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?

Answer 1

I had all mine natural but my sister had a c section it took her forever to heal I was feeling better the next day

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 have had c-sections with all 4 of my kids. I have witnessed my grand babies and my niece come into the world, but I would have to say that although it hurts to have a c-section, it has to be worse going through all the pain of natural child birth even though the pain is over faster. to be honest c-sections really don't hurt that much my first on I was home with the baby before she was 24 hrs old. the last 3 they made me stay 2 days.

Answer 5

l can answer this one. My first two deliveries were completely natural (no drugs or anything) I felt the pain of pushing them out (ring of fire) and it was alot of work but loved that I was able to walk around after my deliveries without any significant pain. My son was born by c-section 14 months ago as he was in a frank breach position. Even though I did not have to do any work I didn't like the fact of having hardly any awareness, being strapped down and having my son cut out of my belly. (sorry for the graphics). I didn't get to hold him for 45 minutes which sucked. When I finally had the spinal wear away I was confined to my bed for about 36 hours which sucked. And the pain I felt was unreal. I could hardly pick up my baby let alone my two daughters at home. I needed help the first 6 weeks as I couldn't pick up anything heavier than my son and walking and doing simple chores just about killed me.... So I would pick a completely natural childbirth over a c-section any day - hope I helped :)

Answer 6

First, if you have a c-section you will probably never have a natural birth. The c-section hurt, because after wards, the pain last for a while, my baby is 6 months now and I still have problems. I can't stir around, bending, cleaning, and more without being sore later on. I can't exercise until the doctor recommends, because your incision will open up on you. So you have to be very careful. But it doesn't hurt when they take the staples out, I thought that was interesting how they did that.

Answer 7

I have been through both, and as far as pain goes for me natural birth is better. Because after the baby is born the pain is gone, but with a C section it takes forever to heal...........:)

Answer 8

i haven't had a c section, but from those i know who've had one, the recovery time is quite a bit longer, and you're very sore for a long time. i've had 2 natural births, and both times i was up walking around within a couple hours after delivery.

Answer 9

I've only had a c-section but I can say that for about the first four weeks anytime you cough or sneeze you feel the stitches pull, you can't just hop out of bed to get the baby because when you straighten up the stitches pull, you can't walk up and down the stairs, you can't bend over. Getting in and out of the car sucked but on the bright side I did come home with my ******** in tact.

Answer 10

I was a nurse for a long time and C Sections were by far the worst, according to patients. Vaginal deliveries hurt during contractions, then it's al over.