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I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. My first c-section recovery was really painful too...it took six weeks to move without feeling it, and six months to feel like myself again. My second c-section was nothing like the first...three weeks later I was having to remind myself to take it easy, because it didn't hurt anymore. The cut wasn't as wide that time, maybe that had something to do with it. I've heard from others that recovering from a 2nd section isn't as bad as the first...so if that turns out to be your only option, don't give up the idea of a second pregnancy just for that. I think sometimes women who have a v____al birth are in some pain afterwards--I have a friend who had her baby v____ally four weeks before I had my second c-section...when I was already fully recovered, she was still walking with a cane because her pelvis separated during delivery. I guess there's really no easy way out. Don't blame yourself either, if you had tried a v____al birth, you might still have ended up with a c-section.

Thanks, JBear. I just feel like i am not ent_tled to much sympathy because I ELECTED to put myself through surgery. My doctor was essentially forced to do what I asked because of fear of being sued if I had problems with a v____al. I should have listened to him. He kept saying to me that the recovery could end up being much harder on my body than a v____al and that he personally doesn't like to cut into perfectly healthy people unless necessary. I do not have a medical degree and I feel like I brought all this on myself. I am embarra__sed and feel like I was a pushy, whiner who thought c-section moms had it easier. I have since apologized to those I know and will never think c moms are babies again. My vag-delivery friends were out shopping and up and about so much sooner and why I didn't notice that part of their recovery process is beyond me.

Annie, I think you just panicked and you thought a c-section might be better. I have witnessed some urgent c's and some that in hind sight were not necessary and I am going to give v____al my best shot. Of course if something is drastically wrong the c-section is there. Don't beat yourself up, it is water under the bridge now. You still just had a baby and are ent_tled to compa__sion. Can you have a VBAC next time? Best wishes to you and your new family.

Annie, it is very good of you to share your story so that maybe some other women might change their minds about elective c. I had an emergency c with my son and the doctors told me I could VBAC with this one even though they will only be 15 months apart. Do all the research you can before you decide for the next one...there are lots of pros and cons for both and I myself still haven't decided. You WILL heal in time. Just enjoy your daughter and thank your lucky stars that they aren't born 20 pounds : )

Thanks EM. I just feel like such a fool! why did I think that a real c-section would be like the show? I mean really, if I had thought about it more the shows with the c-section moms don't show them in the hospital after the surgery! They show them 4 days out or more. When my spinal wore off in the hospital I thought OH MY GOD, what is this PAIN? Then the hours dragged on into days and I thought even with a 24 hour labor I would still be done with this much pain. It has been 2 weeks and I still feel really bad and very sore. If I go anywhere it takes me hours and pain meds to feel better. My cousin had her baby last week v____ally and while her privates are tender, she is shopping and looking like a million bucks! She says the only time she really feels like she just gave birth is when she goes to the bathroom and she says that's not too bad because the rest of the time she feels good. I wonder if I have ruined my chances of having a v____al next time as lot's of hospitals are afraid of getting sued and won't allow VBACS.

I am sorry that you are having to deal with so much pain. The healing process is no fun at all. I hope you are on the mend and back to your self soon. Unfortunately I will always have a cesarean as mine was the vertical/cla__sic incision. I wish you the best. -L

Hi Annie, I think you are the first person I have come across who actually admitted that c-sections can be the "hard way" out instead of the easy way. I think it takes guts to admit you made an unfortunate decision (for you) and I want to extend to you good cheer and good thoughts for a speedier recovery. You just had a baby, so you regret your C, you still deserve some tender feelings. Congrats to you and your new daughter!

A lady on the forced c-section thread felt like you did, she was not going to have another c-section if she had any say about it. She ended up being a tremendous advocate for herself and got her baby delivered HER way. Her name is Chloe I think. Anyway, this is not a dictatorship, if you really want to VBAC there are ways. So don't close yourself off to only one child because you made a mistake.

I understand how you feel. I had an elective C section 3 months ago and regret it. I also forced the doctor to give me a c section as I had a terrible labour the first time round. The doctor advised me not to go through with the c section but I did not listen. all I could think about was how bad labour was. i now know that the natural way is the best (unless medical emergency) and would never ever have a c ection again. I am in so much pain after the c section- it has been months since I had it and so depressed. I feel I cannot get on with my life and enjoy my two beautiful daughters and fab husband.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with your c-section. I too had an "elective" c-section, although my circ_mstances were different. I was over 40 weeks and had a breech baby....was scheduled to have a c-section, but her cord strangled her in-utero and she died in my womb two days before my originally planned c-section (I noticed the lack of movement & ended up delivering that night after the diagnosis). Anyways, I am now almost 14w pregnant and I found a doc and a perinatologist who are both pro-vbac. Most docs who are pro-vbac would probably let you attempt it for your next pregnancy as your c-section was elective and not due to extended labor or anything like that. Also, if you have a low transverse incision, that's the best kind (it's done on most c-sections these days). It will be almost 19 months between my deliveries. Good luck. What state are you in? I'm in Arizona.