You can still have your 'bits down there' ruined with an elective c/section...

[becca74]

I have just read one of the saddest birth stories in a long time.....:gloomy:

This woman was coerced into an 'elective' c/section, and ended up a total hysterectomy, ie, her womb, her cervix....and she had vaginal pleating done....

in other words, having a c/section wont necessarily preserve your bits....

http://www.a-little-wish.co.uk/Pages/Biographies/PPH/anna_main.aspx

[becca74]

I just wanted to add...

I didnt put this up to scare anyone, especially those who need a c/section. But if you have been upset by this birth story, this is the sort of thing to discuss with your careprovider. You must state up front your feelings towards these types of things, with your careprovider, so it can be determined very early on what your boundaries and wishes are.

When I went to see the Ob as back up for my homebirth, he did mention hysterectomy to me, though he did stress it's rarity. He asked me what I would want to have happen. He said it is possible to sometimes save the uterus as best as possible, but having future pregancies would be ruled out. It was a whole kettle of fish I had to consider when planning my HBA2C.

But frighten me with it, he did. When weighing up the pros and cons of your birth choices, this is something that could become a reality in a rare few, so it important to consider what you would want done in advance.

[Funkychicken]

I feel sick to my stomach after reading this. I cannot begin to imagine how this woman and her family feel. I am crossing my legs as I type!

[the_queen]

:crying: That poor couple.

I can feel her resentment and pain through her words.

Another thing to add to my "why i want a homebirth next time" list.


Once again, thank you Rebecca for a very thought-provoking read.

[Shanaynay]

Omg :eek:
After what I went thru with my first, I believe this can happen. But I am totally shocked at the extent to which this poor woman has been brutalised..... :crying:

[Ashleigh<3]

ohhh my goodness! :crying:
Poor woman! Poor family.

Yet another reason I have always feared c-sections, It's good to hear the positive outcomes of a c-section, but these negative ones can really haunt you! :(

[Ana Gram]

I'm sure I don't need to remind any of you that serious damage can be done during a vaginal birth. This is one example of something that can happen, yes however vaginal births can be risky too.

Please don't try and brush off my opinion as I have had a vaginal birth which has basically "ruined my bits" to the extent that I can no longer have sex without excruciating pain.

[melfunction]

Yes, that's very true Chelle, but this thread is about caesareans.;)

[Ana Gram]

Yes, that's very true Chelle, but this thread is about caesareans.;)

Yes it is but I don't want people to read that and think that damage cannot happen during a vaginal birth.

[WeThree]

But Chelle, the title of the thread is 'you can still have your bits ruined even with a c section' implying that it does happen with vaginal births, but just showing that it can also sometimes happen with c sections.
As you were peoples :D

[Ana Gram]

Fine, whatever. I am just telling you what I got from reading this particular thread. But since it is a thread only about vaginal damage during c-sections I will butt out as my opinion is obviously not wanted...again.

[SilverStarfish]

I'm with, 'chell on this one. I realise that this a c-section thread and, yes, that was a truly horrific birth story.

For every terrifying c-section story there is an equally bad vaginal birth one.

I don't think what chell said was wrong or inappropriate, she was simply bringing her experience and thoughts to the tread - which is what forums are all about?

[Shanaynay]

Hey Chellegoth,
:hugs: Traumatic experiences with birth - vaginal or csec - can leave us really hyper-sensitive about this sort of stuff.
I honestly think the majority of people think a csec = your 'bits' intact 100%. I doubt the majority believe that most women escape damage from a vaginal birth, so I don't think this thread will be taken by anyone as trying to pretend csecs are worse, nor see damage done by VB's a trivial.
I'm truly sorry from your experience, and yes, in your case, you probably would have escaped birth with far less damage if you had had a csec. But that isn't the case for everyone.
I think all Becca was trying to do is let people know that having a csec does not guarantee an undamaged vagina.
:hugs: to you.
xx

[WeThree]

Girls, you are missing the point, the point of thread was to show that vaginal birth can cause damage, the title of thread basically says it, but that it is a little known fact that c sections can cause it as well, it is not denying the fact that damage can happen with a VB birth, quite the opposite in fact.
Everyones opinions and thoughts are sooo valid, but this is not a thread about vaginal births, it is a thread about c sections, so if we could keep it on track for those who wish to discuss the OP, that would be great :)

[SassyMummy]

I have read many a disgusting story, seen many a disgusting thing. Never (with the exclusion of Jack*ss episode in which they make a "vomit omelette") have I actually felt SICK TO MY STOMACH from reading something, or seeing something. I like to think I've got a pretty strong stomach.

That was horrifying, and sickening, to say the very least.

I guess it not only goes as a warning to those opting for a c-sec, but also proves that sometimes things will just be better if we go with our gut instinct. Just another reason to fight for your right to birth however you want.

[Pixie]

Gosh I have a huge lump in my throat she lost the same amount of blood I did and her husband was told nothing just like mine, now I am actually crying. I am not dissapointed in myself for the way Eliza came into this world, I am just deeply upset at the way I did nearly die and my DP was left alone for 2 hours with a new baby crying and not told anything. This poor woman her case is so tragic and shocking I just can't imagine that happening to me. I remember reading the consent form and when I got to the part about Hysterectomy I questioned it, "was re-aassured" but this was one of my greatest fears it came close apparently thank God it didn't.

I just feel for this woman so much she wanted a home birth and that happened also told her baby was big, my DD was 8lb 12oz I was made to have babies I have gawd dam child bearing hips it annoys the feck out of me when DR's say the baby is to big. I am sure in some cases the baby might well be to big and we know of cases where this has happened. But I know had Eliza not of been Brow presentation I could of birthed her!

I also can't get over their lack of help with breastfeeding.

I hope she did sue those ********

I am also often amazed how people do not realise the implications of c/sections. I had no idea that a long labour would result in my uterus being tired and weak hence the reason it tore down both sides and then when they went to stitch me it was like a hot knife in butter. Had I not of laboured so long things might of gone a little better. I do know that I am dam well going for a VBAC next time even the head of OBS at the RWH here in Sydney apoligised to me and said he see's no reason that I can't have a VBAC. People need to look at the bigger picture, but then that's life in general.

[Shanaynay]

:hugs: Pixie.
You WILL get that birth you rightly deserve :thumbsup:

[anna alw]

Hi

Thank you for finding, reading and sharing what was done to me many years ago.

As was said it isnt there to frighten people, its to allow them to make the informed decision that I and MANY others were denyed.

As was explained, I was lied to to get me to consnet to a c/s I was told 'they are safe'. No mention of any risk of hyster nor at ANY point during pregnancy.

When I brought it up between c/s and hyster I was told 'it is not a possibility'. I refused censent for a hyster.

Since that time we *finally* found an independent medical legal doc who confirmed I never needed the c/s or hyster.

Unforutnatley under UK law we could not sue. We tried however it never works in the victims favour.

Any pregnancy/birth carries risks, having a c/s dramatically increases them.

More information on our old site of www2.a-little-wish.co.uk as we are in transition.

I could type for ages however I will leave you to look though what you are able to at a time that suites :)

Good luck and enjoy pregnancy and birth :)

[Duchessa]

Pixie, I can't imagine the horror of your experience... You are a courageous woman.

Anna, thank you for sharing your terrible experience with us - my heart bleeds for you. I hope that you find a surrogate and at least ease that part of the pain of your horrific loss.

[becca74]

Anna

I am totally humbled by what you have been through. what I went through is just the tip of the iceberg, when it comes to unnecessary c/sections, but yours is the titanic sinker, and I feel so very awful for what you have experienced :gloomy:

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, and hopefully women like ourselves will one day be able to slowly and accumulatively have our voices heard, so other women will no longer be subjected to unnecessary major surgery and all it's hideous risks. It makes me sick that this unnecessary surgery is just treated so matter-o-factly, when there would be utter outrage if people received unnecessary surgeries on other parts of their bodies being given the reason 'just in case', and no valid proof to back it up.

big :hugs: to you, you are an awe inspiring woman!

[theycallmemum]

I've had two c/s at RHW at Randwick. One great (8yrs ago) and one horrible (4 1/2 mths ago) that I am still trying to come to terms with. Dr Szirt is the head of ob's now isn't he? He did my first c/s and was brilliant.

I'm sorry you had a horrible experience too. C/s are major surgery and there are risks involved, with my second c/s (4 1/2 months ago) even though I'd had massive amounts are tearing pain along my previous c/s scar for the last month of pregnancy I wasn't taken seriously until they went in to get this bub out and saw that my uterus had adhered to my bladder and abdominal wall after my 1st c/s and was actually tearing (hence the pain). The adhesions were so severe I almost had to have a vertical cut done as well as they couldn't get my son out. The pain I was in after surgery for about a month was horrendous and I was unable to breastfeed.

I was told all along that I could VBAC if I wanted to (I was too scared to opt for it though) but after the c/s the surgeon said if I'd attempted VBAC I would have bled out and probably ended up with a hysterectomy because of the adhesions that had been undetected and that both my life and my baby's life would have been at risk. Very scarey stuff.

What is even worse though is I ended up having c/s's because we almost lost our first son during his vaginal delivery due to a true shoulder dystocia that resulted in Erb's Palsy and oxygen deprivation for him and major complications down below for me.

The end result, 3 beautiful children, one traumatised mumma. No more babies for me, I think right now if I had to even go near a hospital I would find it extremely difficult.