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How physically demanding is childbirth (with epi)?
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Anonymous
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I have a fairly disabling health condition that is getting worse in late pregnancy. I have no stamina, and the tiniest effort (a shower, walking two blocks) wears me out completely.
There isn't much medical literature on pregnancy with this condition, but what's out there suggests scheduling a c-section to avoid the stress of labor and pushing. The wrinkle -- my OB is anti-c-section and sees no reason I can't have a vaginal birth. In terms of the effort involved in pushing, she said the body does most of the work and that even women in comas have had vaginal births. My doctor is a rockstar and normally I trust her 100%, but this is SO contrary to everything I've heard about childbirth that I'm having trouble accepting it. Isn't it called "labor" for a reason? What about all the people who needed emergency c-sections because they couldn't push the baby out successfully? I'm so stressed about this issue, and don't know how to resolve it. Any advice from those of you who have been through birth before? Many thanks! |
Anonymous
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The people I know who have had c-sections "when they couldn't push the baby out" had a physical reason why they couldn't - head was way too large (it's genetic in DH's family; we've all had Cs). I don't know anyone who has had one from exhaustion, although that may happen, too.
However, what I really think you should do is not ask us on DCUM, who likely will have only anecdotal information. I would ask some friends who felt they had really good OBs for a referral, or try a high risk pregnany group, and ask for a consultation/second opinion. Your situation should be discussed with a doc, not us. There is never anything wrong about getting a second opinion. Good luck, OP. I am sure it will all work out. |
Anonymous
| A lot of doctors want you to start pushing as soon as you hit 10 cm. Your body will push the baby push the baby out and it is true about women in comas having babies. I wish I had your OB. My OB (who I am reconsidering) seems a little too c-section happy. Hope you may be able to get additional advice from a doctor. Wishing you the best! |
Anonymous
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I advise you to get a second opinion immediately. Your OB should not be dictating this sort of thing - she should be giving you options.
The last thing you want is to have an emergency c-section if you can't push the baby out. A planned c-section is a very common (more than 50 percent of all births were c-sections in 2008) and very easy compared to an emergency c-section. You might want to be referred to a perinatologist - or high risk doc. |
Anonymous
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PP here. Sorry about the smiley guy - should have been a 9.
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Anonymous
| If a scheduled c section makes you feel better and less stressed, I say do it. I've had 2 vaginal births and I think that the pushing is a lot of work (and I didn't even have to push for that long!). Good luck to you. |
Anonymous
| OP here -- thanks for your suggestions so far. My doc IS a perinatologist, and she's absolutely the best. The only trouble is that *she* knows childbirth, and *I* know my body's limitations, and unfortunately neither of us understands both. I'm sure she'd respect my ultimate wishes, but since I have no personal experience with childbirth, it's hard to be certain what my wishes should be. Was hoping some voices of experience might make me a bit better informed.... |
Anonymous
| Out of curiosity do have Dr Landy at GU? I loved her because she was very careful to avoid c-sections but this doesn't seem to be the norm around here at all. If you would like an elective c-section just post on the board for some suggestions. It is pretty easy to switch doctors and many generalists will do an elective c-section for convenience alone. They would probably be very supportive of an elective c-section with your concerns. |
Anonymous
| I assume you see a specialist for your medical condition? If so, I would talk to THAT Dr. about child birth and get his/her views on it. He/she has probably had many patients who have given birth and while no too births are the same, the specialist would have a much better take on what you can or can't do based on your specific condition. Good luck! |
Anonymous
Hi OP, I would just like to mention that maybe your dr. is encouraging vaginal delivery, if possible, because the recovery time is so much shorter! A C-section is a major abdominal surgery, and if you have health issues, it might be more exhausting to recover from the surgery than to deliver vaginally. Once your beautiful baby is born, you will want all the reserves of energy you have to spend with your baby, not to be recovering from major surgery! (Though if it's medically necessary to have a c-section, don't feel bad about it, whatever it takes to have a healthy baby and mom  Good luck to you.
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Anonymous
| The most physically demanding part for a first baby is the pushing. You will have adrenaline on your side when it comes time to push. There are studies that show spontaneous pushing is better for mother and baby, as opposed to coached pushing for an entire contraction. You may want to discuss the benefits of that with your doc or if the epi will interfere with the urge. I'm not saying rethink the epi, because I know that laboring without one is tiring. |
Anonymous
OP - just to clarify (since you seem to be as clueless as I was about childbirth) was that the pushing isn't really your stomach muscles, but the muscles you use when you go poop. So, it's a little deceptive in that regards (at least it was for me). Is your doc. aware that even simple tasks like walking and taking a shower are tiresome for you??? That should be something that is addressed especially since you have a medical condition that you referenced. |
Anonymous
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I would get a second opinion or press her more on this issue and make sure she knows how weak you feel normally.
I found the pushing part to be the most challenging (but not most painful)and I was in pretty good shape (for a pregnant woman) having been a long-distance runner and athlete most of my life. Of course, everyone's delivery is different and my baby was still very high up so the pushing took a long time simply to get him to the lower stations, but it was more exhausting than a marathon for me. I did not get the impression that my body was doing the work for me, so to speak--I had to muster all my strength (what little I had after 24 hours with no food, etc.) to push that little (big) guy out. (I had an epi, but let it wear off for the pushing). |
Anonymous
| Pushing is pretty intense and I'm in great shape with good stamina. You may want to press your doctor on what the path might e if you have problems pushing. She may be assuming that an emergency c-section or vacuum/episiotomy would be that step. Personally, I would much rather have an elective c-section than a stat emergency one or a vacuum/forceps delivery for myself and the baby. You probably should also whether she would do an elective c-section if your firmly request it despite her advice against it. She may not. Doctors are legally required to respect your wishes when you do not agree to a procedure but you can not compel them to perform a procedure that they do not want to perform. |
Anonymous
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I think labor is REALLY hard. If you have to push for a few hours, you will be exhausted, especially if you labored for a long time to get there. I was in great shape for my pregnancy. I was so tired during pushing that I told my husband he absolutely couldn't say "great job" because I needed him to count and I was too tired to count to 10 myself. (And I usually consider myself an excellent counter!)
I would definitely ask another doctor. While vaginal birth is great for some people, an elective, scheduled c-section is a very safe alternative. One of the reasons childbirth in our country is so safe is because we have these alternatives. Certainly, your doc knows more about you than anyone on this board, but I disagree that your body does the work for you. |