question on giving birth?

[flighty]

Is it better to give birth vaginally or have a cesarean? for IC'ers? Does the symptoms of IC get worse after child birth?

[GriffsMommy]

I would ask your uro and gyn which would be better because of your IC. I didn't have IC when I had my son but I had a C-section and I don't see why anybody would choose that if they are able to have a vaginal birth. The recovery time is so much more when you have a C-section and you are so sore. I wish I could have had a vaginal birth, that's what I really wanted, but my son was wayyyyy to big for me.

[petrie86]

I've heard from some women on this board that their ic symptoms have gotten worse since giving birth. I'm still young so I cant tell you from personal experience. But i'm glad you asked that question for my future knowledge!

[Judith56]

I had both my sons vaginally with no problems- in fact I had quick easy labors and deliveries . My IC got better during pregnancy and while I was nursing- it was when I stopped nursing that it became out of control.

[samanthajane]

I was the same I gave birth 3 times vaginally and had no problems with pregnancies. It was when I stopped nursing each time that my problems with IC started again.

[poetgirl]

I wouldn't know for sure, as I ended up having a c-section. If it were up to me, I wish I had the vaginal delivery for many reasons! For a couple of weeks after the c-section, I had trouble telling if I had to pee because I had some loss of nerve function in my lower abdomen. I would only feel a sensation of pressure once my bladder became very distended - there would not be any actual urge to go. I ended up having a low-grade UTI as a result. That has since improved, although I still do have some loss of nerve function on the skin of my lower abdomen (around the incision) and left hip.

[SandyRN]

IC or not, it's ALWAYS better to have a vaginal delivery if it's possible. C-sections are major surgery and it takes much longer to heal. It's harder to care for that new baby when you get home, too.

[saptree]

My experience was that as soon as I stopped breastfeeding the flares came back. But my IC was non existant while pregnant and breastfeeding. Now, if only there were a drug that could make my body think its 5 months pregnant all the time...

[dancemomof2]

c sections are rough to recover from I have had 3 but with IC it was much worse. My IC was so out of control by then though I don't know how much more could have ruined my bladder either.

[poetgirl]

If you are thinking of becoming pregnant, I would recommend that if you and your OB agree to try a vaginal delivery to hire a doula. A doula is a labor companion who can provide support to you and your spouse/birth partner, and studies have shown that women who go through labor with a doula experience less pain and have quicker labors. Doulas are trained in various relaxation techniques such as massage, reflexology and guided meditation, which can ease anxiety and stress, allowing you to go through the labor process with more comfort and confidence. This is especially helpful for any woman with pelvic pain symptoms.

[flighty]

Thank-you all

for your comments , this is a great network to lean on when you have questions... thanks again

[melanie626]

Hi

Hi-
I cannot and also have not had any MD be able to recommend one vs another for me and my IC (of course, nothing in the literature). I have had a very tough pregnancy (16 + ) wks, and am still on meds. I did some research and for ME (please people, dont send me nasty messages- this is just ME) I have decided to do a c-section. I have pretty significant PFD, see a weekly PT and as much as a vag delivery might "relax" my muscles, if they weaken they will be very hard to strengthen with my PFD and IC. Also, for ME the risk of pain, complications is worth diminishing the risk of worsening PFD and incontincne, which would for ME push me right over the edge.

C sections are major surgery, but vaginal delivry has risks as well, so discuss with your OB your situation. As per the Doula, if you have a hospital that will let you have one, great, mine wont' unless pre approved. Although great, note some studies show that some doulas have been pushy with nursing staff etc not to intervene and this has caused problems for the laboring women (my large hospital in a major city has studies on this). So just make sure to get good MD who argrees and maybe can recommend some, and previous laboring womens reccomendations. I am sure a great doula is very helpful, but then a great labor and delivery nurse will be helpful as well.

Cheers-
Melanie and Baby B

[stac7_8]

Each and every person has a different in op!! For me it was a BLESSING to have ALL 3 of my children C-SECTION. My first was so terrible....I had long hard labor did not go past a 3 and then he was to big for me. My 2 and 3 were both planned out.

It was wonderful for me, I was awake during each one. I was up and walking by day 2. I was asking to have my cath removed after a few hours but they had to follow protocall. Now in the same breath I won't lie to you, they were painful but for me I didn't feel the pain as much as I did when I had my Ovary and tumor removed or my Hysterectomy done. They were all done surgical in case someone asks. My thought on this is that you have that bundle of joy to take care of and as a mom you put them first.

Sure there are some tricks to it....having a pilliow to help you hold the baby, having a girdle put on right after the c-section and most of all when you stand up the FIRST TIME....STAND UP AS STRAIGHT AS YOU CAN. Take your time getting up the first time get your balance but stand up straight.

I'm not sure if I had issues during my PG's. I know that I had migraines, I had pain issues in that area but at that time I thought it was due to a cyst or the baby.

But it is going to be up to your body really. You should listen to it. If you are in pain at any time I would talk with your doc about it. Take care and keep your feet up as much as you can.....u may not get a chance for awhile once that lil one gets here.

[samanthajane]

I read somehwhee recently that IC may be hereditary as there has been instances of mother daughter and twins etc with IC. This put me into complete panic as I am trying to deal with this myself but if one of my kids who are now all under 5 was to get IC in the future I would just die, it woud be the end of me so unfortunately now I am going to panic about it. My husband tells me not to worry as in 10 years they will have so much better treatments like growing new bladders etc through stem cell research but im still stressing. does anyone no much about this.?

[ICNDonna]

I know it's possible, but my three children are all adults and (sigh) middle age now and so far none of them has IC. Actually, I'm the only one I know of in my entire family with IC --- and both my parents came from huge families and I have lots of cousins.

Donna