Previous birth experiences come back to haunt me!

[nutelladipper]

Hi,
I'm currently 7+3 weeks pregnant so early days. I have two fabulous children but they didn't arrive into the world smoothly.

My eldest (4 years) I was induced on my due date. I was labouring for 36hrs but too exhausted to push him out so had ventouse suction cap thingy & episiotomy and a 2nd degree tear. They also made an error when inserting the induction pessary which resulted in a horrible time whilst in labour.

My daughter was born 2 years later, they broke my waters and I had a quick labour of 3 hrs and I coped ok. Unfortunately her shoulder got stuck and cord round her neck so it ended in a very uncomfortable forcep delivery, another episiotomy and a second degree tear in the opposite direction to the first.

My scars are still sore & uncomfortable, my youngest is now 2.5 yrs.

I cannot sleep at night as I fear my lady bits just will not cope! What are the chances of another assisted delivery? My scars are awful says two nurses who have done a smear recently which upsets me. I'm so anxious as to whether I can do another "natural" delivery.

I'd be interested to hear of people who have gone on to have good births after tears/assisted delivery etc.

Thanks

I had a third degree tear with my first baby and am having an ELCS with my second.

Think about what you want - if you're (justifiably) anxious about any further damage, then you don't have to have another VB.

Sorry to hear that I no how you feel slightly!

I have 2 DS's

first DC (4years now) was two weeks over due went into labour naturally a day before induction thought everything was going ok 22hours later I finally had him he was 9lb 9 also tore with a episiotomy and I lost alot of blood and needed 2 blood transfusions I also had retained placenta but nurses never realised untill I got taken up to ward and collapsed and temperature was sky high and I was hallucinating. got taken to theatre and had a spinal got stiches removed then what they thought was the retained placenta removed then stiched again back up.(OUCH) was in and out of hosp still with placenta for few weeks after

DC2 spontaneous labour 8lb 15 4days latw 3rd degree tear internal and external tears criss cross which wasnt nice at all.

I still feel my scar tissue from tears is quite thick and I am 20w pregnant with DS3 and having a elective section as I feel I would do permanent damage, there is a higher chance I would and maybe anyone would after what you and I have had so dont want to risk it this is my last baby though so there is a few things u might want to think about anyway not all labours/births are the same so u might be ok. Maybe ask your midwife about a consultant and speak through with a specialist and see how u feel?

I don't want to underplay the risks of a CS btw. It's no picnic, but neither is perineal damage which can lead to continence problems in later life. Good luck OP!

Thanks.

Dy14 were they open to consider your want for elective? I'm not sure I want a c section - I appreciate its no easy option but I don't even know if I'll be considered for one? Have to fight for one?

I'm still early days and my booking in hasn't even happened yet - 21st.

X

I am 32 weeks pg with no 5 and with my first i had an episiotomy and with my second the same.
With my 3rd i got a 3rd degree tear and when i was in theatre being stiched the surgeon said i could never deliver vaginally again.
I told the consultant this when pg again but they said with an experienced midwife and slow delivery they could avoid this.
With my 4th i got a 2nd degree tear and my baby broke his clavicle in delivery.
I am very nervous about this delivery due to the fact that i have terrible scars there and there is not alot left to stich if i get another tear.
i am being examined at 36 weeks pg to see if it would be better for me to have a c-section than risk another tear.

I said to my MW there was absolutely no way I was chancing the fact if living with incontinence after a tear or permanent damage down there. I am young and wouldnt want it to affect my partner and I's sex life either. Ive been able to have two naturally which im proud of so im happy to experience both. I am obviously really scared but I knew from when I found out I just cant risk another tear it was so awful as u will no.

I started a discussion a cpl months ago about positive elective section stories have a look on there there has been great replies.

you should be fine for elective section especially after the tears but if u feel your far to anxious for natural again really think about it list the positives and negatives of c section and another V birth and see how you feel.

I wish you all the best in your pregnancy

Sounds like you have had a very rough time with previous deliveries. You should at least make enquiries about a section and see how you feel nearer the time. I had a planned section recently - very quick and calm. Feeding was a little slow to get off the ground after, possibly partly due to section according to the midwives, but we got it sorted and my gorgeous girl is thriving now. After some traumatic deliveries the c-section was my preferred option by far - so I was really relieved when my consultant recommended it too! Good to discuss options early on if it is causing you anxiety. And congratulations on your pregnancy!

Thanks very much. dy14 i'll take a look at your other thread.

I really value your input.

I suppose i fear that i'll talk to a MW and they will just laugh at me - i only have my pregnancies to compare it too so for all i know a MW may consider it to be a "good birth".

Can anyone recommend anywhere to read up on the risks etc to c-section. i worry about what i'll read if i just google it?

xx

If you Google "elective c section" there's a lot of links from trustworthy websites (including MN!). I can't copy and paste them all on my phone

Please remember though, IF you decide you'd like to ask about a c section, no one is going to laugh at you or minimise your previous birth injuries. Nor should you have to "fight" for it. The NICE guidelines are clear - if you are absolutely convinced you need one, they cannot refuse.

thanks sea of love