Super short perineum Yikes!!! C-section?? - Page 2

[Mom2M]

Originally Posted by APToddlerMama 



 


I'm sorry but this is ridiculous.  So those of us who have torn have done something wrong since your size zero friend gave birth to a huge baby with no tears?  I had a posterior baby which was a huge reason I tore. And the vacuum which was necessary because after 2.5 hours baby's heart rate was decelerating.  Yes there are things to do to minimize risk of tearing, but you can do all those things and still tear or end up in a situation where you are choosing between greater risk of tearing and your baby's safety. 

And it is definitely not true that all tear recoveries are easier than c recoveries. 

I agree! Absolutely ridiculous.

[katelove]

OP, you might want to look into the Pink Kit. It is a birth preparation program which focuses on understanding your personal anatomy ( not just anatomy in general) and ways to maximize your pelvic space and tissue stretching.

[blessedwithboys]

Originally Posted by TCMoulton 


Wow, you must have had a seriously emergent c/s to have a one foot incision on your stomach because I know that mine is just a few inches long and is well hidden beneath my pubic hair.
Regardless, there is no way to know if recovery will be easier for a serious perineum tear than it would be for a c/s.

Sure, the first incision is low down, but then you build up scar tissue and the next one goes up two inches higher.  Which is why I stopped at 2 babies. 

I am not intentionally minimizing anyone else's experience by saying that I would prefer a 1cm tear to what I have endured for the last 17 yrs post-csec.  I am simply stating my feelings.  One could argue that griping about that is minimizing, couldn't one?

[Katie8681]

Originally Posted by blessedwithboys 

I am not intentionally minimizing anyone else's experience by saying that I would prefer a 1cm tear to what I have endured for the last 17 yrs post-csec.  I am simply stating my feelings.  One could argue that griping about that is minimizing, couldn't one?

This thread is really not about you and your feelings. Your experience is not universal. How about you try to meet OP where she is?

[smeep]

Originally Posted by Youngfrankenstein 

Well I think this could be a big consideration if mom chooses an epidural.  I think that's why she's asking ahead of time.  I don't think an out-of-hospital birth makes her less likely to tear in and of itself.  If she chooses vaginal birth, she may want to be in the hospital setting based on what she and her OB decide. 

Statistically speaking it is less likely that she would tear if birthing out of hospital because of the significant difference of care in MOST cases. 

That said, she can implement which things she does want (no purple pushing and epidural, or squatting and freestanding birth center - she can even do an epidural in hospital with assisted squatting! or turning it off at the very end) and decide what she IS okay with. And figure out HOW to get those things she wants. If she wants to go with a hospital and OB, great for her! And she could look for an OB who would support a natural birth if that's what she wants, or one who will help her get a minimally interventive birth even if she does want an epidural, etc. 


I think some people in here are getting a little butthurt here (not to you, Youngfrankenstein - I'm speaking in general). For some people a cesarean is far worse. For some a tear is far worse. It's up to the OP to take all the info on how to minimize the likelihood of tearing, look at the risks and negatives of a cesarean vs. the risks and negatives of tearing if that happens, decide the birth she wants and figure out how best to achieve that birth. So I imagine that giving personal experiences with cesarean vs. tearing IS relevant and important since those are the two primary issues at hand in her original post. 

Obviously I'm not the OP - that's just my opinion on that.

[smeep]

To the OP - whatever you decide, I hope you make the best decision for YOU and happy birthing!!!!!

[ariatrance]

What I haven't seen so far in this thread is someone's experience with both - it seems to be one or the other. So I'll chime in with my experiences and a suggestion. These were my experiences and do not apply to every person but are definitely things you can consider in your research.

I had a primary cesarean. Due to the position of my organs and baby, I had to be cut a little deeper on the right side. My incision is about six inches long (my outside, don't know about my insides). I had to have two units of blood after the surgery. I had a bad reaction to the staples used to hold my abdomen together - each one was infected and had to be pulled out earlier than usual but I don't seem to have any long term effects from that. I couldn't get out of bed for over 20 hours. I had a catheter and the first poop was excruciating because I had to use the same muscles that had just been cut. I couldn't drive for three weeks because, again, using the same muscles that were cut. I ended up with lots of scar tissue inside that very painfully ripped apart during my next pregnancy. I am still unable to feel completely on my right side where the incision is - it is better than it was but still not back to 'normal.'

My next pregnancy was fine - no repercussions from the surgery. I had a VBAC with a 3rd degree tear. The stitching was a bit painful because they wouldn't wait for the anesthetic to fully take effect. I was able to get up and go the bathroom with assistance within an hour. I could walk around, get out of bed and take a shower within three hours of birth. I used ice packs and epi-foam on my vulva for about four days during the healing process and then didn't feel the need to anymore. I couldn't sit cross-legged for about two weeks without some burning sensation (so I didn't!). I was able to drive easily within five days of birth. The first poop was painful and burned but was not excruciating. I did have some urinary incontinence after this birth for about one week.

My latest birth (Jan. 20th) was also a VBAC. I have a 2nd degree tear with this one. It's been so easy for me this time and not at all painful - BUT I think that is a relative opinion given my painful experiences with the other two. This just doesn't register as hurting because it isn't to the same degree as the others. I can drive, move around, used the bathroom within 30 minutes by myself, first poop was no big deal AT ALL and I can sit cross-legged with no issues. I used about three ice packs and epi-foam for one day with this one and haven't felt the need since.

So - there you have three different experiences from one mama. My feelings don't matter much in the end - it is your choice. I hope you make it based largely on factual information though I understand seeking personal stories too (it is what most women do especially about pregnancy/childbirth related topics). I would definitely research facts about cesarean risks, repeat cesarean risks and vaginal birth after cesarean risks. These should factor heavily in your decision making process because a cesarean does determine how you are treated in your next pregnancy/birth and your choices for that next pregnancy/birth, i.e. some states do not allow a midwife to attend a homebirth for a VBAC. Sometimes VBACs are not successful and very, very few providers will 'allow' you to attempt a VBAC after multiple cesareans. If you even think you want more than one child, in my opinion, you should very much consider these future situations in deciding which path you want to pursue.

ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) has a lot of information. www.ican-online.org

[blessedwithboys]

Originally Posted by Katie8681 

This thread is really not about you and your feelings. Your experience is not universal. How about you try to meet OP where she is?

Seriously?  What is your problem?  The OP asked for insight and advice!  I did not offer advice, but I did share my own personal insight.  Which is what I was invited to do.  By the OP.

FWIW, I just measured my 1st scar and it's a solid NINE inches across.  The 2nd one, which is 2-3 inches higher up, I didn't measure because it goes across from left to right and then the doctor's hand apparently slipped on the massive amounts of internal scarring and the line goes straight up all jaggedy-like.  It's at least 9 inches across but the part that goes up adds another 2-3 inches I would imagine.

OP, I am well aware that that women sustain all sorts of damage from vaginal tearing.  But there is a trend in this country to downplay the seriousness of c-birth.  It is major surgery.  You don't just end up with a scar on your stomach.  Your abdominal muscles are cut apart (though I have read of a method that "pushes them aside" or something rather than cutting them) and some women also end up with damage to the bladder.  My recoveries from my 2 csec were pieces of cake in the grand scheme of things.  I was young and otherwise healthy.  My desire to EBF led me to decline use of post-op morphine, and while I certainly wasn't comfortable, I wasn't in excruciating pain.  With ds2, I found myself with no choice but to drive myself to the grocery store 4 days pp.  I was lucky in that I handled it well.  But I did have pain and soreness and now I have numbness.  In addition to all of that, my surgical births put me at 4 times greater risk of dying than would have vaginal births.  I am not sure that bleeding from a vaginal tear can cause death by exsanguination.  That's not sarcasm, I truly don't know.  So you must weight the risk to your life vs. the rik to your perineum.  That's for you to decide, but again, my personal opinion is that I would rather have faced a tear than surgical birth.  So, FWIW, there is my insight.  Best wishes to you!  :)

[WaitingForKiddos]

For me, I'd pick a cesarean over a severe tear. I had a great cesarean with DS. Limited separation of he and I, great healing, was up and walking (carefully!) around 3 hours after surgery. My scar is about 4 inches long when I'm not pregnant. The lingering numbness was gone by the time I was about 4-6 months postpartum. It's a fine white line. Now, on the other hand, I know a few women who have had 3rd-4th degree tearing. Two required later surgery. They seemed to have a much harder time postpartum than I did. Their healing harmed nursing and getting back into the swing of things. 

If you do go for a vaginal birth I would look into lots of different positions for pushing and make sure your doc is cool with catching a baby in a position you'd be best in. I imagine the typical reclined on the bed with your legs up would be harmful. 

I don't think you can make a bad choice. Just stay informed and in control. 

[TCMoulton]

Originally Posted by WaitingForKiddos 

For me, I'd pick a cesarean over a severe tear. I had a great cesarean with DS. Limited separation of he and I, great healing, was up and walking (carefully!) around 3 hours after surgery. My scar is about 4 inches long when I'm not pregnant. The lingering numbness was gone by the time I was about 4-6 months postpartum. It's a fine white line. Now, on the other hand, I know a few women who have had 3rd-4th degree tearing. Two required later surgery. They seemed to have a much harder time postpartum than I did. Their healing harmed nursing and getting back into the swing of things. 

If you do go for a vaginal birth I would look into lots of different positions for pushing and make sure your doc is cool with catching a baby in a position you'd be best in. I imagine the typical reclined on the bed with your legs up would be harmful. 

I don't think you can make a bad choice. Just stay informed and in control. 

From my own personal experience, I agree with this completely.

[happyblessedmama]

I'm just boggling at the thought of a foot long incision for a c section. Mine is 5 inches, maybe 6... And hidden just fine, and An almost 10# baby was delivered through it.