Birth after having forceps

[GirlMumxx]

Hi, just want to hear everybody else's stories or opinions.

On my first birth i was in labour for 3 days, was so painful, ended up having forceps, 3rd degree tear and episiotomy and i had the epidural which probably didn't help. My recovery was terrible, the worst pain i have ever felt in my entire life, i felt like death.

I am now pregnant and absolutely terrified to go for a natural birth again incase i tear so bad down there it gets destroyed lol!

Did anyone else have a good second birth after a bad forceps delivery or would you think it's best to opt for a C section?

Your birth story is similar to my first, although when I was sewn up the doctor gave a wink to dh as said something like he'd made it quite tight 🤮 (this was 22 years ago)
Anyway 2nd baby was 10lb 12 and the birth was really good, 6 hours and no problems. I did have the most marvellous midwife though.
I've had 5 children now and no birth was the same, they are always different.
So it's not a given that your next birth will be bad too BUT if you feel more comfortable going for an elective section then go for it. There's been lots of good advice here so do the research and do what's best for you. Best of luck.

I was meant to get induced so I was in hospital when my waters broke. Contractions came quick and strong every 2 mins very painful but with gas and air I was able to manage them but after about an 1 hour the contractions were like one long contractions with no break and I couldn't handle them any more I told the midwife I wanted an epidural but we decided on morphine as it would work quicker when she left to organise it I needed to push and it was too late for anything. Adrenaline got me though the delivery didn't feel pain just need to push. There was a part that I felt was unbearable but it was all over so quickly.

Ah my love I had the same - forceps, 3C tear plus episiotomy 🙃 although a very fast birth. You’re right, the recovery is so painful, I’ve never been the same since. I had 2 c sections afterwards, absolute walk in the park even though one didn’t go entirely to plan.

I went to a ‘birth choices’ clinic when pregnant with my second where a midwife looked at my various details and came up with the chances of another tear happening again. Everyone I came across (in a professional capacity, doctor etc) said absolutely have a c section, totally legitimate reason for one, would basically be mad not to.

@MaltipooMama this was me too if any help to you! I didn’t understand at all what they were saying ‘don’t push between contractions’ - I was like, it’s just one long contraction and I’m not choosing to push, my body is just doing it. Forceps on zero pain relief here as hated gas and air 😁 amazing spinal for 1.5 hour of stitches though!!

My first birth was exactly the same, ended up with forceps, episiotomy and a blood transfusion due to PPH. That was 8 years ago and I have since had 2 further births which were straightforward, no interventions and just gas and air. I have needed stitches both times for 2nd degree tears but honestly the births were fine and I recovered so quickly compared to the first time. You can definitely
request an elective section but I’m proof that you can have a positive birth following trauma.

I’m glad you asked this. My first birth was similar. Induced and then everything happened so quickly there wasn’t time for pain relief so just had gas and air, episiotomy and forceps and then stitches. Truly scarred me mentally and was in so so much pain, plus recovery was not smooth. That was just over 1.5 years ago and I’m only just starting to think of having another baby, but the thought of giving birth terrifies me more now than it ever has.
I would definitely talk it through with your midwife. I know where I am you can book an extra long appointment to talk through things like pain relief etc. Or it could be really helpful to have the birth reflections chat to help process the first birth.
I’m considering a c-section if I’m lucky enough to get pregnant again. As much as I hate the thought of an epidural (don’t know why it gives me such fear, I don’t mind needles most of the time!), I think a calm birth via planned C-section would be sooo much better for my mental health in the newborn stage.

I had an identical first birth as yours. However, 20 mins with my second, no intervention, no cuts or tears etc x
It was a completely different experience x

I had a 3rd degree tear and had corrective surgery on the scar tissue a year later - something called a Fenton’s procedure. It wasn’t too bad at all. The birth was traumatic however, forceps and DS was in scbu for a few days after (he was big and got stuck). I was told I could request an ECS after a birth like that but didn’t have a second child (for different reasons). Ask for a chat and request a CS if you would prefer one. I would have done x

Forceps, episiotomy, loooong Labour with first, unbearable pain from first contraction.

second - about 4 hours (only about 20 mins of which was very painful), 2 pushes and out

third- about 3 hours ,3 pushes

my experiences is they get better to be honest hopefully same for you

I had a c section and I was fine. Milk takes longer to come in so you have like 5 -6 days of cluster feeding instead of 1-2 days, which I found the hardest part. Those first 24 hours were hard. Walking and getting out of bed was very hard and incredibly painful. I couldn't really walk more than 3 minutes for 1-2 weeks. Some bladder issues from the catheter. But within 2-3 weeks I was fine. Scar healed nicely. No real long term effects.

It's nice having a date to look forward to, being able to prepare, you go in nice and calm, everyone (doctors too) is very calm and cheerful as it's all very routine. The surgery itself was quick and calm. All very wonderful, honestly.

I think a straightforward vaginal birth is preferable over a c section, obviously. But what you describe sounds like a nightmare. I'd at least consider a c section.

My first birth was similar to yours. Three days in labour, no epidural, but forceps, episiotomy and tearing. Recovery was hard. Second birth was a water birth, far shorter and no stitches needed. I was up and about and leaving the hospital 6 hours later. Night and day!

Same birth story and ended up with rectocele and cystocele. Definitely recommend asking midwife for consultant obstetrician appointment to discuss options and your preference. I went the other way and decided not to have another child and get my vagina repaired quickly. My aunt was in same boat as you and went onto have 2 more children naturally and then had to wait to get repairs in her 50s, so I would definitely explore c section. Although, be aware a c section is not a guarantee of no impacts to your existing birth injury as the weight of pregnancy etc will have an impact too. Perhaps you could ask for a referral to pregnancy/pelvic floor physio to support you and get you in the best possible shape for whatever you do birth wise. Best of luck and massive congrats on your pregnancy 😊

I loved my elective c section but the recovery is much harder than I thought

What was your recovery like ?

I had a induction with my first baby due to reduced movements at 37 weeks.

It took three days from the day I got the pessary (I was moved onto the drip at 4cm dilated after the three days)

Baby got stuck, had the cord wrapped round them so tight they couldn't get out plus were facing sideways. Had a emergency episiotomy and forceps with a number of internal and external stitches. I then ended up with a keloid scar that didn't settled for up to a year post partum (and still ached on my period after that)

My second baby was born over 3 years later (my scar ached the majority of the pregnancy) and I had the most wonderful experience/midwife who applied a gentle warm compress as baby was crowning. I ended up with nothing but small scratches which are typical with birth. Not a single tear.

Good luck. One bad experience doesn't equal another.

Opted for a c section and it was the best decision for me , far easier recovery , less traumatic and could organise child care !

I had a similar birth for my first and I begged for a c section with my second they weren't keen but honestly I couldn't have coped with the risk of a repeat.
Typically second child was half the size of the first! But much better experience.

I was terrified of birth with my first, due to watching a birth video at school. And the labour was similar to you; very long, gas and air, pethidine, epidural, forceps episiotomy and long recovery. I remember a constant, dragging sensation for a couple of months. It took me a long time to process the whole experience and come to terms with how things had turned out. It even took a couple of years to open up and read the birth report in the red book.

I waited nearly 6 years for my second as I was so affected by the birth experience expecting things to end up the same way. However, DC came over a month early which I think helped psychologically and arrived very quickly, about 3 hours in all with gas and air. Honestly, if I knew things would be so easy the second time, I wouldn't have waited so long before trying.

I wish you all the best with your decision.

@Emiliasmummy @CarrotPencil @teatoast8 thank you all so much for alleviating some of my concerns, this is really good to know! X

Very similar first birth but add in prolapse and significant PPH. I opted for a planned c section for second birth. No reason is needed.

Although while they did tell me my fears of worsening my prolapse and a repeat haemorrhage were unfounded. Interestingly however they told me that my fear of those things leading to a belief that I couldn't give birth vaginally was entirely relevant and made it more likely that intervention would be needed again.

For what it's worth the planned c section experience was significantly more enjoyable and significantly easier to recover from

Not completely the same but: long labour, threw up all the way through, blue lighted from midwife led unit to hospital about 30 mins away. Ended up having episiotomy and suction cap (can't remember name!!) Was exhausted and scared by the end of it, and couldn't understand why anyone could go on to have a second child after an experience like that.

Was ready to start trying again after three years (but took years longer). Still started in midwife led unit but this time was 'on site ' Started throwing up so midwife gave me anti sickness injection. That seemed to do the trick and I had a very straight forward birth and was back home within a few hours, feeling absolutely well.

I think whichever route you decide, it's about feeling safe, supported and listened to. There are perinatal services for anxiety around birth so please share your concerns with your midwife. Wishing you all the best. Xx

I had a very similar experience to you for my first. I am due in June and my community midwife has referred me to a consultant who I'm due to speak with in the new year. I don't know what I want, I think I'm more worried about a csection because my recovery time will eat into the school holidays and it'll be very tough to deal with a 4 year old who will want to be doing stuff. I'll do whatever the consultant advises though as I am scared of tearing again (I had 3a last time)

My first was forceps. It was an awful recovery! So much pain!! Don't think anyone understands until they've been through it.
Second was fast, a few little tears but nothing major. Was a lovely birth.

My first was a long labour, forceps and episiotomy; recovery was OK pain wise. Second was much quicker, normal birth with no problems or tearing.

Had an epidural with both and was glad of the epidural with the first one as the suturing seemed to take ages.

Same here and I 100% agree with this. c section recovery so much better than third degree tear/forceps. My bladder control has never and I guess will never recover.