Vulvodynia - giving birth with Vulvodynia

[Lambaby]

Hi Ladies,

I am currently 25 weeks pregnant with baby no.2. Since having my little girl 3.5 years ago I've had a lot of troubles...down there! About a year ago I was diagnosed with having Vulvodynia which for me means severe burning inside my vagina along with other complaints, it just flares up randomly! I was wondering if anyone here has who has Vulvodynia has given birth naturally? I'm terrified that it will intensify my symptoms and I'll be in agony after the birth with a newborn to deal with. Especially if I end up having an episiotomy and forceps again. If you have any experience with having a baby with Vulvodynia please contact me, I'm so scared right now I'm even considering an elective C-Section which would be my last choice!

[MissF82]

Hi Lambaby,

I have suffered with pain in the vulval area for many years and like you it seems to be something that flares up randomly. For years I feel like I have been fobbed off by doctors who always wanted to diagnose thrush. Since I became pregnant my symptoms have spun out of control and I have a few days of relief here and there but the pain is mostly there and just being controlled with the use of lidocaine and codeine at the moment.

I was extremely anxious about the effect of childbirth on the condition but unfortunately there is very little in the medical literature about this and what information there is is quite contradictory with some studies suggesting that labour can make things better and others suggesting it can make things worse. I am a low risk pregnancy but asked my midwife to refer me to a consultant to discuss the issue further as it was really getting me down. The consultant suggested induction at 37 weeks in the hope that the symptoms would calm down once the baby was born but I was keen to avoid this as like you was terrified how the use of forceps might impact on the condition. I broached the subject of c-section with the consultant and initially he was very against this as did not feel that vulvodynia was a medical indication for a c-section. I began to feel like it was my only option for delivery though and not because I was scared of the pain of labour with this condition but because I began to acknowledge the psychological impact that the condition was having on my life. I decided to have some counselling sessions to address my anxiety regarding it and the counsellor encouraged me to discuss this further with my consultant. Once I did this I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders and the consultant agreed that a c-section would be in my best interests. This is not a decision I have taken lightly and have been concerned that people may judge me for my decision but ultimately I feel it is the best decision for me.

Apologies for the rambling post and not really answering your question of how childbirth might affect your vulvodynia but just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and that it is a very real concern which unfortunately I do not feel is very well understood due to the lack of information about vulvodynia.

[Lambaby]

Thank you so much for your response! It's just good to know I'm not alone! I have my 28 week check in Wednesday and my doctors has suggested I ask her to refer me to the consultant as well. I guess only time will tell what's going to happen. Good luck to you when are you due?

[MissF82]

My c section was scheduled for yesterday but baby had other plans and was born by emcs on Friday after I went to the maternity assessment unit with bleeding and they found I was having contractions (which I couldn't feel) and was dilating. I arrived at the hospital at 2.00 and baby was born at 4.00 so all a but of a drama. I have recovered really well from the section and 100% feel that I made the right decision although funnily enough my symptoms have eased considerably since baby has been born. Good luck with your decision and the rest of your pregnancy x