Birth injuries without instrumental assistance

[worrywilma]

Hi, just trying to gauge the risk of birth injuries from an unassisted vaginal delivery.

I'm terrified of having a prolapse or being doubly incontinent so will be considering asking for an ELCS when the time comes.

I know an uneventful vaginal birth is preferable, but how likely is that to happen? Im desperate to avoid forceps and for first births, they seem to be a regular occurrence causing massive problems later in life.

How has your vaginal delivery affected you?

Tia x

For both my pregnancies I've done pregnancy yoga with a qualified teacher in women's health and also taken her labour masterclasses in biomechanics of birth. Lots about breathing and positioning in order to ease baby down the canal and prevent intervention.

I had to have an epidural for my first birth as it was very slow progressing but my midwife coached me through when to breathe and when to push by placing her hands on my stomach and telling when to go. It was a very positive experience and I experienced one small graze (not a tear) which has not bothered me.

For my second birth I am due to have a home birth any minute and I'm feeling again very positive about it. Have been preparing by ensuring baby can get their head into the right position by using active positions and thinking about how I'm going to give birth in terms of positions and what makes me feel truly comfortable and safe. Im not a hypnobirther by any stretch and I know it's going to hurt, but I'm not afraid of that part.

I would chuck the vision of giving birth on your back screaming out of the window and instead think about your body and how you can prepare it to feel safe and strong. Maybe go to some yoga classes and read up about the different stages of labour.

Things don't always go to plan but if your focus is on having a birth where you feel like you've made good and informed decisions, you're far more likely to feel in control and therefore less panicky about the outcome.

Baby no.1 - 3hr second stage. They called the doctor to perform a ventouse delivery. The doctor took a look and DC obviously had the same opinion as me that this was not going to happen, and shot out like a rocket.

Baby no.2 - home birth, 3hr second stage again. Midwife wasn't too concerned because of previous birth 18m before. However, she decided to set a time limit before calling an ambulance. Five minutes before she was about to call, baby arrived with a forehead presentation, which, apparently, would have been an emergency CSec in hospital.

I had my DC late 20s. I'm 53 now. Never had any incontinence issues due to birth. Now I'm getting on, peri and all of that, fatter than I should be, unfit, I have to be careful when I cough! But I have friends exactly the same who have never had DC.

Don't overthink, OP. Congratulations and enjoy the whole experience.

I had a ventouse delivery and an episiotomy 4 months ago, absolutely no issues at all, no pain, healed quickly.

I've just had surgery, keyhole, and it's made me realise how difficult I would have found a section.