What’s the difference between planned and unplanned C-section? Is there any difference at all?

I did not think the difference between the two would be different, but here I am to tell you, YES! They had very different outcomes for me! If you want to read more about my unplanned c-section see the post about the birth announcement here. I’ve yet to write my 3rd and final boys announcement but when it does arrive you can also read it here!

First, I will say, knowing ahead of time that you are having a cesarean section is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in the sense that you aren’t waiting for labour to start. Unless you are one of the unlucky ones that has labour start before hand. You have your date and that’s it. It was nice to know what to expect. Having been a second c-section you already know the basics of the procedure. A curse because again, you know the date ahead of time. So while your sitting there you can literally stew about the “what ifs” of happening. Did it ease my mind? Maybe a little bit. But either way you slice it, it was major surgery whether it was planned or not.

Pain difference was something I didn’t think would be that drastic. My first was unplanned. We labored for maybe 8-10 hours before they seen my son was breech. I choose a c-section due to safety. he was measuring big and also I didn’t want to risk him getting stuck. This time I never labored at all. Not even a bit of labour. The difference was literally night and day. Sure, my incision was sore. But that was it! I shit you not, it was so surreal. Pain wise I did stop taking pain medication a little bit sooner at home. Maybe by a few days. Nothing major in that regard. And I still took the tylonal extra strength, Nothing special just like the first time too. I also drove a lot sooner. Which my first it was said to not drive for six weeks. After about 4 or so I was driving to the mail box. I did not do that this time, I think I was driving after two and a half weeks. As far as pain goes I was having to frequently remind myself that I did have surgery and I do need to take it easy. My husband went back to work after about 3 weeks so I was also picking up my older kids. Mainly my middle fella. It really was a totally different experience.

Planning was a lot easier. Mind you, if I had not have had a breech baby I was told that due to measuring ahead I would have been induced as well in case they let me go and he was big big. So planning for me would have been either way. But with my 1st birth and 2nd birth, planning was a bit out the window. My first it was easy. No babies. So when or if you go into labour that’s what happens. You just do it. With my 2nd it was similar. We had a bit of a plan where we would call my mom and she would stay with my oldest. Now this time a scheduled section we knew a few weeks before when his birthday would be. We were given two dates and we picked one. It made planning even easier because my mom was able to take off the few days and so did my husband and we could adjust that way. It was a bitter sweet time because you mentally are preparing for what’s coming. But also you are stewing on what’s happening. Childcare when you have multiple kids is one of the most stressful about giving birth because everything can be so unpredictable. But even if you aren’t having a scheduled section and are having a vaginal birth, planning for all outcomes or scenarios is the best way to relieve some stress. At the end of the day, You really don’t know just how long of a hospital stay you may have. And secondly, you may be there for yourself, or for your newborn, or vice versa.

No emergency is so much nicer. Mind you, the reason for my 1st c-section was not because of an emergency situation. It was more an unplanned because we found out he was breech in labour. The recovery for me, having labored before a c-section made recovery leaps and bounds more difficult.. Not to mention, performing a surgery under emergency circumstances is a lot more stress for all parties involved. And there is a bit more risk when performing this major surgery under those situations as well, safety for the parent and baby as well as the surgeons need to also mentally prepare for situations that may not happen if it were planned. I will note though I think I was more freaked out the second time around and a bit more worried about my incision being infected than I was the first time. I feel like the first time the incision was a bit cleaner when it was repaired. this time it was a little more rugged which could be because there was already scar tissue there to have to cut through.

Overall, my experience was that a planned section was so much more pleasant recovery wise. Though, the aspect of mentally understanding and kind of blocking out what they are doing to your body while you are awake is tough. I think that was half the reason why I would feel sick. Personally I never threw up but I certainly was dry heaving though which was never a good time. Whether unplanned or scheduled. A c-section is tough regardless. While the excitement of having another baby is there, so is the stress and worry that you are going to be cut open while awake and have a baby removed from your body too! On top of having to think about your other little ones at home too! I think it goes without saying, I am very very very fucking thankful I will never have to go through that again! Ever!