Ouch!

[highlander]

whilst writing up my thesis I'm always getting distracted by interesting (but highly irrelevant articles). This, however, I had to share......

In a Lancet review article, a large 1998 UK study reported that 85% of women will suffer perineal tearing during childbirth. Of those, 2/3 will require suturing

Up to 1/3 will suffer damage to the anal sphincter. The major risk here is forceps (do they still use forceps?) And given that epidurals have recently been correlated with an increased incidence of instrumental delivery..... (BMJ a few weeks ago).

Too posh to push? You betcha!

I've said this on here before but I'll say it again:

c- section scar 10 years ago - no problem at all - can hardly see it

scar left from episiotomy - still painful during sex after 12 years!

something you don't really want to here whilst being stitched up - i've run out of suture - could i have some more please - i never did dare ask how many stitches were needed! they do still use forceps, but i think that they prefer to use ventouse - but i think for some situations it has to be forceps rather than ventouse.

Highlander - women do have babies without any damage - try a wonderful waterbirth
Caesareans are not damage free believe me. Do you know that the pressure of pregnancy itself can cause damage to the anal spincter whether delivered by Vaginal or caesarean route?
You are right about instrumental delivery being the main cause of damage - and yes forceps are still used for various reasons. However, labours that start spontaneously, without intervention have great results - especially when the pool is used. As a midwife I can assure you I see more women produce babies without damage, as nature intended, than suffer traumatic damage as you describe. Still can't tempt you ??

[little voice].... I had a "natural birth" and didn't tear, just actice birth classes and a good midwife. 4 of my girlfriends who had the same active birth classes had the same expereinces as me.

cheers mears, but noooooooooooo thanks

actually one down side of a cs (apparently) is that you fart uncontrollably afterwards. One part of me thinks that's hilarious, the other part is worried about unexpected visitors......

Mears - Does being induced completely rule out having a waterbirth or does it depend on the induction and how it's pregressing?

Sorry to butt in, I am being induced this evening but I would stil like the birth to be as natural as possible (oxymoron I know).

Hello? Is this news?

Oh big deal, yes, sometimes women do tear during childbirth but most of the time it heals well and gives no problems afterwards - I had a huge episiotomy with my first and it healed well - still have a very good sex life btw and went on to have a second child . Anyway the high incidence of tearing is probably due to the interventionist approach of the hospital - they do like to hurry things up! So if you stay relaxed and work with a good midwife you can avoid it - it isnt an absolute inevitability.

I've watched Bodies and seen a c/section! No thanks!

I'm like Dottee, still painful having sex after an episiotomy and a tear at the same time. I got stitched up too tight.

Carwillin, good luck with the incustion! I ahve been trying to post on our thread and my messages keep getting rejected. If you do post on July again, could you mind just telling all. In the meantime I'll try and start another July thread as that usually works!!! Did you have a sweep btw?????? I think you need to be monitored continously with induction, I was last time, but could move around the bed a little. I had a positive experience of induction and felt it was very natural as I only needed 1 gel to get me going and baby came about 3-4 hours later. Had a bad tear as she came out very quick and should have been panting not pushing but nobody told me!!!!! I still suffer with my perinium too, sounds gross but wiping my backside is still sore after 4 yrs!!!!

I had 2 births without pain relief and delivered without tearing, mostly down to wonderful midwifery...

Thanks Quackers, I'm starting to get a bit nervous now. I did have a sweep but nothing apart from niggly period type pains and a bit more of the show, but I suppose they did warn me it was not as effective for first timers.

Good luck to you and I hope it all starts soon.

carwillin - you can use the pool if prostin gel puts you into labour (different units have different policies though). It can also be used if your waters are broken for you. It is only if you are put on a drip for contractions that you cannot because you need continuously monitored. It is possible to remain mobile when monitored though - by standing at side of bed or sitting on gymnastic ball. Good luck with your induction - I myself was induced 3 times and had wonderful births. I had episiotomies first 2 times (first labour was natural) and have not had one bit of bother. Even after 4 babies my nether regions are still in working order

message withdrawn

Enid - don't you think Bodies it terrific, if a little horrific??

Agree with enid. Only friend I know who wets herself when she laughs has had 2 c sections.

Don't normally post on these c section v "normal" birth threads since I simply don't care what most people have but that post just made me say "And?"

Thanks mears, I keep having conflicting emotions depending on who has just called to wish me luck for tonight .
It is nice to know that inductions can turn out to be positive experiences.

I had a major epiosotomy after a ventouse and Forcep delivery. I was in agony for weeks. It took me about 8 weeks to be able to walk to the local shop and back (normally a 2 minute walk each way) Sex was painful for about a year, and still is in certain position.

bundle, I think its brilliant but I hope my pg sister doesnt watch it when it comes onto bbc2 in the Autumn .

Max Beesley is sex on a stick in it as well .

Tinker, agree that I don't like cs v vaginal birth threads as I don't really care but I found that research a bit irritating...

Two very large babes and no tears, could it be that I was left alone to birth my babies, felt relaxed and unobserved and did not have anyone telling me to push? Never did want to push anyway - I imagine straining and pushing (when the time is not right) might have something to do with tearing in some cases?

oh god, Enid, don't let her watch it. it's weird isn't it, how beesley is still sexy with deliberately greasy hair and unkind lighting showing his laughter lines???

I'm getting a little concerned after reading this thread....i had forceps used on me but i ended up having an emergency section.
My concern being that i didn't have to be cut at all....does this mean i have a bucket minge?!?!?!?!
My husband doesn't complain...

First time, I had dd at home with an extended episiotomy and a 3rd degree tear. Went into hospital to be stitched up, and sex was v painful until I had dd2 over four years later. I tore with her, small but deep, so needed a running stitch that time. With ds1 I didn't need any stitches at all, nor did I with ds2.

Like I said dd1 was born at home, no pain relief, dd2 was born 3 min after getting to hospital. so no pain relief again. Ds1 was born at home, no pain relief, and ds2 was induced 4 weeks early, and i had gas and air,(bloody fantastic stuff imo ). I haven't suffered any downbelow traumas.

I was terrified of giving birth but had an epidural which was fantastic (only knew I was having a contraction when I saw it on the monitor). Gave birth to twins without a tear. Seeing those statistics I think I'll stick with 2 and not risk a third.

bundle, I have never found him sexy before Bodies - its that green t-shirt clinging to his manly chest that does it for me - but I dont fancy doctors generally I promise!

I had a section, they pierced my bladder and I had to spend the next 2 wks with a catheter. The only way I could get out of the house was with a huge bag of pee stuffed down some stockings which I kept having to readjust. I found it a painful & humiliating experience. Only upside was I didn't have to get out of bed to pee and I go to make the best joke ever. DP was heading upstair for a pee so I emptied my bag into the 'pee bucket' and said 'here do one for me'. I would have pissed my pants laughing except I couldn't.