Did you have any lasting, long term effects of having a Vaginal Birth?

[MoonLove]

I am 28 weeks pregnant with my second child after having an emergency c-section 3 years ago with my first.

I am now at the decision making stage, i can easily have an elective c-section again but i cannot shake the feeling of wanting a succesful vaginal birth. I was 10cm dilated with my first, but she was stuck in an awful position. I am trying to gather as much information as i can about both options.

I know what it is like to have a c-section, my recovery was particularly difficult, i struggled hugely in the short term aftermath, but long term i was left with no problems. The only thing i was really left with that i did not like was the way my belly sat upon my scar, i didn't have an overhang thankfully, but i do fear massively that a second c-section would cause my belly to flop and hang over my reopened scar. I am utterly terrified of it and honestly it is a huge reason for me wanting to try a VBAC.

I am SO SO frightened of that feeling of not being able to move again. I could not walk or lay down, and this time round i have a three year old to look after as well. How i would love to be up and walking around a few hours after birth like some women say!

Please share your long term effects of having a vaginal birth. I am frightened of things like bladder weakness from pushing being something to suffer with long term, and i am scared of having a tear and it essentially 'ruining' my vagina. I have so many fears, some may seem superficial but they are the things holding me back from choosing to attempt VBAC over a c-section, which i am familiar with. I want to know the honest truth of it. I was so close to a vaginal birth, i got to 10cm with gas and air and if i could do it again and know my baby wasn't at any risk of getting stuck, i would go for it, but there's so much holding me back.


My husband is saying do an elective because we can know the date, arrange childcare for my daughter and there isn't the obvious risk of VBAC not working and having another traumatic emergency c-sec again. I would adore so much to have a vaginal birth, to wait on labour starting again and to have a wholly positive experience that i missed out on with my first labour.


I am so uncertain

 

[sarah34]

6 months on for me and the only effects i still have from vaginal birth is not my vagina! Lol i ended up with an episiotomy and ventouse delivery, i did have a slight tear but my scar from the epi is very neat and hardly noticeable! Its a tiny bit sensitive during sex but not too bad. I did have an achy feeling in my urethra for about 8 weeks after but i think that was trauma from 2 catheters!

The worse bit for me is my bottom! I have had a fissure since my lo was born that heals and comes back, very painful!

Everyone is different tho, i didnt find my recovery that bad, only slightly uncomfortable after a few days when everything began healing. I healed relatively quickly too. I would chose a vaginal delivery over a c section personally! Xxxx

 

[Snufkin]

The only long term effect I had from my vaginal birth 2 years ago is my daughter! it was quite a messy birth, ended up with an episiotomy and forceps, and then my stitches opened up a few days after and the wound was gaping slightly. They didn't re-stitch and said it'll just take a bit longer to heal. I do have a scar, but it's barely visible and I can't feel it at all. OH says everything looks and feels the same to him.

Generally you'll have a longer/harder recovery after a c-section, so if your OB says you're a good candidate for a VBAC, I'd go for that. You will be sore and tender for a few weeks after a vaginal birth, but in my opinion the benefits far outweigh the risks for both you and baby.

 

[RaspberryK]

As snufkin says the only lasting effect is ny toddler.
My recovery was amazing, had a 26 hour labour with no pain relief, was in hospital a grand total of 3 hours as he arrived within about half an hour of getting there.
He was 10lb3oz, I had no tears or stitches and it wasn't painful afterwards.
I put a lot of that down to labouring in a birth pool although I think looking back I wasn't in there for the last few hours anyway but I was in the shower so who knows.
Xx

 

[teal]

I had an awful experience. Emergency forceps with no pain relief. Episiotomy and a seperate 4th degree tear. Mild uterine prolapse, I could feel my uterus slipping in and out of place, I had to see a physiotherapist. I had a follow up with a consultant who advised any future babies should be delivered via c section because of the damage done. It took over a year before I felt ok-ish again. My birth experience definitely contributed to PPD.

 

[the why bird]

My VBAC was fantastic.

I did have an episiotomy but within two weeks felt no pain whatsoever. There is a hairline scar there now but otherwise my vagina feels normal to both me and my husband. Absolutely no problems with incontinence which was my biggest fear (then again I never wet myself during pregnancy either so it might just be the way some people are made).

My circumstances are similar to yours in that I got to 10cm no problem first time round and baby got stuck in a weird position - they didn't want to risk ventouse because they thought that her head might come out and her body would get stuck because of her position. So I knew I was capable of labouring just fine and apparently this greatly increases your odds of a VBAC. I was torn too but I am so glad I did it now. What helped me decide was that the doctor said 'If you were my relative, I'd want you to have a VBAC'.

Best part about it - I got to go home just 4 hours after delivery. I said goodbye to my daughter when she went to nursery that morning, and was home with the baby to put her to bed that night.

Long term no problems - I did get a hemorrhoid from pushing which took about 2 months to resolve but it wasn't a bad one and didn't really bother me. I've heard once you've had them once, they're likely to happen again in later life but since more than 50% of people get them anyway at some point, I don't think that counts as a long term problem.

I've only had one section but I do have the dreaded overhang, and a pretty big numb patch so again, might depend more on your skin than anything. I also had a twin-sized bump first time so I think the overstretch contributed.

Good luck and I hope you get a good birth whatever you pick.

 

[MummyToAmberx]

I have no long term effects. Im 3 days pp from my third i feel amazing!

I cant comment on from a view of ive been through it but i see section was major op so that vs no op id take the vbac option.

 

[Eleanor ace]

No lasting effects from either of my vaginal deliveries. With my 1st I had a 3rd degree tear and it healed quickly, I was up and about the next day once the spinal from surgery wore off. No noticable difference to my vagina. My 2nd I was up about an hour after birth, once I'd delivered the placenta and had skin to skin with my DD. She was a shoulder dystocia delivery but I only got small tears, no stitches and again no noticable difference to my vagina, no lasting pain or anything.

 

[Alyssa Drough]

Had a small episiotomy and a few stitches. After a couple of months I felt completely back to normal.

 

[NDH]

Pelvic Floor instability is caused as much by pregnancy as vaginal delivery. I know a few c-section mamas who didn't go into labour at all even whose pelvic floors are shot, so a repeat cesarean doesn't necessarily mean you'll avoid that possibility.

If you do decide to vbac there are heaps of things you can do to work on having bub positioned optimally leading up to the birth which would certainly give you a much more chance of success. There are also ways to avoid the risks of tearing if that's one of your main concerns.

 

[SarahBear]

I don't have time to read your whole post right now but want to say that c-sections put both you and the baby at a higher risk of complications. The risk of those complications increases with each c-section. It also puts your child at higher risk of things like asthma and allergies. It was designed as an emergency intervention. I wouldn't listen to your husband about how to have the baby. He's not the one who would have to endure major invasive abdominal surgery and have to recover from it.

In terms of the question in the title of your post, no. The "long term effect" is that I have a child. Things were swollen and bulging for a bit, but everything bounced back. I also couldn't tell when I had to pee for a bit. I just went every hour and the feeling came back.

 

[purplecupcake]

Not a single longterm or short term issue for that matter. I was back to normal after 3 weeks. Only needed one stitch.

Bladder problems are caused from pregnancy in general, not vaginal delivery.

Our bodies were made to do this...they are made to go back to normal.

 

[nikkchikk]

I had no issue at all with mine.

I would like to make sure you are not sucked into the trap of thinking natural birth is a right of passage and is somehow superior. If I was in your shoes, I would choose the familiar route (c-sec).

The ultimate success of motherhood is raising a child to be an asset to society. Last time I checked, method of delivery doesn't determine a damn thing about who your kid is when they grow up!

Whatever decision you make about your delivery, just know you are not giving up anything by choosing one over the other!!

 

[NDH]

I had no issue at all with mine.

I would like to make sure you are not sucked into the trap of thinking natural birth is a right of passage and is somehow superior. If I was in your shoes, I would choose the familiar route (c-sec).

The ultimate success of motherhood is raising a child to be an asset to society. Last time I checked, method of delivery doesn't determine a damn thing about who your kid is when they grow up!

Whatever decision you make about your delivery, just know you are not giving up anything by choosing one over the other!!

Actually there is mounting evidence that indicates that how we are born *does* matter. There's a fascinating documentary that came put a few months back called Microbirth that looks in depth at the symbiotic relationship we have with our biome (the bacteria that live in and on us). By examining remote tribal peoples gut bacteria and comparing it to ours in the west we have lost approximately 1/3 of our biome, and babies born by c section or to moms on antibiotics have far fewer strains of bacteria than babies born vaginally.
During labour the gut bacteria all swarm to the vagina and the baby is 'seeded' with these bacteria at birth which helps their bodies recognise early which bacteria are helpful and harmful.
The full findings of this massive study haven't been published yet as its still ongoing but the preliminary findings shoe huge implications for our overall health as a society.

I don't believe that any woman should ever feel shame or failure for the way her child is born, absolutely not. But I believe women need to be made aware of the full facts, and the overall birth culture needs a massive overhaul

 

[sevenofnine]

My recovery was great, I never even took an Advil. No long term effects!

 

[nikkchikk]

Actually there is mounting evidence that indicates that how we are born *does* matter. There's a fascinating documentary that came put a few months back called Microbirth that looks in depth at the symbiotic relationship we have with our biome (the bacteria that live in and on us). By examining remote tribal peoples gut bacteria and comparing it to ours in the west we have lost approximately 1/3 of our biome, and babies born by c section or to moms on antibiotics have far fewer strains of bacteria than babies born vaginally.
During labour the gut bacteria all swarm to the vagina and the baby is 'seeded' with these bacteria at birth which helps their bodies recognise early which bacteria are helpful and harmful.
The full findings of this massive study haven't been published yet as its still ongoing but the preliminary findings shoe huge implications for our overall health as a society.

I don't believe that any woman should ever feel shame or failure for the way her child is born, absolutely not. But I believe women need to be made aware of the full facts, and the overall birth culture needs a massive overhaul

I'll agree that every effort for knowledge should be pursued by a mom-to-be. Birth classes were an eye opener for my husband and I. Overall I felt like I was making good decisions based on what I learned and my labor was awesome! I think knowing helps you overcome the fear of the unknown, but who can tell.

I'm not a scientist/researcher, but I always wonder about the validity of a study comparing VASTLY different people/cultures. It would appear that MANY different factors (lifestyles/diet/environment) would skewer the results. So I'll take that with a few grains of salt.

Sigh. As much as some women *say* they aren't being judgey about birth choices, I feel like a lot of it is backhanded (not saying you are!). "Oh, so sorry you had a c-sec, BUT maybe if you would have *x* when you were in the third tri, or *x* when you were in labor, you could have been natural!" I've seen first hand what this does to the psyche of a woman who has just had a labor that she doesn't think is ideal because it's been drilled into her brain that delivering natural is a right of passage (FYI, it's not). I think every effort should be made to try natural birth, but I don't think it's beneficial to have a nagging voice in your head saying 'If you don't almost kill yourself trying to push that baby out of your vagina, you aren't a good mother!"

I think the best solution would be to have FREE, well rounded, birth classes, showing the benefits and situations when one type of delivery is preferred over the other WITHOUT THE GUILT TRIP.

 

[purplecupcake]

Actually there is mounting evidence that indicates that how we are born *does* matter. There's a fascinating documentary that came put a few months back called Microbirth that looks in depth at the symbiotic relationship we have with our biome (the bacteria that live in and on us). By examining remote tribal peoples gut bacteria and comparing it to ours in the west we have lost approximately 1/3 of our biome, and babies born by c section or to moms on antibiotics have far fewer strains of bacteria than babies born vaginally.
During labour the gut bacteria all swarm to the vagina and the baby is 'seeded' with these bacteria at birth which helps their bodies recognise early which bacteria are helpful and harmful.
The full findings of this massive study haven't been published yet as its still ongoing but the preliminary findings shoe huge implications for our overall health as a society.

I don't believe that any woman should ever feel shame or failure for the way her child is born, absolutely not. But I believe women need to be made aware of the full facts, and the overall birth culture needs a massive overhaul

I'll agree that every effort for knowledge should be pursued by a mom-to-be. Birth classes were an eye opener for my husband and I. Overall I felt like I was making good decisions based on what I learned and my labor was awesome! My best friends husband didn't think classes were necessary (and expensive), so she went in to her labor with a complete lack of knowledge and her labor was not ideal. I think knowing helps you overcome the fear of the unknown, but who can tell.

I'm not a scientist/researcher, but I always wonder about the validity of a study comparing VASTLY different people/cultures. It would appear that MANY different factors (lifestyles/diet/environment) would skewer the results. So I'll take that with a few grains of salt.

Sigh. As much as some women *say* they aren't being judgey about birth choices, I feel like a lot of it is backhanded (not saying you are!). "Oh, so sorry you had a c-sec, BUT maybe if you would have *x* when you were in the third tri, or *x* when you were in labor, you could have been natural!" I've seen first hand what this does to the psyche of a woman who has just had a labor that she doesn't think is ideal because it's been drilled into her brain that delivering natural is a right of passage (FYI, it's not). I think every effort should be made to try natural birth, but I don't think it's beneficial to have a nagging voice in your head saying 'If you don't almost kill yourself trying to push that baby out of your vagina, you aren't a good mother!"

I think the best solution would be to have FREE, well rounded, birth classes, showing the benefits and situations when one type of delivery is preferred over the other WITHOUT THE GUILT TRIP.

That's an opinion, not a fact. For many women, myself included, having a natural birth is very much a right of passage. I would have been heartbroken if my labor and delivery didn't go as it did. I wouldn't have been able to have delayed cord clamping, immediate skin to skin, or immediate nursing. I wouldn't have been able to touch his head as he crowned...I wouldn't have been able to be the FIRST person to touch my son. Maybe these things aren't important to all women, and that's ok. But to many the act of giving birth is much more than "getting the baby out", it's a spiritual and primal act that carries much importance.

I think it's absolutely amazing that I was able to give birth to my son without so much as an IV in my arm. It is one of my greatest accomplishments, and you bet your ass I'm proud of it! I think every woman should be able to feel like that if she wants to and is able to. I don't understand why so many people say things like "there's no medal at the end of a natural birth" or whatever. There's often no medal for a person completing their first marathon, does that mean they shouldn't be proud and empowered by their feat? Is completing a marathon the same thing as running a mile then hopping in a car for the rest?


Anyways, OP, if a VBAC is an option for you and you feel like its a good choice for you, go for it! I don't think you will be disappointed if you have a successful VBAC, and if you end up with another c-section, so be it.

 

[RaspberryK]

I agree with purplecupcake on thie above.

I'd like to add it isn't everyone else making you feel guilty, that's your own feelings.
And yes probably in a lot of situations c section IS avoidable!

Xx

 

[nikkchikk]

It's sad that some women have the opinion that there is only one way to feel empowered in labor and delivery.......

Any first timers reading this, get educated, have a plan, and know that your plans might change depending on whats safe for you and baby. You do NOT have to have an unmedicated birth to make delivery a pleasant experience.

 

[purplecupcake]

It's sad that some women have the opinion that there is only one way to feel empowered in labor and delivery.......

Any first timers reading this, get educated, have a plan, and know that your plans might change depending on whats safe for you and baby. You do NOT have to have an unmedicated birth to make delivery a pleasant experience.

I didn't say that...if someone is happy with their c-section or epidural or induction and feels empowered by it, I really couldn't care less...great for them! For me, personally, I felt absolutely over the moon that I got to experience the same birth experience of every other animal on the planet, and humans that existed before pain management did. That was important to me. If someone else enjoys their birth, regardless of how it happened, I am happy for them. Not sure why you're so defensive.