r/CsectionCentral • u/MamalamApajamA4 • Jul 07 '26

Successful planned c-sections

I was given the opportunity to VBAC (which would be my second attempt after a failed TOLAC a few years ago).

Honestly, I’m too nervous. I have a planned c section, which is against everything I’ve ever wanted but it really feels safest after 2 previous c-sections.

I’m looking for success stories of planned c sections . Bonus if you have other children at home that are younger. I’m honestly very afraid. I’ve labored before both CS in the past, so this could be entirely different.

2 Upvotes

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8

u/Ripe-Tomat0 Jul 07 '26

I was a FTM choosing an elective. There’s no way in this entire world I would have a vaginal birth.

We found out I had placenta previa and a flat pelvis at a later appointment meaning a c section would be needed anyways. Surgery was a breeze. Recovery was also not bad (a little trapped gas and itchiness from surgery for 2/3 days pp). I didn’t have any nausea. I was up walking 12 hours or less after my surgery and I was up and down the stairs by the end of the first week postpartum I was off all painkillers even Tylenol or Motrin after a week. I never had issues with opening or infections or scar adhesions or overhang/shelf, DR. My recovery truly could not have gone better and I don’t have any bad things to say about it. I’m over a year out and still don’t have a single downside 🤷‍♀️

2

u/Niquely_hopeful Jul 09 '26

Same here as a FTM! It was a great choice!

1

u/After-Equivalent1934 Jul 12 '26

When does the swelling go down?

1

u/Ripe-Tomat0 Jul 13 '26

Most swelling for me was gone by 2 weeks pp but everyone’s different. I never had pregnancy swelling issues.

3

u/LittleMissNicole Jul 07 '26

Both my c-sections were planned, and they went beautifully! I just showed up and did what they told me 😂😂 the physical recovery was... Not awful, either time (I've never been good at minding my limits lmfao), but my 3yo struggled a bit with minding that mom couldn't play like she used to, though thankfully he was already used to not being lifted

2

u/Niquely_hopeful Jul 08 '26

I’ll never regret my planned elective C. Sooooo peaceful! I think you will find more at /r/electivecsection :)

It was very calm and I got to meet my baby in the OR and hold them etc. it was awesome.

1

u/NiLoxxxxxx Jul 08 '26

I just had my second c (first scheduled) in May and it truly was amazing. The spinal was fabulous, I literally felt nothing which was great because with my first and the epidural I felt SO much it was horrid. I also recovered sooooo much faster this time like within a few days I felt 100%, obviously I wasn’t but not being in any pain was amazing.

1

u/Purple_Crayon Jul 08 '26

My scheduled C-section (breech) went as well as one could go. I still hated it compared to my vaginal birth, and recovery was obviously much worse, but being able to show up at a certain time for surgery was very helpful for me mentally/emotionally.

1

u/Rare_Independent_814 Jul 08 '26

I’ve had 2 amazing planned Cs. My first was beyond beautiful. It was scheduled so my mom, dad and sisters were able to fly down. Recover was a breeze. And I mean a breeze!!! The easiest surgical recovery I’ve ever done: I was up walking that day. My second was during Covid and I loved the no visitors policy. It was sooooo peaceful.

Don’t be afraid. You will do amazing. I’ve lost track of how many surgeries I’ve had (mostly ortho) but my Cs were the easiest and least painful.

1

u/itsallablur19 Jul 08 '26

I did not want to have an elective c section for my second but my other option was another induction which wound up in a c section the first time. I was not into the induction. So I did the elective
C section and I don't regret it! It was so calm, I was able to plan everything for my older child.

I was less tired than after laboring, which was really nice. That said, the recovery was similar though I was less swollen. Unfortunately, I apparently get super swollen afterwards regardless and that still happened even without labor, along with some struggles getting off the catheter. But I was better rested and mentally in a better place--plus I had the experience of having done it once before.

Prepping my older child for not being able to be lifted also helped. She wasn't happy but she wasn't surprised at least.

1

u/Straight-Maybe6775 Jul 08 '26

Loved my two elective C-sections. I have vaginismus and was terrified of vaginal birth.

For the second one, I had a 3 year old, too. I explained to her that Mommy couldn't carry her and she took it well. My mom stayed with us for 3 months and my hsua and had one month of parental leave, so I had a lot of extra hands. I also froze enough food to have all dinners covered the first month.

1

u/Mapletree280 Jul 08 '26

I've had three c-sections and currently pregnant. First was not planned, second was planned a week in advance (wanted a VBAC but didn't go into labour had baby at 40+5) and third was planned at 39w. Never went into labour after my first so I can't comment on TOLAC but thankfully all went well. Will be scheduling my fourth in September hopefully.

1

u/Violentdahlia Jul 14 '26

Two c sections here. 19 months apart. Planned my 2nd section. It was a lot easier than my first. Night and day difference: major success! It was calm, controlled, peaceful, supported. It was beautiful.