1 in 3 first time mother's need forceps or vaccum

[KayBM]

Just stumbled across leaflet on rcog site...it was published in April 2020, so too late for me! But it says 1 in 3 women who are first time mother's need forceps or vaccum. Pretty sure there should be a bit of discussion about this with midwife...

The leaflet also says that for women who don't want an assisted birth they should consider a caeserean.

Just wondering if any first time mother's out there have been told this? Do you think women should be told this? Anyone think this should be on the NHS site too?

Anyone else think that a natural birth is highly unlikely for a first time mother? I wonder what the induction rates and c section rates are for first time mother's too?

@tangochutney

Yes I originally thought it might be mobility/recovery from c section that may impact breastfeeding. But I think it is trauma actually from what I've heard since.

Many women whether having planned or emergency caesereans may feel traumatised. Some women really want a vaginal birth and then when they have to have a planned section for health reasons or an EMCS it can be traumatic.

I believe in being more informed. During my rotational forceps delivery I was told I would be planning another baby this year.
However nothing was discussed beforehand to say the reasons we want to use forceps are baby is stuck and if you have forceps you can give birth vaginally again. Well my physio has advised against it anyway! And if they had told me this, as they are meant to inform patients of potential benefits...I would have said no thank you, then rather than do nothing they would have had to have done a c section. I am also distressed that they took such admittedly rare but very serious risks with my baby, when they said he was low I thought they must think he was in more danger doing a section.

I think trauma affects everyone differently. I was in agony with broken coccyx following forceps and breastfeeding my baby who cried all the time due to reflux, tongue tie and dairy intolerance that took 7 months to sort out was so helpful to me. I could comfort her and helped me bond with her immensely which I am very grateful for.

@KayBM I think it's really sad how few women are open about these things. Even some of my best friends didn't share the true horrors of their labours until after I had my baby, and I remember being in excruciating pain thinking of my friends and how strong and brave they must have been compared to me. I wish I had known the truth!

I dont mean this to sound harsh, but birth is brutal by it's very nature. Most women are left with lasting effects, whichever form of delivery they have - even the most straightforward birth can result in tearing, blood loss etc.

So you could avoid one side effect, only to end up with another.

I just dont understand what can be done about it by informing women of all the things that can go wrong, bar giving them the option of an ELCS (which may still result in PPHs, infection etc) or lowering the threshold for a CS labour (again could result in same thing).

Like I said before I think efforts should be concentrated on aftercare as this makes all the difference to recovery times.

@lydiangel83
Yes many women don't talk about these things. You sound like you bonded really well with your daughter. I hope she's well.
My son at least is ok and I'm alive.

@Wolfgirrl
Every one is different. Some women would like to pick the risks and benefits. You can't do that if you don't know them. Maybe they don't want to do elcs as they may say it's not a necessary op. However at least with more info you know the damage that can be done and can look to lessen it, know your choices in labour etc.
Did your midwife talk to you about risks of VB and that it was important to avoid tears etc? My midwife basically told me I wouldn't have a choice on being cut etc, she said it wasn't anything to worry over. I was also told if I went overdue then they would have to induce me. It wasn't presented as if I had choices as such.

@Wolfgirrl totally agree there needs to be more focus on after care. And agree that birth by its nature is fairly brutal but we have had a long run at this (all of humanity!) and I guess it could be said that more information and better handling when things are not straight forward may be helpful!

@Amberfest

I'm sorry to hear about your problems. It's awful when they affect your life so much.

I'm also really sorry to hear that you believe your son was affected by the birth too. 💐