If you had Forceps 1st time- What happened 2nd time?

[lemonbonbons]

Hi all,

I'm de lurking for my first post.

I had a forceps delivery 3 years ago - my notes say 'failure to progress' and the baby and turned sideways on. The whole 'giving birth' expierience was horrendous and I thought the care at the hospital was terrible.

Afterwards I had an awful time- my episiotomy stitches came away completely and got infected. I had to return to the hospital for weeks afterwards for 'packing' of the wound and had problems with toilet control. I also got post natal depression.

I'm now 27 weeks pregnant with No 2 - I am at a loss as to what to do regarding the birth. The midwife has suggested I might look at having a C Section- as I'm so scared of having problems 'down there' when another comes out. I have a consultants appointment as 36 weeks to discuss this option.

If you had a forceps delivery with one of your children- what happened when you had the next ?

Thank You all so much for your quick and informative replies.

It looks like most of you who did go for a varginal birth- mananged so successfully. I can't imagine how delighted I d be if I managed to push a baby out on my own like you see on T.V. !!!!!!

I'm also encouraged by the C sections also looking postive.

I still totally don't know what to do !

lovethesea- your about as pregnant as me and it looks like you had a similar time with your first too - looks like we are in this together

I could have written Waswondering's post nearly word for word!

Can definitely vouch for a straightforward elcs being a better/less stressful recovery than recovering form trauma froma VB. The breastfeeding was so much better too

Best of luck.

"I had a forceps delivery 3 years ago - my notes say 'failure to progress' and the baby and turned sideways on. The whole 'giving birth' expierience was horrendous and I thought the care at the hospital was terrible.

Afterwards I had an awful time- my episiotomy stitches came away completely and got infected. I had to return to the hospital for weeks afterwards for 'packing' of the wound and had problems with toilet control. I also got post natal depression."

This is EXACTLY what happened to me first time. God, that wound; i couldn't sit down for about a month.

The second time i was strangely optimistic and had decided that is could only be better than the first. I went into hospital at 8pm, had ds2 at 10pm, went home to my own bed at midnight. Small tear, no problems with the wound. It was like stubbing my toe, whereas ds1 delivery was like being in a major car crash!

Am hoping for home birth with dc3 in 8 weeks; a bit more scared this time as ds2 was so straightforward so am worried it will be longer/more complicated. Good luck with whatever you choose.

eeeek, your birth sounds like my first, I was induced too early, cervix not even soft ! long long labour, baby turned so was back to back and head crooked ..... finally out on 3rd pull with forceps, it took me a long time to recover - stitched from front to back, infections etc etc ! 2 baby, had a homebirth (which I had wanted for first) it was amazing and I just had a tiny graze, I had amazing support from midwives which helped! Good Luck !! (after 2nd birth would have done it again & again!)

My first birth was fairly similar, dd was the wrong way round and starting to get distressed so I was rushed into theatre for a forceps delivery. It was all very traumatic and it took years before I could even consider having a second child.

When it came to dd2 I had it in my birth plan and I also told the consultant that should things look like they were heading the same way I wanted a c-section and would not in any way, shape or form entertain the idea of forceps a second time.

As it turned out, I had a lovely natural birth. The scar where the stitches had been from the first delivery did tear so I needed stitches again but nowhere near as many as the first time.

Glad I de lurked - looks like there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

There's so many experiences to comment one- but one theme is that they are ALL positive and no one had had forceps for number 2.

(Although it's not so much the forceps that bother me- it's the after effects -and the thought of it all tearing and becoming infected again- OUCH)

I'm impressed my those of you who could think postively about going into your 2nd childbirth- I am def NOT at that stage. I don't feel like I trust the hospital and I'm dreading going to it- I even didn't enjoy my scans as they were at the horrible hospital- and I just hated being there!

Linnet + others - is it reasonable to put on your birth plan that you want a C Section if they think ANYTHING is not going as it should whilst labouring ?
(Is there a certain point where they baby would be too far down to be able to give one ? )

On forceps v.c-section: my consultant said a couple of weeks back that when fully dilated, and the baby partially descended, a c-section is more risky - that was why they tried me with forceps once in theatre (which got DD out) and were then going to do a c-section. Something about having to haul the baby back up again to get it out.

I also felt NO FORCEPS would have to be on any vb plans I made this time - but I can see that in some situations the baby's distress might mean they are the best option for the baby so I wasn't convinced that I would be able to have a c-section if a vb wasn't going well.

I do know of people on another birth board who had forceps again second time around, after being told it would all be fine and their body was stretched out now etc. It wasn't fine for them - second traumatic birth they are struggling to come to terms with and greater lifelong damage.

I can understand both the desire to be positive and go for a vb and the desire to be cautious and plan an elective. I swithered but my gut says have surgery so that's my choice after a lot of reading up. I would be devastated to have the option of an elective and to take the chance of a vb and end up with worse damage; I would obviously be elated to have a normal vb but I can live easier without that elation that I could with the regret IYSWIM.

My physio also said the process of vb gives the pelvic floor a huge stretch as the baby comes through which you avoid with an elective - though obviously pregnancy hormones and the weight of the bump do strain it anyway, it's not quite the same as the birth process. Mine is really weak so that also pushed me elective wise.

I just want the baby out safely with minimum stress and then to get on with looking after him and my DD in the best health I can have. I also think my pregnancy is more relaxed now I am not having to fear the hellish amount of pain I was in last time which the mw ignored despite my request for more help and utter lostness in the pain.

Sorry to hijack this thread but lovethesea I am in a similar position to you (24 weeks pregnant after first forceps delivery).

I have been told I can't see a consultant til 36 weeks which feels worryingly late to me - I just wondered if you could tell me how easy it was for you to arrange to see one earlier and how you went about it?

Thank you.

I had a straightforward VB with DD1 then 4 years later had a horrific FB with DS. I am unexpectedly pg again with a DD2 (30 weeks now.

I was advised by the MWs to see the Drs in the ANC which I did. I broke down in tears at the first appt and found it very difficult to talk about the birth I had with DS. It was 25 hours in comparison to the 8 first time round, he was stuck, failure to progress, felt like I was on fire and that was after epidural, gas and air, pethidine etc.

Eventually had a spinal, signed to have an EMCS and they changed the goalposts at the last minute and went for the forceps which fortunately got him out. He was 9lb 4, DD was 7lb 10.

For my second drs appt, I had been sent directly to the consultant. He was FAB and has said that obviously getting the baby out safely is a priority, but also trauma for me going through the whole thing again is also a priority.

He hasn't ruled out a CS, but he has said we will discuss it together and work on a plan of action to try and avoid it. The other thing that I have concerns about is DD2's size. I am having 2 more scans at 32 and 36 weeks. She is borderline, and I mean, right on the line. If she goes over, she'll be classed as a big baby and it is likely I will be induced or have a CS.

We will have made a decision, DH the consultant and I at the 36 weeks appt.

I don't want a CS because it is major surgery and tbh, I'm too worried to read up about it so am a bit ignorant as to what is involved. I do not want another forceps delivery but only time will tell what is actually going to happen.

withotwithoutyou - I would get very demanding about seeing the consultant asap. I saw mine a few times after DD's birth because of the emergency nature of it and my bladder damage. Saw him again at 7 months when my physio referred me to him due to internal vaginal pain.

This pregnancy he came to my booking in appointment at the hospital and agreed again I could have an elective. He had originally agreed this 2 months after DD's birth when I reviewed my case with him - I got it in writing and it helped a lot when I considered risking another birth.

I've been moved to another consultant now for hospital merger reasons and I have seen her already to discuss my reasons and fears. She has again ok'd an elective.

I am 26 weeks pregnant and she has requested I come to her antenatal clinic in 2 weeks, and has referred me to psychology as I cried on her (as I always do) when going over DD's birth. We are going to organise details nearer the time but I know the bare bones.

They really should be taking more care of you - the consultant probably has no idea you want to see him/her. Push the mw hard and maybe even get in touch with the consultants secretary directly if that doesn't work and explain you wish to see them to talk about an elective and to do so now as you are very stressed with the uncertainty etc.

Forceps twice and still alive to tell the tale.

Katie - me too! Never heard of anyone else who had them twice tho, think it's pretty rare.

i had forceps and my episiotomy also broke down and got infected and i had to have it all recut and resewn

second birth i hired a doula and had a home birth - fantastic - no stitches - small tear which healed normally

When DS was born I had two days of inducing followed by 24 hour labour which ended up with a forceps in theatre following failed ventuese first time. When DD was born two years later I had a short labour (4 hours start to finish) with no pain relief at all and she was born naturally with only a tiny tear.

I also had a traumatic forceps delivery with ds1 - episiotomy that wasn't enough so then tore, stitches got infected three times etc, etc

I was really scared second time round, especially as there was only 15 months between my dc's so it all felt very recent. I was given counselling and my consultant was very supportive. She did say though with a cs you are guaranteed discomfort afterwards, while it is possible to be up and about within hours after a vb. (I was pretty sceptical - I couldn't walk properly for about 10 days after ds1)

Anyway - my labour with ds2 was 5 hours from first twinge to baby-in-arms and gas and air only. It was an exhilarating feeling and I'm so glad I decided to try. It left me with a very, very positive feeling about childbirth which I never thought I'd have. And, despite being a second baby he was 1lb smaller than ds1 (which they told me at growth scans which also helped my decision to try for a vb again)

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

" It left me with a very, very positive feeling about childbirth which I never thought I'd have. And, despite being a second baby he was 1lb smaller than ds1 (which they told me at growth scans which also helped my decision to try for a vb again)"

That how I felt, but DD was exactly the same weight as DS.

I had ventouse for both of mine.

I have never met anyone else who has had a second instrumental delivery and the midwives said it was 'so unlikely'

My first birth was horrific, second was better, but I do still feel a bit jealous of people who get their second 'better' birth.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Sorry - by second better birth, I meant pushed the baby out by themselves, no stitches etc which I didn't manage!

That's the killer isn't it? I would LOVE the waterbirth I wanted first time round, but everything went so wrong when on paper it was all going fine (spontaneous 40+12 labour, just G&A, dilated quickly to 10cm etc).

I think the big thing for me is that the mw in charge of my care failed to understand the level of pain I was in - and that I was too exhausted to scream/cry/shout/swear etc. I can still remember all the details and dream of it at times.

I asked to be checked to see progress so I could have more pain relief, she refused and threatened that I'd have to have drips and doctors if I wasn't 'far enough' along. Looking back I am sure that's when I was fully dilated, but she left me another 2 hours before finding that out- then another hour to see if I would have an urge to push, then 2 more hours removing the G&A to 'help' me push. Then DD got distressed and it was all go to the theatre for forceps.

If I had more trust in the medics I might plan a very cautious water based vb - but the risk of a horrific experience and then worse damage doesn't seem wise for me compared to an elective.

I recognise that for other people a vb is a good choice - I am still working it all through for myself this pregnancy, on paper I am 'very unlikely' to have any problems etc. BUT ....

If you have great midwives then listen to their advice but I would just wait and see, you can't plan a birth (unless you elect for a cs), have faith in yourself & let your body do it. I know it is easier said than done but in y previous comment I had a similar birth to you (1st) was so so so terrified of it happening again, my consultant told me I would be crazy to opt for a cs. I did, go into labour naturally & had an amazing easy birth. Just try not to be induced unless absolutely urgent !

Lovethesea, your experience is very similar to mine (15 weeks ago though...) I am awaiting my first physio appt now.

In terms of whoever said CS is 'major' - Kielland's forceps are pretty bloody major too and anyone I know who had a CS at the same time as me (including those whose scars became infected) ceased to have after effects WEEKS ago and I suffer on...

My biggest fear with forceps is the impact on the baby. My baby was very shocked after delivery and although he avoided SCBU he didn't cry for nearly a minute. Worst minute of my entire life.

Is there any way of writing in that you want a section in the event of difficulty? I would like to try for a natural birth but I want to avoid instrumental delivery again at all costs.

Thanks again for all the responses- I was worried people might be judgemental that I may try to'opt' for a section. But I can tell by peoples posts that those of you who have had problems after forceps understand.

I still really don't know what to do- but I'm going to take some notes to my midwifes appointment next week and ask her to read my thoughts on the whole 'birth' thing . I normally can't say what I need to as I start crying.

I'm hoping at 36 weeks I see an understanding consultant who doesn't just try to say 'oh it will be fine' like the last one I saw did !

If they could tell me for definate everything is healed as it should be and I am completely normal now 'down south' I think I will go for the natural. If they can't guarantee that (and I don't think they can- cause no one seems to check!) I think it will be better for me (mentally at least) to ask for a c section.

Again thanks so much x

The notes are a great idea - I did the same as I always cry when going over it too.

I really would ask to see a consultant before 36 weeks if you can get the mw on your side. Being anxious can't be good for you and I would be very anxious if I was going to be pushed for time to get a second opinion if the first consultant was dismissive. If the mw doesn't get it maybe write to the consultant or phone their secretary? Maybe ask if your hospital has a process to go over previous notes and trauma- I am being referred to maternity psychology.

There are some scans that can be done to check on previous damage to some areas, but I am not sure they can be done while pregnant/heavily pregnant. I know people have had them to assess the sphincter muscle when they have had bad tears.

My physio stopped doing the bio feedback (tiny monitor that measures the electrical pulse of the pelvic floor muscle through a vaginal probe) when I told her I might be pregnant again. She said it wasn't likely to do any harm but didn't want to take any chances.

What I am trying to say in a rambling fashion is to push them for what tests can be done, when they can be done, how accurate the results would be, what they would leave unknown etc so you can make an informed decision.

I also had the whole 'second births are easier, your body will be experienced etc' and only further reading up made me realise I would be unlucky to have bad damage again - BUT it is far from the walk in the park second time round that people can glibly make it. Some people do have another awful birth and it's not obvious who will or wont - so it has to be your weighing of risks, you are the one who has to live with the longterm consequences of either plan.

Really hope you have an understanding mw who can get you into the support you want as you decide all this.