Inverted tailbone and vaginal birth

amongthestarz · June 2013

Hey ladies -- lurker, infrequent poster here. I recently learned that the baby could possibly break your tailbone during child birth. That sent up a red flag for me, because I broke mine as a child, and it healed in an inverted position (pointing inward and up). I had a regular OB appointment today with the nurse practitioner, and she said to start thinking whether I would be okay with scheduling a c-section because of it. The Dr. needs to physically check the position of it at my next appointment before he can make a recommendation... So I have 3 weeks to think about this.

Has anyone delivered vaginally and run into this situation? It would most definitely break or dislocate again if I did it, wondering if anyone who has experienced this can lend their opinions.

laceylavallee · June 2013

I have no experience with this or advice BUT dang, I'm sorry! That sounds horrible to have to deal with...

LJUTCMommy · June 2013

I don't have any experience with that, but it sounds like it might be safest to go with a C Section if your doctor agrees. You don't want to be recovering from labor, dealing with a newborn, and having a broken tailbone.

Keep us posted.

amongthestarz · June 2013

Thanks, Ladies. Leave it to me to have the one issue that no one has experienced!

mommabmb · June 2013

amongthestarz:
Thanks, Ladies. Leave it to me to have the one issue that no one has experienced!

I'm sure you're not as alone as you feel Good luck! Keep us updated... I'm curious! Which I've decided is just a nice word for nosy. lol

tokenhoser · June 2013

Well, either you're recovering from a broken tailbone or you're recovering from major abdominal surgery. Don't let them downplay the risks and recovery of a c-section. It's not a minor decision. I would really ask about both options, the recovery time, the risk to you vs. the risk to the baby. If you've got an epidural, you won't feel the tailbone until afterward.

adeladedyan · June 2013

I haven't talked to my Dr yet, but I broke my tailbone last year playing softball and have been worried about breaking it again in labor. this is my second baby so I know how much pain labor is, and I'm not so sure I'll notice at the time if my tailbone breaks. I also don't know how it healed, but it does still hurt from time to time. I am not scheduling a c section, and probably wouldn't even if they thought it well break again. I'll be taking my chances. Good luck!

amongthestarz · June 2013

Thanks for the input!

I think I'm more worried that since it points in and up, that the baby wouldn't be able to push past it, and I'd end up with an emergency c-section instead of scheduled c-section. I really don't think that I can make a decision until I get the exam in a few weeks to determine whether it really is in the way. I'm sure that will be a really fun internal exam <ugh>.

Re: get epidural and probably not feel it until later --- I think the recovery from the tailbone re-break would probably be really painful for longer than c-section... but if I went au naturale, then I might be able to avoid having the baby hit the tailbone if I deliver on my hands and knees. It seems like my best options would be to either do a natural birth or scheduled c-section. So hard to make these decisions when you can't predict whether it would even be a factor!

BelhurstBride · June 2013

Honestly, I don't think anyone is going to be able to predict if it's going to be a factor or no and I don't think I would believe a doctor trying to tell you otherwise. You have to decide whether or not you want to give a vaginal birth a shot or just schedule a major abdominal surgery.

Texasmomma13 · June 2013

My sister had a similar situation. They didn't find out about it until she went in to deliver her first son though. The delivery was rough. He got stuck against her tailbone and the doc had to move her tailbone out of the way with his hand while pulling the baby out with forceps. He came out with a smooshed head from bumping against her tailbone but it went away in about 2 weeks. She went on to deliver two more vaginally with no problems. My sister is a total trooper too. She had no meds and the only time she screamed was when he moved the tailbone. Kudos to her!

holagal · June 2013

Lurking and wanted to offer my experience. With my first birth I broke my tailbone. To be honest the birth was fine sine I had an epidural but the pain afterwards was horrendous. I could not sit comfortably for 10 weeks an it made breastfeeding extremely difficult due to positioning; however, with all of that I am still going forth with a vaginal birth. I know it could happen again, but for me I don't want to choose a major surgery for the chance that it could break. But you bet I am getting that epidural. I think it is mainly a personal decision and depends on what you are more comfortable with.

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Inverted tailbone and vaginal birth

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