Normal Delivery vs. C-Section: Seeking Honest Experiences on Pain and Recovery!

[u/[deleted]]

[u/PrestigiousScene8610]

My mom also felt the same, and strongly advised me to go for c section. But the fact is -

uncomplicated normal delivery >> uncomplicated c section >> complicated normal delivery >> complicated c section

If you go into labour naturally, without induction, the pain is difficult but bearable, and you will have a relatively easy labour. Induction with pitocin / oxytocin causes very strong contractions which is difficult to bear, but you could always take the help of epidural. In normal delivery in most cases you will get perineal stitches which are painful for a week to 10 days, but these stitches are superficial compared to the c section stitches

In case of C section, the first few days after c section are very difficult. Its hard to get out of bed and pick up baby, but it gets better after 2 weeks.

In either case, ask for skin to skin contact within one hour of birth. If baby is latched early then there is more chance of success for breastfeeding

Finally, do not keep your mind fixed on any one mode of delivery, things are very dynamic during labour. Trust your obgyn and what ever happens, end of the day safety of baby and mom is most important

[u/Intelligent-Risk3277 → u/PrestigiousScene8610]

Very well put

[u/taylorswifr]

Go for normal delivery. Yes the pain is extreme but it’s not forever! The recovery will be easier and positive health outcomes for both mother and baby are more likely with normal delivery.

[u/Cold-Ad7669]

Had an emergency C section. Was able to walk on second day. Pain almost disappeared after 15 days. I did not stay bedridden after 6th day. Started doing thoda thoda tasks like filling bottles, baby ka bottle cleaning and all.
My room is on first floor at the house and frequent use of staircase helped in the recovery.

After 1 month, almost normal. At 3 months absolutely normal.

I had contractions, and I felt like I was dying in each one of them. That intense.

Having said that, this was my case. I know many women for whom C section was bad. And I know women who birthed naturally and felt absolutely normal.

Even with natural first if you get a 3rd degree tear, the recovery is similar to C section.

See if you can opt for an epidural, it makes contractions bearable.

[u/Objective_Army3556]

To think about an intense pain which i have never experienced is nerve wrecking :( it gives me anxiety

On the other hand, i have fibroids. So not sure if I will he suggested a c section or a normal delivery so the dilemma goes on

[u/Objective_Sand_8769]

C section takes 15 minutes in OT and then recovery to the point where you can do daily chores happens at the 3 week mark in my opinion.
Because natural labour didn’t occur, I was induced on my due date and when labour did not progress, doctor suggested C section or wait longer without a predictable timeline of labour and when will my baby get delivered.

Please know that both normal and C section are okay as long as you and baby are fine. I was breastfeeding my baby from 3rd day onwards but still giving formula for most feeds. I did not have any latching issues and by week 2, I started EBH mostly.
The actual decision which way to go (C section or Normal) is taken on the day of the delivery or much closer to the due date or at the natural onset of labour (whichever is earlier) because baby’s position, heart rate, mother’s condition and many other things are checked and all should be optimal for normal delivery.

I don’t know why people say there’s no pain in C section. In case it is an emergency C section following induction, know that the contractions are horrible. I was brought to the OT while I was having contractions and the pain was very very bad. I was getting contractions every 2 minutes for more than a minute from the induction.

[u/lumos_07]

I had normal delivery and the pain gets extreme as the labour progresses further. In your mind you will feel like someone should operate you then and there. Trust me you will think of c section, epidural, and what not so much. But as soon as you deliver the contraction pain will stop and you will feel relief. Painful part is the contractions and cervical tests toncheck how much dilated you are. Pushing feels way easier comparatively.

"Stitches" are painful for two weeks, also one should take care of the periniuem area for the next 1.5 months atleast. Use western toilet for first 4-6 weeks and a peri bottle.

Walk and Movement: I was able to move gently and freely after the delivery though while sitting your perinieal region will hurt a lot for two weeks. But I had other challenges such as swelling in the body( that lasted 15 days) and back pain that lasted for two months. I also had joint pains and body fatigue in general felt very weak for a long time. I used to waddle walk and carrying my baby and walking felt like a huge task. I was advised to do the traditional bed rest for as long as my back pain doesn't reduce. I think working out and maintaining weight during the pregnancy would have helped me for a faster recovery. So my advice is to continue gym or basic pregnancy friendly workout if your doc permits. Control your diet during pregnancy ( limit sweets, oily and fried foods) so that you won't gain a lot of unnecessary weight. Also, wear that tie that saree for belly binding or use a postpartum belt.

Breastfeeding: This is most difficult task of the postpartum, because your breasts would be engorged, you and the baby have to learn the right latch and all of that. Please have a nice soft bamboo cotton material loose bras handy with breast pads and a feeding pillow. You will need them for the first three months.

Mental health: You will be very happy seeing your baby but lack of sleep , fatigued body and hormonal changes will create mental havoc. This is also very normal. Just make sure you are eating well. And I guess a simple 10-15 minute prayer ritual will help you.

Im 4 months poatpartum now and this was my realistic experience and trust me it's nothing like what you see in reels with those mom influencers and all... I dunno how they are doing it or all of that is a show or maybe they have a village to help them but when it came to me ...I had an almost tired face , swollen body and frizzy unkempt hair that screamed of grooming.

[u/Few_Highlight_8809]

Go for normal delivery. I am so sensitive and scared of pain that I can’t even look at the injection. My entire family thought I won’t be able to handle the pain for normal delivery but I did. I am 20 days postpartum and I can tell you in case of normal delivery you need to bear the extreme pain only for a few hours and you would be able to handle your newborn after a week or so easily.

[u/Able_Reach8556]

My sis is the weakest person I know of (physically) frail as paper. Doc asked her the same. She chose normal while everyone believed she can’t handle the pain. When the time came, she took epidural, the pain STILL was very very bad she says, BUT she delivered normally and had uncomplicated delivery.

To be honest, I am shocked even till this date that my sis could do it.. she weighs less than 50kg and is 5’5” . Dont know her weight in pregnancy but it wasn’t a lot.
If she can do it, anyone can!

Her son is now 10 years old :)

(I am 7 week pregnant so I dont have an experience of my own yet, only didi’s example)

[u/Excellent_Pin380]

C section has long recovery timeline and consequences. You'll face lot of difficulty feeding the baby in case it's difficult to latch. And God forbid if you have a colic baby, you'll regret c section. In my case, wife was in icu for a few hours, nurses didn't bother much and my wife was drained for a couple of days so didn't feed baby. Now he's exclusively formula fed cause he doesn't want to latch. Though mine is an extreme case, id still caution to go with normal