Hi
Jo,
I tore to the
4th degree with my daughters birth. A mix of factors caused it-
very fast labour, compound hand and forced pushing while on my back with my
legs braced on midwives hips.. My poor perineum didn’t stand a chance.. Unlike
your lady, I have had no problems healing, with incontinence or sexual
dysfunction.
This birth I have
been advised by hospital OB’s to have a
c-section. Any midwife I speak to disagrees with that recommendation. A
private OB agreed that a VB was
indeed possible, but to keep upright, active during first stage. During second
stage, no forced pushing as such. Follow my urges and to breathe/grunt with
the uncontrollable urges. An episiotomy may be advisable while babe’s head is
crowning to ‘take the pressure off’ the peri scar tissue. This same
OB mentioned being in a
bath, peri massage, hot compresses, having my hands on my peri to ‘feel’ what
is happening- but most important, stay off my back J
I wish your lady luck
and strength. It is a hard decision to make and only one that we (as the
mother) can make. We are the ones that have to stick up for ourselves and take
the bit between our teeth.. Then we have to be the one to climb back on the
horse and ride again if we fall off..
I shall keep you all
posted as to how this birth goes. Less then 10 weeks till birth time finds
this family again J
Cheers-
Isis
-----Original
Message-----
From:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of M & T
Holroyd
Sent: Thursday, 29
May 2003 10:35 PM
To:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] vaginal wall
tearing
I don't know if this will help,
but as a midwifery student I cared for a woman who had had a previous 3rd
degree tear (I think... can't remember all the details as it was 5 years
ago). She had to have it repared in OT at the time & I think maybe
one more op later down the track... as you can imagine she was very worried
this time around. The Dr's notes stated that she was to have an
episiotomy at even the slightest indication that she might tear. Looking
at her perineum the scar was large & there was a dint in it like someone
had removed a piece. Anyway, from memory she stayed mostly active
& only just made it back onto the bed in time for me to catch the baby (I
know better now with regards to the bed thing) & I didn't even have time
to call the registered midwife until the baby was almost all the way
out. The woman did not have even a graze to her perineum / vulva.
She was absoulutly happy (& so was I ). She followed her own
instincts & no coaching from me or her husband. Good luck
to this woman for whatever she chooses.
----- Original Message -----
Sent:
Thursday, May 29, 2003 11:07 AM
Subject:
[ozmidwifery] vaginal wall tearing
I know there has been discussion
in the past about this but I am in a hurry to get some information for a
woman whom had a positive vaginal birth that turned ugly when she "tore
badly inside and out" (in quotes because that is what she said and I have no
further knowledge of what sort of tearing it was.) She has had incontinence
problems and sexual dysfunction for the last 16 months. Her first OB
said to have a cs (of course) and then yesterday she was told that she
should not have a cs and that a vag birth would be the best option.
She is now very confused and scarred as hubby wants her to have cs and her
fear is that a vag birth will increase problems they already
have.
She is willing to have a vag
birth if she can optimise her chance of reducing the damage if a tear
happens again.
Can anyone offer midwifery woman
focused care and positions etc that she could use during a vag birth?
She would have a home birth but she can not afford it. I suggested an
independent mw to take with her to hospital but that was dismissed without
reason. She is an intelligent woman and if she can read evidence to
support the chance of her not having further damage caused then she will opt
for a vag birth I think. She wants to make her choice in three weeks
so I would appreciate some help in gaining information and not waste time
surfing around
cheers wonderful women! Hope
you can help me help a woman
avoid putting herself and her baby through a cs.
