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Natural Birth
Vaginismus and natural birth
Hi all, I am 8w5d and recently had my first ultrasound. All is well and I'm so excited! However, I was a bit disappointed at the doctor appointment when the practice's NP told me that because if my vaginismus painful tightening of vaginal muscles, I would probably need/want pain medication she was tangentially poopooing my questions about natural birth.
Now my condition is not nearly as severe as some women, who are rarely able to have sex because of it. It's more of a serious discomfort when I have to interact with a speculum for a Pap smear! I never thought it would interfere with natural birth, which I expected to be painful regardless. So my question for you ladies is whether anyone else suffers from vaginismus and whether any second third, fourth! time mothers have dealt with this and a vaginal birth. Looking forward to your input!
Now my condition is not nearly as severe as some women, who are rarely able to have sex because of it. It's more of a serious discomfort when I have to interact with a speculum for a Pap smear! I never thought it would interfere with natural birth, which I expected to be painful regardless. So my question for you ladies is whether anyone else suffers from vaginismus and whether any second third, fourth! time mothers have dealt with this and a vaginal birth. Looking forward to your input!
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Re: Vaginismus and natural birth
Great question. I think a Women's Health Physical Therapist would be a great resource on this and may actually be able to treat and help you in being able to achieve a natural birth if you are concerned.
I think you are right about the fact that you will already be in some pain regardless so may not make much more difference with your condition.
Now, I didn't have a natural birth last time because I ended up needing to be induced and there was no way I was doing that without drugs! But I do have a friend who had a painful examination and the OB told her that she'd better rethink her plans about having a natural birth. She ended up giving birth naturally without any complications.
If you decide you want an epidural--whether you decide now or while you're in labor--that is perfectly fine! But I wouldn't be anxious because of what your OB said. I'm certainly no expert but it sounds a little off to me; your body has a lot more time to prepare for your baby to come down the birth canal than it has to prepare for a speculum to be inserted in it, and it happens a lot more gradually!