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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Incontinence

12 replies

ohsotiredd · 22/10/2021 06:43

Just wondering what you would do in my situation.

First baby but existing urge incontinence issues. Would you opt for ELCS or try for a vaginal birth and hope incontinence doesn't get any worse?

I've been given the option and I'm swaying towards ELCS but I'm worried about making the wrong decision Sad

Some background info if it helps:
I do pelvic floors already
I'm on medication for urge incontinence when not pregnant
I've seen urologists, tried bladder training etc
Even on medication I go to the toilet frequently and when I need to go, I need to go.

The idea of an ELCS being major surgery puts me off but I also don't want to end up with even worse incontinence issues if I have a VB.

OP posts:
Nikki305 · 22/10/2021 07:08

Personally I think I'd go elcs here, I don't think I'd want to risk making it any worse

ItsSnowJokes · 22/10/2021 07:10

Go for an elcs. I had no problems before my 2nd and I am left with a rectal prolapse from childbirth. It is getting better with physio (I ruled out surgery myself after advice from the women's health physio) but it's taken nearly 5 years!

Don't risk it at all.

StylishMummy · 22/10/2021 08:39

There's a risk with ELCS of bladder damage and it's pregnancy that impacts your bladder as much as a vaginal delivery. I had 2 EMCS and I still have to pee far more frequently and urgently than before pregnancy

Original poster
ohsotiredd · 22/10/2021 09:25

@StylishMummy

There's a risk with ELCS of bladder damage and it's pregnancy that impacts your bladder as much as a vaginal delivery. I had 2 EMCS and I still have to pee far more frequently and urgently than before pregnancy
Is this risk not smaller with ELCS than it is with VB with the risk of tears and instrumental deliveries?

I'm not talking needing to pee just a little more frequently. I could be 6 times in an hour on a normal day.

I'm trying to weigh up my best option to leave myself with a normal life afterwards

OP posts:
Tessa2014 · 22/10/2021 09:39

ELCS

Gem176 · 22/10/2021 14:26

I've had two elcs, most recently 7 weeks ago. At the signing of paperwork I had to be told all the risks etc and my consultant said he's seen more bladder damage due to vb than elcs. With sections the damage is done when they are hurrying in an emergency to get baby out quickly and may not have time to move your bladder and/or bowel out of the way properly and may nick them. This is much less likely with an elective as there is no rushing and they have plenty time to get baby out.

Many women have developed incontinence issues because of vb, if I already had issues I wouldn't risk exacerbating them further with a vb.

Original poster
ohsotiredd · 22/10/2021 19:30

Thank you for the responses ladies, it's really helped me confirm what I thought was going to be best for me. It's just nice to hear other peoples opinions/experiences. Fingers crossed recovery isn't too bad

OP posts:
Gem176 · 22/10/2021 21:09

@ohsotiredd
On the topic of recovery. I was discharged from hospital 24 hours after DD was born. By day 4 I was out for lunch and by day 13 I was back to driving again. Pain was minimal but my legs ballooned as I took the compression stockings off too soon. Soon went down after I put them back on though. Wound was sealed by day 6 when the plaster thing that was on it fell off (due to come off day 7) and the diclofenac worked a treat so I never felt any pain.

Original poster
ohsotiredd · 22/10/2021 21:52

[quote Gem176]@ohsotiredd
On the topic of recovery. I was discharged from hospital 24 hours after DD was born. By day 4 I was out for lunch and by day 13 I was back to driving again. Pain was minimal but my legs ballooned as I took the compression stockings off too soon. Soon went down after I put them back on though. Wound was sealed by day 6 when the plaster thing that was on it fell off (due to come off day 7) and the diclofenac worked a treat so I never felt any pain. [/quote]
Love stories like this!! Smile I find you're only ever given horror stories when you mention a section!

OP posts:
juicyjanuary · 23/10/2021 04:58

I've had both a vaginal and elective. It used to be no driving for 6 weeks after a CS but that may have changed. My elective went really good. Calm, no problems afterwards, breastfeeding fine, out of hospital on day 2, scar healed quickly, no infection (tho I did apply lavender oil on it). Worst thing was I couldn't lift stuff for a time and the area felt 'tight'. Nd not driving. Still have an area of numbness around scar. Then I had a vb. Loved giving birth vaginally but I do feel that even though a quick active labour, the pushing did cause a bit of prolapse which is, years after, still discernible in that it all feels a little heavier down there. It all looks fine but I do experience urge incontinence a little.

In your situation, I think I'd choose the elective.

Labyrinth86 · 23/10/2021 08:48

@StylishMummy

There's a risk with ELCS of bladder damage and it's pregnancy that impacts your bladder as much as a vaginal delivery. I had 2 EMCS and I still have to pee far more frequently and urgently than before pregnancy
There can be damage to the bladder during a c-section but it's one of the risks that's considered 'rare' on the NHS website.

As for your second comment, well yeah but she's pregnant whatever happens. Having a c-section rules out additional damage done due to actually pushing a baby through the pelvic floor muscles. Always boggles my mind when people try to argue pregnancy causes the damage - both pregnancy and childbirth can cause pelvic floor issues so by only doing one, it makes sense that one is reducing the risks.

Gem176 · 24/10/2021 02:13

@ohsotiredd
This was my second c section. First was 8 years ago so can't remember time scales very well but it was obviously a good experience as I wouldn't have gone for a second if it was bad. First was an emergency elective as I went into labour with a breech baby so not as calm as my second.
I do know that both times I was up, walking about, showered and perfectly able to care far my baby alone by the time my partner went home that evening (baby 1 born @ 9.48am and baby 2 born at 11.32am). I was slow but I wasn't in any rush as I didn't want to hurt myself.

In no way am I saying it's a walk in the park but I don't think a baby exiting your body (whichever exit route they take) is going to be a walk in the park. But I can genuinely say the only time I was in pain was the day I came home but I live a 3 hour drive from the hospital, I skipped painkillers and did a quick shop en route..... I don't recommend this at all.

Pregnancy puts pressure on your pelvic floor. VB puts pressure on your pelvic floor. One is optional, the other isn't.

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