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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

C section - issues with prolapse, bladder incontinence

48 replies

Teetotal2018 · 01/02/2018 20:15

Hi ladies,

I’m just tying to make the right decision for my body regarding wether to have a c section or a VB. I’m terrified of having to have cuts down below and the increased risk of prolapse, bladder weakness and frankly crappy sex after a VB. but just wondering if ladies that have had C sections have these issues anyway?

I know I might sound vain but it’s my body and I’m just trying to find the right thing to do for me. (Paying privately btw) I know that there is no nice way to give birth!

OP posts:

Original poster

Teetotal2018 · 01/02/2018 20:22

Just want to add, I really don’t mean to offend anyone who has such problems. I strongly believe this is a feminist issue x

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Yogafire · 01/02/2018 20:25

Have you had a previous traumatic birth / tears / etc? If so and going private then should be easy to get a c section. If it's your first and you're in good shape then may as well go VB?

Yogafire · 01/02/2018 20:28

It's really your choice if going private. You are much less likely to have those issues if you have a planned c section. Pregnancy can take its toll on pelvic floor of course.
You can escape a vb without those things too

Original poster

Teetotal2018 · 01/02/2018 20:28

Thanks for your reply, no this is my first. All the woman in my life had terrible first births (vaginal) and still have bladder problems years and years later x

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Original poster

Teetotal2018 · 01/02/2018 20:29

Yogafire Did you have any problems with your c-section? Xxx

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Sparrowlegs248 · 01/02/2018 22:14

I had a c section with my first, due to breech. It was great. Calm, planned, no wondering what was happening when. I had a reaction to the spinal but it was to be expected due to a medical condition. Good recovery, obviously it was painful but nowhere near as bad as I expected.

My second was vbac. I had the option of c section and wavered right til the end. I knew what I was getting with a c section BUT my son was only 18 months old. I was worried about looking after him post c section, as well as the new baby.

The birth was fine. The baby huge (nearly 11 lbs. ...) and things did go a bit tits up at the end due to his size and being back to back. So I had an episiotomy (which healed incredibly well) and forceps to turn and then to help him out.

I have a minor prolapse. I don't feel entirely safe to sneeze if I need a wee...

Yogafire · 01/02/2018 23:42

I had a straightforward first birth - VB, then two c sections (for reasons unrelated to the first birth). C-sections fine. I have a weak pelvic floor - was weak after first birth and came back recently after a bad cough and carrying toddler too much whilst coughing, but I think it's in the family and comes and goes a bit, and it's not that bad - i could manage on a trampoline for a bit

Graceflorrick · 01/02/2018 23:44

Having a C section was the best decision I ever made. No issues at all.

Original poster

Teetotal2018 · 02/02/2018 06:24

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. It’s such a difficult decision but one that I am lucky to have living in a 1st world country. Anyone had and issues resulting from thier c sections at all apart from scars/painful recovery? Xxx

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awankstainonhumanity · 02/02/2018 07:09

If I could go back, I'd have got a c section. Unfortunately, outside of London private c sections don't exist.

I ended up with urinary incontinence and some bowel urge incontinence, awful grade 4 prolapsing haemorrhoids, which have only just been fixed. To be honest, my recovery has been 2 years of hell. PTSD & pnd as a result. No more kids for me as I won't risk it again.

Lilonetwo · 02/02/2018 07:19

I have a similar dilemma. ELCS or VBAC as I previously had an EMCS.

I can tell you that since having my EMCS I haven't had any prolapse, bladder weakness e.t.c but I do have fairly bad hemmoroids. They don't fill with blood and I haven't had to had then treated yet... (I did push for 2 hours unsuccessfully so that might have a to do with the hemmoroids...)

Awankstainonhumanity sorry to hear your difficulties after a VB. Do you think your hemmoroids were created from a VB? I really don't want mine to get worse, this is partly making me thing about having an ELCS this time...

mouseistrapped · 02/02/2018 07:32

I had a vbac and honestly the Recovery was good - I feel my body is back to how it was (my husband swears on sons life sex is the same as before). My best friend has a c sect and had 3 years of terrible and unlucky complications which took over her life so it can also happen the other way.

I have a weaker bladder but pregnancy does that too not just giving birth. If you are committed to pelvic floor exercises it also goes back.

Having a vbac is healthier for the baby too than a c section (colonisation of bacteria, squeezing if the lungs with a vbac) and the experience was amazing but painful too which I wouldn't change. Just my feelings on my experience.

C sections are great when medical intervention is required but otherwise I think the general medical consensus is a vbac is safer and all round. Although everyone had the right to make their own informed choices of course.

123bananas · 02/02/2018 07:37

I had 2 emcs then 1 elcs. I wanted to vb all 3 times. I had post partum haemorraging during both emcs. The third cs resulted in a hysterectomy and bladder surgery because my placenta had grown through the thinner scar area of my previous csections and into my bladder. I now have bladder weakness. C sections are not without complications.

snoopfroggyfrog · 02/02/2018 07:40

I preferred my elcs second birth experience on the day itself to my vb with first baby (elcs due to traumatic delivery) but the recovery did take a lot longer amd was more painful. I have a mild prolapse now at age 40 due to a very long pushing stage with ds1. If I knew for sure I'd have a traumatic first birth I'd definitely have a csection, but most women in my family have easy births so it wasn't something I'd ever have considered.

Also worth considering is whether you want more children (my obstetrician said he was happy to do an elcs as it was our last baby; if I'd wanted more than 3 kids, ie more than 2 caesareans, he'd have recommended natural birth as the risk increases with more than 2 cesareans). Also consider when you want to try for another baby (they recommended waiting at least 12 months before conceiving again when ds2 was born; not sure if that's still the same).

farfallarocks · 02/02/2018 07:43

I have done both and found the natural birth much better than a planned c section. Vaginal birth was not straight forward( shoulder dytocia, ventouse, episiotomy) and I recovered quickly
With no
Issues. C section took me ages to feel normal and my stomach has never been the same!!

abitoflight · 02/02/2018 07:54

I had 2 ELCS
I have had no bladder/ prolapse or other issues
Imo abdomen takes longer to get back to non pregnant state initially- I looked 6 months pregnant when I left hospital
Yes scar is sore at first but soon cleared up
I actually enjoyed the 6 weeks of not driving - it was a lovely quiet time with my babies and didn't feel pressure to be out and about through the recovery period - just pottered to local Spar and butchers

RumerGodden · 02/02/2018 08:16

Just to set the record straight, weakened pelvic floor issues are from carrying the baby as well as actually giving birth, so C-section no free pass.

Also, statistically, it is the second pregnancy that often causes the damage or more permanent weakness.

While a long or difficult labour may contribute, the issues are often caused from the weight of bub/amniotic fluid etc sitting on top of your pelvis for so long.

Also, PP is right, docs often want to limit # of c-sections as increased risks for 2+ so will depend on how many children you are going to have.

Damage to the pelvic floor while carrying is one of those things they don't tend to tell you about (like all the other glamorous stuff!) so lots of surprised c-section ladies with leaky bladders out there too...

Original poster

Teetotal2018 · 02/02/2018 08:25

That’s for your replies, lots off different opinions and experiences. There’s just no right answer is there. Why can’t men have babies 😂

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awankstainonhumanity · 02/02/2018 17:16

Lilonetwo absolutely. The colorectal surgeon who corrected them said "you don't get haemorrhoids like those without an awful labour".

Original poster

Teetotal2018 · 04/02/2018 11:53

awankstainonhumanity Gosh I’m so sorry to hear what you have been through! Xxx

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InTheRoseGarden · 04/02/2018 17:57

3 elective sections here, no VBs or labouring and no problems at all with these things. It was a big factor in my decision to have sections. You might find women who had sections who have these issues but you'll find more who had vaginal births. Yes, pregnancy itself can cause issues and sections have their own complications but you'll be less likely to have these if you have a section.

I want to say about rumer's post that these issues aren't just caused by carrying a baby. If you've any doubt, look up things like outcomes for those with 3rd and 4th degree tears and those who have (vaginal) instrumental deliveries. You've a greater chance of having these issues if those things affect you and they're not things that will affect you if you have a planned section.

Original poster

Teetotal2018 · 04/02/2018 20:06

InTheRoseGarden thank you so much for your reply! It’s given me lots to think about xxx

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Wow1234 · 04/02/2018 20:35

I had an emergency c section with my first and have a planned ELCS booked for my second in two days time!

Obviously its major surgery and is very painful initially but I recovered well and clearly prefer the idea of going through it again not childbirth hence opting for an elective c section this time.

Since having a baby I am more aware of the recovery of natural births and some of the things friends have been through. It was enough for me to be certain that c section is my preference. I also know at least three people who had complicated first births who will opt for c section next time as a result due to how long and how severe recovery can be. It feels like something that goes unspoken about which I think is dreadful.

Go with your gut feeling as everyone will have an opinion. I'm just being honest in terms of how I see it. Good luck!

Wow1234 · 04/02/2018 20:41

Sorry just thought one other thing that after the recovery you might want to consider is the impact of c section on your figure as there can be an 'overhang' where lower tummy fat hangs over the scar but I guess it depends on your figure before pregnancy etc etc and if that bothers you.

And it answer your first question I haven't had any of the issues that you described.

Original poster

Teetotal2018 · 04/02/2018 21:09

Wow1234 thank you so so much for your reply. I can deal with a scar/overhang tbh as this isn’t an issue of vanity for me. But I can’t deal with incontinece issues and problems with sex x

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