OK, so a bit of my history first...I had an elective C/S last time, as I have suffered terribly with haemorrhoids for many years. I had had surgery twice before ever being pregnant, and of course pregnancy made them worse. I was worried about having a vaginal birth because of the damage that would be caused. So I chose a C/S. This time around is very different though.....

With a new OB who said that there really was no reason to have a C/S, and that pg is what causes most of the problems, not the birth, I have chosen to have a VBAC this time around. I have felt really positive about this & am really looking forward to the birth. At the beginning of this pg, I had 2 roids that thrombosed - extremely painful!!! I had them lanced & the relief was almost instant. They have been on & off 'normal' (for me) for most of the pregnancy. Just on Friday night though, I have discovered I have another thrombosed one - like I said, extremely painful (and I'm used to a fair bit of pain there!). I got SO upset, because TBH, if I'd gone into labour then & there, I know that I couldn't have gone through with the VBAC - and I hate saying that, but it's how I feel/felt.

Anyway, I called my support person, and talked through some of it, which really helped...what I need to do now is find solutions....So...

#1 - got to my GP tomorrow & have it lanced - I know that this will fix the immediate problem. It's just a shame it happened at the beginning of the weekend...

#2 - be prepared for if this does happen again right before labour. I'm not going to let this stop me having a VBAC, but I now realise that I need a plan...this is where I need help.

There is one solution that seems very obvious to me, but I've never heard of it being done, this is where I'm hoping Alan or Kelly might be able to help. Do you think I could ask for a local anaesthetic in 'that area' when it comes to stage 2? That to me would be the ultimate, as I would be able to forget about the pain in that area, while still being able to feel everything else & feel what my body is doing in the other areas. Then I can worry about the damage later, instead of stressing about it during labour (which I can only imagine would slow 2nd stage down heaps as I'd really have to try hard to ignore the urge to hold back).

I guess the other option is pethedine, but that is my much less preferred option. I would like to avoid it, but if it will allow me to VBAC then I will keep it up my sleeve.

Sorry for such a long post, I just wanted to fill all the gaps so that it makes sense. I'll be seeing my OB on Thursday so will also ask her about this then.