How do hemmorhoids affect natural birth?

[wannabub]

Hi i was just wondering if anyone can enlighten me on this matter that has been bringing me down for quiet some time now..i have hemorrhoids (nothing to do with pregnancy) and was wondering how this will affect me giving birth naturally..this is also the reason i want to have an elective cesarean , but because im not in a private health insurance iv heard it is next to impossible

please help me out ..

[Amaunet]

I'm not sure from a medical standpoint but considering lots of pregnant women get hemorrhoids I don't think it would be a problem? Is the wish for a cs because you are embarassed? If so, I'm sure the midwives have seen it all before!

[Muppity]

I suppose it depends on how bad they are. I suspect that your next step forward would be to talk about it with your Dr and see what they have to say - it may be that they are agreeable to you having an elective cs.

[Traveller]

Mine were awful and made no worse by giving birth vaginally. If embarrassment is a reason you are looking for a CS then please speak to a midwife about it for some reassurance as they are (usually) the most comforting people and have seen it all before, they will not be shocked or embarrass you in any way.

In general, a CS is riskier to both mum and babe, not to mention a longer recovery time, so unless there is a medical reason I doubt they would be encouraging you to go down that route. However everyone's circumstances are different and if your hemorrhoids are severe then perhaps they would advise against a vaginal birth. The only way to know is to discuss this issue with your midwife and go through all the options.

One thing to mention though, if you go for a vaginal birth then try to avoid the *chin on chest take a deep breath and puuuuush now puuuuush and another puuuuuush* that some midwives will encourage for the pushing stage. (The Valsalva tecnique) This is more likely to put pressure on your pelvic floor and on your hemorrhoids, and despite being proven to cause more harm the good unless the baby needs to come out in a hurry, is frequently used by many midwives still. Now is a good time to make sure your care provider is aware that this is something that would not be a good idea for you.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy

T
xx

[wannabub]

I'm not sure from a medical standpoint but considering lots of pregnant women get hemorrhoids I don't think it would be a problem? Is the wish for a cs because you are embarassed? If so, I'm sure the midwives have seen it all before!

My worries are definitely to do with embarrassment as well as being scared that things will go wrong, i dnt want my partner to see all that ... They are not that bad i dont think so maybe everything will go alright... another reason i was thinking about an elective/c is because my mother was in labour for 28 hours and her mother also had a very long labour im worrried that mine will be as well...im not sure if these days things are different though..

[AndiE]

No advice for you as far as your hemorrhoid query goes, but can only add my thoughts if you're embarrassed about DH seeing something you don't want him to. Keep him up the head of the bed if you find you're on your back - once bub is delivered and the cord is to be cut, I'm pretty sure you'll find yourself a little more covered up, or at least your legs won't be all akimbo. You can close 'em again Of course, you may birth standing up or kneeling ... even less for him to see, I'd imagine. Lots of options if they work for you.

And if you do choose a natural birth and you want a mirror placed where you can see bub emerging, I promise you, they'll angle it so you'll only see the "good" stuff. At least, that's what I found. DH said he saw nuthin' yucky - over and above me giving birth, anyway!!

As for you following in your mum's footsteps, I'm not so sure. While natural birthing itself hasn't changed much in a gazillion years, the ways in which we're able to now birth surely have. It wasn't that long ago that our mums and grandmothers - generally speaking - only birthed on their back while laying in bed. I suspect that doesn't speed things up much. Maybe ask your mum how she did it?

I agree with the other gals, chat to your midwife - I'm sure she'll allay your concerns.
Good luck with things.

[Amaunet]

Big I guess I believe that less can go wrong with a vaginal birth than a c/s which is major surgery. There is no reason (I'm aware of) you should have an exceptionally long labour - and there is lots of advice on this forum to help you have a positive vaginal birth. Our bodies are designed to birth our babies - YOU CAN DO IT!!! But chat to your doc or midwife, its what they are there for.

As for not wanting your partner to see...mine stayed by my head and didn't see any of the messy stuff He's a bit of a sook. But that said - there's lots of potential embarrassment during labour (I pooed myself multiple times whilst pushing AND tore and needed stitched - DS had a BIIIGGG head ) but I was WAAAAYYY more concerned about meeting my beautiful boy and was not fazed at all at the time!

You'll know whats right for you when the time comes - good luck!

[Mum2Romone]

Well I would try to do everything you can for a natural birth as it is one of the best experiences of your life.... and you will heal much quicker.

I would ask your doctor about your heammoriods... I didnt have any UNTIL I gave birth and I have had them ever since ( 16 months) now. It will probably make them worse... I got them somehow....hmmmm but I did do the push push push method that the other lady mentioned because my son had to come out in the next push.....

I have to say Ill still give birth naturally next time though.... Who really cares? Everyone will be more concerned with the baby than what you expect them to look at..... trust me

[Mum2Romone]

BTW I had a 50 hour labour

[Lolli]

I haven't read all the replies, it's late and i should be in bed, but I had awful hemoroids when I was pg with dd, and I was terrified of pushing in labour with them. But I didn't even notice them at all, not once, and they haven't recurred since.

HTH

[Mad Scientist]

Haemorrhoids are much worse when you are pregnant with the extra blood volume. I've always had them. But like others have said, when you're giving birth you don't even notice. As for embarrassment, you don't have to be naked until the very end of labour and even then you only need your undies off. Wear a long shirt or nightie to keep covered. Keep hubby at your head. As for the medical personnnel they have seen it all before and even with a Caesar you will probably be naked too. I'd suggest that you have a big talk to your care provider if embarrassment and minor haemorrhoids are the only reasons you are thinking about a Caesar. It's a big decision and there are many medical reasons why a vaginal birth is better for mother and baby. As for labour length, I'm pretty certain that it is not hereditary. Do some research into active labour and options for movement during birth. Make sure you have supportive people with you during the birth. I'm sorry that you are worried about the embarrassment side of things. Once you get to the point of being naked during birth though, your head is in a space where you don't care about those things anymore due to the birth hormones. All you care about is getting baby out to have a long awaited cuddle. Whatever you decide, good luck just make sure before you decide you are fully informed.

[Traveller]

It sounds like you are quite scared about the whole birthing process, and understandably so as our mothers, sisters and friends often only tell us the horror stories and none of the nice bits.

For the record my longest labour was 9 hours, none of my births were painful, and I always had a quick discharge. My story is not unique, many many women do not find giving birth to be the worst day of their life. If fact, many many women will simply describe it as the best.

May I suggest you look to do a birth preparation course such as HypnoBirthing or Calmbirthing to help you mentally prepare for birth. Hospital birth classes are excellent for the technical aspects of labour but so often fail to deal with the emotional side of things. Also consider hiring a doula to provide support if you feel you will be embarrassed with your OH there. he can still be there but in a less full on role if that would make you and him more comfortable.

And lastly please don't worry too much about the birth. Enjoy your pregnancy and nurturing your baby.

T
xx

[Spring Angel]

I've had 3 vaginal births and I didn't even notice them.

I think traveller has given some wonderful advice about birth preparation hun. Labour can be a wonderful empowering experience.

Lv Spring xx

[wannabub]

Thankyou all so very much im certain i will go for a natural birth now..as my only reason for c/s has now been cleared up and i dont think i could handle knowing i have a beautiful baby laying there and me not being able to cuddle him/her properly due to the pain..

xxx

[Mad Scientist]

Good on you babe. You can do it and you will do it wonderfully. Your baby is lucky to have you as it's mumma to be xxx