Requested C-Section?

jpierce1030 · August 2013

Hey mamas! I had my baby girl on March 23rd and I'm pregnant again!!! I'm due in April 2014. I broke my tailbone during labor with my DD and I'm still not completely healed. I've read that if you break it with the first you're highly likely to break it again. It was seriously the worst pain I've ever been through. Can I request to have a c-section with this one? Did any of you request a c-section? Any issues I should know about or think about before making a decision? Thanks!

watermellens · September 2013

I can't say for sure, but I *think* you could opt for a section. Of course, your doctor could give you more info. Congrats!

Mrs MoJoRisin · September 2013

Sorry, not sure about your question. I just wanted to say Congrats!!

KiechaW · September 2013

Yes you can opt for a c section. I had one. The healing process is very quick...and No Scar.

jensriot · September 2013

Congrats! And you probably can opt for a C section, ouch on the broken tailbone. I am curious, if you don't mind sharing, how that impacted your recovery after delivery.

Nodoubtvw · September 2013

Around where I live you can't request them, but it seems to me that your Dr would suggest one or be all for it considering your last experience! If you're going to a different Dr I'd explain what happened and hopefully they'd be all for a c section as well. Congratulations!

watermellens · September 2013

KiechaW said:

Yes you can opt for a c section. I had one. The healing process is very quick...and No Scar.

I think everyone that's ever had a c-section has a scar.....no?

jamu · September 2013

I broke my tailbone during delivery so I feel your pain. The tailbone healing was worse than anything else. You are actually the first other mama I've met that it's happened to. Even through recovery was a total b, and I couldn't sit, stand or do many things comfortably for a while, I'd still do it again. But I bet most doctors would let you opt for a c if you really wanted one. Also- congratulations!!

gurleymomma · September 2013

Yes as others have said you can opt for a c section.and congrats.its a scary thing to find out your pregnant again,my hisband and i just found out today we are expecting again and our DD was born march 14.i know how you feel.

ann_jeremiah · September 2013

watermellens said:

KiechaW said:

Yes you can opt for a c section. I had one. The healing process is very quick...and No Scar.

I think everyone that's ever had a c-section has a scar.....no?

I've never known someone to say they don't have a scar!! I definitely have a scar and after experiencing a vaginal birth(with help of a vacuum) and c section - I'd never choose a c section.

wittyschaffy · September 2013

I had a section with this baby and not only do I have a scar, but I have a large area of my abdomen that constantly feels like it is "asleep" (pins and needles feeling) because the nerves were cut during surgery. Recovery wasn't bad for me, but I don't know that I would have chosen that path for myself if I had the option.

bibby32714 · September 2013

I had a c-section as LO was breech. I have a scar but it doesn't bother me. My recovery was not bad at all. I was off pain meds in less than a week. The next will definantly be c-section even though the dr said we could discuss vbac

lars1226 · September 2013

Congrats!! And I'm sorry about your broken tailbone. I also broke mine during delivery, it's so awful and I'm not fully healed either. Just thinking back to those first few weeks after delivery, ugh! I couldn't sit or stand comfortably, trying to bf was hard and visitors always tried to sit in the one chair I was sort of ok sitting in. Learning to bf lying down was maybe the best thing ever.

Have you talked to your doctor about it? I am interested in his/her response. I imagine you could find a doctor who would support you in this if your current doc does not. I go back and forth on this issue myself, right now I think I would probably not request a c/s with my next baby. It's major surgery and I don't want that. Recovery seems tough either way. I have also read that it's likely to happen again but my midwife said that she did not have any patients who had it happen again after the first baby and she's been practicing for over 25 years.

rm2013 · September 2013

KiechaW said:

Yes you can opt for a c section. I had one. The healing process is very quick...and No Scar.

WTF? Whatevs.

OP - it's your choice but it's a crapshoot. You can have a nice recovery, or a tough one. I had a hard time so I'd never choose it. Pain meds didn't work, almost had to go to the emergency room for bowel obstruction (oh yeah, they don't tell you about that), surgical site infection, and that's just the beginning. I wasn't able to drive and do for myself fully until 8 weeks afterwards. Not to mention that I wasnt able to fully enjoy my new LO because of all the pain and issues. I still cant wear pants or underwear that put any pressure on the incision without significant discomfort, and the area is still tender and slightly numb. And just how bad your scar looks will depend on your doctor's skill at stitching. I've had nurses (and my brazilian waxer) tell me that they have seen some real doozies, and that I'm one of the lucky ones.

rm2013 · September 2013

And sorry, I forgot to say congratulations!!

Nodoubtvw · September 2013

I have a very light scar, but It's there for sure. I didn't want a c section but my baby was breech and I had a failed e.c.v., but my healing process was pretty great. I was up walking around after about 6 hrs and never needed pain meds after I left the hospital. My Dr and the nurses said that I probably just handle pain well. I would probably take a c section over a broken bone, but that's just me.

jpierce1030 · September 2013

Thanks ladies! I talked to my doctor and she said that it was a legitimate reason to request a C-section. I may break my tailbone again with a vaginal delivery, but also it can apparently interfere with labor...depending on how it healed. I realize that a c-section is no walk in the park. However, I've heard MANY stories of people healing within 6-8 weeks (many sooner). For the first 8-12 weeks after delivery, I was absolutely miserable. I couldn't rock my baby, I had to lie down or stand to nurse and car rides were excruciating (we had many car trips to get baby's bilirubin levels checked). In fact, I still can't drive for long periods (30+minutes) without pain. I'm not concerned with a scar, I just want to be less miserable so I can focus on enjoying my newborn. I realize there will be pain either way and there are certainly no guarantees....I'm just looking for the lesser of two evils.

jpierce1030 · September 2013

JenS2203 said:

Congrats! And you probably can opt for a C section, ouch on the broken tailbone. I am curious, if you don't mind sharing, how that impacted your recovery after delivery.

Thanks! I don't mind sharing at all. Prior to delivery, I had no idea that breaking my tailbone was even a worry. I heard a pop (thank God I had an epi and didn't feel this pop!) during delivery, but I didn't know what it was. The day after delivery was the absolute worst! I have never felt anything so painful and the hospital beds force you to recline, putting pressure on the tailbone. For the weeks that followed, I had very little pain where I thought it would be. Honestly I think that had I not broken my tailbone, recovery would have been a breeze. I was unable to sit and visit with family/friends, i was unable to rock my baby...I could only hold her comfortably when standing. It was very painful and frustrating. I'm still not healed completely. I know there are many things that can go wrong during childbirth....I'm just trying to prevent this one from happening to me again.

jpierce1030 · September 2013

jamu said:

I broke my tailbone during delivery so I feel your pain. The tailbone healing was worse than anything else. You are actually the first other mama I've met that it's happened to. Even through recovery was a total b, and I couldn't sit, stand or do many things comfortably for a while, I'd still do it again. But I bet most doctors would let you opt for a c if you really wanted one. Also- congratulations!!

I didn't even know it could happen during delivery! My nurse at the hospital actually had it happen to her though, and I've heard of a few other tales since. So sorry it happened to you, too! It is NO fun! Props to you for being willing to do it again. I think I'd lose it if it happened to me again. I got so frustrated with the pain and inability to get comfortable.

jpierce1030 · September 2013

gurleymomma said:

Yes as others have said you can opt for a c section.and congrats.its a scary thing to find out your pregnant again,my hisband and i just found out today we are expecting again and our DD was born march 14.i know how you feel.

Congratulations!

jpierce1030 · September 2013

lars1226 said:

Congrats!! And I'm sorry about your broken tailbone. I also broke mine during delivery, it's so awful and I'm not fully healed either. Just thinking back to those first few weeks after delivery, ugh! I couldn't sit or stand comfortably, trying to bf was hard and visitors always tried to sit in the one chair I was sort of ok sitting in. Learning to bf lying down was maybe the best thing ever.
Have you talked to your doctor about it? I am interested in his/her response. I imagine you could find a doctor who would support you in this if your current doc does not. I go back and forth on this issue myself, right now I think I would probably not request a c/s with my next baby. It's major surgery and I don't want that. Recovery seems tough either way. I have also read that it's likely to happen again but my midwife said that she did not have any patients who had it happen again after the first baby and she's been practicing for over 25 years.

My doctor said it is a legitimate reason to request a C-section. Also, I think it depends on why your tailbone was broken. If it was the size of your baby, then it probably won't happen again...especially if they monitor the size of your baby. If it is because you are very petite, it is more likely to happen again. My baby was only 7lbs 11oz and I am not even close to being petite. The likely cause of my tailbone breaking is the shape of my birth canal, which can make it more likely to happen again.
Also, you may want to talk to your doctor. My doctor said that when the tailbone heals, it can actually heal in a different position and could potentially "block" the birth canal interfering with a vaginal delivery.
There is a lot to consider, but I think I am going to opt for a c-section. So sorry that you broke your tailbone, too! Hope you (and I) heal soon!

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