C-Sect Recovery vs Broken Tailbone
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Support
Forum Name: C-Section Support
Forum Description: Had a caesarian section? Planning an elective caesar? Or a VBAC? Or want to know about recovering from a c-section? Talk to other mums who have had c-section deliveries here.
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36797
Printed Date: 22 November 2024 at 10:56pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: C-Sect Recovery vs Broken Tailbone
Posted By: Ceres
Subject: C-Sect Recovery vs Broken Tailbone
Date Posted: 22 November 2010 at 1:44pm
|
Hi ladies
I was hoping the wealth of experience here may be able to guide me in a decision I have to make regarding an elective C-Sect. I've previously broken my tailbone three times. Twice in 2000, and once in 2007. (Yes, clumsy!). Anyway, the emergency doctors have said that this could affect giving birth naturally, a sentiment echoed by the ob today who told me that I have a greater vulnerability to breaking my tailbone again in a natural delivery. However, it is only a greater 'risk' of rebreaking my tailbone, there is no way anyone can predict whether it actually will be broken again or not. This is compared to the 'guarenteed' pain and recovery associated with a c-section. Quite frankly, the idea of having a broken tailbone and having to care for a newborn terrifies me. Last time I broke it I could hardly move for 6 weeks. It affects every aspect of lower body movement. However, I have no way of comparing what this would be like compared to recovering from a c-section. In an ideal world someone who has experienced both could guide me (not that I wish a broken tailbone or for that matter c-sect on anyone!), but I suspect this kind of problem is fairly unusual. The obs has said that we'll do a growth scan at 33 weeks and if the baby is on the bigger side, it should be a no-brainer (i.e., c-sect). Both DH and I were average sized babies, and she's 'average' at the moment though, so I don't think this is likely. Any thoughts/advice is warmly welcomed! What would you do? ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  <
|
Replies:
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 22 November 2010 at 3:06pm
Pick me  I didn't BREAK my tailbone exactly, but I cracked it (umm, would have been about 8-10 years ago I think) by slipping on a wet concrete doorstep. I had a c section with my son (emergency, not elective) but during the natural delivery of my daughter (4kg, so classed as pretty big) my tailbone did pop out of place and is still pretty sore. It hurt during labour, although not excruciatingly so, but I didn't notice it during pushing.
It has made sitting down for long periods of time breastfeeding pretty sore (TMI, especially if I'm a bit constipated), but you can combat this by using different positions (like feeding lying down for example) or sitting with a rolled up towel under your thighs. It's manageable. Having had a c section though, it's pretty much as you described your recovery after your broken tailbone. It's major abdominal surgery, and it does affect every aspect of lower body movement. For the first few days in particular I couldn't walk or lift my baby myself. It was awful. At least after Addie I could walk around and get myself out of bed (and the risks of a c section, like the wound infection that kept me in hospital for a fortnight afterwards, are measurably much greater than a natural delivery). My vote: go for a natural delivery (even if baby is supposedly largeish - scans are so inaccurate anyway). Try to avoid an epidural if you can so you know when the pressure is doing something really bad. That said, if the idea of pushing past a bung tailbone completely terrifies you (I hadn't even thought about it before labour) then it could affect how effective your labour will be and maybe it would be more straightforward to go for the elective. Hope that was some use anyway! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: Ceres
Date Posted: 24 November 2010 at 9:25pm
|
Thanks weegee, definitely gives me some food for thought! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> <
|
Posted By: mcshort
Date Posted: 01 December 2010 at 10:54pm
|
I'd recommend trying for a hands-and-knees labour as well, anything to keep you off your back! Otherwise you'll get plenty of pressure on your tailbone and I can't imagine that would help things at all.
Fingers crossed that it works out for you either way, and I'm sure with all the good Relaxin flowing through your body it'll ease things along. I'm with weegee, recovering from a caeasarean is no fun, injured tailbone or not! ------------- Mum to two very active boys, born October 2008 and December 2010. Getting excited about becoming a Childbirth Educator, and LOVIN being a birth support to amazing and courageous women! |