Any lichen sclerosus birth stories out there?

[Blankiefan]

I'm 34+3 and realising that I have to start actually thinking about labour (I've managed a healthy dose of denial to this point!)

I have lichen sclerosus (skin condition on my vulva) and I'm Finding it difficult to source decent info on childbirth. So - does anyone have any experience of this - specifically Im interested to know how definite the need for an episiotomy is and how the LS affects healing.

Many thanks

Have you seen the 'lichen sclerosus and pregnancy' section of the lichen sclerosus forums? No medical advice as such, but quite a few stories. A lot seem to be from the US so I'm not sure how applicable they are,but worth a read. There seems to be a very wide range of experiences. Here's the link: lichensclerosus.org/lichen-sclerosus-and-pregnancy/. There's also this thread at babycentre: community.babycenter.com/post/a27654775/lichen_sclerosis_-_csection. There's an old thread here with some birth experiences, but no update from the OP on the outcome: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/a1728833-Lichen-Sclerosis-and-Childbirth-Help-C-section

Are you seeing a consultant gynaecologist as part of the management of your LS and what does s/he recommend? I have had one c-section because of my LS and will be having another one soon. Both times vaginal birth wasn't even discussed as a viable option. I guess it depends on the severity of your LS but what I was told in my case was that VB would almost certainly make the LS worse due to the increased risk of tearing or episiotomy because the scarring that follows is somehow an attractant for LS.

Hi, I also suffer from LS. It's a miserable condition that not many know about. Due to other complications my Consultant first suggested that I be induced at 39 weeks.

I had initially wanted a home birth but read as much as I could about induction and also LS. Whilst there is very little out there in terms of information regarding LS and childbirth I decided that the possibility of a long and protracted induced labour with the potential for a cascade of intervention such as forceps, episiotomy and/or potential tearing (as it is sex is painful due to the existing scar tissue) was too much of a risk for me. My consultant has said that he has treated many women who didn't have problems with a vaginal birth. However I have also found comments from other consultants who have seen their patients suffer badly from a vaginal birth.

In the end any doubts that I have had about opting for a C-Section have been mitigated by my LS being fairly active throughout this pregnancy - it's bad enough trying to live with it on a normal basis without the added physical trauma of childbirth. In addition I am also keen to breast feed and I have read that BF can make it difficult for the LS to heal. In the end a C-Section became a no brainer for me.

Whilst I know that I will be in pain for a while with the C-Section and that it comes with its own risks - a vaginal birth in my case came with too many long term risks and I didn't want to end up with tears around my anus/uretha and vagina that may never heal again.

I have only my own body to go on and whilst the steroid cream works to an extent - it is not a cure and the LS comes and goes with varying frequency and aggression. On a normal day I feel as if I walk around with a 1000 paper cuts I don't need any more!

I believe there are some specialist LS consultants mainly in London, it might be worth having a chat with them first. I would consider how extensive your LS is too. Perhaps you have a mild case or you have caught it early. I was diagnosed after several years of being told it was thrush so it had taken quite a hold on me.

My C-Section is later this week and I feel confident that it is the right choice given my circumstances. I want to be a healthy mum who is able to enjoy her baby and child in the future - I would rather be restricted for the first few weeks than potentially restricted permanently.

Good luck with your pregnancy and I hope you find the right choice for you.

Yes, I should mention that my LS was affected by breastfeeding too, I had to use oestrogen cream for a while even though I had resumed steroid creams after the birth. It wasn't until I stopped bf that things improved to their pre-pregnancy state and even that took a few more months.

Good luck with your c/s, OddLife. Mine was a very calm experience, I've no regrets.

Thanks for your experiences. I'm seeing the consultant on Friday - will try not to get brushed off again.

My LS is quite mild (I assume by reading about others). Controlled well by a bit of dermovate when needed. Doc ok'd me to use it after 12 weeks. Trying to only use it when things are sore tho - accepting the itches!!

Have read thru all of the links - thanks. There really is precious little on it to read tho...

Good luck with the section, oddlife...

@Blankiefan I'm wondering what you did in the end and how your birth experience was??? I have LS and need to decide whether to go for another C-section or take a chance...
Thanks.