

Answer

So I had a hospital vaginal birth with epidural, a home birth in the water and most recently a c section. Now, my c section went a little wonky so I may have a skewed opinion of it- I began to hemorrhage so I had a balloon in my uterus and then had a blood transfusion afterwards and healing was sooooo rough.
My homebirth was with my daughter and she was 10 lbs and her birth was hands down the easiest and that of course was with no meds or anything and I didn’t even tear!! I was walking around hours after she was born and not feeling bad at all. 
My first birth I tore pretty badly and had a lot of stitches and that was also hard because they eventually got infected 😭 so I’ve kind of experienced several different outcomes!! 
If I were to choose I would absolutely go for a water birth again but that of course is for a very low risk pregnancy with an experienced midwife team and doula.

Answer

I’ve only had csection for both my kiddos the first one was an emergency csection so it came with trauma since I had to labor for 12 hrs and PPD because I was a single mom then. This time was a scheduled csection and it went smoothly. Surgery was done and it only took an hour for the process. I was in the recovery room breastfeeding my baby right after. And yea there is pain. I just had a major surgery my husband said my organs were out on the table having to pull out my 8lbs baby girl. But then I already expected it having experienced it the first time. This time tho its easier because its planned. Recovery is faster too this time, I was mostly in pain for a week meds help though. I was able to walk on the 2nd day although I was in a lot of pain. 3rd day I kept walking to help my muscles and nerves work again. I got out of the hospital on the 3rd day. Today is the 10th day postpartum and I can say on the 7th day… i was starting to ween off the meds and able to walk more normally and get out of bed more normally. My wound is now closed and is only being held by stickers. Still recovering though, I dont have pain in the incision anymore but more like my uterus is still contracting back to its original size thats the only pain I feel now. I hope this helps!

Answer

I’ve had a vaginal birth (2015) without an epidural and a c section (2022). I had a wonderful vaginal birth until the last 5 minutes, I was literally laughing and joking with the nurse in between pushes. No screams or cursing, just calm. What happened in the last 5 minutes and healing after, I had a 4th degree tear, is not a common experience. Overall the c section pain was worse  at first, it’s major surgery but I feel the drs properly medicated me and I felt better within 10 days. I would recommend a vaginal birth, and I wish I could safely trust my body to do it.

Answer

My first two kids were born vaginally, my third via emergency c section due to severe kidney infection and they found my placenta ruptured, he’s very healthy and will be one next Saturday… this is my fourth and will have to do a planned c section I will say a c section is way way way way worse I don’t remember much pain after a vaginal but the c section was awful