Would you consider a c-section? TMI butt stuff

BabyBoyNYC

So with DS I had a vaginal birth pushed for 3 hours and the Dr. literally pulled him out, I felt her swooping her entire hand stretching me out. I had a 3rd degree tear, and basically its never been the same "down there". I can't wear underwear that touch my booty like a thong. Anyways he is 2.5 and I am still suffering from discomfort. I have hemorrhoids and rectal bleeding if I go #2 more than 2-3 times a day. Headed to the GI Dr. tomorrow morning to see if I have an anal fissure which I am almost 100% positive I do because I have been having a terrible time using the bathroom for almost 2 weeks. Anyways someone mentioned to me that I should consider a c-section for the next child and ahhh that terrifies me but the thought of having to go through this scares me even more. Has anyone ever dealt with this? Know anyone who as? Advice?

JulesDiane

I am so sorry that you had such a rough birth with your son.

My advice is to open the discussion with your OBGYN. They will probably be able to give you the most valid and useful insight. A c-section may not even be an option for you.

I had a c-section with DD1 because she was breech. I had an option for a VBAC or c-section with DD2 because I had already had a c-section. The idea of a VBAC scared me because I didn't know what to expect. I was worried about a c-section because the recovery is usually much harder than a vaginal birth. I knew if I had a c-section I would need a lot more help and I wouldn't be able to pick up my toddler or do a lot with her in the beginning. In the end, I made it to 41+ weeks with no contractions or any sign of labor what so ever, and opted for the c-section.

Good luck with your GI Dr tomorrow... I am so sorry you are going through all of this!

ncbelle

I think there are lots of things to consider.  First, it's possible that your issues aren't related to the tear - it's possible to have hemorrhoids and fissures even if you didn't tear at all.  So that would be the first thing I would address.  Second, I'd consider what your labor was like.  If you are open to using alternate positions for pushing, that can prevent trauma - flat on your back gives you the narrowest possible opening vs. squatting or being on all fours.  Finally, I'd want to know why my OB did what she did - was it medically necessary or was she being impatient?

A c-section is major surgery so nothing to chose lightly.  I'd honestly be inclined to go to another provider who may be more open to alternate pushing positions.  Hopefully your visit tomorrow will provide some answers - best case scenario, you learn this has nothing at all to do with your tear and get a plan to fix the issues you are having.  Good luck!

lite-bright

I had a vaginal birth with my first with only one minor tear, but pushing for 2.5 hours did a terriblenumber on my ass, frankly. Hemorrhoids that I had to have treated, and when I was pregnant with DD2 they got worse all over again. 

I had a c/s with her because she was breech, and the pain meds that I needed made me so constipated that I then developed an anal fissure, despite taking as much colace as I was allowed, as soon as she was born. A c/s is no guarantee that an already weakened area will not be affected. IME, just going through pregnancy and birth again made things worse and I don't think a vaginal birth would've been any better. 

This is a major surgery that may not even give you the result you want. If you're seriously considering it, I would make an appointment with a specialist who deals with these kind of problems and get his/her professional opinion on the impacts of either decision and treatment options -- current or future. 

somewhereincali

I had a csection (due to baby issues, no pushing at all) and I have hemroids
It's normal to develop vein issues after pregnancy that have nothing to do with labor unfortunately.
I ditto the advice to talk to a doctor you trust.
My csection wasn't the most horrible thing every but recovery was rough, you can't drive, you just feel pretty crappy for a few weeks. I will be trying for a VBac if we have abother

ashiscute

I have not had an experience like yours but I did push for almost 2 hours with my first and tore pretty badly.  (I have hemorrhoids but they haven't been bad.)  But with my second I only pushed for 15 minutes and I had an episiotomy.  I know a lot of people are against them but for me the delivery was fast and my recovery from the episiotomy was much faster and less painful than the tear.  I just wanted to let you know there are other options to consider.  Talk to your doctor about all of them.  And usually (hopefully!) the second delivery is easier and faster than first.  

preggersin2011

I had all those anal issues before LO!!! from my experience diet and stool type really play a big part if i get a fissure. The color of the blood can really tell you a lot. "flushable" witch hazel wipes are amazing. I say flushable because apparently like the other types of non toilet paper wipes actually do clog up sewer systems it takes a long time for them to break down, longer than it takes to back up your house. I would do everything in my power not to have a c-section, my OB even agreed to turn LO is she was butt first. 

1017Shannon

I pushed for four hours with my son and had a third degree tear (almost 4th) and had to have a hemorrhoidectomy two weeks after I gave birth. It was the most awful, eight week recovery of my life. I am 31 weeks with my second, and it was recommended I have a c section. I will be mindful to only take the pain meds for a short while so they don't stop me up (hopefully) too bad, take colace, moralax, etc starting a few days before surgery and pray the hemmorhoids don't get so bad that I need another surgery. I can't even mentally handle thinking of pushing again, so I am hoping all goes well with my c section. Good luck!

PetuniaFeatherbottom

I had a level four tear, all the way, with number one. Also had hems and was in labor for 24 hrs. I'd almost like a C this time. Your issues might not be solely related to your delivery, but def bring this up with your ob!

MalyJ

It really depend on you. I assume your recovery was absolutely terrible? My CS recovery was wonderful, honestly. I had a friend who delivered vaginally 3 days after me and I was back to myself long before she was, believe it or not. After about a week of being home, I felt normal with the exception of being unable to work it out and lift heavy things. So if your recovery was horrible with your first one and your doctor says your delivery is likely to be the same, I would say it's something to consider...couldn't be much worse...?

jlpev

I had a csection with my 2 kids. My recovery was easy peasy but I have no idea what a vaginal delivery/recovery is like. However I did have issues with having a bowel movement. To be honest it isnt comfortable & hurts a little. I was taking colace but nothing was happening so I took some milk of magnesia. It helped so much.
Good luck next time! I hope your Dr gives you some great insight!

StacyJYay

I'm so sorry for what you went through.  Warning:  This is likely a flame-worthy post with which others may disagree, but since you asked, I'm going to be forthcoming and risk others' ire. 

Here goes:  I had a completely 100% elective c-section with my LO (and will again for my 2nd) out of a terrible fear of a vaginal birth.  My ob/gyn was on-board with my decision and says that she has "a few patients like me each year."  She obliged and I had my c-section scheduled after the 39-week mark (but actually had it a bit earlier because of blood pressure issues).  My c-section was an absolute dream.  I was off all pain medication (including Motrin and Tylenol) within 48 hours after the surgery.  I was able to take 3+ mile walks (slowly) within a week of delivering.  My scar is small and low.  It was my dream birth. 

I hope that, whatever you chose, you continue to heal and are able to choose whichever type of birth best suits you. 

beautiflaw

I wouldn't. My mother had c-sections with both me and my brother. (14 months apart) My mom almost died during both procedures and my brother almost died also. When I first got pregnant I was scared to death of having a vaginal birth too, but I did a lot of research and decided to go for it anyway. I had a second degree tear that went to my booty too. I still have issues because of it, but thankfully nothing as bad as what you have mentioned. I would explore every. single. possible. other option before thinking of a c-section.

Have you thought of changing your diet? If you have GI issues or hard to pass stools it could be something to do with your diet. If you have normal stools and no ibs sort of symptoms, there may be some things they could do to heal your bottom a bit better. My doc sent me to a specialist who gave me somethings to try and exercises to do which have helped me tremendously.

All that being said, birth is supposed to be a beautiful thing. If you are scared, do the thing that sounds the least scary to you. Follow your instincts.

limetango

I had a c-section Dec 2011 and have dealt with the same issues you have.  I don't think it has anything to do with your tear.  If/when I get pregnant again, I will try as hard as I can to have a VBAC.  A c-section is major surgery and I could hardly handle my newborn at the time, I don't know what I would have done if I had another toddler running around.  As for the hemmoroids issue, I would look into taking a good probiotic and maybe increasing the amount of water you drink to soften your stools so that it doesn't hurt as much.

hmontty

I had two C-sections.

First one the surgery went OK...terrifying, but OK. The recovery, though, was HORRIBLE. I had gas pains throughout my entire body (imagine little explosions of intense pain in your shoulder, stomach, arm, groin, a hundred times a day for a couple days). I was back in the hospital the day I was released with a 105 degree fever from an infection. I was not able to get back on my feet for a couple weeks.

Second one, the recovery went OK, but the surgery was like something out of a horror film. The spinal did not work on my left side, so I felt the surgery on that side of my body. I could do nothing but lie on the table screaming until they finally got the baby out, at which point they were able to knock me out with something stronger. HORRIBLE. Not to mention the anesthesiologist took like 20 minutes to get the needle in my spine, so I sat there sobbing in pain while he poked and moved this needle around in my spinal cord and I kept feeling little bolts of electricity in my legs -- which was him messing with my spinal nerves. Horrifying.

And even after two C-sections, I am also not the same "down there." Sex is now somewhat painful for me, my periods are like hemorrhaging, I get uterus pain a lot, I can no longer use tampons, and I have a permanent "dunlop" or "dickey do" or "mother's apron" or whatever you want to call it that looks terrible and feels gross. Not to mention the shape of my abdomen has totally changed from the way my organs were put back in, so I have this permanent lump of organs above my navel with just a swag of loose skin and fat hanging down under my navel. I will never wear a pair of pants comfortably again.

C-sections are not always easier or better. Some people have good births, some horrible births. This is true of vaginal and C-sections.

Just my experience, but if I had the choice, I would never have had either of my sections.

kknoll59

I am so glad you posted this. I am going through the same thing...Im 33 weeks and after pushing with my first for 12+ hours (he was OP), I spent several meetings with the dr at the hospital and followups crying about how I would ever be able to have another BM again. Not to mention, I will never forget the moment I felt "down there" afterwards and can only describe it as "elephantiasis" of the you know what. Eventually things went down to more or less the way they were until about 20 weeks pregnant. And, its BAD-EVERYTHING is SWOLLEN and the hemis...:(. I am terrified of what might happen this time since its ALREADY so swollen. I had either a 3rd or 4th degree tear last time (the docs cant seem to figure it out) and one of them has suggested a C-section. I dont like the idea of scheduling a surgery as I feel like the baby should be left to come when its ready. But, at the same time, I have heard there is a risk down the road for incontinence

excited16

My first DD was a c-section - terrible recovery but I never had any BM issues.  Because the recovery was so long and I wanted to be able to take care of my toddler when my 2nd baby came, I opted for a VBAC for my 2nd.  It was amazing - recovery was so fast, I was walking right away, able to lift my 18 month old.   I was lucky as I only had a small 1st degree tear, but I did develop  hemorrhoids and terrible urinary urgency.  Whenever I had to pee, I had to run to the toilet and a few times wet my pants even though the toilet was so close.  Poops were painful and I was sure I was never going to get better.  6 months later I have no issues with BMs, still just a tiny bit of urinary incontinence but I've been trying to do Kegels.  I am worried that if we go for #3 things will get messed up down there again, but I would definitely choose the vaginal birth again.  

CheezeFace

I may be a bit late in posting here but I thought I would add my two cents in….

First, every single person is different so you are going to get a different answer from everyone. Some women have super easy vaginal births, some have super easy recoveries with a c/s.  Then there are the horror stories on both sides.

FWIW, I will give you my opinion.  Do the c/s if you are comfortable with it.  Mine was easy, so easy, to recover from.  The day I came home from the hospital I walked (ok, shuffled) about a mile slowly around the neighborhood. I only took one of the strong pain pills once and was off the Tylenol # after about 2-3 days.  I made a point to be really healthy throughout my pregnancy and went to the gym regularly and I'm convinced this was key to an easy recovery.  (OH!  also, I made myself get up and walk for 10 minutes every two hours in the hospital after the first day.  Moving slowly helps a lot).  I'm not going to lie, I think I cried the very first day.  Everything was an emergency, my son was sick, early and I had tons of confusion when he was born so I don't know how much of this can be attributed to the actual surgery.  The most shocking part for me was the day I could see the staples in my belly.  It was scary to see my body look like that. It was upsetting but I got over it in about 10 seconds and just concentrated on healing.

It's such a personal choice but considering your trepidation I would give some serious thought to a c/s.  If I have learned one thing post baby, it's that women who have easy births/recoveries are generally not very vocal about it.  I mean, who wants to be like, "Really?  You labored for 18 hours and tore all the way?  It took you 6 weeks to heal?  You can't poop?!?  Sheesh…my birth was so easy.  I ran a marathon the next week."  Most of us have more compassion and common sense than that…..but there are lots of stories of uncomplicated, undramatic c-sections out there.  

And can I just thank this board for being decent human beings on a topic that would probably BLOW UP on another board?