Is a natural labour feasible?

Question

With my 1st baby labour lasted 3 days. Baby was back to back and spent the whole 3 days buffeting against the base of my spine with each contraction. Satge 2 labour (ie active pushing) lasted over 4 hours until exhaustion kicked in and, realising baby was wedged at the top of the birth canal, they intervened with ventouse and finally forseps. Baby did ALOT of damage when coming out - casuing substantial ripping and blood loss. I'm petrified of a natural birth for number 2!!!!! However, I'll feel I can't do it naturally if I opt for C section. Anyone had a similar experience?? Is the 2nd one easier??

I should add number 2 doesn't exist yet - I'm forward planning here!

Answer 1

Most everyone's first labor is long, as long as yours was. With the first delivery, the cervix must thin out completely before it can dialate. In future deliverys, that all can happen at the same time- so second deliverys are usually shorter. The complications you are describing are due more to the mismanagement of your labor process than the baby. I suspect you probably spent most of the first stage lying down, which didn't allow the baby to drop down against the cervix. Gravity would pull the baby downward, and that would explain a great deal of your back pain, with the baby's weight pressing against your spine. The best position for early stage labor is on your feet, or seated at the very least- not lying down for long at all. During your exams, they should have realized the head was not engaging in the proper position, and should not have allowed it to continue to the point of becoming wedged. At that point, the forceps probably were necessary to correct the baby's head position. The damage you describe though, are more due to inept use of the forceps. Little heads are pretty squishable, and have no sharp edges- unlike those nice metal salad tongs which pass for forceps. In the hands of a doctor who's in a hurry to end the whole process, the result is usually exactly what you describe- significant tearing and bleeding for the mother.
I'd suggest before you have #2, you seek out a different doctor or nurse midwife. You need one that is willing to work with you to make sure there isn't a repeat of your first delivery. Look until you find one you feel comfortable with, and that you feel you can trust. Line up a trusted person to be with you at the delivery, a coach or duala. Discuss your options for pain relief with the doctor/midwife, and make decisions before you are in labor as to how the pain is going to be managed. I opted for an analgesic through the IV during the last part of first stage, so I could concentrate on the breathing and not be so focused on the pain of the contractions. I also stayed upright, walking or sitting during the entire first stage of labor. The hospital I delivered at had birthing chairs, and I used one. You give birth in a seated position, with the doctor or midwive crouched at your feet. That position uses gravity to pull the baby downward and keeps them off your spine. But there are other options as well, and you should explore them to make the best choice for you.
I don't favor the c-section unless it is medically needed. First of all, delivery is a natural process and should be viewed that way- it is not an injury or illness. You are talking about major abdominal surgery here, with all of the same risks. Afterwards, you are recovering from the surgery and still have a very demanding newborn to care for. Most of the time the c-section is done with a spinal block, meaning you are on your back flat for most of the following day, and not able to bond with the baby well. Spinal blocks come with their own group of complications, including spinal damage, migranes, and back pain forever after. Not to mention that wonderful incision scar you will be left with. The incision will take several weeks to heal completely, and the scar may or may not be that pretty. If you overscar, or form keloids, that scar can be downright painful and require a second surgery to correct. So I don't think c-sections should be lightly considered at all. They are not the less painful option folks would like to think of.
You had a bad first delivery, which naturally makes you more anxious about another one. I think most of what you suffered tcould be avoided in the future though. Like I said, find a doctor or midwife that you feel comfortable with, who will work with you. Educate yourself on the options and discuss it with whoever your choose. If they aren't open to the ideas, find somebody who is. It's your delivery, so you should call the shots for the most part. Go into number 2 expecting things to be different, do things differently, and things will go better I should think.

Answer 2

Every pregnancy and every labor is different. I don't blame you for being worried. I would be too. Your first labor sounds like mine. I was in labor for 3 days and my baby would not come out. also her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. But the good news was that my second baby was great. the labor lasted 24 hours(all together) and there was nothing wrong with her. Your doctor should be able to tell if your baby drops down and is in the correct position for labor, I knew because I could feel her head rubbing back and forth on my pelvic bone. If not then opt for the c section. But I am sure (unless you have physical problems that would suggest otherwise) that your labor will be perfect and fast this time. Good luck and congratulations

Answer 3

Hi, Helz, a little planning ahead never hurts!!

I had taken all the childbirth classes before my first child and was all ready for "natural." After eighteen hours of labor, and still no babe, she began to be distressed. The doctor opted for a C-section. I was more than ready!! She was a big babe, 8 lbs. 4.5 ozs. (I'm only 5'1" and weighed 106 lbs.). Recovery was good and I had a ball raising that precious girl!!

Now, considering that your whole purpose here is to get out of the hospital with a living, healthy child and a Mom who is in good shape to raise that darling babe, why are you worried about whether or not you should have a C? If you had a lot of damage delivering your first child, you might consider going ahead and opting for a C-section now. The reason for this is that if you are prepared in advance for the C, it's a piece of cake.

I lost two children between my daughters, then had my second C-section, and it was easy. I was prepared for the surgery, I didn't see the necessity of putting myself, or the babe, through a long, protracted labor. Whatever caused me to be unable to deliver the first child vaginally, was certainly still in full force and effect for the second. I could see no reason to jeopardize my babe because I wanted a "natural" delivery.

It was a good decision. My second daughter had a true knot in her umbilical cord. If I had delivered her vaginally, I would have gone home with empty arms a third time... and, yes, I still miss the two (one was a boy) I lost.

Answer 4

I have also only had #1, & she was also back-to-back. My doctor knew this for months and never told me, because she was wanting to do a c-section against my wishes.
Anyway, my water broke at 11pm on a Saturday night, I went into labor at about 1am the next morning. My labor did not progress like we were expecting. Because for a short time, my daughter had faced the correct way, but then decided to go back-to-back. I finally gave in and got an epidural after 15 hours of labor at about 2 pm that Sunday afternoon. And then at about 5pm that evening, I gave in again and let the doctor induce my labor and two hours later, my daughter was born at 7pm.
When I am pregnant and delivering again, I plan on having a totally natural labor. I am the oldest of 7 and my mom says that it always gets easier.

Answer 5

They should have done a C-section after the first 24-hours! I thought mine was hard! I was induced and labored with only narcotics for 12 hours before they had to take my son. Every delivery is different, though. The next one could be a breeze. I don't see why you couldn't go natural (which means without drugs. A vaginal delivery is through the vagina, but with any drug from narcotics to an epidural.) if you want to dry it, but I would talk to your doctor. As for me, I'd opt for a C-section if I were you. In fact, I'd BEG for one! Good luck!

Answer 6

Oh, you poor thing. That sounds terrible.

Natural labor is possible. Probably the major complication was that your baby was posterior. Back labor sure is awful. The second birth is usually easier than the first one. Also there are some exercises that you can do to encourage your baby to be good position.
Here is the site with the exercises.
www.spinningbabies.com

Also you could hire a doula to be at your birth.

Answer 7

Yes, I did it with my first 3, but my last ended in a c-section.. But I did do the 28 hours of labor before without drugs. You just have to focus and don't let the pain get the best of you. The only baby I did get drugs for is my c-section.. for obvious reasons..LOL

Answer 8

Its feasible if you want to pay 10 dollars for a tomato. Labor=cost. Thus the people doing the labor couldn't afford to consume any of the yield they maintain and produce. Global Warming is a Lie.

Answer 9

Please read Spiritual Midwifery by Ina Mae Gaskin. It's the first person accounts by mothers who had natural births.

Hospital delivery room births put the mothers on their backs, which causes back labor. Drugs they give you to relieve the pain enter the baby's system and make them less able to participate effectively in getting born. There is much more I could say, but I don't want to rant. Birthing is a natural event, not a medical emergency unless you allow it to be controlled by doctors.

This is not to say that there are never medical emergencies in natural birthing. Just that it is rare unless your birthing is supervised by someone who only knows what to do in medical emergencies.

Answer 10

everyones different, but Ive got 2 children 1st labour was 27 hrs and a nightmare! but 2nd was 1hr and 10 mins from start to birth just about enough time to get to the hospital never mind pain relief
and im happy to say it was "easy" compared to the 1st.