Need advice on intestinal issues and delivery

[fairyannanicole]

Ok, I am so confused....... I have never even fathomed the thought of having a c-sec, as a matter of fact I am anti c sec...... unless there is a TRUE medical reason. I have intestinal wall weakness, and after the birth of my last son, it never did get better like it usually did after having my other children....... My whole intestinal track down near my rectum is screwed, to put it bluntly. I am worried that having another baby vaginally will completely destroy what I do have left. I am hoping to find mammas who have this same problem give me some advice on what to do. If I give birth vaginally, and destroy what continence I do have left, will i then have to ? What if it goes so bad as to affect my vaginal wall, and there is no separation of the 2? Would having a csec honestly be the best route??? I never thought the words csec, when pertaining to myself would ever creep its way out of my mouth.......

[Bird Girl]

I would ask the advice of a gynecologist (not an OB, necessarily) in this case. A friend of mine had a forth degree tear, and although her OB supported a Vbac for her second birth, she also found out that her tear had required more stitches than a cesarean. She was very happy with her planned c-section for births 1 and 2.

Hope that helps.

[HeatherB]

Is this a long-time problem, or something that developed as the result of episiotomy or severe tear the first time? Ah, I see that this is #6, and you didn't have these issues with your others. Was there a difference in the birth of #5 versus the others?

Not sure, but I wonder if it might be related to pelvic floor weakness? This is a great article/interview that's been circulating about an entirely different take on the pelvic floor from the standard Kegels:
http://mamasweat.blogspot.com/2010/0...s-are-not.html

I would definitely consult with knowledgeable midwives about your issues. I know my MW has lots of knowledge on issues like prolapse, etc. (She recommends NOT ever having surgeries - and I totally agree.) I think a MW would be less likely to nonchalantly recommend a c/s, kwim? Though perhaps a gyn who's not invested in c/s is good, too.

There are known risks to you and babe with a c/s, and of course the risks of damage from a vaginal birth are unknown. With a c/s, you're automatically recovering from major abdominal surgery, and you put your future fertility and births at risk. (Can you VBAC later if you choose to? etc.) Myself, I'd look for ways to strengthen and support the areas, and go for the natural birth. But I'm not the one experiencing your symptoms, so it's hard to say! (I have had one c/s, tho.)