Hi all,
Im new here. After visiting the doctor today I am alittle shell shocked at what has been suggested to me and wondered if anyone had any advice?

My first pregnancy went without any problems at all until the birth!
After initial problems, I was advised to have an epidural which I did. Baby got very distressed and I had to have a forceps delivery which led to a 3rd degree tear near my rectum. (I dont know if there any more problems as I was 2 exhausted to realise what was going on and have NEVER been given any information)
I lost quite alot of blood and was badly torn inside and out.
I have since been to the doctors several times with problems with constipation and I literally have to push poo (sorry tmi) out of me and my rectum bulges with a huge lump when I try to go to loo. It is vry discomforting on a normal day and feels as if I have a brick up my bum!
Anyway no doctors have ever taken any notice of me and I have never been any further than my GP, so I have kind of just coped.
I am now 13 weeks pregnant and it causing me alot of pain and discomfort to the point where I have already been off work for 2 months.

Anyway after seeing a doctor today they have advised me to have a c section with my next birth due to the problems I experienced last time.
Now this has shocked me but she also said due to the complications I had during the birth and what I am experiencing with my rectum it is advisable. She has also noted in my notes that I have to been after the birth about the problems I experience now with the bulging and constipation.

Does anyone have any advise? I am petrified of having a c section, but I am also petrified of making my problems any worse than they already are if I tear again.

Thanks
Helen

C-sections are not normally advised unless there is a strong reason for it - so I would take their advice very seriously.

I also had a textbook pregnancy until I went into labour at 37 weeks and realising something wasn't quite right, an experienced MW realised that my baby was breech! So I had an emergency c-section right then.

My section was a bit traumatic - mostly due to the shock of finding out at 12.15 that I was in labour with a breech baby and being in theatre by 12:55! It is painful and recovery is slow - took me about 3 weeks to have no pain, but at least you know what you are getting and can plan for it (definitely get lots of friends and family to help - you won't be able to do any housework for 4 weeks or be able to drive). It sounds to me like whilst this is not the easy option by any means, it could be the right choice for you. I would ask your MW for more advice - they are normally better than GPs at all this :-)

Good luck

I think you need to get a second opinion, especially from a doctor who specializes in GI or proctology. You may be able to get more information on what is really going on with your constipation and BM issues. I would also put in a request for your medical records from you previous birth. It should state what type of tear you had, how it was fixed, and give you an overall picture of what happened during your birth. Good luck! Im an RN and work on a surgical floor that deal with people who have mostly vascular and GI surgeries. You would be amazed the amount of people who have issues with their GI systems.

Thanks for your advice. It was a registrar at the antenatal ward at the hospital who I spoke to today who recommended it to me.
I am going to speak to my midwife I think (although I dont find easy to talk to but will give it a go)
Thanks anymore would be very greatfully recieved

I had a very similar problem after a forceps delivery with my first but I went to have natural delivery again. I would definitely get a second opinion, and a GI referral
Good luck

I don't know about whether you should have a c-section or not, but it seems sensible to get a second opinon if that's what your gut tells you.

I can say though, that a c-section really isn't that bad. I've had 3 and although they're obviously second choice to a vaginal birth they're fine. Seriously, honestly fine. Especially if you're having a planned one.

Oh my gosh, I wish I could talk to you! I was just browsing the internet looking for information on which was worse, the tear I had or c-section recovery pain. I came across this site with your question and its like you are reading my mind. I had a similar experience to yours and felt so lonely....NO ONE understood what I was going through. I'm now 18 1/2 weeks and have also been offered a c-section and don't know what to do. I don't know if there is a way you could reply to me privately, but I would love to be able to talk with you about this decision.

I had am emergency c-section last time after a very long labour, it was'ent great BUT I have also been told that this time I will be having a c-section again.

I am fine about this, I have time to get used to the idea, whereas before it was all rushed and I was totally unprepared.

It really is not as bad as you may think, and at the end of the day its whats best for you and baby thats most important.

Honestly, I would tell the doctor to kiss my butt. Excuse the hormones, they've been bad lately. But seriously though, I had a 4th degree tear with my daughter, so all the way, instead of 2 holes, only large one....it was really bad. I had the exact same thing that you are experiencing with my 2nd baby and they told me I should just try a c-section. I "politely" refused and told them it was my body and I would do it my way. My 2nd was just as big as the first, and I didn't tear at all. My prepregnancy weight is always around 105 to 110 and I am 5 foot 6, so I've always been underweight, but my children were born at 9 lbs 4oz and the second was right under 9 lbs. No doctor can predict what your body will do the second time around, so it is your decision.

I would get a second oppinion. Your tears may have been not as severe had you not had the forceps.