Calling all intervention-free delivery mums!

[feedmenow]

I am expecting my third LO in March and am aiming for a VBA2C.

In order to increase my chances of success, I am trying to either get over or come to terms with and accept any worries I may have.

For some reason, one of my biggest worries seems to be that of having very different (internal & external) genitals after a vaginal birth.

What I am after on this thread is some info on whether you are still aware of differences some time after the birth. I expect, of course, that there will be differences for some weeks after birth, but does your body ever go back to "normal"? And if it doesn't, how far from "normal" is it? Has it made anyone out there really unhappy? Does anyone feel so strongly that they wish they'd had a c-section instead?

Any info very much appreciated please!

or

"It's like a Tardis - looks quite small on the outside but is actually MASSIVE inside" ?

Testicle shredding of course

my dh was too honest when I asked him 5 years ago, I wish he had lied!

Awww DH is looking at me all baffled - I told him you think he is lying to save his testicles.

Dh claims I'm tighter than before. He said the first time we had sex after ds' birth was like doing it with a virgin, but I reckon that's coz I was so nervous

ask him if it's REALLY like throwing a sausage down Oxford Street

DH said that to me!

I said "Well darling that would depend on the size of the sausage wouldn't it?" and gave him a Hard Stare

Hi, I had bruising and grazing, plus one small tear with no stiches. Midwife said prob best not to get the hand mirror out for a few days! Had a bit of scar tissue removed by my GP (it was slightly sore and bled a little after sex) at about 5months.

To be honest sex feels the same (DP agrees) in fact I would say it was better than before. But externally I look a bit different. You can see a bit more into the entrance IYSWIM. No big deal though.

Aw, I am in trouble with Flame's DH now. Poor guy, having his testicles threatened by an imaginary person on the internet.

I suspect my DP would take CarGirl's husband's approach if asked directly (ie, he would tell the truth). He bloody prides himself on it.

What implements do they use in Chinese restaurants for shredding Peking duck?

pmsl!!! He is now looking concerned at me snorting at the laptop!

its forks. for the duck. quite brutal really. should make the point quite eloquently.

Well, thank you all for your replies!

Am glad to hear that mostly you all feel things are pretty normal. But it is also good to get the perspective of others who have said things will never be the same again!

I think that I will, perhaps, print off this thread and save it for after my successful vbac to show dp to ensure he doesn't say anything stupid to me.

Also, on page 1 of this thread someone mentioned the vbac hypnobirthing cd's. I've now been lent a copy and listened for the first time on Monday. All I remember is her saying repeatedly "Vaginally, naturally joyfully" over and over again in a very calm and soothing voice.

Am currently sitting at work, trying to laugh quietly so that I don't get asked whats so funny! I love the idea of waking dp in the middle of the night and shining torch direct in his eyes! Poor bloke would probably pee his pants!!

I don't wish I'd had a CS, as I'd never have known how much damage I'd otherwise have sustained iyswim and most people get away with it but after one vaginal birth and he was only 8lbs 3oz I've got: two prolapses (rectum and urethra have both collapsed inwards and was hanging out at one point) a load of detached muscles internally down one side so it feels like there's nothing there. The tear has healed beautifully up to the last 1cm or so where it still just hangs open (after 18 months)due to the underlying muscle damage so doesn't look great. My cervix is a lot lower than before so I cant use a mooncup or tampons anymore and the surgery sounds bad so I don't want it. Sex crap, but possibly for other reasons. On the bright side, I only pee when I sneeze now, so it's got a bit better. Probably just the luck of the draw. Would have a CS next time just to minimise yet more carnage.

That sounds horrendous Crimplene! Any ideas why things have ended up this way? Was your baby badly positioned, or was labour particularly fast or anything?