Natural birth - Do you have any lasting 'effects'?

[Curiosity101]

I'm currently pregnant and leaning heavily towards an elective section this time as my first pregnancy ended in an EMCS due to pregnancy complications.

The main thing that has swayed me is the long term damage that is more likely to be incurred as a result of a natural birth. Statistically I have a 75% chance of having a successful natural birth if I opt for it. But that includes all manner of outcomes (including forceps and ventous) and all manner of tears. It's probably 50% chance of a 'normal' natural birth with 'normal' levels of tearing etc. Short term I'm happy with that risk and the recovery/pain. But I really worry about the long term effects from natural labour and that is what is currently swaying me towards an elective section.

For example research I've read suggests overall long term urinary incontinence levels are double for natural births. ~7% for CS Vs ~15% for natural for example. But anecdotally it seems to be agreed/accepted from all mums I've spoken to that after you have a baby you can't go on a trampoline or sneeze or cough without the potential for a little bit of an accident?

So... If people wouldn't mind sharing their thoughts and if they have (or haven't) got any lasting effects from birth I'd appreciate it. For me having had one baby via EMCS my only lasting effect has been that I have the CS scar and a small CS 'shelf' 😅 but neither of those things bother me. I'm trying to work out if statistically it makes sense to roll the dice with a natural birth when (statistically) I'll probably be no worse off long term with an elective section. But the idea of being up and about in a matter of minutes/hours and not going through major surgery is definitely attractive. DH will be home for the first few weeks so we'll be fine either way... Just trying to gather as much information as possible.

I had a csection for my first and so would do with my second

Given my stomach muscles are already sliced and I have a scar, I’d happily do the same instead of ruining my pelvic floor

2 fast natural births here.
No pain relief, tried gas an air with dc2 but abandoned it after 5mins as it made me feel drunk and not in control. Made sure to move, wouldn't be confined to the bed. Gave birth on almost all fours holding onto the back of the raised hospital bed like a headboard.
Minor tear with DC1 that didn't require stitches but did have some undiagnosed tears in the other area which lasted a good month or so, put it down to a very rushed birth all around as we made it to the hospital in barely the nick of time, due to midwives saying I'm too early on and to wait over the phone, with me stopping myself from pushing in the car.
No tears with DC2 although the postpartum cramps (uterus shrinking I believe?) were horrendous for about a week.
Gave birth in the same position both times. Hated the thought of being on my back as it didn't make sense in my head.

No longterm effects (unless you count the stretch marks and saggy boobs post ebf as such ).

High cavity forceps, damaged rectal wall, prolapse. Have to say it was hellish coping with double incontinence, baby and toddler.

My female GP gave me a lecture on pelvic floor exercises and told me it "was the price of being a woman". A more sympathetic GP told me that no amount of exercise would repair the damage and referred me to a consultant gynae. I had a pelvic floor repair and totally never looked back.

@DragonMuff go back to your GP and insist on a gynae referral. You do not have to live with this.

I had a tear with DC1 that has very slightly changed the shape of my vaginal opening and gave me pain on sex for about a year but that doesn't bother me any more.

No after effects from DC2.

No incontinence. I think this one in particular is quite misleading - it is commonly referred to and considered a "normal" after effect of pregnancy but it's really not something you just have to accept, most postnatal incontinence can be treated. A lot of women hear that it's normal and combined with embarrassment never think to ask for help with this but it is available.

I had three natural births, one induced, no complications, pain relief or stitches for any of them and no long-term problems, although I was very sore and not very mobile after my first birth for several weeks. HOWEVER, I went into my births very relaxed because I had good experiences and I think that can make huge difference whether intervention is needed - not sure if there are stats for this. Several of my friends had bad first births and chose C sections for their second because of it and they and I think they made the right choice. It seems to work if you choose the option that's less terrifying for you and not focus too much on the pain you'll be in after as you can't really predict that anyway. Just make sure you have a good support system in place. All the best!

FTM of twins 👍 7lbs1oz and 6lbs8oz

Had a slow induction and gave birth to both vaginally. My consultant was overseeing a registrar do his first “twin 2 breech” vaginal delivery, they were a bit twitchy so both babies had the kiwi (mini) ventouse used to guide them a little quicker. They were delivered 16 mins apart.

I was encouraged to go hell for leather with my pushing on contractions (we all wanted to avoid a 1vaginal 1csec birth!)

I had no episiotomy. No perineal damage. A 1cm tear just inside my vagina and superficial labial tearing on either side. I had four stitches I think.
No weeing or pooing problems and everything was healed by 8 weeks.
Now at six months pp it all feels the same as it ever did down there which is a bit of a surprise!

The only problem I really had was peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage). Patches on my feet, shins and knees that had random pains and felt like an extreme bruise if touched. So kneeling down was agony for a while.

That’s all gone now too tho! X

Two natural births here. Second (12 weeks ago) has left me with a rectocele prolapse and associated bowel issues. Injured coccyx badly on both occasions. If I ever had another baby (not happening, but let's imagine haha!) I'd ask for an ELCS. My friend had one after a bad first natural birth and had a much, much easier recovery with no lasting damage. I know that isn't the case for everyone, but this prolapse is driving me crazy. I've been referred for treatment (6 weeks ago) but haven't heard anything yet.

Had two natural births. No tearing. No damage. My pelvic floor was certainly weaker afterwards but recovered and is now fine again - I can run, trampoline, what have you. I literally got up and walked away from both my births, so to me natural births were definitely the better choice. My body is not exactly the same as pre-kids, but the differences are due to pregnancy rather than birth. I am glad not to have a scar, a shelf or the future risk of rupture or adhesions. The only pain I had following the birth was afterpains from uterus shrinking with birth #2. Then again, if I'd had a bad tear or forceps I might feel very differently.

It is very hard to know. A vaginal birth is the better choice for your body and baby longterm, assuming it goes well. But of course you can't know in advance whether it's going to go well. A C-section has consequences but more predictable and controllable ones.

I'd say the only long term effect from my episiotomy, forceps first birth is that I had mild diastasis recti, physio and correct exercise sorted it I thought but with my second pregnancy the abs have given up very early on 😂
I may have been lucky but honestly after about a month my stitched up 'undercarriage' was well recovered. I have an occasional urine drip after a big sneeze but if I'm totally honest I had that before DD it's certainly no worse.

Oh I had a second degree tear too, forgot that bit.

1 birth for me. Awful induction period, dropping heart rate for baby, then on the drip followed by forceps in theatre with a 3b tear and episiotomy. Left me with post natal depression, unable to set foot anywhere near the hospital were I gave birth and not able to go through pregnancy/birth again. Not all effects are physical

10lb baby, 2nd degree tear and episestomy, I m 5ft 5 and he's nearly 6 months old only lasting damage is a flabby stomach due to the excess skin and I have much bigger hips.

All vaginal births with no tears, no stitches, no incontinence, birth had no impact on my mobility, very little soreness afterward, no problems at all really.

Pregnancy gave me stretch marks all over and PGP bad enough to still affect me years later, I’m sitting here with a pregnancy related sore hip but it’s more than six years since I’ve been pregnant.

But nothing related to method of birth.

I had forceps delivery and episiotomy. I think I had some internal damage and lost a lot of blood. I was I hospital for 4 days and had a couple of transfusions. I could barely walk for a week or two and struggled to walk for 4 months as I had a polyp. If I'd had any more children I would have been begging / demanding a c-section. DSIS had one of each and said recovery was so much easier with C-section. Good luck with everything.

Forgot to say long term I have a slight prolapse a bit of pain in the vagina and bladder issues. It's a good job my DD is cute

I've had a section and then a vbac with an episiotomy. My recovery was soooooo much better after my vaginal delivery even with the stitches and I found it much harder to get my pelvic floor back to where it should be after my section as the muscles were all so much weaker so it's much harder to do your pelvic floor exercises. It's really important to do them however you deliver. I have zero issues with incontinence. There's a group on Facebook called VBAC support group and they've got a wealth of information to help you make your decision, there are midwives and women who've had a whole host of different births who can advise. There are some big risks to consider with a section so it's important to be clued up, aims and Sara Wickham are also worth a google, some good info there Good luck with whatever you decide to do and congratulations

5 vaginal births, 1 episiotomy and 2 with minor tear/ grazing. The babies were average size or slightly above. I had them at age 22, 23, 25, 29 and 41. No incontinence or other issues. Sore for about 10 days with the epesiotomy and a few days or a week with the grazes/tears.

Planned homebirth. No pain relief, no stitches, no trauma. It can and does happen, you just don’t hear about it as often. I was militant when pregnant that I didn’t want to hear any traumatic birth stories and I think that really helped me be calm. Fully appreciate that’s not as possible 2nd time round and after an emergency section. Good luck xx

Is anyone else doing pelvic floor exercises every time they read through this thread? :o

Forceps/2nd degree tearing with DC1 slight tearing/stitches DC2.
I started running "properly" the first time in my life a few years after DC1 born and have been running throughout this pregnancy. I can bounce around (non pregnant!) happily on a trampoline without any issues down below whatsoever. I was back in a bikini 3 months after birth both times while some of my friends with C Sections have tummies that still look pregnant years later and they literally mourn the stomach they used to have.
Just putting this out there as lately Im hearing a lot more from friends/on here people going for elective C Sections because of certain misconceptions about what the majority of natural births are like, but definitely not been my experience.

I am only 4 months postpartum so fingers crossed I will improve, but i wish I had an elective.
I have been left with a moderate bladder prolapse, reoccurring urine infections and a fractured pubic bone. I am surprised at my own mental strength at carrying on. Was unable to walk much and lift son for best part of 3 months and barely left the house.

I can just about walk for 30 minutes, and have been told I probably won't be "active" e.g. gym, for most of this year.

My birth was long though, with two failed attempts with ventous, episiotomy and forceps. My friend who had 2 electives said her recovery was nowhere near as bad, but I do think they can be tough still.

Just to counter - I’d an EMCS and struggle with incontinence (urinary only). Am under physio and doing pelvic floor, but was before birth too. I’m lucky it’s manageable but my goal is for a life without leakage. Little one now 1year+ and due another soon. I’ve been surprised that anything I’ve filled in survey wise re birth lots of complications are only listed it if “natural” - and suspect that there are many more of us with CS/pregnancy complications that exist but are just not asked!

I’m slim, fit and was back under my pregnancy weight fairly quick, but the CS wreaked my core and my tummy never flattened properly (although I did get pregnant again soon so maybe I’m being harsh here but other friends regained shape when I kept a pouch).

4 natural births,no pain relief,2nd birth in water.
1st delivery-episiotomy,no tears/episiotomy in other.
No lasting effects,diastasis recti as was skinny with large babies and lots of waters).Speedy recovery,usually 2 hours after birth was ready to go home.
Risk of CS and complications during the op and post-op,unless it's an emergency,it's not something I will consider to do to myself willingly.

I've had 2 natural births. Both were quick and had gas and air.

Birth 1 resulted in a 3rd degree tear and stitches. Birth 2 had no tear and no stitches.

I have no issues with incontinence. I can sneeze all I like lol.

I do have an issue with my tailbone. It's fine unless I sit down on a hard surface for a long time. Then it's painful just as I stand. It's likely this damage was done with pushing. It doesn't impact every day life.

@BertieBotts

Is anyone else doing pelvic floor exercises every time they read through this thread? :o

...caught me.