Would you consider an assisted birth

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Or would you opt for a c section instead?

I don't know enough about assisted births but they don't sound very pleasant!

I had a v bac thing for about ten seconds, made no difference to me, was no more painful that the rest. C section recovery is sooooo much worse

I had one assisted delivery (ventouse with episiotomy) and also had an emergency caesarean. The caesarean was so much better and I recovered so much faster. It was also much less painful.

So, I would prefer a caesarean section over an assisted delivery, as that is where my personal experience would lead me.

what if baby is already very far down the birth canal? Surely a Csection isn’t a great option in that case?

I’m not sure. I can tell you I was in the pushing stage and he was pretty far down. I guess DC was pushed back up in the end.

I also looked at US stats (this is a country where forceps usage is a dying art because no OBGYN or hospital wants to be sued) and only 3% of births use forceps or vacuum delivery.

So there must be other ways to manage this.

@MangoFeverDream

what if baby is already very far down the birth canal? Surely a Csection isn’t a great option in that case?

I’m not sure. I can tell you I was in the pushing stage and he was pretty far down. I guess DC was pushed back up in the end.

I also looked at US stats (this is a country where forceps usage is a dying art because no OBGYN or hospital wants to be sued) and only 3% of births use forceps or vacuum delivery.

So there must be other ways to manage this.

But a fully dilated section is not risk free. Much more likely to haemorrhage etc

By recovery time, I mean I was up and walking around as soon as the epidural wore off and had no discomfort at all.

Failed forceps and an emcs with dc1. Was up and dressed with zero discomfort after the epidural wore off. Dc2 was also an emcs, was out for lunch when she was 2 days old. No painkillers post theatre with either. Recovery is very much a spectrum.

But a fully dilated section is not risk free. Much more likely to haemorrhage

Yes I would have had a fully dilated EMCS.

It wasn’t ideal but it was my preferred option over birthing tools (as it turned out my dr didn’t use them anyway).

I would choose that risk over forceps, after hearing all the negative stories.

My point though was that other countries which have vanishingly low rates must have other ways of management.

UK still has one of the higher rates of usage, but the NHS is not at as much risk of getting sued like US hospitals when things go wrong.

I didn’t give birth in the US but elsewhere that also has very low rates of forceps use.

I went with the hope to deliver alone/by myself. However I ended up having forceps after they had to try and turn his head a little bit.
However, I was given a spinal just incase they were unable to deliver forceps (I believe they can only have three pulls with the forceps) and then had to go to a section.
My baby was born in the best way the professionals thought was best for us both. Apart from a few bruises on the side of his face he was absolutely fine. No issues at all.

I do feel a little robbed of being able to do it for myself even more so now I am pregnant again as I am carrying twins so chances of being able to deliver myself this time are likely small I know what ever happens happens as long as baby is healthy it's all that I think matters really. I'm really glad I didn't have section as the recovery time is just so long.

@nicknamehelp

At the point of needing it. 1 you no longer care you just want the baby out and safe 2 The medical professionals caring for you decide what is best for you and baby.

We were asked if there was anything I wasn’t willing to consent to when my baby began showing signs of distress. DH told the dr I wished to avoid high rotational forceps and that was taken on board.

You have to consent and give your permission for all procedures, if there’s a point where there are 2 clear options (eg could easily do a c-section but could also try high forceps first) then any good medical team would explain the options and the choice is the mothers.

In hindsight I would have refused high rotational forceps and opt for a section. I certainly wasn’t running around a couple of days later. The baby suffered cerebral irritation and I still think we are incredibly lucky the only damage was dyspraxia and colour blindness.

Thanks everyone. Going to have a read through all the replies!

Assisted birth sounds horrible (I know labour isn't pleasant anyway) and I wondered if it was better to say no and go for a c section. I've read though that a c section at that stage could be more complicated

For my first labour I had a birth plan that just read no forceps. It ended in an emcs as his head was too big to even engage. Recovery I felt was fine at the time.
Second labour was a planned section. Started in labour a few days before the planned csection as it felt different to last time. I did manage to push her out, had an episiotomy and quite a few stitches. Recovery was a breeze. I had quite a long pushing stage and the midwife was adamant I could get her out unassisted but if help had been suggested I would have agreed I just wanted her out.

I didn’t have a birth plan second time (they made me do one in between contractions) I just told OH he’d have to decide if it was going to happen or not as he did first time. He questioned the midwives carefully and quietly so I didn’t hear. He is very used to dealing with difficult births but of an animal nature and he’s good at it.

@nicknamehelp I believe you can decide whether you want the assisted birth, want to wait, or want a c section. Obviously all depend on the situation

@NameChange30 the more I read about natural births and complications the more I want a c section! The unknown is quite scary. I'm looking at my birth plan and wondering well if I needed an assisted birth would I be ok with it or would I say no and opt for a c section. It's so difficult to know

@Cafeaulait27 I know! I hate the unknown and being out of control

@randomsabreuse yes I was reading a c section later in labour can be more complex so perhaps not a good option at that stage

Opting for an ELCS is a perfectly valid choice, my friend did (she had to fight for it but did get one).

I understand your fears about an instrumental delivery - it was one of my biggest fears too - but why not do some research and find out the stats on the probability of needing it, as well as any risk factors that could make it more likely. It's up to you to decide how much risk and uncertainty you're comfortable with but it's better to make an informed decision rather than a decision purely based on fear.

To help you prepare mentally - whatever kind of birth you end up having - check out the Positive Birth Company, their online course is highly recommended.

FWIW I've had two vaginal births and managed both without an instrumental delivery (pretty big babies too, 9lb4 and 9lb1). I'm aware that I was lucky. But the horror stories you read on mumsnet and elsewhere are not the statistical norm.

Do you mean instrumental delivery? An assisted birth just means having a midwife or other professional present.

I had forceps (failed rotational/successful NB), had a third degree tear and a PPH but recovered quickly with no lasting effects. I was glad to avoid a section.

You can refuse forceps (I had to sign a consent form first) but be aware that late stage emergency section also carries risks.

It's not always as simple as 'opting for a c-section'. My friend needed forceps and by the time it was realised they were needed, the baby was already a bit into the birth canal and a c-section wouldn't have been possible.

I've read though that a c section at that stage could be more complicated

From memory, higher chance of haemorrhage, higher chance of hysterectomy, increased chance of your uterus tearing and increased chance of a Nicu stay for the baby.

My uterus tore but not severely or in a fashion they were worried about when it came to dc2 and dc1 needed a few nights in NICU but I think that it was more to do with how long my waters had been broken (81 hours). According to dh it was very stressful though.

I didn’t get a choice. Assisted from the start as I was very overdue and had to be induced. Back to back baby and irregular heartbeat so they had to put a trace on and I had to lie on my back the whole time I was in labour. Epidural, all the drugs and ended up with forceps delivery, surgery for 4th degree tear and blood transfusions . If a section was offered I would have taken it. I was sent home the next day.

Oh yeah and I had a PPH too.

My friend had her baby around the same time and had a c section. She was driving within 5 weeks, it took me months to recover from my forceps delivery. The 4th degree tear damage means I am only allowed to have a c section from now on anyway. Not that I’m planning having another baby!

I had a failed assisted birth (forceps) last month which ended in c section. Recovery has been slow, but I would probably choose c section next time if given the option.

@LikeTheFruit

But a fully dilated section is not risk free. Much more likely to haemorrhage etc

Really interested to read this (as I had an emcs at about 9cm, followed by a pph). Do you know why?

In my experience, you will not be offered the choice between forceps or a section, the medical professions will tell you what they plan to do. You are free to refuse any intervention, however there may be good reasons why forceps are recommended, and you are likely to be in no mood to argue. If you are determined not to have forceps it is probably best to write this in your birth plan and discuss with the midwife in advance.

I had forceps with my first and the recovery was pretty horrible, but I wasn't left with any long term effects. The advantage of having forceps, compared with my friends who had c sections, was that I was able to have a straightforward home birth with my second, whereas they had to choose between another section or a more risky vbac in hospital. On balance, I am glad that I had forceps instead of a c-section because this probably allowed me to have a much better birth experience second time around.

Hey all, great of everyone to share their stories. I'm surprised at some people saying 'forceps/ventouse are rare' - we were told our NCT group were average in that we were all FTMs who had all chosen to attempt natural birth, and of the 8 of us:

• 2 had non-medicated unassisted deliveries (one water) - 25%
• 3 had emergency c-sections
• 3 had ventouse/forceps deliveries

I think on average the c-section recoveries were easier than the forceps/ventouse. But overall, 4 of us - 50% - had some degree of pelvic organ prolapse, i.e. a permanent injury to the pelvic floor, including one of the 'non-medicated unassisted' mums.

So that's the real fucker here - it's not about how quickly we're driviing/back onour feet/ heal from stitches - it's about if we're permanently in a situation were our continence, orgasms, self-esteem are compromised for the rest of our lives.

I'm doing elective c-section this time around!! Anecdotal, but I don't know any c-section mums with the permanent prolapse injuries, NOT ONE.