childbirth for vaginismus sufferer (sorry rather delicate subject)

[vickyy]

I am almost 30 wks pregnant now with my first baby and thinking about what kind of birth I should try for. The complication for me is that I have vaginismus which has left me terrified of pain in that area and of tearing. I'm worried about the birth itself and also about the implications afterwards.

At first I thought I should just have an epidural so I didn't feel anything, but have gone off that idea as I'm worried about it slowing things down, also it makes forceps/ventouse more likely which is what I'm trying to avoid.

I also wondered whether I could ask for a local anaesthetic there before the baby crowns, but I've no idea if that's possible.

Anyone have any advice, on pain relief or on how to handle this more generally for someone in my situation? I have found a doula which I hope will keep things more calm and relaxed, but any other advice? Please don't just say 'it won't hurt', I know from reading other threads that it can, also this is as much psychological as physical (I am not scared of contraction pains at all)

Have you looked into visualisation tecniques?

have you thought of looking at hypnobirthing?

Hi

I have suffered from vaginismus in the past and I gave birth 2 years ago to a gorgeous dd.

I had an epidural, episiotomy and ventouse.

I felt no pain at all, and was stiched back to normal following the birth. Infact I was prob stiched a bit too tightly, and find sex possible only with the slowest of motions and I have to mega relax before any penetration occurs.

I think Local anaethetic will not work as there is such a huge area to inject when the baby is crowning.

I think you are worrying and getting your self anxious. Talk to your doula and mw and learn some relaxation techniques (spl?)

You must have learned to cope with the vaginisimus to get pregnant

Hypno birthing is a great idea, I had a HB (not a lentil weaver btw ) and I was dreading the crowning but because I was in a birthing pool and relaxed I can honestly say that it wasn't that bad i.e. it didn't sting at all. But yes it does hurt for some people but you can minimise it through relaxing/water/comfortable positions etc.

Yes, I had dealt with it to an extent , but I'm worried this will make it worse again...

I like the idea of hypnobirthing, visualisation etc, but I'm working full time up to about 3 weeks before, as well as moving house and going to hospital and NCT antenatal classes, and I just don't know how I could fit in any more classes. Maybe I'm wrong about that though, or maybe I could learn through books or CDs?

vickyy, where abouts in the country are you? assuming you're in the uk?

or try pregancy yoga, great for relaxation.
There are books and DVDs here amazon if you can;t find a class or time for it.

I'd also be vary of rejecting some things re childbirth eg forceps, you don't know what might happen on the day....

I had vaginismus for years (thankfully seems to ahve gone now) and gave birth to DS2 when I had it. I actually found the baby coming out wasn't nearly so bad as internals etc. TBH I did have a pretty horrendous birth with him - down largly to failed pain relief and FAR more internals that were necessary.

When I had DS3 I still had some problems with it (the vag) but specified limited internals - I had one which I arrived (made easier with gas and air I must add) and that was the only time I had anyone sticking anything up my fanjo.

Make sure you have on your birth notes about it - and make sure they know what it is - I had it on my birth notes for DS2 - but evidently consultant and MW's had no idea what it was

Vikyy,

you are doing a great job already of facing the issues at hand. That is half the battle.

Have you contacted the support group?

I found this from midwives online:

"Vaginismus is more common than people think. Many women complain of this condition at some stage in their life. Vaginismus is a vaginal tightness, or difficulty or inability to allow penetration for intercourse, where by the vaginal muscles go into spasm. By relaxing the vaginal sphincter it will allow for normal childbirth. If possible you need to explore if the spasms occur in particular situations, or if there is a link to a previous experience. If you are in a relaxed environment for your labour/birth this should not cause a problem"

For more information you can write to

The Vaginismus Support Group Resolve
PO Box 820
London
N10 3AW

This may help you to learn if there are any techniques that will help, but as the response says, "if you are in a relaxed envornment...." so talk this over with your doula. You have done the right thing by 'protecting' your environment for birth with a doula who i am sure can help you relax.

Cx

The thing about childbirth is that your body just gets on with it.

Have you considered a waterbirth? The support/privacy afforded by the water and pool may help you and water is meant to lessen the risks of tearing. Panting instead of all out pushing so that the baby delvers slower is also meant to help.

Thanks. Yes I am UK based. I'm already talking this through with my doula, but I think I might try to pick up some relaxation books or cd's too.

I've thought about water for pain relief, but wasn't sure about a water birth as I'd heard it's harder for the midwife to judge when to push. And I'm not planning to rule anything out or have an overly rigid birth plan - just want to think ahead about how to handle this issue.

vickyy, hopefully no-one will tell you when to push - your body will do that alone.

Waterbirths are fantastic!