Re: [ozmidwifery] vaginal wall tearing

[Marilyn Kleidon]

Jo, I can really only offer personal information on this one as I have not had another experience with large vag tears other than anecdotal. 27 Years ago when my first daughter was born I had a large epis for a forceps delivery, this was followed by another large epis with a vaginal breech(also forceps). Both healed well (and this may be the clue), I never had any sexual dysfunction. Neverhtless, if you look there is a discernable scar in my vagina (the amazing things you discover in midwifery school). When I had my third daughter with midwives in Chicago 22years ago, it was anticipated that I might tear along the scar, they suggested pelvic floor exercises and massage which i did do. With the birth, which was almost a carbon copy of my first except that they DID NOT rupture my membranes and I was active and upright for all of the birth and didn't push until the baby was on view, 3 pushes and Rach was there and all I had were skid marks. And she was 2 lbs bigger, though only 8lbs, my forceps baby was just under 6 lbs. The midwife did do some vaginal massage too: which was all the rage then but not so now, still with 3 pushes, how much can you do? in my case I don't think it did any harm but don't know if it helped.   So, the differences are I was cut not torn, though from the literature tears are suppossed to heal better. Also, I heal really well, most of my scars just fade away.   Most large tears i have seen have been from compound presentations where hands and elbows do the damage. The healing then depends on the skill of the person suturing and the type of tissue, its ability not to scar and kelloid.   A good place to go for pelvic floor massage is the Pink Kit at www.commonknowledgetrust.com .   Hope this helps. I don't like to think of someone opting for a caesar because of pelvic floor damage but I can understand. Do you know why the doctor changed her/his mind about the c/s.   marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: Jo & Dean Bainbridge To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 6:07 PM 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. Jo Bainbridge founding member CARES SA www.cares-sa.org.au [EMAIL PROTECTED] phone: 08 8388 6918 birth with trust, faith & love...