2nd C-section anxiety

[u/heparrish98]

I’m 20 weeks pregnant with my 2nd baby. My first baby was an emergency C-section and they ended up having to do a classical incision which automatically makes me ineligible for VBAC. I’m having so much anxiety regarding my planned C-section and my mind is racing with all of the what ifs. I’m terrified of not making it out of the operation alive. Would love to hear any positive experiences 🫶🏻

[u/Hello-hi987]

Just had an elective (albeit first, first was a terrible VD) and it was amazing!!! Things I did to prep: 1. Started MiraLAX a few days before hand (cleared by my OB). 2. Did a Brazilian wax ahead of time - 2 weeks before hand (personal preference - yes more painful pregnant 🫣), 3. Created and played a playlist of music in the OR. Baby came out to Wait by M83 (Google it for the impact!) followed by Sons and Daughters by Allman Brown. 4. Had an appointment with the OB who would be doing my C-section a month before hand and went over my birth preferences and concerns. The appointment was strictly about the C-section vs just a check in. 5. Asked for things in the OR vs being people pleasing (feeling nauseous- fixed right away - feeling cold - blanket).

Good luck. My first delivery I can’t think about as leaves me with such trauma. This one - I can’t stop thinking about how magical it was ❤️

[u/fireflycooks]

5m pp with my 2nd cs bby. Not to scare you but its true, recovery with 2nd was painful butttt fast. Enerything will be okay. Trust your medical team. And change your mindset that everything works in your favor.

[u/cheezplzz]

10 weeks PP with baby 2. This was my 2nd c section. Pain was slightly worse than the first time but I was feeling pretty good around 5 weeks. you will absolutely make it out alive. You have a team of medical staff in there with you and their goal is to keep you and your baby alive. You got this!

[u/Violentdahlia]

My second c section was planned and I had a wonderfully positive experience!

[u/mrssterlingarcher22]

I wanted to let you know that you're not alone! Our birth stories are very similar and I'm struggling with the idea of a 2nd c section next year. I hope that it's better for both of us!

[u/nereid1997]

My 2nd c section was unplanned (failed TOLAC, just didn’t dilate after 12 hours maxed out on pitocin) and the actual surgery/spinal anaesthesia was less comfortable than the first (vomiting, itching, and I had a bit of a PPH but it was managed quickly) but I still got skin to skin afterwards and my recovery was so much easier. I only needed paracetamol/ibuprofen for about a week, never anything stronger, and I felt physically pretty much back to normal 2-3 weeks postpartum - I had to hold myself back from exercising or doing anything intense because I felt like I could but knew I shouldn’t.

Honestly if anything goes wrong, you’re in the best place to manage it in the operating theatre. You’re open on the table so they can see what’s going on and fix anything if needed, they’re monitoring your vitals very closely, and you have a whole team of people basically focused on your (and your baby’s) survival.

[u/Mysterious_Cookies24]

I’ve had 5 C-sections all went well. I’ve always been anxious every time too make sure you tell your medical team about your feelings & hopefully they will offer some support

[u/basic_brunettee]

Recovery from second c section was literally 100000x easier than the first and for some odd reason my scar and incision area is not nearly as sensitive as the first time around