I know you have already made your decision but i just wanted to post in case others are reading this and having to make similar decisions.
DD1 was 8lb15. I was induced with her after around 38hrs of labour and had her about 12hrs after they started the drip after 2hrs of pushing. I had a rotational forceps delivery which resulted in a 3rd degree episiotomy.
Fast forward to number 2. She is 11wks. I knew i would have a big baby due to DD1 being a decent size. I was induced at 41+5. I had a scan to check fluid and while they made a passing remark that baby's head looked big it was more in a joking way. Anyway labour was excruciating with this induction, way worse then the first time. I ended up having some morphine for pain relief which i felt guilty about but it helped alot. I couldn't stand to be upright from the pressure but spent alot of time on the birth ball before moving into a side lying position to push with my leg being supported. Anyway once i started pushing (not directed) it became clear that bub was indeed very big and i had to try and slow down my pushes but couldn't control the urge. The she got stuck (shoulder dystocia) and the midwives had to do the robenson manoeuvre. She was born 10lb 7oz. I sustained a 3rd degree tear with <50% EAS and apparently very close to being 4th degree. Because DD got stuck she inhaled some fluid and had to spend 4days in SCU with a drip in her arm. BSL's were high and she had mild jaundice too.
I have been thinking about this alot as i have been told if i have anymore children then i'll have to have a c-section or wait at least 2yrs and be induced at 38wks.
While i am extremely proud of myself for giving birth vaginally to such a big baby as you know the complications of these types of tears can have long term effects. I have hideous scar tissue and skin tags and whats looking like prolapse. It hurts to use the toilet and have sex. I have hemorrhoids and constipation. Yes it is early days but i'm feeling quite damaged by it all, way worse then my episiotomy. At times i feel that if i was given a scan earlier and was induced then we both would have had better outcomes.
If there is a next time i will have a c-section. Basically because i don't know if physically or physiologically i would manage. Fear does not make labour an easy thing to deal with.
Positives of my vaginal birth were that i was walking around after being stitched and could have skin to skin (i was stitched in the birthing suite with local). Despite this post sounding quite negative i just want women who are facing this decision to have some honest food for thought. It is not my intention to be a scare monger. As i said i beem with pride when people ask if i had her naturally but inside there are issues that i wasn't prepared for because no one ever said i was having a huge baby and there were risks involved.
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