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Childbirth

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

Original poster

VB childbirth

46 replies

Youcannotbeserious · 14/03/2008 21:26

Can anyone give me some reassuring / happy / success stories about VB childbirth?

All the people I've spoken to seem to advoate CS as the way to go....

I don't have a birthing partner so would be alone and TBH that really scares me.......

Anyone gone through it alone and it's all turned out OK?

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Piffle · 14/03/2008 21:30

I've had three vb all quick easy and fab. Had no partner for first and dp did shag all other times. Pretty much did no. 3 on my own as dp was late, even midwife thought she had ten minutes when she didn't!!!
Are you under community midwife? What size hospital are you going into?

themoon66 · 14/03/2008 21:30

Clicked on this thinking why but I didnt even know Victoria Beckham was pregnant again!

[out of touch emoticon}

Likeasow · 14/03/2008 21:30

Whats VB?

Piffle · 14/03/2008 21:30

have you considered a doula type help?

Piffle · 14/03/2008 21:31

I'm presuming vaginal birth, if not then... Oops soz

pooka · 14/03/2008 21:33

Have had 2 vaginal births. First with dd was normal in that it hurt, I tore, but was only 7 hours and I only had an overnight stay.

With ds, was wonderful, lovely. Was 3 hours ish, arrived at hospital fully dilated and left within 2 hours of the labour, as soon as had been stitched (had been supposed to have a home birth but lack of midwives). Still hurt, but was much more in control, which was more about me than anything to do with dh's presence. I had taken ante-natal yoga classes and had 3 hypnobirthing sessions. They both (but perhaps more the yoga) were immensely helpful.

With both labours I was physically fine afterwards (though had a problem with the stitches after dd).

Is there any possibility that you could get a doula or good friend to be with you? Do look into ante natal yoga as the breathing techniques and visits from "graduates" were invaluable.

Would you be alone afterwards (apart from the baby of course) or is it just that your dp will not be attending. ONly ask because if you will be sole carer after the birth, a vaginal labour may enable you to be more self-sufficient and mobile whereas a c-section does involve a recovery period from what I've heard.

Good luck!

Likeasow · 14/03/2008 21:34

oh - ok - yes - had 3 and all good - last one bigger than the first two so that did smart a little afterwards but all good and in full working order again (if I had the energy!)
Can a friend be your birthing partner?
you recover quicker after VB so I have heard and seen.
No painkillers the second and third two - not cos I am a nutter - didn't need them. Wanted them later for breastfeeding though! all good now.

Original poster
Youcannotbeserious · 14/03/2008 21:34

yes, vaginal birth.... as opposed to Caesarian....

Yes, a doula is high on my list......

OP posts:
Likeasow · 14/03/2008 21:36

Doula's and private midwives - although REALLY expensive and out of most peoples budgets do have some kind of charity which allows them to do it for cheaper if needed - if this helps.....

Original poster
Youcannotbeserious · 14/03/2008 21:37

And, yes, the only reason to consider it is that I will be alone afterwards and I'd like to consider all the options....

All my friends who had CSs also had a lot of help in the months following the birth, and it'll just be me, the baby and the dog (and I'm guessing neither the baby or the dog will be much help!!!!

OP posts:
Likeasow · 14/03/2008 21:38

Have heard that hypno birthing is good - i had some CDs but friends who took a course said it really helped with pain relief.

pruners · 14/03/2008 21:39

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Youcannotbeserious · 14/03/2008 21:41

I'm going to a large hospital in London, but going to the private wing...

How likely are stitches with a VB?

OP posts:
pruners · 14/03/2008 21:44

Message withdrawn

pooka · 14/03/2008 21:46

Well, with dd I am convinced that the tear was the result of the epidural I had. I was completely numb and just pushed and pushed and was told by midwife to cough, rather than pant and it all got a bit muddled (blame also the gas and air and pethidine).
I couldn't feel the crowning or contractions, so just went hell for leather.
With ds went much more slowly. Wasn't so desperate to have a fast second stage. Still tore (though understandable after the previous tear and subsequent restitch). But was well repaired and no problems whatsoever.
Despite having tear both times, it wouldn't put me off having a vaginal birth again.

CarGirl · 14/03/2008 21:50

Honestly I found having my partner there no help at all!!!! My the last dc (no 4) I wrote on my birth notes he was there to carry the bags so could the midwives be my birth partners, so they were and it was fab.

All 4 were induced 2 were long drawn out affairs (days) the others half a day each. Afterwards I felt great was up and mobile again really quick etc, no stitches etc etc

Original poster
Youcannotbeserious · 14/03/2008 21:54

Sorry for all the questions...

How ong does it take to get over stitches from a tear? I only have one friend who went for a VB and she tore (or was cut, not sure which) very badly and her stitches were awful.... So bad, in fact, that she blamed the birth for her PND AND has sworn blind she'll never do it again....

OP posts:
pruners · 14/03/2008 21:56

Message withdrawn

pruners · 14/03/2008 21:57

Message withdrawn

berolina · 14/03/2008 21:59

I have had 1 episiotomy and 1 second degree tear requiring stitches. Both caused minimal pain/discomfort for a few days, maybe a week, then healed perfectly.

berolina · 14/03/2008 22:00

I didn't feel the tear tbh, was 'busy' with the contractions (no pain relief). Was quite surprised aftrwards to be told I'd torn.

lilacclaire · 15/03/2008 01:56

I had a VB and would have one again, had some stiches, but didnt feel the tear at all, your really just caught up with the pushing drama
I recovered really well compared to the woman in the bed next to me who had a cs and couldn barely move, I was gingerly shuffling around and quite happy.
vb all the way imo.

AnnainNZ · 15/03/2008 04:28

I'm sure lots of people who are more up on the info than me will be along to let you know that cs has higher risks of complications for you and the baby/risks with future pgs/longer recovery time etc.

I had an emer cs and it was fine - it wasn't anything like as stressful or scary as I had imagined it would be. But the physical recovery does take longer (usually) than a vb which I think is a big factor for you if you're going to be alone after the birth.

I don't mind at all that I had a cs but I would never say it's the "better" or "only" option.

aGalChangedHerName · 15/03/2008 08:09

I have had 4 dc and had a vaginal delivery with all of them. Had epis with ds1 and healed okish. Had small tear with ds2 and needed no stitching,healed fine. Had 2nd degree tear with dd1 and took a few weeks to heal. Had tear with dd2 too and took a couple of weeks to heal.

I would have a VB over a CS anyday. It was my worst fear when pg. Dd1 was breech until 36/37 weeks and i would have been sectioned had she not turned.

A VB will be fine,your midwife will help you slow down the pushing stage and lessen the chances of a tear. Have you though about asking a friend/sister to be your birthing partner?

I gave birth alone with ds2 and it was a wonderful birth. I had 2 friends when i had the dd's and they really helped me through it.

Shells · 15/03/2008 08:18

I've had both CS and VB and VB was definitely better. You can't plan to have a CS anyway can you? Apart from for medical reasons, which I'm assuming you haven't got as then you wouldn't be wondering which way to go. Maybe I'm missing something...
Anyway. Recovery after VB was much easier than CS, even with stitches. And its better for you and better for your baby to be born naturally. Good luck!