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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

ELCS after episiotomy

21 replies

Ree91 · 26/08/2020 12:33

Hi,

For my first I had a forceps and episiotomy delivery which was a little traumatic but nothing major. 3 days after i got an infection and the stitches brokedown, leaving a huge wound. I've had 2 bladder infections and 11 courses of antibiotics to treat and it's been unbelievably painful where I can't sit for a wee or get out of bed without being in agony.

This has me worried for my second labour and risking another infection in the stitches. Has anyone requested a c section based on this? I'm under no illusion that a section will be difficult to recover from too, but surely if I can sit down, keep my section wound clean and wee normally that would be a lot better than the first time round? There's lots of threads on here about elcs recovery being great, anyone got any similar stories? Thanks!

OP posts:

Ferrylass · 26/08/2020 15:58

Hi
I had a 30 hour labour which ended in an episiotomy and forceps delivery with my first. I'm now 35 weeks pregnant with my second and have opted for an elective section.
I was a wreck after my first, even without infection etc, and just can't face going through that again!
I'm aware that section recovery will be longer but I feel I can handle it as I'll know what to expect?
Plus they've said they'll induce me this time as I'm an older mum and the thought of that put me off too!

Original poster

Ree91 · 26/08/2020 17:30

@Ferrylass it's such a tough recovery isn't it! Did you have to push for an elective section or did you find they were quite accommodating?

OP posts:

Ferrylass · 26/08/2020 17:32

Not at all, they said it was entirely my decision :)

Johnson10 · 26/08/2020 17:46

I’m 8 weeks pp, episiotomy & assisted delivery. I wish I’d realised just how horrific episiotomy are!

My stitches burst by day 4. I’ve had a horrific recovery, only now I’ve started to feel normal & can see a difference in healing in my wound. I’m lucky I didn’t get an infection. It’s really ruined bonding with my baby & I feel I won’t ever be the same again down there - it’s a mess !!!
My friend had forceps & an episiotomy. She opened for a section for her 2nd child after being traumatised. She said the section recovery was by far easier.

Original poster

Ree91 · 26/08/2020 18:03

@Johnson10 yours sounds like mine except I was riddled with infection, only just starting to feel slightly more human 7 weeks pp too! Do you think you'd ask for a section for your next one based on recovery?

@Ferrylass that's good to know!

OP posts:

Lazypuppy · 26/08/2020 18:06

My midwives told me they would recommend i hqve a c section for any future children due to this, as once you have had stitches, chances of causing more serious damage increases so could end ip with bladder probelms for life etc.

mintich · 26/08/2020 18:16

I had a similar birth and had ELCS for my 2nd and will for my 3rd.
You will need to see a consultant, but they wont make the booking until right towards the end about 36 weeks.
I found that they just wanted to make sure I understood the risks. I was very firm that this is what I wanted and that I understood the risks and they were fine with me

pallisers · 26/08/2020 18:42

I had an episiotomy, a major tear and a forceps delivery on my first. I had ELCS on my second and third. I think my doctor was as keen as I was not to risk that again.

Nicelunch25 · 26/08/2020 22:41

I had forceps and an episiotomy with the first, then induced with the second but ended up with an emergency section and a scheduled section with the third. The sections were way easier to recover from and if I knew then what I know now i would have opted for a section the second time round. Even with the labour and getting to the pushing stage it was still easier to recover and I didn't have any of the infection stuff you had to deal with. I'd say get a section. You make very good points about being able to sit down. Just try and get lots of sleep after the section as every time I had a decent sleep I was a step closer to being back to normal. I was climbing over the stair gate 2 days after my section and doing the school run a week after. Good luck. I felt so sick when I was pregnant with the second at the thought of another traumatic birth and it wasn't as bad as what you had to go through.

DemolitionBarbie · 26/08/2020 22:47

If talk to your midwife about the likelihood of those problems recurring.

There's no 100% proof way to ensure positive outcomes, unfortunately. Pros and cons both ways. CS has a slightly higher risk for the baby, for example, and it can be harder to breastfeed (if you plan to).

I've had an emergency section and a vag birth with episiotomy that burst and went funny - I still preferred the latter!

MrsCl19 · 27/08/2020 06:37

I discussed this with my midwife at one of the first appointments as I had an episiotomy and suction cup. They went through my birth notes and basically said there wasn't really a reason it happened other than dd head being slightly twisted and her heart rate dropping. It really reassured me even after the hell I went through last time with recovery.

I would deffo talk to a midwife about your last birth by reading the notes and really understand what happened and why, many people do go onto have a normal birth after a traumatic one.

My main reason for not wanting a section if you can't drive for 6 weeks after

Chefwifelife · 27/08/2020 07:01

I had a forceps delivery with 2nd degree tear and episiotomy with DS now 3. The episiotomy superficial layer tore (no one listened despite several midwife and doctor visits); by the time they realised something was wrong it had to heal by secondary intention. I then had surgery (Fenton’s procedure) 7 months later for scar tissue and a polyp from the trauma of the forceps.

Having been under fetal medicine (for a blood condition) and a consultant I’ve never been advised that a further vaginal delivery would be any higher risk than a CS. I’m 39+3 with DS2 and hoping for a vaginal delivery. Oddly I’ve never considered an ELCS (I never asked and it was never offered). Maybe I’m eternally optimistic for a healing labour and delivery despite the horrific recovery last time.

@Ree91 are you pregnant again now? I think you just need to go with your heart and what you feel most at peace with.

Original poster

Ree91 · 27/08/2020 08:15

Thanks for all your comments ladies, I would be very happy to have a vaginal birth again even with an episiotomy if they could guarantee the stitches wouldn't burst and get infected but I know they can't! Up until they burst, I was a little sore but nothing I couldn't manage! Although the labour itself was a little traumatic I don't feel I need to understand that part of it, as ultimately i was discharged when my stitches burst so they won't be able to give me any indication as to why thishappened.

@Chefwifelife I'm not pregnant again, I'm only 7 weeks pp from my first but the recovery when I next have another is terrifying me!

OP posts:

Chefwifelife · 27/08/2020 08:17

@Ree91 I really do sympathise with you. I felt very different a year down the line pp. x

Original poster

Ree91 · 27/08/2020 08:53

@Chefwifelife sounds like you went through the wars with it too! Chances are, I probably will feel a lot different once I'm fully healed but it's consuming me at the moment and I have terrible mum guilt that I haven't been able to do the things I wanted with her as it's not healed. It's the little things like having a bath with her that I would love to do but can't yet!

OP posts:

familyof4boys · 27/08/2020 21:32

I am debating the exact same thing at the moment! I’m 27 weeks with my second after the exact same first delivery as you and trying to work out what to do! I get the impression it’s not as easy as just asking for a section and worry my first labour wasnt “bad enough” to be “allowed” a section? Any thoughts?

IsabellaMozzarella · 27/08/2020 21:39

I had forceps delivery and episiotomy which broke down and took a very long time to heal. My pelvic floor function is now rubbish limiting my physical activity. I was also traumatised from the delivery and had PTSD and pnd. I opted for a ecs second time round 5 weeks ago. The delivery was amazing, I had skin to skin very quickly and for the rest of the day. It was very special. The pain from ecs was bad, so it's not an 'easy option' but I can't quantify how much better than first delivery. I'm so happy with my choice. Good luck

IsabellaMozzarella · 27/08/2020 21:40

Original poster

Ree91 · 27/08/2020 22:56

@familyof4boys hard choice isn't it! I don't believe my labour itself was bad, and would be more than happy to do it again, it was and still is my recovery that's been the hardest part so that's what's swaying it for me! Have you spoken to the midwife about it yet?

@IsabellaMozzarella I'm glad you made the right choice! After a lot of comments on here I am more inclined to.opt for the section and understand it will be a tough recovery, but I'm staying positive that it can't be as painful as this what I'm going through now!

OP posts:

IsabellaMozzarella · 28/08/2020 01:13

It's hard without having a crystal ball and knowing that a v delivery would go ok. It certainly makes sense to me that you're seriously considering an ecs next time. My reasons for wanting one were for physical and psychological reasons. I hope you heal asap

thewhitechair · 01/09/2020 20:00

I had episiotomy and forceps first time due to feta distress. Second labour was straightforward and I didn’t need any stitches at all. I was up and showering after giving birth and it felt amazing to have no ‘recovery’ to go through. I had a straightforward pregnancy though, no risk factors, a spontaneous labour- so statistically going through labour a second time after a previous vaginal birth for me was very unlikely to end in another instrumental or emergency c-section, the risks are generally much lower the second time round.

Can completely understand why some women opt for a c-section though. My forceps delivery was awful and I understand why some would want a zero chance of enduring it again.

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