which is more painful, c section or natural birth?

Question

is there anyone who really knows and isnt just guessing? i was told that c section is worse because it hurts more after the birth than a natural birth. is there anyone here who has went through both a natural birth and a c section?

thanks guys, i thought a c section was more painful. my friends didnt believe me when i said c section was worse. they obviously have no idea what theyre talking about.

Answer 1

I've only had a c-section but I'm going to jump in anyway and give you the kind of answer you probably don't want: it depends. Honestly, laboring is different for every woman and every pregnancy! So person A might say "oh, a cesarean is much worse" and person B might say "are you crazy, the c-section is a walk through the park compared to my 20 hours of labor!"

And just because I feel like it, I'll throw another kink into it: it's not necessarily just about pain AFTERWARDS, for a c-section. I felt it all, epidural notwithstanding. And learned that about 5 percent of women have the same experience that I did. And let me tell you, it isn't fun, because once you're open and they're trying to get at the baby, there's nothing they can do until the baby is clear. I spent those few interminable minutes cursing all the women who told me "oh, the surgery itself is nothing...you'll just feel pressure."

So, you see, every experience is different.

Answer 2

I've had both. I had an emergency c-section with my first. During the procedure I, of course, felt nothing. the recovery was uncomfortable, but not incredibly painful. I stopped taking the narcotic painkillers after the first day. The hardest part was getting to a sitting up position from laying down because your abdominal muscles have been severed.....My second delivery was vaginal. The labor was extremely painful until I got the epidural and that didn't "take" entirely, although, for the most part I was comfortable. The aftermath of the birth was quite painful. I had to have a significant episiotomy and for days afterward, I could hardly stand up straight or sit down comfortably (between that and the milk coming in). Altogether, I would absolutely say, hands down, that the aftermath of the vaginal birth was significantly more painful. The deliveries were comparable because I was kept fairly comfortable. The vaginal-delivery labor was worse because the time before epidural lasted longer and the total labor time was longer. So, having experienced both, I'd say vaginal is worst.

Answer 3

Okay. I've had both. First time was a c section. My daughter was breech. I was laid out on the bed in the hospital for two days because of the pain medication not because of the pain. The recovery was a few weeks. Thankfully I breastfed and that sped the recovery up. I breastfed until she was 14 months. So please don't believe it can't be done. Any lactation specialist will agree with me.

Sure there were stitches but it healed fine. I didn't sleep on the second floor for the first week because I couldn't manage the stairs. So my daughter and I slept on the couch and in her bassinet. After the first week, I was on my own with the baby. Just the two of us and we did fine. You build up strength as the baby grows. You do it together. The only thing I didn't care for with the c-section was going to the recovery room by myself after the surgery to be watched. I didn't get to spend time with my daughter right away.

Natural...the second time around I went completely natural...it was too late when I asked for the epidural. I was up immediately (three hours after) taking a shower. I wasn't torn as much as I've heard from other birthing horror stories (everyone likes to say how many stitches their baby made them get) so I was lucky in that respect. Breastfeeding was fine. I felt more exhausted because labor and delivery was much more physically strenuous than lying on a table being cut open. The recovery was faster but thankfully my daughter had potty trained herself at this point.

I don't think one is better or worse than the other. If you have to have a c-section it is what it is...and you are gifted with a precious treasure after ward...you will forget the pain and remember the joy of seeing the baby smile at you with your eyes or cheeks or lips or...you get the idea.

Hope this helped.

Edited to add: I have a permanent smile! :O)

Answer 4

I haven't had both but I'm commenting on the c-section. It is not that painful! I was up and walking the next day. Walking very slowly but was up. I really thought it would take longer to recover but not in my situation, I got around just fine and was cleaning the whole house by 3 weeks. I do plan on having a vbac with my second child....

ETA*** I guess I'm the only one who had a great recovery with a c-section. And wasn't in "pain", well hope it helps to know that atleast somebody had a good experience with a c-section!

Answer 5

I have had 6 kids. The first 5 were vaginal and # 6 was a
c-section. After the first 5 i was right out of bed and felt great. After number 6 i was in so much pain it did not feel like i had just had i baby it felt like i was hit by a truck. don't get me wrong it was the only safe way to have the baby and i would do it again in a heartbeat for her but the recovery is terrible.

Answer 6

I havent went threw both but i know people who has. I have 2 kids and went threw labor with both and alhtough the labor pains hurt they go away after the baby is born, only pain left is the stitches. With a c section they numb you during surgery but you can still feel the pulling when they get the baby out. With a c section though you have pain for weeks, the stitches in your belly hurt and its hard to bend over. Its even painful to carry the baby around because of pressure against your stomach.

Answer 7

I had 4 vaginal births and my last one was a c-section, The c-section was the worst experience of my pregnancies. Not the pain just the experience. The only good thing that came out of it besides my son was the fact I had them tie my tubes while They were already in their.

Answer 8

I had 3 c-sections and it takes longer to heal ,I had 3 bikini cuts below my stomach and it is very painful trying to stand up.natural birth the pain goes away after the baby is born.

Answer 9

Natural!

Answer 10

I have never had a natural birth but I have had 2 c-sections and let me tell you they are not fun! They take so very long to heal from and they just suck!