ELCS or 2nd Vaginal Birth?

[ilovechops]

I have just returned from an appointment at the hospital and had a conversation with the consultant there (I am being monitored for a pre-existing gynae condition).

My first birth was 13 days OD, Back to Back labour, 52 hours, Epidural, 3rd degree tear (not caused by back to back as she turned to the correct position). DD1 has a 95th centile head although was a small baby so that possibly contributed to the tear.

After the birth I felt like I had been run over, spent 4 days in hospital being treated for an infection (DD not me) and couldn't walk, turn over in bed, go to the toilet etc for perhaps 24-48 hrs can't remember but this will have largely been the epidural too. After that I couldn't walk properly for about a week due to the scar or sit down comfortably.

Recovery was probably 6 weeks, wasn't allowed to exercise or walk far for 8 weeks I remember. Scar eventually 'healed' but was always sore after going to the loo / having sex for approx. 4 months. Move forward to today, 2.5yrs later. All healed but I still feel a 'graze' often after sex. Also now pregnant again am having slight incontinence when I sneeze (scary!).

I have been offered a ELCS if I want one but I really don't know what to do. I just wanted to see what people's experiences are of a bad tear / long Vaginal birth followed by an ELCS?

I am fully aware that ELCS carries risks and also that post surgery I wouldn't be able to drive / do much but some of my friends that had them around the same time as me actually reported feeling pretty good when I was still incredibly sore / walking funny / unable to exercise.

Has anyone been through something similar? I really would like to hear different experiences. Please remember this would be a planned C section not Emergency.

I had a third degree tear and with some urgency issues still, I've decided on an elcs.

You can go on and deliver vaginally without a tear, but there's a 1 in 4 chance of incontinence even with no or a small tear occurring.

It's a hard one - the risk you will tear badly again are small and with an elcs you are definitely having surgery, but for me the risk of future incontinence problems was too great

Honestly, have the ELC spare your parts!

Look at past ELC threads on here, yes one or two people have had a really nasty time, from ELC ( not emergency) but thats to be expected, the majoirty say its lolvey and calm,

I had minor issues nothing to write home about and I found them more painful than section recovery, ELC was brilliant, not perfect!! Yes its scary going into a theatre and awake!! HOWEVER the whole thing was calm and I felt totally safe and looked after.

For the sake of a small wound, I do not know why you would even consider normal bbirth after what you have been through down below.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I think the main reason I am not jumping at the ELCS are;

• I have a three yr old to look after too so know recovery will be harder

• I feel there's a pressure to have a natural birth. I know this is probably in my head but I do feel it from caregivers and to some extent my DH altho I know he will support me whatever I choose

• I worry that it's not best for the baby (the breathing thing)

• I have to say I did feel amazed at myself and my strength following my VB. It was awful but it did it and bought my DD into the world by myself. The thing is I was so she'll shocked, exhausted and drugged up on morphine for the stitches pain I never really enjoyed it the first day or so

I guess ELCS is looking more positive after my last comment when I realise how traumatic it was. I think somewhere I just always hoped I might have an idyllic second labour that wasn't back to back but I have now read a) back to back labour is more common in women that have had them before and b) the consultant told me I have a 10% risk of another third degree tear.

In very similar boat OP, have started another thread on this topic about the same thing. In the face of the risks, I still feel at the moment like I want a VB rather than ELCS. I am trying hypnobirthing which has helped my fears quite a lot. I also think I almost expect some degree of incontinence after babies!!! It's the 17 - 24% stats of it that stick with me though - although this isn't based on extensive studies and says this is of 'worsening' symptoms, suggesting women in this percentage were symptomatic before. You seem much more positive about the ELCS though, and all the best for whatever you decide.

In a similar situation although not pregnant again yet. Horrendous birth and recovery. At the moment think will probably request elcs...

my first time I had a episotimy and tear, lots of stitches and as you mention discomfort during sex, for almost a year, followed by occasional 'graze' feeling.

second time I had a quick water birth (SO different from first time which was lots of intervention), again tore but they did a much better job of stitching me up! still took a couple of weeks to heal but when it did felt better than it ever had after ds1.
I realise this is a very individual situation, and i think helped by ds2 being born at lunchtime rather that 4am, but just something to think about.
I am now expecting no 3, ooo er