Vaginal delivery after 2+ kids

[amandab86]

I am pregnant with my 3rd child. I have had 2 vaginal deliveries. My dd was 8lbs 10oz and my son was 8lb 15oz. So I know odds are this baby will be large too. My son was born face up which made for an extremely painful labor and delivery, in which, forceps had to be used. I requested a c-section this time around. One for vanity, I am terrified of what my vagina is going to be like after 3 vaginal deliveries. I am so scared sex will no longer be enjoyable for me or my husband. Things are great now but definately different than before children. Also, I had such a bad experience during my labor with my son and an extremely long recovery. My tailbone I dont think will ever be the same. I had to wait an additional 6 weeks after my 6 week checkup before they could do an exam on me because I hadnt healed properly and I had to rub vitamin e oil on my stiches and take espom salt baths daily to help with the healing. I do not want to go through that again. My dr is fine with either one she says but I can tell she is hoping I will choose vaginal. She said every birth is different and the first 2 are usually the hardest. I asked her what happens if I go into labor on my own before my scheduled csection(havent scheduled it yet but plan too soon if I do end up choosing it) and she said we would play it by ear. If I was already 5-6 cm by the time I got to the hospital she would rather do a vaginal. I would like to have my tubes tied after this baby and thats another reason I would like a csection. Why have 2 things of stitches when I can just have one? Advice needed.

 

[Guppy051708]

Im going to be giving birth to my third as well. And much like you my first was face up and really damaged my tail bone as well. , mama i know that pain. Luckily my second son was not face up and my birth was far more normal and fast, though we had one nuchal cord and mild shoulder dyscotia, but otherwise it was good.
I dont have much advice to offer, just to say that i understand. I am planning another unmedicated vaginal birth. But if i were to end in EMCS then im considereing getting my tubes tied. But at present DH is just going to get the snip snip, so it may not matter anyways. There are many reasons why i want to have another vaginal birth, but the biggest reason for me not going the CS route is because i cannot imagine taking care of 3 under 3 after major surgery. But we also dont have friends and family around to help and my children are extremly young. You should do whatever you feel comfortable with, but whatever it is make sure its an educated decision. As for getting your tubes tied, the specialist i looked into does it laproscopically. So if you were to have a vaginal birth, it doesn't mean you need open abdominal surgery to get your tubes tied. Many practices do the lap proceedure now, so no need to have a major surgery. Though if for some reason you got a CS i could see where it would make sense to get them done at that point. But just pointing out you can have a vaginal birth and then get your tubes tied later and do it without open surgery. Seems to me that most 3rd births go quite well, (though that isnt the case for everyone).

 

[alicecooper]

I've had three vaginal deliveries, and three very large babies (2 over 10lbs, 1 over 11lbs). My second baby had the cord around his neck so needed ventouse and forceps.

I've never experienced baby being face-up, but obviously I have been stretched a lot.

I went back to normal afterwards though. I'm hoping for another vaginal delivery. I don't like thought of a long recovery after a C-section.

 

[CatherineK]

I'm planning my third vaginal birth, had bad tears with first two, but all healed well, and my mother and sister said their third births were easy, so I hope mine will be too. No way would I choose the long recovery and major surgery of a csections unless necessary, but it is your choice to have one if you want. I didn't have to experience a face up birth though.

 

[Mummyxofx2]

I'm planning my 3rd vaginal birth also. I was 15 when I had my first daughter and had a bad back to back labour but had no complications during the pushing. She came out really good just took a lot longer to push her out than my second and the pushes had to be a lot stronger. With my second I actually had more little tears and grazes and almost had extra bleeding and she was born normal. First was 8lb 13 and second was 6lb 1

 

[05mummy07]

I've had three vaginal deliveries, and this will be my fourth. For me my third was the longest established labour and my heaviest baby (but still only 7lbs 7oz) I'm not going to lie down there will never be the same again but that's partly my own fault anyway for not doing pelvic floor exercises as I should have, I've never torn however, or needed to be cut. I only had stitches with my first born due to some grazing.
For me I couldn't choose a c section, the recovery time being worse/longer is just a no go for me with three young children already. There are lots of things you can buy now to help tighten and tone down there too so it's not bothering me so much knowing that I can sort it out if I need to.

 

[Jessica0907]

Approaching my third delivery as well. No way would I want a c-section. My second baby was face up, but I had no problem delivering her. She was only 7 lb 3 oz though. She was my second delivery and my far easier delivery. No tearing. My first delivery I was practically split in two. But it healed and I moved on. I really think you should look into some things you can do before baby arrives to help with delivery. Like massaging down there or kegals. Maybe even look into birthing in a different position this time around. Laying on your back (if that's the position you were birthing in) is the least effective position for birthing a baby as it collapses your pelvis. Squatting is much more efficient.

 

[Evansangel]

I am having a vaginal birth and I know for a fact this baby will be big judging by my last two babies weights (9lbs 11 & 8lbs 12)

I tore both times but healing time was quick and I imagine a c section healing time would take ages and be horrendous.

 

[xdxxtx]

My sister boasts about how "easy" her c-sections were (she's had 2 as she's unable to dilate). However, both times she had them, she was down for the count for weeks and had a very difficult time getting around. I understand not wanting to go through a painful labor again and risking making things worse, but I would keep in mind that you'll be going through a much more difficult recovery with a c-section than a vaginal delivery. Still, it's your decision and your body. However, getting your husband a vasectomy instead of your tubes tied is a much easier process if you don't end up deciding on a c-section. (and more easily reversed should you choose).

(I was choosing a c-section for my first, but when I went into labor naturally, I just went with it. After watching my sister recover from a c-section a few months later, I was definitely glad. However, people get c-sections all the time, and I rarely hear complaints about them being horrible. Just keep doing your research. )