What you "see" as the perineum is only about 1/3rd of it, the rest of what becomes perineum during birth is inside the vagina most of the time - that's why perineal massage is done with the thumbs inside the vagina. At the end of pregnancy the whole area "relaxes" so the distance front to back gets much longer. And if, like me, you tore and were not stitched the perineum can look a lot shorter afterwards.
I just measured (hilarious and strangely scientific) and mine (from bottom of vagina to edge of anus) is 1.5cm stood up and 2cm if i lie down. I'm not pregnant though.
lol - everyone reading this will be sneaking off to measures theirs now too Hoobley!
I had an elective c.s with DS. And although recovery time for me was a bit slower than others I healed well and didnt suffer much pain or any complications.
Ds was delivered at 39wks.
He was put on breast and sucking within half hr or birth.
I have many friends who had natural vaginal births who were not able to get baby feeding well or as soon - so I think that unless theres some other complication with the delivery, then c.s or V.b, makes little difference to how bf will go.
Being in fit and healthy state before hand and being aware of the procedure (as it sounds you are) is bound to make a difference to recovery.
I was fit when I had ds and recovery mentally and physically was good, but I had abdomo surgery last year during a stage when I had gotten quite unfit and recovery emotionally and physically was difficult.
Heeee this thread has taken a different sort of turn and hoobley thank you so much for doing that, ive often wondered and actually thought of looking up porn sites just so i can see (very embarrsed) any way as part of science and all i have tried to measure, but it does seem there is no real "flat" bit to measure any way it would be under 10mm but it kinda feels like there is a piece of skin about as thick as my earlope and shaped the same dividing the 2 parts, hope that makes sense?!?!?! i know when ive looked in my anatomy books it seems to be a bit longer and have more of a "flat" bit than what i have.
To all the replies thank you soo much for your support and advise you dont know how much i appreciate it thank you.
Njd: thank you so much i would love that info can you PM me your address and i will send a return envelope and money order for the photocopies, or if youd prefer i can deposit it into your bank account what ever is easiest. i really would love that info.
Scooby - yes I've looked at the porn girls before too.. pmsl... I don't think it helps that I compare it to a guys and apparently guys poo holes are much further up (well appear to be because of the ball sack..PMSL)
ahh what a conversation. This is what me and DH were discussing in the bathroom before anyway, but he has agreed to measure mine for me later on.. .LOL
The gap in men is much bigger, so no go for comparison.
It sounds like your tear has healed so that the scar tissue sits "tighter" which seems to create the divider?
If i measure from the end of the tear (which was only first degree but "gaped" because of it nicking into the muscle a little, so there is a visible nick in the skin rather than as you say, a flat bit) it's about 1cm, maybe a little less. But i can't get my finger "in" it, if i try it slides back towards my vagina proper, if that makes sense. It's like the tear left a sort of more sloping vaginal entrance on my perineum in the flesh. Does this make sense?
Bx
ETA, actually i realised you might mean the "lobe" bit of skin is sitting across between vagina and bum - mine doesn't sit that way unless i'm standing up and i think of it as just skin, whereas my perineum is the muscle underneath. See that in part is why i don't get how it can be "too short" because it's the muscle that maintains vaginal/rectal integrity and during pregnancy you're SUPPOSED to be able to compress the muscle to paper-thinness - it makes the maximum amount of room in the pelvis for bubs to fit out... I'd love to quiz the Ob on what they actually MEANT. LOL
Last edited by paradise lost; July 25th, 2008 at 08:54 PM.
Hoobley, you are an encyclopedia - better even. Amazing the detail you seem to know about pretty much everything!
I'm no expert, but I wuld think that the ob is concerened that if the perineum is "short" that any tear, even a tiny one, would be severe... just my interpretation.
To be honest, it sounds very strange to me. But obviously a few OBs and midwives have come to the same conclusion independently.
I had a CS for a breech bub, and have previously had a couple of rounds of major pelvic surgery. Here's some of my tips to make it easier - I'll keep adding to them as I remember:
1) When they say "nothing to eat or drink after midnight" it is worth having a drink and snack at 11.30. Anxiety about surgery is bad enough without adding major hungry and thirsty.
2) After the surgery drink a little water very often. Start eating gently though - throwing up with a cut tummy aint fun.
2a) If you feel at all nauseous tell someone - there are meds to stop you chucking and they are worth using
2b) Take pain meds as suggested initially, and don't wait for the pain to get really bad before taking the next dose - take the next dose as the pain starts to worsen. It's important for you to be mobile as soon as you can after surgery (even if it's just wriggling in bed), and the pain meds will help you do this.
3) practise rolling from back to side without using your tummy muscles beforehand. I find that if I tense my bottom and pelvic floor I can then pull myself over with my arms and not stress my tummy at all - find what works for you
3a) similar idea for getting up
4) Granny undies - several sizes bigger than pre-pregnancy. So nothing rubs or squashes your cut
4a) big, soft clothes (yoga pants, pj's, trackies, whatever - but nothing with a zip or other stiff material). You don't suddenly shrink after a c-section, so whatever fit late in pregnancy will probably be fine here too.
4b) avoid long nighties - getting them out from under yourself so that you can bfeed is really awkward.
5) bfeeding lying down was great for me - but do keep bub's legs wrapped up or put a thick towel over your tummy, 'cause a kick in the tummy (even from a little baby) hurts lots
6) put a folded up jumper or baby blanket or similar between your tummy and the seatbelt on the way home
7) pack your stuff for hospital in several little bags. It means that when you pack to go home you can lift the damn things!
hth a bit
Kate
Last edited by Kmn; August 13th, 2008 at 10:45 PM.
: adding to list
Congratulations on your pregnancy! Good on you for thinking about this so early, the more time you have to research and think the more ready you will be to make your decision.
I haven't have a c/s so sorry can't give any advice from a personal position, however, I have supported women through c/s as a doula and I have seen that they really can be wonderful and joyful experiences, just as vaginal births can be. I would recommend that you consider maternal assisted c/s and also just have a really good think and write a birth plan for the c/s if you choose to go down that path! Just because you choose to have a c/s certianly doesn't mean you have to hand over all control over about the kind of birth you would like to have.
I hope you have a happy and healthy pregnancy and good luck making your decision. You are the only one who will know what is best and don't let anyone make you second guess your decision or make you feel bad about it!
Basically i found that i have an extremely short perineum. Long is over 6cm, average is 3-6cm, short is less than 3cm. The studies which looked at risk factors concluded forceps, posterior presentation and being a first time mum posed the most risk. In the perineal length study, perineal length was found to have no bearing on damage whatsoever.
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ive often wondered and actually thought of looking up porn sites just so i can see
(very embarrsed) any way as part of science and all i have tried to measure, but it does seem there is no real "flat" bit to measure any way it would be under 10mm but it kinda feels like there is a piece of skin about as thick as my earlope and shaped the same dividing the 2 parts, hope that makes sense?!?!?! i know when ive looked in my anatomy books it seems to be a bit longer and have more of a "flat" bit than what i have.
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