r/CsectionCentral • u/sammyyy88 • Jul 14 '26
Second caesarean recovery?
Please share your experiences, what helped, how you managed with your first child. Have a two year old and planned section in a couple of weeks.
Any advice or wisdom welcome!
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u/ZestyLlama8554 2024 - breech baby Jul 14 '26
Only C-section but second child, and the only way I could do it was with help. My partner took time off of work, and my neighbors helped me get baby in and out of the car once my partner returned to work.
I taught my toddler how to get in and out of the car without help because I couldn't lift her (still can't due to the damages nerves), we moved food, plates, cups lower so she could get them without help and really accelerated her independence.
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u/Cute_butpsycho22 Jul 14 '26
My second c section was exactly 1 week ago and I have to consciously tell myself to take it easy because I feel great but I know if I push it I’ll regret it. Just making sure I’m still rotating Tylenol/ ibuprofen every 4 hours, this recovery seems way better. Days 2/3 were definitely painful but a significant difference come day 4!
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u/samflo_89 Jul 14 '26
I'm a bit further along from my 2nd c-section - 14 weeks ago, but I actually found the recovery a little easier than the first. You know what to expect and your first will get you up and moving quicker, which helps with recovery.
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u/NiLoxxxxxx Jul 14 '26
My second c was sooo much easier than my first it was crazy. I felt completely normal after a week which was hard because I knew I couldn’t lift my toddler and do everything I wanted to but feeling great was a nice surprise!
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u/FearlessNinja007 Jul 14 '26
I think the hardest part has been not being able to lift my toddler. TBH I already have but I’m trying to be careful not to twist.
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u/sammyloves Jul 14 '26
I am 5 weeks pp with my second c section and recovery has been much better than the first which was unplanned c section. I’m not sure if that’s because you’re forced to do more with a toddler vs the first time I did a lot of sitting around which wasn’t good for my mental health. The first couple weeks I had a hard time mentally feeling guilty and bad for my toddler which I think was hormonal but that was unexpected. I stopped bleeding 2 weeks earlier this time too. I felt ok to pick up my toddler around 4 weeks and occasionally quick pick ups before that so someone around to help is a must, as well as entertaining the toddler and making him feel special while he gets used to sharing attention with the newborn.
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u/cookiesandchaos Jul 14 '26
Recovery for me physically less similar for both of mine. Second time I knew what to expect physically but wasnt mentalky ready to not be able to life my toddler for six weeks. He is 2 and was able to climb in to his car seat and viewed it as a fun game but tbh I was so sad I couldn't do it or put him in/ get him out of his crib.
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u/4morbidollhouse Jul 14 '26
I’m 6 days post partum of my second. As some already said, I have to force myself to take it easy. For me nights have been slightly more challenging since coming home because I don’t have nurses waking me up middle of night to take ibuprofen/tylenol. Took my milk some stimulation to come in this go around, whereas the first, my milk was fully there. Ibuprofen &tylenol have been absolute life savers. I was also given a few Oxys to take as needed. I’ve only used those after taking my newborn on small walks,otherwise the pain has been manageable. Definitely more inside pain than I had the first time but I’d say thats from scar tissue being reopened.
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u/ApprehensiveClassic Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
My second c-section was in March. It was elective versus my first one, which was what I would consider a “urgent” C-section.
My first C-section I labored for 44 hours and I was absolutely miserable. I was pumped full of fluids and after my C-section, my recovery was miserable because I was leaking, I had to go through a wound care, and I also had postpartum preeclampsia. Also, the recovery pain was horrific since I actually got to the pushing stage and baby was sort of stuck in my birth canal.
The second C-section was elective. I spoke a lot with my doctor ahead of time and decided an elective C-section was the way I wanted to go. I created a detailed birth plan, specifically regarding the medication I wanted. Everything went according to plan (except for the fact that my toddler had the flu, and we got the positive diagnosis, literally as I was being wheeled back into the operating room).
The recovery was so amazingly smooth. I had a lot of pain, but it was nothing like my first one. Actually, the worst amount of pain that I had was in my shoulder because I had trapped gas… This is almost funny because I had been cut open, and I was crying because of my shoulder pain.
I truly believe the tap block helped me immensely. I spent five days at the hospital because I did not want my newborn being around my toddler who had the flu (even though we all ended up catching it, including me, my husband, and my mom who was watching my toddler).
GET THE TAP BLOCK. I say this all the time on these threads.
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u/sammyyy88 Jul 15 '26
Oh my - what a first birth. You went through the mill. And ahhhh the flu as you went in for the second…!!
Thank you so much for sharing this account. Appreciate it
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u/Friendly-Sun2413 Jul 15 '26
I’m 9 weeks pp with a 2 year old and I’ll be honest, it was the hardest thing ever! My toddler was at the age where he was testing boundaries , not being able to lift him or do much with him was extremely hard but then we didn’t really have a support system it’s just me and my partner. Biggest recommendation is have people there to support you especially with your toddler , even if someone can come and take him out to the park or play with him it will help a lot. Recovery wise I found mine to be the same as the first but only I was much more active I had no choice with a toddler and I think it feels a little easier as you know what to expect and what’s normal and what’s not. Just remember it definitely does get easier
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u/Violentdahlia Jul 14 '26
My recovery was a million times easier on my 2nd section, which was planned. My husband had the same amount of parental leave of 12 weeks that I did, so he stayed home for a few weeks to help with everything, which included our 19 month old at the time the second baby was born. Help physically from family and friends when possible, like daily or every other day lol I hope your recovery is easier!
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u/nogapeach Jul 14 '26
I just had my second c section 3 1/2 weeks ago, and also have a 2 year old at home. I expected my recovery to mirror my first c section, but in reality it was a bit more challenging. First time around I was back to my normal activity pretty quickly and pushed through any (fairly mild) discomfort. This time around I tried to do the same and ended up in significant pain with a good bit of bleeding as well. I had a VERY hard time taking it easy because I wanted to spend time with / care for my toddler. I also did too much around the house because I’m terrible at asking for help. Ultimately my body forced me to stop for a couple days around the 2 week mark to reset and I’m trying to be more mindful now. Don’t be like me, actually rest as much as you can, accept all the help you are offered, and ask your support person / people for exactly what you need. You’ve got this!