As dangerous as they say it is?

[Glitterbugsparkle]

Regular poster with a name change. I’m ttc dc2. I have some pelvic floor damage from ds age2. It’s considered a mild bladder prolapse and some stress incontinence
For this potential child I would like a c section. I really think avoiding natural childbirth might prevent worsening my problems.
However when I have mentioned this to my gp etc I get the whole ‘c section is major surgery’ and a list of awful risks/potential problems of c section. Then they say pregnancy alone can damage the pelvic floor so what’s the point of pursuing a c section.
Aibu to think this is rubbish and that they are trying to save money by pushing me into a further vaginal delivery?
Obviously I wouldn’t want to undergo unnecessary surgery. But if there are any other mumnetters who had pelvic floor problems after dc1 and then had dc2 by vaginal or c section id love to hear if your pelvic floor problems were the same/worse after dc2 however you delivered.
I just can’t trust the nhs to be honest at the moment. I think it would be anything to save themselves the bill.
Before anyone comments also, we don’t have the money to go private. It’s just not an option.

Google NICE guidelines about an NHS elective c section.

I had a relatively mild rectocele (rear wall prolapse) after the birth of my first child. I went on to have my second child vaginally, another big baby and fast labour. That was a couple of years ago and it is only know that it has got worse and I have just been referred to a surgeon.

It's my consultants opinion that mine is genetics/bad luck and it would have needed repair eventually anyway. I opted for a vaginal birth rather than having another surgery in the form of a c/section knowing that I would likely need prolapse repair surgery in future anyway. If that makes sense?

Thank you to everyone for your responses. It seems There is no way of predicting.
However I do think that a vaginal delivery which is hard with tears etc will worsen problems. How could it not.
Whereas a c section may or may not be protective. I think I may ask the gp for a referral to a physio to see it they would recommend a c section then they may support me if the hospital is difficult in the event I do conceive and want a c section. I think a physio would be more objective as They won’t be working to the targets that maternity staff will be.
It’s good to know that other women have found the nhs are selective with their information.
I’d hate to think I sound like I am paranoid. But it only takes someone with reasonable intelligence to work out if you are only presented with half the facts you can’t make an informed decision. I think this is where women are failed.

I may ask the gp for a referral to a physio to see it they would recommend a c section then they may support me if the hospital is difficult in the event I do conceive

I think its a great idea to talk to a physio, especially before you conceive. There may be exercises you could be doing RIGHT NOW that would help with your current situation and have you going into your next pregnancy with a pelvic floor of steel.

Thanks Hip. would having a better pelvic floor make the prolapse go away completely? Or stop it worsening totally or would the pregnancy just undo it all anyway?
Aaah it is all so uncertain. I could drive myself mad thinking about it.

Perhaps there’s a lesson in here, that everyone should do PF exercises to help prepare for the future - no matter what that may hold - as after all men and childless women can end up with PF-related problems too. There used to be a public health campaign that mentioned getting off the bus one stop earlier...maybe they could add “...and give your PF muscles a little flex while you’re still on there!”

@Glitterbugsparkle I don't have any idea. But I started doing Pilates because of a problem with my knee, and now my pelvic floor is so, so toned. Like seriously. I'm 52, past menopause, and my entire core including my pelvic floor is, how shall I put it.....

tight.

I do private Pilates on the reformer, which is a little pricy, but if the physio doesn't work out, or you finish it and want to go further, it beats the heck out of pain and medical problems.

Hip, can I ask how you managed with Pilates after your sections? I used to do yoga and Pilates pre my elcs, but afterwards it was agony. My core is absolutely fucked, and my back as a result.

Ironically given the reason for my elcs (2 tears in 14 months, a 2nd degree and 3rd degree, followed by double incontinence), my pelvic floor seems ok!

Hi hipp is Pilates pelvic floor safe? I’ve read you shouldn’t do sit ups or extreme core work with a prolapse as it can push it down. But perhaps that’s wrong or perhaps there is certain Pilates that I could do.
These pelvic floor problems have ruined everything for me. Excercise. Family planning.

BlackBerry why did you have a c section and why was it so difficult for you in terms of recovery. Some people seem to find it horrific. Others say it’s not so bad.

Hazel it sounds like you had a Terrible time after your births

@hazeyjane I worked with a physio first, and then privately with Pilates instructor recommended by my physio. I took it slow, and did "homework" every day. I didn't start with sit ups or anything extreme -- everything was very modified at the beginning.

I eventually was able to join a special, modified Pilates class. Now I can do a regular class.

There are different paths to becoming a Pilates teacher, and POLESTAR focuses on rehab. You could check and see if there is a POLESTAR trained Pilates teacher near you.

www.pilatestrainingcourses.co.uk/find-a-teacher/

Hi all .This is my first time posting and have just signed up eagerly searching for some advice and relief from the very much anxiety I have.

So I have been waiting for some years now going through the process of referral to repair and relieve me of the awful symptoms Iam experiencing after having 7 children .

So it all started after the fourth child (now 5) and just got worse with subsequent pregnancies and giving birth to large babies and traumatic births .

I had finally got the wonderful news from a lovely consultant I had saw (after doing the rounds of referrals ) ,consultant had explained that I will be having anteria and posters vaginal repair and would be put on waiting list .He had checked with a colleague and came back with papers for me to sign aggreeing to the repair op ..I must say I was an emotional wreck ,overwhelmed that I had finally got to the end of the road and my op was finally there in the distance ..

Now here comes my anxiety and disappointment... I had a lettter of appointment to return back to the hospital to see another consultant .When enquiring why this was ,I was told it was the surgeon /consultant who would be doing the repair and she wanted to see me heself before the op ...I was a bit worried as I had already in my mind been through the process and had been in my elements knowing the op was a short distance away ..I had already signed agreement for my op .

I had an uneasy feeling going into my appointment and my worries were soon confirmed with the consultant /surgeon (even before examining me ) seamed to be not so happy to be giving me the op ,even suggesting physio again (that I already had).
She commented on my age being so young and mentioned that I could have this when I was older instead of me having to come back possibly again if the treatment wasn't successful !

The consultant also mentioned a hysterectomy ,and I felt pressured into this as I had now the impression that she prob thought this was a waste of time and that I may have more children .

Although I have no desire to have more children and have taken measures of precaution I hadn't thought of an hysterectomy and this is not somthing I particularly want doing when it is not needed ,especially with potential risks involved .

Anyway ,to cut along story short I came out of the appointment with the surgeon /consultant very reluctantly agreeing to do "anteria and posteria repair " not anteria and posteria vaginal repair " and she made it quiet clear to me that I wouldn't be having anything tightened up and that the muscles would still be very lax .

I must say that I was In floods of tears coming out of the appointment .
I am 36 years old and have been suffering with awful symptoms and mine and my husbands (of 17 years ) sex life have been
Non existent due to lack of sensation and the emotional anxiety and lack of confidence this has brought me ..I know my husband can hardly feel me too .

I am so so depressed about all of this
Any words of advicge please

Xx

I have had two sections, one emcs after a long labour, including forceps and one planned.. my pelvic floor wasn’t and isn’t fantastic (I blame the pregnancies and forceps etc) but I definitely don’t have the continence/prolapse issues I have heard about from friends after vaginal birth.. When I have to go I have to go but I can also jump and sneeze freely and am very grateful for that! I thought I had a mild prolapsed after dc1 but it wasn’t confirmed and I didn’t feel any issues like that after dc2.. I also found the doctors only gave the risk of cs and not vaginal, what I did was write down the risks of a vbac (long story but there were a few, specifically for me) and acknowledged the risks of cs (smaller list) and referred to guidelines and it was agreed to no problem! I was calm and informed.. I mentioned it from the booking session but it was only agreed to officially at about 35 weeks.. the planned section was lovely and recovery was a little tough, but no where near as bad as the recovery after labour and the emergency section! Whilst there’s no guarantee a cs is totally protective, the issues and anxiety you’re having is enough for requesting a cs in my opinion, childbirth is always risky but if you feel elsc is best then stick with it!