Hi! Has anyone had any experience with delivering with vaginusmus?

[Kardelen]

I have vaginismus, was too embarrassed to disclose it on my first birth. So it became a very traumatic experience as they kept wanting to do vaginal examinations. When I was having contractions they just left me until I started screaming my head off from pain. Which to they still said they have to examine but when they did I was 10cm and couldn’t feel much of it from the pain. They ended up giving me a spinal, but then had to have episiotomy and had instrumental delivery. Also had retained placenta.

I chose another hospital this time round, and spoke to them about it. Was adamant to have c section this time round but after reading pros and cons I was Indecisive. Spoke to the doctor who said she promises I can have early epidural if I have contractions, and they can do the checks then.

but when I spoke to the midwife she said they’ll need to know if I have dilated before giving the epidural.

im absolutely petrified now. Has anyone had any experiences with child birth and vaginismus?

thank you

No sorry, I meant they’d want to induce after 40 weeks as they think It’s too long.

thank you for the website I will have a look through 😊

oh I didn’t know about the anesthetist! I’ll ask in my next mw appt

Hey, I also have severe vaginismus and am currently 34+5 weeks.. I have an elective c section booked for 39 weeks. I was wondering what would happen if I was to go in labour early? Would I need to go through the excruciating pain of a vaginal exam to check if my waters have broke/ how dilated I am? If so, can I refuse these? Is there any other way a midwife can check if I am in labour? X

I went into labour the evening before my planned section, the consultant said he had to examine me before he could do the c section. I presume to check the baby is not about to come out and I hadn’t realised or something.
howevr there was never any question of be having to have a vaginal birth instead of my elective c section when I went into labour before the planned date (39 weeks)

You don't have to be examined first (I'm a labour ward anaesthetist), we do them before often for abused patients. You just have to be on a definited route to having a baby ie induction of labour if not actively contracting or already having contractions. The anaesthetist will understand your concerns don't worry. If you read my historic posts you'll get a lot more info on them

If you're obviously contracting then you have a section done by the emergency team, they may want to examine you (check baby is not imminently coming out where a vaginal birth is safer) but you could just request it takes place after you are numb from the spinal

Before explaining everything (again!) to each new midwife, start by asking them what your notes say about the issue. Check that your notes fully set things out, then you should only need to point them to the notes at each appointment.

They don't move your organs around the uterus is near the top of the abdomen but the anaesthetic doesn't get rid of sensation, only pain so you feel a lot of pushing pulling tugging,people often describe it like washing up or rummaging in their tummy

Epidurals don't totally numb you, unless being topped up for theatre, they significantly reduce pain but you can still feel pressure from the contractions but when they work well people can sleep through labour. They have a 1in10 chance of not working perfectly so one side of the body is more numb than the other, normally we can fix it laying you in your side etc but sometimes have to redo it to make you comfortable (not often

You won't ever go home the same day post section, at best late morning the following day but a lot stay in 24-48h

The default is examinations to monitor progress, as if you stop progressing then we need to consider intervening. You don't have to have them you're totally allowed to refuse anything, we won't force things on you

Theres no reason to not have an epidural 1st, we often do them before starting oxytocin (rhe hormone to bring on contractions) as it makes the contractions more painful than normal labour pain

They need to do examinations on oxytocin as need to check progression to make sure you aren't not progressing, as too long on the drip can make the uterus struggle to contract down after delivery which causes bleeding. You can have an epidural 1st

Theres an obstetric anaesthetic clinic we run if you want to talk to someone ask your consultant to get you added to the list

An individual who helps you self advocate for what you want and supports you through labour and afterwards. I'm not sure how you can find a reputable one but there is a huge spectrum in the level of knowledge they have/lack of

Not quite the same, but i have lichen sclerosis which affects the vulva. First and birth was awful..i tore badly. But this time i got the book and audio book for hypnobirthing and came away with 2 little stitches! Sounds bizzare but it really helped!! Xx

Thank you ill definitely speak to my consultant x

@Malika111s Hiya,
so I had my baby in February. I opted for early epidural so that they can examine without me feeling.
the doctor said if my pregnancy went beyond 39 weeks, they would have to examine me and break my waters so opted for a C-section for 39 weeks as I said I won’t be able to tolerate it. But they didn’t say they would have to examine before the c section.

however when my contractions started I was 38 weeks, which meant I’d go with the early epidural option. I called the delivery suite and a very unhelpful midwife picked the phone. I explained the situation and I talked about early epidural. She said She will not give me that, and she will have to examine me first. I tried explaining the situation again and that I spoke to the doctors regarding this plan before. But she was very rude and started saying how she worked there for 26+ years and knows what she is doing and I won’t be getting the epidural. In fact she told me to go in when I am contracting every 1-2 mins which is obviously a lie because the baby is ready to come out by then!

I put the phone down and was in tears and really nervous not knowing what to do. I was having contractions every 7-8 mins. I just tried sleeping and hoping by the time the contractions increase she will be off shift.
and I think I left it too late!
the hospital was about 40 min drive and I left home at 8. When I got there I couldn’t walk as the contraction was very severe. In fact it wasn’t contractions it was the baby pushing out!
was quixkly rushed to the delivery suite, and had my baby within 40 mins of entering. Didn’t have any pain relief, but it wasn’t that bad this time round! They obviously couldnt do any examinations as the baby was already on its way out.

the midwives on shift were so nice. They supported me through out and actually explained how I should push. And it made a big difference!

i still have vaginismus as had issues with my stitches but I couldnt let the GP touch. But at the time of the birth was different as it’s pushing out rather than going in.

wishing you all the best x

@Destiny123

hi destiny, not sure if this is your area but do you know what would have caused the baby to compromise?

Sorry no idea what you are referring to?

@Kardelen I'm so sorry you had to go through that honestly. I guess I can ask for an early epidural too if something like that happens. But I'm very happy for you and wish you and bubba the best xx

Congratulations on your baby op, hope you are managing to get some sleep!! Xx

I have vaginismus. First birth I ended up being induced because baby 2 weeks later and waters leaking. I had told everyone I had vaginismus but it was horrendous, all the pessaries and examinations, I just couldn't tolerate them. I was being induced for 4 days and never dilated, which I'm sure was due to the fear and stress.

Ended up having a c section which was such a massive relief, no more vaginal exams!! It was definitely the best option for me.

Second baby I just stated to midwife early on I was having a c section and why. Had to have consultant appointment to go over my choice but I just said I was sure.

I ended up going into labour early before boomed section. No one even offered me a vaginal exam, as I had told them no previously. I was labouring for 8 hours before a theatre was available but they still did the section with no questions asked. (NB that's not usual, I was in a particular part of the UK where the hospital was tiny and only one theatre for the whole hospital).

In short, I'd recommend a section.

That is so helpful to hear as I'm 36+1 weeks and I am supposed to have a c section on the 25th of this month but I've asked to have it earlier at 38 weeks instead of 39 because I have severe spd and can't toleter the pain xx