Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 12:09     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
Anonymous wrote:I don't know if there is anyone out there who has experienced BOTH of these... but if so, I would appreciate hearing from you.

I've had 2 vaginal deliveries. Both resulted in a "broken" tail bone (actually, its a dislocation, but they call it a "broken" tailbone). The pain and recovery both times has been nothing short of miserable. A good 3-4 months of pain and not really being able to sit. I tried chiropractic treatment after #1 (which did little) and physical therapy after # 2 (which at least helped the muscles of my hips and back get worked out after "sitting" in bizarre positions all day).

I'm pregnant with my third. My OB has offered me a planned C-section. I intend for this child to be my last.

I'm really "against" C-sections. Don't begrudge other people doing them for whatever reason, but it is major abdominal surgery and I think that's always something to avoid if possible. Plus I'm scared about a C-section. It seems like a scary experience even if you can't feel anything.

But I'm pretty sure that #3 will break my tailbone again, and I'm really just starting to consider the recovery issues. My friends who have had C-sections have never had any complications. Frankly, I think they were in less pain than I was in (just from my observation), and after a week or two, they seemed "pretty good". Most of them felt pretty much fully recovered in 6 weeks.

Any thoughts from people on whether to opt for the C-section or not?


You poor woman! I’ve had two vaginal births and am 3.5 weeks away giving birth to my third and last (isn’t it a relief to know this is it!). If I’d had two broken tail bones with my first two I would do the c-section.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 11:09     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
Anonymous wrote:I don't know if there is anyone out there who has experienced BOTH of these... but if so, I would appreciate hearing from you.

I've had 2 vaginal deliveries. Both resulted in a "broken" tail bone (actually, its a dislocation, but they call it a "broken" tailbone). The pain and recovery both times has been nothing short of miserable. A good 3-4 months of pain and not really being able to sit. I tried chiropractic treatment after #1 (which did little) and physical therapy after # 2 (which at least helped the muscles of my hips and back get worked out after "sitting" in bizarre positions all day).

I'm pregnant with my third. My OB has offered me a planned C-section. I intend for this child to be my last.

I'm really "against" C-sections. Don't begrudge other people doing them for whatever reason, but it is major abdominal surgery and I think that's always something to avoid if possible. Plus I'm scared about a C-section. It seems like a scary experience even if you can't feel anything.

But I'm pretty sure that #3 will break my tailbone again, and I'm really just starting to consider the recovery issues. My friends who have had C-sections have never had any complications. Frankly, I think they were in less pain than I was in (just from my observation), and after a week or two, they seemed "pretty good". Most of them felt pretty much fully recovered in 6 weeks.

Any thoughts from people on whether to opt for the C-section or not?[/quote
I've had two c sections and I think you should opt that that option.

However, it is definitely not without complications -- some show up years later. They have to cut through so many layers, and many c section mothers end up with a lot of scar tissue in their abdomen; this can cause a lot of problems. Any woman who has the "c section shelf" also has scar tissue that is attaching to connective tissue around the muscles, to their bladder or urethra, colon, etc. Impacts on posture, on your digestive system, exercise ability... I thought I had no complications, but now (6 years after my last kid) I'm finally getting it surgically fixed bc th adhesions are causing more and more problems. So be warned! There is no easy button with childbirth.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 11:03     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
I have had both and the broken tail bone was a longer recovery. It took nearly a year for all of the pain to go away. The most intense pain was the first few months, and then it was an occasional and random pain if I set a certain way.

The C-section hurt and was inconvenient, but healed and my recovery really only took six weeks. But I have a pretty nasty scar and the scar tissue caused a shelf belly. If I had to choose, I think I would choose the broken tail bone.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 10:58     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
Anonymous wrote:I have been through both. First, let me say that everyone's experiences are DIFFERENT. I broke my tailbone falling down the stairs in my house in November 2008; my daughter was born in January 2010. The tailbone issue was excruciating, and continues to bother me to this day. No sitting on hard surfaces, no sitting for long periods of time.

However, the tailbone issue was one of the contributing factors in my emergency c-section. My baby wouldn't turn, and she got stuck.

I am not an advocate of c-sections, except when absolutely medically necessary. Because of the incision, it's painful to hold your baby; getting up and down is rough; lying on your side is out of the question. Additionally, I was shot up with Demoral, without being asked or informed, and I passed out after my daughter was delivered. I was the last person to get to meet her, to hold her. I missed everything, and I have regretted that every day since.

If you opt for the c-section, it's your choice, and hopefully it will be the choice that's best for you. Just keep in mind my advice about no additional drugs. Meeting your baby will erase the pain. Best wishes and happy motherhood!

This happened to me too, but it was because the epidural gave me a panic attack. OP and her spouse should advocate against that. It's not common. It didn't happen to me with my first child, even though I had a panic attack with the epidural with her too.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 10:55     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
I've had two c-sections because of breech babies that wouldn't turn and two easy recoveries. I get that people are scared of major surgery, but I also think what people are most scared of with major surgeries is general anesthesia and you don't have that with a c-section. It's just an epidural or nerve block and you're awake and aware of everything that is going on the whole time. I also think people who have challenging recoveries from c-sections are primarily people who had emergency c-sections and therefore other complications. A planned c-section is much easier on your body because you haven't been through labor, or had other issues.

I have never had a broken tailbone, so I can't compare, but would not hesitate to recommend a planned c-section to anyone.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 10:34     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
Anonymous wrote:C-section 100%.

Make sure you have someone around at all times for the first few weeks (6?) -- you will not be able to lift much or move easily on your own after the surgery.


What? Have you had a c section? The rule is to not lift anything heavier than the baby, but that’s it. Once you’re out of the hospital, you can (and should) walk around the neighborhood, etc. OP, scheduled c sections are so chill. The recovery is predictable and overall easy. I’d go with a c over a difficult vaginal any day. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure or anything. But honestly, with kids at home and a new baby, recovering from a C section will be way easier.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 10:11     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I reallllly don’t want a c section scar so I’d go vaginal


C/S scar is much better IMO than potential pelvic floor damage, loose vaginal muscles, prolapse, etc. And it's her third child and would be her third vaginal delivery so there is a higher risk of that. Small scar >>>> messed-up s** life for the rest of your life. And I say that as someone who had a vaginal delivery and chose that over a C-section. I turned out ok but wouldn't risk it again.


+1 and PP already had a vacuum delivery. Chances of lasting pelvic issues and/or risk to baby would make this decision pretty easy, I'd think!
BTW, I'm a PP who had a section and my scar is all but invisible: it looks gnarly for the first year but fades to a thin line plus I'd have to shave to notice.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 10:03     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
Obviously the c-section. Perhaps time to rethink being against c-sections.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 09:58     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
One of my aunts fell and broke her tailbone in her 40s and it has had a really serious impact on her quality of life as she has gotten older. Go with the c section.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 09:42     Subject: Re:C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
I have had two c-sections and a badly bruised tailbone from falling down the stairs. So. Much. More. Pain with the bruised tailbone. Like tenfold. My c-sections--one after laboring and one scheduled--were both a piece of cake. One thing to note--because you said "even if you can't feel anything ..." I just want you to know that while there is zero pain during the surgery, you can 100% feel a lot of pulling, pushing, tugging and it was super weird and unsettling for me the first time because I had not expected it. I think if you go in knowing, it will not be bad--I did not mind at all with my second--but it really freaked me out the first time.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 09:35     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
Anonymous wrote:I reallllly don’t want a c section scar so I’d go vaginal


C/S scar is much better IMO than potential pelvic floor damage, loose vaginal muscles, prolapse, etc. And it's her third child and would be her third vaginal delivery so there is a higher risk of that. Small scar >>>> messed-up s** life for the rest of your life. And I say that as someone who had a vaginal delivery and chose that over a C-section. I turned out ok but wouldn't risk it again.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 08:30     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
I reallllly don’t want a c section scar so I’d go vaginal
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 08:18     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
That recovery sounds horrible OP. I am also “against” c sections for me, I don’t care what anyone else does. In your case I would gladly sign up for a planned c-section. The recovery sounds much easier than your tailbone ordeal.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 08:02     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
C-section 100%.

Make sure you have someone around at all times for the first few weeks (6?) -- you will not be able to lift much or move easily on your own after the surgery.
Anonymous
Post 06/15/2023 02:38     Subject: C-section? Or broken tail bone? Which would you choose?
Haven’t read the replies but I’d do the c section for sure! I had to have a planned c section with my second and was nervous about it, but recovery was very straightforward.