Does a vaginal delivery increase risk of prolapse?

[CharlotteBilltury]

I'm due my 3rd DC in June, I've had 2 vaginal births. My pelvic floor has never been the same despite exercising religiously. I have a consultant appointment next week as it's a high risk birth and I'm worried about the risk of prolapse (unrelated to appointment). Am I less likely to get one if I have a c section? Thank you

I think I was told that an instrumental birth, so with forceps or ventouse, increases the risk of prolapse. But that an unassisted vaginal birth doesn't increase the risk relative to a C section. However I'd want to check this!

Ask at your appointment but as a c section avoids that area I’d say it’s the safest route if it’s something you’re worried about. There’s virtually no risk of damage to the vagina etc with a c section x

I've had 4 vaginal births my bladder is shot but it's not prolapsed.

I don’t understand why you would ask a specific question like this on MN no offence intended at all. All you will get is ppl experiences and opinions. So factual information comes from ppl who have trained for years and have the professional ability to analyse research studies. Good luck with your next birth💐

There is less risk of prolapse with a C-section yes. The pregnancy itself is also a risk to cause prolapse.

I'll be having a section as I already have prolapse.

I saw a consultant who said I should deliver vaginally and have any damage 'fixed' after.
Second consultant thankfully agreed with me and said that was bad advise and supported my decision for a section.

It's not quite so straightforward that a section is better. It would be the case if you had had sections for all your children (although there is a smaller risk of prolapse from the pregnancy itself) but since you have already had two vaginal births it's more complex.

Firstly, it's commonest for any damage to be done with the first vaginal birth. Subsequent births usually don't permanently worsen any damage. There will of course be exceptions to this as with everything under the sun, but in general the first vaginal birth is the riskiest.

Secondly, your pelvic floor does not work alone. It's part of your whole core. A section compromises a different part of that core 'basket'. So if you do have a minor prolapse and then you have a section, your core/pelvic floor then has two weak areas instead of one.

I'm not saying a third vaginal birth is totally risk free, just that you can't say a section will have no affect on your pelvic floor either. Swings and roundabouts.

Yes it does increase the risk of prolapse
But - most of the damage probably already done now
and C section will do its own damage
(I say this as someone who had 1 elective section for maternal request and 0 vaginal births - ie I’m not an anti C section person!)