Birth Trauma WWYD?

smurf605 · September 2012

Background: With DS I had a fairly routine delivery. He was born about 10 hours after we arrived at the hospital and I only pushed for about 30 minutes or so. However, I had a pre-existing tailbone condition that was greatly impacted by the delivery. It was excruciating to go from sit to stand or stand to sit for at least 4 weeks after delivery. Sitting was a challenge and nursing was worse because of the position I had to get in. I ended taking prescription painkillers at least a few times a day through about 4-6 weeks. By about 6 weeks I was able to move around a bit better and by 8-10 weeks I was feeling much better. By 12 weeks,I was able to sit for extended periods.

So my OB mentioned that I should consider a c-section with this next birth due to my experiences with DS. She said that she would support a vaginal delivery too, but wanted to through out the option to me. What would you do in my situation? I'm thinking that it is pretty likely that the tailbone issue will re-occur since I have had reoccuring issues in the past (my cousins and aunts have had issues too - I think it is probably a genetic mutation or something), but I am also nervous about the idea of a c-section.

dannie2011 · September 2012

You said it was pretty routing delivery? So no complications from the tail bone issue other then after it hurt like heck after?

I would avoid the c-section if the tail bone will not cause any other problems, my reasons is it most likely will act up but their is a small chance it won't. This would be a second birth and your pelvis will spread even more then the first giving more room and could avoid pelvic pressure. The c-section comes with its own risks, and pain from that is no picnic either. You could look up a chiropractor and see if they can do anything. 6 weeks of tail bone pain or 6 weeks pain from a section.

nic5606 · September 2012

This is a personal decision that you have to make after talking with your obgyn regarding risks and benifits of a c section over the pain you may or may not have with the tail bone. I am a NP and had a c section with my little guy and will have a repeat c section if we get pregnant again. If I was in your situation, I would have the c section, no question.

It's your choice and no answer is wrong. A c section is a major surgery though, but I was off narcotic pain meds by 10 days and that seemed to be longer than most ladies need to take them. Much better than several weeks of possible pain in my opinion. Go over the risks and make an informed decision.

Good luck with your decision.

nfrtny · September 2012

What did the doctor say the odds of you having tailbone pain with a c section are?

smurf605 · September 2012

The dr said that in woman with a break, there is a chance that it would be out of the way for the next one. But my tailbone issue was preexisting deformity. I would think its pretty likely, because I have issues with it outside of pregnancy and birth (no biking for me!).

nfrtny · September 2012

smurf605:
The dr said that in woman with a break, there is a chance that it would be out of the way for the next one. But my tailbone issue was preexisting deformity. I would think its pretty likely, because I have issues with it outside of pregnancy and birth no biking for me!.

Sorry, I'm kind of confused. C section equals pain, or no pain?

Hallil · September 2012

Have you asked your doctor what measures can be taken to lessen the chance of the issue reoccuring? Off the top of my head I can think that labor & delivery in a tub might help, or lots of walking through contractions and perhaps delivering on your hands and knees so that there is much less downward pressure on your tailbone. I know there are more, not that I can think of but I would be looking for ways that you can deliver vaginally but with the least pressure on your tailbone. Ultimately you have to be happy with your plan though, whichever you decide

IdigDirt · September 2012

That is a hard choice. For me I would be scared of the surgery part of the C and then taking care of 2 kids after but I have never had a c section or a tailbone issue so have nothing to base my opinion on.

smurf605 · September 2012

nfrtny:
smurf605:
The dr said that in woman with a break, there is a chance that it would be out of the way for the next one. But my tailbone issue was preexisting deformity. I would think its pretty likely, because I have issues with it outside of pregnancy and birth no biking for me!.
Sorry, I'm kind of confused. C section equals pain, or no pain?

I need to read a bit better. I thought you asked about pain with a vaginal delivery. I will ask her about c-section tailbone pain specifically. She seemed to think it wouldn't be an issue with a c-section, but I will ask specifically.

smurf605 · September 2012

IdigDirt:
That is a hard choice. For me I would be scared of the surgery part of the C and then taking care of 2 kids after but I have never had a c section or a tailbone issue so have nothing to base my opinion on.

The scared of the surgery part is where I am at too!

smurf605 · September 2012

Hallil:
Have you asked your doctor what measures can be taken to lessen the chance of the issue reoccuring? Off the top of my head I can think that labor & delivery in a tub might help, or lots of walking through contractions and perhaps delivering on your hands and knees so that there is much less downward pressure on your tailbone. I know there are more, not that I can think of but I would be looking for ways that you can deliver vaginally but with the least pressure on your tailbone. Ultimately you have to be happy with your plan though, whichever you decide

Thanks for your ideas!

Ooglybear · September 2012

I am in a similar situation. With my previous delivery, I had nerve damage during labor that left me unable to walk for 3 months. My OB recommends a c/s this time. I think I'll go with the c/s, but its a difficult decision. Good luck!

nfrtny · September 2012

smurf605:
nfrtny:
smurf605:
The dr said that in woman with a break, there is a chance that it would be out of the way for the next one. But my tailbone issue was preexisting deformity. I would think its pretty likely, because I have issues with it outside of pregnancy and birth no biking for me!.

Sorry, I'm kind of confused. C section equals pain, or no pain?
 
I need to read a bit better. I thought you asked about pain with a vaginal delivery. I will ask her about c-section tailbone pain specifically.  She seemed to think it wouldn't be an issue with a c-section, but I will ask specifically.

I broke my tailbone as a kid, and had pain after delivery for probably about 9 months. I didn't get to labor in the tub like I wanted, but honestly I was having issues with my tailbone even when I was pregnant. At 3 months pregnant I was already having a hard time sitting in metal and wooden chairs.

I honestly would not choose a c section. I would pick any kind of natural pain over healing from a major surgery any day. Personal choice, but I think you will still have tailbone pain even after the c section. I agree with PP about laboring in different positions and seeing a chiropractor. Good luck!

MammaBear81 · September 2012

I would never choose a c-section unless there was an issue with the baby's health (personal choice). Iv'e had massive back problems and a chiropractor was able to help me (before, during and after pregnancy) lessen the pain without medications. There were times where is was really bad, but they were few and far between. A c-section isn't the end of the world, I just wouldn't be able to bring myself to do it unless it was necessary.

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