Forceps/episiotomy vs c section… any experience?

[Cocomandarin]

I’ve chosen to go for an elective section due to my first baby ending up with a forceps delivery and episiotomy after a 36 hour labour. I found the recovery awful for this. I was stitched up dodgy and got an infection. I was exhausted and lost lots of blood. I think I was on a massive come down from all the drugs for a while too. I have to add sex has never been the same 😒

those of you who had a traumatic vaginal birth and a c section. Which did you prefer? I keep hearing ladies say their vaginal birth was a breeze compared to a section. But they always seemed to be the type that had an easy vaginal delivery. I know this next birth might be better, but not sure if I would just panic for the whole time anyway.

I’m so sorry for your experience, it really sounds awful. I hope you’ve had support.

I haven’t had a traumatic vaginal birth but I did have a traumatic labour that ended in a crash section. I was young at the time and recovered quickly. I hear it’s harder with age so take my advice with a young pinch of salt. I’ve only heard one person say that a c section was harder (she has 4 kids and the last one was c section. She had easy births (if you can call them that) and was an absolute trooper with the first 3) and the recovery is not bad as long as you stay topped up on pain killers and have help and support. It was back in the days where you stayed in for three days and I can’t imagine leaving the following day as it hurt to stand up still at that point and I did have oramorph the following day (technically same day) but your body does recover well. By day 5 I was walking with my pram and I probably would have before if I’d left hospital before then.

I've had both, my emergency section was my first birth and forceps with episiotomy, after a 2 day induction, was second. The vaginal birth was the more painful recovery for the first few weeks as I wasn't given pain relief to take home like I was after the section, but the section did more long term damage and I still, 13 years later, have a partially numb abdomen which feels like a thick cloth tied round me all the time, scar pain and bladder problems from the nerve damage, whereas I have no lasting effects from the vaginal birth. Possibly a planned section does less damage though? I'd talk it through with your consultant.

I could have written your post OP! I too had a 36 hour labour with my first that ended with episiotomy and forceps delivery. I chose a ‘semi-elective’ c section with my second as she needed to be delivered due to concerns about her weight and I refused to be induced as I just knew it would end up like my first labour. Honestly, having a c section was like going on holiday compared to my vaginal delivery. Mentally I felt so much better and it was a relief to be able to go to the toilet and not worry about stitches down below. I never had any scar infection and after about 4 weeks felt pretty much fine. I have no numbness or damage anywhere but I do have an apron belly now which doesn’t look great, but I am overweight anyway and I’m sure this would look better if I lost weight.

I had a similar experience with DS - forceps in theatre, shoulder dystocia, third degree tear, episiotomy, PPH etc etc. Had a section planned with DD - ended up as a semi emergency as my waters went prematurely. I didn’t find it quite the serene, lovely experience that some do - probably because I’m generally nervous about surgery/hospitals, but it was much calmer than my first birth. The pain was far more manageable and I felt generally better. I’m a year on and don’t appear to have any lasting damage from it, except for the scar, which isn’t particularly noticeable.

I was in labour forever with my first then I had forceps, episiotomy, third degree tear- the whole shebang. Took me months to recover both physically and mentally. I had a c-section 2nd time (planned, though I did actually go into labour before my elective, so it was done as an emergency) and it was a walk in the park. I was discharged the next day, the recovery was really Straightforward, no trauma and I was up and about so much faster.

My first i had a 3rd degree tear with an episiotomy but was ventoused rather than forceps. My stitches ruptured and I got a pretty nasty infection. I had a section for ds2 because of the first birth. Recovery was shorter, easier and less painful. Ds2 has severe autism, there are theories that involve food, genetics, stress, all sorts but also c sections no one knows.

I had bad pregnancies with both, with ds2 i was hospitalised for sickness and put in a drip. Also ds1 had chicken pox when ds2 was 1week old. Just giving all info.

In terms of birth and recovery the section was a million times easier physically and mentally. The questions over the autism cover everything so if you choose a section and something goes wrong be prepared for the what ifs.

Thanks for your replies everyone. It’s nice to hear from those who have had similar experiences first time around. A lot of my friends and family have said not to go ahead with it as 2nd birth is much easier. But they all had natural deliveries with minimal stitches.
my baby has been under fetal medicine for a kidney condition which I think has swayed me more towards a c section anyway as I’m quite anxious about it. Just the memories of not being able to sit on my bum, infection fevers whilst trying to learn to breast feed gives me shivers!

Have you considered not talking to friends and family? Stick to doctors, midwives and your partner. Everyone thinks they are an expert after a couple of births.

No one has easy labours. They can be straightforward with very few issues or complications.

I don't have any experience with a csection after a traumatic vaginal delivery. But having what sounds similar to yours, forceps, stitches burst open, sepsis, multiple infections afterwards and a 3 month healing period I was obviously nervous second time round.

Let me tell you, it was a dream. 4 hour labour, 2 pushes, 2 small stitches. I can't believe I was so scared. Good luck whichever way you give birth!!

First baby was induction with rupture of membranes and then pitocin ending up with forceps, haemorrhage and baby being resuscitated. My episiotomy also got infected and I couldn't sit down properly for over a month. Plus prolapse- rectocele AND cystocele. I went for the full house of wrecked vagina.

I had trauma too and I was hoping for a straightforward delivery for baby 2. I was showing signs of pre eclampsia and was sent to hospital from my antenatal appointment at 38 weeks. I agreed to try the pessary to induce labour but that didn't start it so I pushed for a section. It counted as an emergency section rather than elective but only because I was considered failed induction (BP had gone back to normal and no more protein in wee so not eclampsia). It was wonderful and calm and I was holding my baby in about 20 minutes. He latched immediately and then shat all over me which was a much funnier start to being his mum than my daughter's birth.

I was kept in for three days but only because of the need for extra monitoring for him because of my meds. I was able to walk to the loo about 5 hours after having him and could sit stand and lie down so long as I went slowly. I was pushing him in his pram at about 5 days and remember taking him for a very slow short walk in the sunshine. I felt sad I didn't get to have "a natural birth" in a way but having a section was absolutely a positive decision

I’ve only had one baby so have nothing to compare it to, but just to say that my c-section was a very positive experience. Nice and controlled and calm. Yes there is pain and discomfort afterwards, but if you keep topped up with the pain killers and don’t try to do too much then recovery was totally manageable. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

I had an elective CS after forceps. Best decision I ever made. Home the next day, much quicker recovery.

I can’t talk for C section experience but what I can say is that I have had another birth after a third degree tear with my second (the recovery was so slow). My third birth was ‘textbook’! Whether it was because I knew what to do and what not to do or that my body remembered but it was very straight forward IMO. I didn’t end up with a scratch and it was by far the easiest birth, recovery was so quick. I could have easily have been given a CS based on my previous birth but I was so glad I didn’t. Each birth has been so different. Just another perspective here.

First birth was the same as yours. Second was an elective csection - which i had to fight for. I have never once doubted my decision.

Hi OP. I had the opposite experience. With my first, I laboured for ages and it ended with an EMCS. Recovery was awful - I felt battered and bruised (son has to be pulled back from almost being born vaginally so it was quite brutal), I then had infections in my wound for nearly six months so, in addition to the pain, I was in and out of hospital and also on antibiotics repeatedly which affected DS who was breastfed. It was awful. My scar is ugly and lopsided and I still occasionally get discomfort there, as well as numbness around the wound.

I had a VBAC for my second and it was a really positive experience - I didn't have any pain and only mild contractions until 8cm and asked for an epidural early which was amazing, although it eventually ended in forceps and episiotomy. I lost a lot of blood and had a second degree tear. Other than discomfort and pain the first few days after birth due to stitches, recovery has been far better than my EMCS and I'd never opt for a CS over vaginal birth again. My EMCS and recovery was far more traumatic than my VBAC.

I've read so many positive stories about both birth methods. I suppose you just don't know how either will turn out so you're taking a risk either way. I guess you just need to make a choice you're most comfortable with. I should add that I'd actually opted for an ELCS for my second but went into labour pre-term so doctors recommended against it due to risks to baby. Sometimes these things are just out of your control. Best of luck whatever you decide.

Same as you OP, same first birth, including prolapse after (not severe). Section for second birth.
Not only was it calm and straightforward, it went some way to relieving feelings about the first birth that I didn’t even realise Id held on to. It was completely different experience, the moment DC was out a midwife put baby’s head against mine. And then on to my chest. It was honestly magical.
No numbness, overhang, etc with scar. Over time I improved prolapse through exercise and I think that the section contributed to the fact that it didn’t get worse with a second birth.

This. I got quite sick of friends telling me my second labour would be easier as there have been some very tricky second births in my family. Each labour is different and they don’t necessarily get easier the more you go through.

Almost the exact same here, 40 hour labour, forceps, massive episiotomy, shoulder dystocia, PPH, the works.

I had an elective c section the second time around, absolutely glorious, a lovely calm and relaxed experience and a much better recovery too!

Same as you basically. The c-section was vastly better, what I would describe as a breeze in comparison - it’s a good choice.

My first birth - failed ventouse, forceps, episiotomy, third degree tear, PPH, bladder wasn’t working due to trauma and bruising, so sent home with a leg catheter, readmission for one night, stitches got infected, could only sit on a valley cushion for three months, and my pelvic floor was trashed, causing my back to completely go for a few months. Some muscle issues and some leakage ongoing.

Two ELCS after: very smooth recoveries, no after effects. Much much more mobile in both cases than after the vaginal birth, when I could barely shuffle in a haze of pain (despite some pretty strong painkillers). I was a bit hesitant before the first section, not knowing what it would be like, but had zero doubts before the second.

Maybe a second vaginal birth would have been straightforward- but what if it hadn’t? The consequences for my nether regions don’t bear thinking about. I had an appointment with the perineal specialist midwife after the vaginal birth, and she herself pointed this out, and was encouraging about having a section.

So sorry for your experience, OP. I had ep and forceps in first labour too. In second I laboured slightly on my left hand side to avoid the scar tissue, which was fine, and I barely had any tears (only a couple very minor first degree). Very easy recovery. So history didn’t repeat itself!

Every labour is so different OP. I had a csection first which didn't go smoothly and me and DS had a long hospital stay (separate as he was in SCBU). I hemmoraged and required blood transfusions, then developed sepsis. DS also developed sepsis and hypothermia. My mental health was terrible afterwards.

My second I cancelled my booked csection at the last minute. I had a forceps and episiotomy delivery and I found recovery to be much easier.

My third baby I decided to just go for it and DS was born with just gas and air. Fabulous birth.

You have to go with what you want and what your gut is telling you. Don't feel like you have to justify your decision to anyone.

I’m in a similar position OP. Have a c-section booked for next week - for various reasons they wanted to induce me and I said no. I was induced with my daughter and it was horrific - also ended in forceps and episiotomy with zero pain relief. Recovery was brutal and seemed to go on and on. I know a c-section isn’t the easy option, but I’m happy with my decision, because I can’t face induction again. I think I may have felt differently if I went into labour naturally, but I need to do whatever gets my baby here in the safest way.

I had a very long second stage with failed ventouse, forceps and then infected stitches with my first baby and was very anxious about my second birth, the midwifes reassured me that my body had ‘paved the way’ for the second delivery, I did go on to have a straightforward very fast natural second labour with small episiotomy. I was glad I opted for this and it was fine with a good outcome.