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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

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

63 replies

lemonbonbons · 13/03/2010 13:41

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 ?

OP posts:

Stars80 · 02/11/2011 23:41

was reading these posts and wondered how lemonbonbons got on. did you get the birth you wanted and did the mw / consultant listen to your concerns.

SkiBumMum · 03/11/2011 20:51

Haven't read all the thread, but had similar experience first time 2 1/2 yes ago. Recovery from recent ELCS was much quicker. In fact, 7 wks after DC2 I am lying in bed with epi scar aching and on my mind as am run down etc from newborn sleep deprivation but c-section scar and stomach muscles completely fine!

Stars80 · 03/11/2011 21:05

I think I would like a CS next time (if this happens) but know it a major op an not sure they would give me it due to cost. Had kiellands forceps over 7 yr go and vowed I would never have another as whole exp was so traumatic.

Bumpsadaisie · 04/11/2011 04:27

I had forceps with DD but my episiotomy was fine. It was a 37 hr induced labour.

Just had DS five days ago - 5 hour natural birth mainly upright in the pool (can't recommend highly enough!) tho he was actually born on land on a birthing stool. 7 min second stage - he shot out pretty much and I got a 3rd degree tear, which was repaired in theatre under spinal, a few hours after birth.

That was 5 days ago and I've got no pain at all now it's been less uncomfortable than the episiotomy and going to the loo no problem.

iskra · 04/11/2011 05:01

I had forceps with my first after failure to progress, meconium, syntocinin drip, epidural & heartrate deceleration. Episiotomy was fine afterwards & we even managed (v gentle!!) sex at 10 days. The piles were another matter though, I had tennis balls down there. Was extremely upset about the birth not going to plan, feelings of failure etc.

Had my second at home after a 3 hr labour. Brilliant experience.

Mmmmcheese · 04/11/2011 09:15

I am very confused about what to do too. I had forceps delivery with no painrelief and no episotomy as DS was premature and getting distessed so they wanted to get him out quickly and i couldnt push because had been on bed rest fir 8 weeks and totally exhausted. The whole experience has lef me completely traumatised and i cant talk about the birth without crying.

Ive been under consultant care this time due to concerns about another premature labour but have now got to 33 weeks and ds was born at 30 weeks. I amalso on bedrest this time so worried that i wont be able to push this baby out either. Also, she is a huge baby and already estimated as 5 lbs 11 at 33 weeks, which would mean a 10lb + baby at term if i get that far.

My consultant maintains that she is not worried about the baby bein big and that it doesnt mean labour will be more complicated but i dont think she understands that i amstill totally traumatised. If this baby is early i want to have anearly epidural as it is the amout of pain i went through last time that scared me so much. But if she goes to term i really think a cs is the best option for me but consultant is refusing to even consider it at the moment. Im really scared about it all and dont know what to do.

Stars80 · 04/11/2011 18:22

i feel for you but I've heard from nearly everyone i've spoke to that 2nd births are generally better than 1st ones as your body has been there before. Some people have bigger babies and easier births wierdly. Would you consider a water birth. From what I have read on here about water births and of the people I know who have had one, they have all had fantastic births, due to the fact gravity helps the baby come out as apposed to lying on your back. I am considering this if I ever have another.

soapy4 · 04/11/2011 19:51

I had forceps which left me with a 4th degree tear, I will not be having any more kids im due a repair/colostomy bag after Christmas which is 50/60 success rate of repair or I will have the bag for life !!!!!

WombOnTheBroom · 04/11/2011 21:27

Soapy sorry to hear about your experience - I hope the repair goes well.

Like many others above, DC1 was induced, back-to-back labour from hell with epidural which failed. Forceps after 3+ hours of pushing. DC2, however, was a spontaneous labour, kept active, got into pool, had a bit of gas and air. Would say that established labour was about 2 hours. Pushed for 30 mins. Had a 10lb 2oz baby with no tears at all (very minor graze but didn't feel it at all). I felt fully physically recovered from the birth within a week.

My GP and MW would both have been very supportive of a elcs based on postnatal problems with DC1. However, I am really pleased that I tried for a more natural birth the second time. I did a lot of reading around and did a lot more prep to try to make the labour easier and did talk to my partner and midwife about what I would want in the event of another difficult birth. This made me a lot calmer and I felt like I was in control. Good luck with your birth.

soapy4 · 05/11/2011 09:02

womb on the broom,

soapy many thanks and this went unnoticed for weeks yikes!!!!!!

Stars80 · 11/11/2011 19:50

Soapy your 2nd birth is very promising and makes me realise that you cannot compare two births at all. I had a birth similar to your first. How years are between your children? I keep hearing more and more positive stories about water births.

Stars80 · 11/11/2011 19:52

Sorry I mean't Womb on the Broom for that message. getting people mixed up lol.

Allboxedin · 12/11/2011 18:13

I had my first with ventouse and epistotomy in a similar position to you.
I just had my second 3 weeks ago and it was so different. First contraction at 12 midnight and had her delivered at the hospital at 5.30 am after 1 hour being there. Very fast, only managed to get some gas and air in. very intense but felt so much better afterwards. Didn't need any stitches this time either.

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