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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

'Ring of fire' in second labours

30 replies

metoo2222 · 18/12/2008 16:14

Third due to September but will be second labour as I was ill with DS1 and had a section before I ever went into labour.

With DS2 I had a brilliant birth really but I will never forget that ring of fire. I have to cross my legs now whenever I think about it. I know it doesn't last long but my goodness it hurts! I refused to push at one point because he'd come out a bit and it'd hurt so much and then he went back in and I couldn't face pushing again!

I do have a skin condition which makes the skin there thin and prone to cracking/splitting etc but I know everyone gets this ring of fire!

Anyway, now I'm pg again all I can think about is this - is at as bad, worse, better the next time round??

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

NatalieJaneIsPregnantAgain · 18/12/2008 16:18

I didn't feel it at all with DS2.

nigglewiggle · 18/12/2008 16:18

Just a little uncomfortable for a couple of hours after DD2. She was exactly the same size as DD1, I guess I was just a bit looser.

Good luck

Marne · 18/12/2008 16:20

I was in more pain after dd2 but recovered alot faster.

thisisyesterday · 18/12/2008 16:20

well, i had an epidural with ds1 so can't say what it would have been like.

but it blooody hurt with ds2. I also refused to push because it was hurting so much, MW said ok, don't push this time. so I didn't and it hurt so much not to push that I had to lol

thisisyesterday · 18/12/2008 16:21

it's all down to head size though, I reckon.
ds2's head was 38cm

Original poster

metoo2222 · 18/12/2008 16:45

Oh I am dreading it so much! I didn't tear at all ( a lot to be said for rubbing in the oil!! ) but I had labial grazes which have kind of healed funny and hurt when I wipe sometimes and the thought of that splitting again and the ring of fire ....... shudder!

OP posts:

sorkycake · 18/12/2008 16:58

I've never had this at all.

Lockets · 18/12/2008 17:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

bronze · 18/12/2008 17:15

I think its the only point I said shieeeeeeeeet while biting the end of the bed.

LynetteScavo · 18/12/2008 17:19

I didn't feel as thing with DS2 (had epidural with dS1) - felt a bit with DD, but wasn't that bad.

Maybe you could try massaging that area (with bio oil or something) to get it supple. Personally I could never bring myself to do so.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 18/12/2008 17:27

Ask the m/w to get ready with cold water and some cotton wool or swabs. She should be able to dribble some cold/cool water on and you may find this helps.

Original poster

metoo2222 · 18/12/2008 17:30

Lynette - I did the oil thing religiously for 6 weeks and didn't tear so I will be doing that again!

Stripey - thanks I will definitely keep that in mind!

I was thinking I was coping quite well til that point when I simply refused to push again and told the midwife I wasn't going to! thankfully nature took over!

I think I was just kind of hoping it wasn't as bad next time round!

OP posts:

Gemzooks · 18/12/2008 22:05

also did proper perineal massage (stretching) with oil and didn't tear..

mrsboogie · 18/12/2008 23:25

ehm..what's the ring of fire? I've never felt anything down below - the agony of the labour pains blanked everything else out I think.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 19/12/2008 10:28

A lot of women just before the baby's head crowns experience a bad burning sensation as the skin stretches. Bit like a severe Chinese burn.

DumbledoresGirl · 19/12/2008 10:31

Sorry, can anyone explain what this is? I have given birth to 4 children, all vaginally, none with an epidural (well anyway, not an epidural that worked) and I have no idea what this "ring of fire" refers to!

DumbledoresGirl · 19/12/2008 10:32

Sorry, x posts. I am too slow at typing!

Sorry, can't help. I found labour so overwhelmingly painful, I can't really recall individual areas of pain. I did find second stage better than first stage though. Yes there was pain but you felt you were getting somewhere with it.

DarksomeNight · 19/12/2008 10:33

The ring of fire was just as bad ime, but I seemed to heal faster after dd2, or maybe I was just much busier and didn't notice so much.

DarksomeNight · 19/12/2008 10:34

One of my friends used to liken it to pulling your bottom lip over your head It kind of gives you the idea of what it would be like. He having never experienced it was trying to understand.

June2009 · 19/12/2008 10:59

Sory for (kinda) hijacking the thread, may I ask what oil you used for perineal massage?
I never heard of it before and I'm definitely interested!!!

sjcmum · 19/12/2008 13:37

I used Wheatgerm oil for perineal massage for first pregnancy... you just want something really plain with no additives or scents or anything. Didn't help me much mind you, as I had to have an episiotomy for ventouse!! Now 40+ weeks with second dc, and am slightly worried that I don't seem to have got round to doing it this time... just hope everything slack enough from before!!

Never heard the ring of fire expression before, but certainly know that final last bit was by far the most painful....

ILikeToHoHoHo · 19/12/2008 13:48

I didn't have a ring of fire and ds2 was a big lad (9lb 11oz), but I had a waterbirth and that helps the skin stretch. His head also came out in one go, so maybe that makes a difference?

Original poster

metoo2222 · 19/12/2008 16:39

I just used virgin olive oil.

It must have done something as I didn't tear at all and I apparently have a 'narrowed vaginal entrance' due to suffering from a skin condition in that area since childhood.

I am slightly heartened by hearing all these stories of you not having the ring of fire!

OP posts:

belgo · 19/12/2008 16:45

Don't remember it with my third birth.

MrsTittleMouse · 19/12/2008 16:58

Mine wasn't too bad for DD2's delivery - even though the skin was in a really bad way from DD1's delivery. In my case my babies are really bad at descending, so I think that psychologically it's easier for me to deal with - I was just so relieved that DD2 was moving down that I welcomed the ring of fire!

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