04-22-2013, 01:15 AM
Wow, I am almost started crying hearing about your first birth. I had similar problems but had the first baby on the mainland while people were yelling at me to have a c-section and I ended up tearing so bad, that I was then advised to never have a vaginal delivery again.(Colorado) Second baby was breech, and this combined with past history was why I had second baby by scheduled cesarean and it was horrible. I had incision pain for 4 years and couldnt wear a seatbelt comfortably in the car- and now, 6 yrs later, still have residual pain. I didnt see the baby for hours and there was some kind of complication. Horrid. Third baby I was so afraid to go to the hospital for my cesarean, that by the time I got there (in Austin Texas)- I was already 5 cm dilated and I actually think that possibly I had so little pain because some nerves had been cut during the prior cesarean (only possible good thing I can even remotely think of). Anyhow, I by chance (whoever was "oncall") got an old experienced doctor and asked him if he knew how to do "medialateral episiotomies"? And he did (they used to do them to avoid c-sections, but a lot of the young doctors dont know how to do them- they make an incision on the side so the baby will fit though). I then decided on the spot to do a VBAC and I refused the cesarean. It created quite a ruckus. I dont really know what your legal rights are in this situation. I mean, the baby will be born one way or another and I dont know if they can sedate the mother or put her in restraints if she is refusing a cesarean. (probably they could). Anyhow, I got lucky (relatively speaking) with the third baby. The doctor cut me on the side and the baby fit through and didnt have any stress. I mostly recovered physically, but I am so terrified of childbirth that it is not something I will ever attempt again. I guess the point of this post is that childbirth is really really dangerous and you should probably only do it with a level 4 trauma nursery on standby in a big hospital on the mainland. I know that supposedly this is a "natural process" and I know that many people will disagree with me, but the medical facilities here in Hawaii are wonderful for routine things and common problems, but birth is just so very unpredicatable that I just dont know. My sister had a wonderful midwife birth up in Waimea and thinks I'm crazy by the way, but you just cant be too careful with you and the baby's life. And I am sorry if this is "TMI" but I think people should talk about these things and not gloss it over. Lot's of people have problems from having babies. It is a rough road. GL! I am praying your second baby is a "piece of cake".