Traumatic birth now pregnant again

[Lcw29]

Not sure if this is in the right place so sorry if not. I had a horrendous back to back labour with my boy 2 years ago. I had a pph and was in itu . Extremely poorly and suffered with post traumatic stress. I've had counselling which was useful but I'm now 15 weeks into second pregnancy and feeling scared. Does anyone have experience with second child after a pph? Will it happen again?

Have an elective section?

I was thinking that but they said it would be more risky of losing blood that way so they dont want to

I’d be having a ELCS if I were you. I think based on your history, the benefits outweigh the risks.

Because you’ve had a pph before, you’re at a higher risk of it happening again. Obviously both natural and CS births are both risky but I’d highly recommend a CS

I’d recommend an ELCS too

Why would it be anymore risky for you to have a ELCS than any other woman?
Are the medics trying to put you off using incorrect information?

All they've said is that it would be more dangerous. So I have no idea...

Bumping, similar first birth and thinking about second. Several people on here have suggested ELCS but I know you can’t just ask for one, in most places. Anyone know if these are the sort of circumstances that would cause them to agree?

I has PPH and thought that sections increase the risk of haemorrhage, hence they advise against?

@EgremontRusset

By law, you definitely can just ask for one if you want to :)

@mamma2016 I think that's what they are making the decision based on. I guess I will wait for my next consultant appointment and see what plan they have in place to prevent it

I had a ventouse first delivery, an episiotomy and a second degree tear, I had a pph losing about a litre of blood for dc1.

Dc2 was a planned homebirth. Normal amount of blood loss, quick labour, a tiny tear which needed no stitches.

I’m not saying have a homebirth but I was also scared of another pph but for me the reasons for my pph were the episiotomy and tearing which led from the long labour and then epidural. None of these happened second time round.

Hopefully you can find what caused yours like PP. I'm not sure what caused mine but did have a low lying placenta (that moved enough to have a vaginal delivery) and two large bleeds towards the end of my pregnancy. I also have a ventouse delivery and epistiotomy. Hopefully your consultant can give you more detail on the cause of yours and therefore if it's less/more likely to happen again. We're about to TTC again and I am also worried but my DH is more so. I am sure they'll look after you and will have ways they can plan to help avoid a repeat. Wishing you lots of luck x

I had a pph - lost 3.5litres- and consultant was happy to give me an elcs. Booked in next month.

@Kingtiger101 I also had a very long labour as my DS was back to back. He came out head sideways as he was mid turn. I tore and they think that's where the blood loss came from. I was close to having an emergency c section but I suddenly ljumped to 9 cm then 10 and got told to push. They did say they took too long to stop bleeding. It was an hour before they noticed I was losing too much

Have you had a birth reflections type appointment where they can look over your notes and explain what/why happened?

I’d do some research into ELCS if it interests you, I wouldn’t necessarily trust comments that ‘it will be more dangerous’. Look for proper facts and information on it. You’re entitled to request a CS at most hospitals.

Have you had a birth reflections appointment? I did and it helped a bit.
When I was pregnant again I went on quite a (metaphorical!) journey. I read about childbirth a lot and did some hypno birthing which helped a lot with my feelings on labour and my anxiety levels.

I was told by consultant to give birth in hospital but after my experience the first time and my increased knowledge I did not want to. The head midwife in charge of birth choice signed me off for a home birth.

@lifeinthedeep I know, but my hospital say in a letter at your first MW appointment that despite that guidance they won’t, and that if you insist then what they do is transfer you out to another trust that may consider. I don’t want a big fight that’s all centred around their agenda not mine. Also I worry that they might say that as pph risk is higher with CS that outweighs other factors (like avoiding last time’s awful experience)

Caesarean sections significantly increase bleeding which is why the PP has been advised not to have one by some very qualified people. The risk of you having another PPH from a normal birth is increased due to your history but there is many things that can be done in preparation to help with this should it occur again...which is far from definite. Your birth this time is likely to be quite different and easier. I would ask if there is a consultant midwife at your trust you could make a care plan with that would set out in advance steps that should be taken late in pregnancy (I.e. making sure you have high iron levels), early labour and post birth to reduce the risk of a PPH. This would hopefully help you feel more confident in the process and help you to relax a bit more. I'm a midwife and have seen many women have normal blood loss following a previous PPH.

@boredpanda84 thanks for such a thoughtful reply. Speaking just for myself I’m not worried about repeating the PPH, more about having the fear of repeating the VB hanging over my pregnancy (I’ve had birth debrief and counselling, etc)

Sorry to hear this. It must be very hard. I don't have any directly similar experience except that I was almost phobic of giving birth before my first. I bought the book and cd to go with it called 'Effective Birth Preparation' by Maggie Howell and listened to the cd a lot and ended up with a relaxed water birth which I never in a million years imagined would be possible. Might just help with how you are feeling and I guess focus on fact that PPH isn't necessarily going to happen again.

Thanks for everyones comments. I did have a special review at the hospital but I'm now hearing different things from what was discussed which has me a bit confused. I'm taking spatone sachets to help naturally keep iron levels up.

I think what I'm struggling with is that the pregnancy has been very similar to the last which 8s bringing back memories. I also found out it's a boy again and feel a little nervous that he will be difficult like the first in coming out .
Im going to try and stop thinking about what ifs and be more positive. I've got my 17 week midwife appointment on Thursday and will tell her how I've felt.