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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Returned to a birth virgin?

22 replies

Divvy · 12/12/2006 17:50

Is it true that if you havent had children for 5 years, that your body returns to prebirth-virgin-state?

So you go back to a first labour again?

Surely this cant be right!

I have a 12 year gap..please tell me my 3 other births will still count?

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whatwouldjesusdo · 12/12/2006 17:53

lol I had a 4 year gap, and I definitely wasnt back to pre-birth state. dd2 arrived very quickly, and we only just made it to the hosp on time.

whatwouldjesusdo · 12/12/2006 17:55

Could this story be a misinterpretation of something that is true, namely that if you have sex once, and then not again for several years, you will get a blood show again, as if you were a virgin?

MerryPiffmas · 12/12/2006 17:56

I had a 9 yr gap
2nd birth was exactly the same - just as quick
will have 4.5 yrs this time, hoping for same birth again!

Original poster
Divvy · 12/12/2006 18:00

Mine have got quicker too...so I am hoping I dont have to start from scratch again!!

Been having lots of strong brax' hicks.

My pelvic floor doesnt think its birth-virgin!

OP posts:
lulumama · 12/12/2006 18:01

erm..where did you hear that !?!?!

i have a 6 yer gap...considering i never made it into established labour first time , i managed a vaginal delivery pretty well !!!

they all count !! your body has done it before.......and once you have laboured, you can;t undo it...once you have had a baby, your cervix can often be a tiny bit dilated for evermore IIRC....

Original poster
Divvy · 12/12/2006 18:03

I read it on an american forum.....and it made me panic!!!

OP posts:
whatwouldjesusdo · 12/12/2006 18:11

"once you have laboured, you can;t undo it..."

sigh. how very true.

Original poster
Divvy · 12/12/2006 18:12

pps...I am 30 weeks, so starting to worry about stupid things!

OP posts:
12yeargap · 12/12/2006 18:18

I've wondered about this too!

in any case, a twelve year gap is a fine thing to have. Probably.

Original poster
Divvy · 12/12/2006 18:23

It is too!!!..I have baby-sitters on tap!! 18, 14, 12, all girls......and this one is a girl too!

I kept all the baby things too, and they have washed up really well...not bad for being in the attic all those years!

So whats the reason for your 12 year gap then?

OP posts:
twelvedaysofchristmas · 12/12/2006 18:31

And another 12 year gap here.... Single parent at 16. Now married to different person who has finally been convinced that I can't leave it any longer else my daughter would have left home before I had more kids.

twelvedaysofchristmas · 12/12/2006 18:32

And I would be gutted if that were true about the labours. Never heard of it before. Was always told that your body remembers what to do.

lulumama · 12/12/2006 18:36

tis like riding a bike ladies....your body NEVER forgets.......!!

hope you all have super duper quick and lovely labours ! how ever much time has passed !

Original poster
Divvy · 12/12/2006 18:58

My last one was 4;45 mins long, 2nd stage, was only 5 mins, think the 3rd stage was longer!...so hoping for the same again!

OP posts:
poppiesinalinewithtinsel · 12/12/2006 19:53

I had heard this too Divvy and spent most of my 3rd pregnancy a little worried to say the least. I had 5 years between my 2nd and 3rd and my 3rd was my fastest, most straightforward birth.

So obviously its a load of bollocks.

Original poster
Divvy · 12/12/2006 19:58

Bollocks is good!

I think it is deep down too...but wanted to run it by a few

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Original poster
Divvy · 12/12/2006 20:09

On the back of this then.....

How much has birth changed over 12 years then?

I guess it still hurts!

Is it still routine to still have enemas, when you get to the labour ward?

I have found it both hard and strange not being seen by midwife and doctor every 4 weeks from booking in....8 weeks has been too long between appointments untill 28 weeks.

OP posts:
lulumama · 12/12/2006 20:10

no, no enemas!!

have you thought about the sort of birth you want..made a plan? active, water, home birth?

lulumama · 12/12/2006 20:10

or hospital ?

rhubarbcat · 12/12/2006 20:12

Why on earth would you want to see a doctor every 4 weeks? Now a midwife I can understand....

I don't think anywhere still do enemas

Original poster
Divvy · 12/12/2006 20:20

You used to see a doctor then midwife every 4 weeks..doc did the same checks a midwife now does...back in the days of old!

Got a plan, but will take it as it comes really.

Hospital, active (till pethadine kicks in!), birth on side, pethadine, gas and air, and home after a few hours if its the day time, next day if its night time.

OP posts:
mamijacacalys · 12/12/2006 20:36

Advice for hospital labour: be strong and question anything you're uncomfortable with (or get DP/DH to question if you're too preoccupied with labour). Take your time to make decisions - don't feel pressured to say yes or no to a doc immediately.
IME they like to monitor a lot more than in the past and IMHO I think it's a bit over the top sometimes - if you're going with your body and feeling OK. e.g. I don't think it's necessary to have a monitor strapped to your belly for any length of time as it will make you more stressed when there is probably not much reason to be - just the mw's/docs being ultra safe.
HTH and good luck!

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