Delivery method

[michreev]

I am 4 months pregnant with my first child and my OB/GYN and I have decided to plan a c-section in order to reduce possible pelvic muscle damage. From what I've read it seems like the IC community is split pretty 50/50 on this one...with some people feeling like vaginal delivery could help IC and others feeling like c-sections are the way to go. I know this is a very personal decision for each mother and don't want to open it up to any argument or judgement, but I was hoping maybe mothers who have had their children might want to share their birth stories? I know I personally would love to hear from anyone who has been through a c-section with IC, it always helps to hear someone else has been through it and come out the other end. Anyone interested in sharing?
Michelle

[mrsaridings]

Well, I had my second child(very big girl) and thats when I started having the IC signs. I had it for years but didnt know it since the pain part was no issue for me, after having the baby it somehow triggered all the worst symptoms to happen. My uro.said he couldnt believe Id gone so long w/out knowing. Anyway it was a vaginal birth, but like I said Ididnt know I had it then. I tried Elmiron and it just mad me worse so I desperately switched to herbs and have since gotten better.

Now after knowing my condition, I had a baby in 2009, and delivered vaginally (epidural yes). I was concerned, but I knew I would want more kids and have heard its harder to heal w/ csec. and the chances of a vbac are slim. So I figured Id give the vaginal a try, and if it was too bad then Id never do it again. I was actually fine after her. I dont even recall having to take any pain meds after either. I had a few flares but I think it was stress and I always found relief w/ marshmallow root and probiotics within minutes for pain, and that was safe while nursing too. My OB dr okay'd it. I am going to try vaginally again this time, but this one seems to want to come now--LOL--so we will see. If I end up having to have a csection I'll be sure to let you know my experience, but Im hoping to do it on my own, I just hear so many negative things about a csection Im afraid to have it done.

[valkay18]

I had a baby in January, and it was a c-section. I was in HORRIBLE IC pain throughout the entire pregnancy. Towards the end, my inflamed bladder was causing very painful contractions of the bladder itself and my uterus. My OB ended up doing a c section at 39 weeks because of the amount of pain I was in. I definitely could not have pushed a baby out like that. My IC is "OK" now. My doctor knew to be very careful around my bladder when taking the baby out. I have no post c-section IC issues. The recovery from the section, having nothing to do with my bladder, was terrible though. If I wasn't in immense pain, I would have gone natural. So, not sure which is really "better" for IC, but I did have a C-section and it did not cause my bladder any issues. Hope that helps!

[michreev]

Thanks!

Just wanted to thank you both for sharing. I know delivery methods are such a difficult decision for each woman, I really appreciate your input. Glad to hear you both came out with a healthy baby and your IC is now more manageable.
Michelle

[Pumpkinsmom]

I had a c-section when my daughter was 37 weeks because she was breech. Otherwise, I wasn't given a choice, I would've had to deliver vaginally. My original doctor said that a vaginal delivery would stretch the muscles and make the symptoms better, although he had never had a patient w. such problems. He was very insensitive to my concerns and made me out to be a baby or something; totally made me cry, so I switched doctors needless to say. Anyway, the c-section was a breeze and I never really had any pain from the incision or my bladder. However, you are catherized for 24 hrs and my inner labia was raw for a week or 2, but I think that's normal w. anyone. My IC did seem better for 6 months, too! The nurse who did my catherization did so after I had my spinal and I didn't feel a thing. But now I am have some pain in my abdomen & I can't help but wonder if it is due to scar tissue. ??? But I would do a C-Section again for sure! It was done in less than 20 min., didn't have to suffer hours upon hours!

[Mothergoose]

I delivered 3 babies vaginally. I now at the time I had IC but didn't know it.
I delivered all three very fast, longest labor was an hour shortest 45 mins.

I was told after the 3rd baby if I had any more I would have to have a C section.

I am told now that deliveries this quick can cause damage to the bladder.

I already had the IC but I am sure this did not help my bladder.

MG

[Braedley]

I also had c-section, 2 actually..the first one b/c after 18 hrs of labor I'd only gotten to maybe 6cm and my water hadn't broken after 15 of those hours, and baby was in distress (so was I)..2nd time around I planned it for a bunch of reasons..1-I wanted my tubes tied, 2-I knew what the recovery was like and could plan everything to have help at home, my husband took time off, it was much more civilized than being in labor and then having the section! and 3-b/c of my IC..
first one I went into remission 5 months into the pregnancy, stayed that way until well after she was born...2nd baby wasn't as bad first trimester but last trimester was pretty uncomfortable and they gave different pain meds after the section this time around, and my pain from the section and the IC were not well managed..
Thankfully one of my doctors I'd had during the early days on the high risk floor (1st baby had a VSD), and she knew about my IC, so when she came in on day 2, she insisted on changing my meds to get them both under control..
they cleaned up all the scar tissue and I healed beautifully - you'd never know I had a section, it's that smooth!
I'd totally have a section, I couldn't imagine being in discomfort or pain to begin with, then throwing natural labor/childbirth into the mix and possibly damaging those muscles/pelvic floor muscles causing more issues

[kuntrygurl78]

I had an unplanned C section. My son was too big and wouldnt fit. My plan was no drugs/vaginal, but it didnt happen. Im breastfeeding and my IC has been in remission since I found out I was pregnant over a year ago.

[Mothergoose]

Really nice for you to have IC remission during this time in your life.