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Devilslilsister -> Birth (1/11/2007 3:49:49 PM)
Curious as to what other's experiences are regarding a normal vaginal birth. I'm told that it "stretches" out a womans vagina and she doesnt lose her tightness - except i am also told the opposite side of things. Does having a child vaginally stretch everything out or not? What is your experience ?

tearfulsurrender -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 3:56:05 PM)
I have had two vaginal births, one was even delivered with forceps. I have personally never had one single complaint about "flappyness". As a matter of fact, i just recently heard the exclimation "Wow, you can really clamp down can't you?". I am due to deliver my 3rd baby in early April and i hope it will be an uncomplicated vaginal birth. Just remember to take the full amount of recommended healing time. tearful

mymasterssub69 -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 3:56:57 PM)
first baby? just curious don't know if having 2 nine yrs apart "stretched" my vagina however each delivery experience for me was different from easy pregnancy/difficult 36hr delivery (firstborn daughter) to difficult pregnancy/hard 10 1/2 hr delivery (second daughter). both were born premature but without any serious medical conditions.

youngmama -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 4:14:16 PM)
I've had two kids in the last three years and don't have that problem. I'm actually told that I am tighter than before. If your worried about it you can do keggles before and after your pregnancy, it makes the muscles in the vagina stronger and makes you tighter.

Devilslilsister -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 4:57:10 PM)
Second - but the first was through a C - section. I would like to have a normal vaginal birth with no drugs this time, merely for the experience. Course i'm scared to death of doing it with out meds, but i'll see. My mother has had two c sections and was debating with me that having a child vaginally stretches out your hips and your tightness. (aye and she's going to push for me to have another C section LOL) So i'm just curious as to what other peoples experiences are. Did it stretch and lose its tightness or not?

Aileen68 -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 5:06:43 PM)
If you can go vaginal then do it. Much easier recovery time even with an episiotomy. And it is an incredible experience. As for stretching...the vagina is designed to do just that. And then it is designed to shrink back. Kegles are a must. I've had two vaginal births and no complaints about not being tight enough. As for a drug free delivery...make sure you get along well with your delivery nurse. She is much more important during labor than your ob and your family members. She is the one who will get you through tough contractions. If you know meditation that helps too. Think in terms of how you want to feel after everything is over. If you have a drug free, vaginal birth you will be on your feet and relatively pain free and clear headed almost immediately after. And you'll be home from the hospital much sooner than with a c section.

untamedshysub -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 5:27:10 PM)
it goes back think about it you are passing something the size of a watermelon though something the size of a pear. As for the no meds why? its painful with the meds the experience is overrated. There are different types of things you can do but regular birth is a long boring painful process, but an epdioral is nice you can see the contractions on the machine and only feel the pressure. I have four kids my twins took three days to get here with induced labor but they are 22 yrs old now and still remember like it was yesterday but I was up and walking the next morning a bit sore with stiches. had the 20 yr old with no meds almost had her on top of the mississippi river bridge waited too long and got stuck in madi gras traffic. 17 yr old had an epdioral and talked on the phone the whole time in labor was great lol. Do what feels best for you and is safest for you and the baby. Some drs wont allow you to deliver after a C section not sure why.

Devilslilsister -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 5:44:45 PM)
quote: If you have a drug free, vaginal birth you will be on your feet and relatively pain free and clear headed almost immediately after. And you'll be home from the hospital much sooner than with a c section. Not true. I actually left the hospital a day early. I dont remember having any bedrest/down time when i got home either. Granted i sat alot more the day i got home, but i was still up doing things. Granted i did learn that if you push it "too much" (and too much being relative) your C section spot will burn. I had a very easy recovery. Easy birth. The only complaints about the birth was what they did to my poor baby after she was born. Stuck her with needles, put crap in her eyes, had lights blaring at her...... all normal new born stuff. i know with a vaginal birth that she will come to me first and i can actually demand it this time. So far my mother thinks that one wont be "loose" is full of BS - even after i've reported the responses here. I did give her that its only a few replys so its not completely gossple yet. Good thing i made the thread for myself - so i would know - )

Devilslilsister -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 5:52:01 PM)
I would like to do it with out the meds so i can have the experience. So i can know what "its all about". What is the big deal about childbirth?? Having a vaginal birth after a C section is called a VBAC and some doctors do not allow it because there is a chance of the uterus rupturing during delivery via the contractions. Having a uterus rupture can be fatal to both mother and child. The possiblity is also a slim one, but the risk is great. Loss of blood for the mother and loss of oxygen for the baby. here's a link http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/childbirth/1420895.html

Donnalee -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 6:03:55 PM)
I've had 2, almost 3 years apart, and I don't feel I've lost any elasticity. For both I had an epidural, and the first one took, and the second one didn't, so I felt that one all the way, and it was only painful during the transition. It took more for me to recover from the episiotomy on the first one....I'm narrow, and he was near 10 lbs. On the second one I didn't have one, and I was really healed immediately. I don't really remember needing to use pads longer than a day. But here is the good part about having some little tears and a bit of jumbling due to no episiotomy: my vagina healed in a more bumpy way on the inside, and my husband loves it. I ended up with a little bump halfway up that hits him in just the right spot. With the epidural, I didn't have any high feeling, and I could still push and all that, but both of mine were very quick: 4 pushes on the first and 2 on the second. I think that gives me the happy side of the various perspectives. I wonder if nursing afterwards has any long term effect on your vagina shrinking back. I know it does have some role in it early on, but I don't know if that effect ends up being any different from non-nursing women's vaginal elasticity.

ezlet -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 6:05:38 PM)
My daughter will be 2 months old tomorrow, so the whole experience is still quite fresh in my mind, lol. I had a regular vaginal delivery (20h labor) with no meds (Due to medical issues, couldn't have any).I won't lie to you, it was horribly painful and I would have loved to have been drugged out of my mind for it, heh. Just remember that an epidural isn't the only pain med option. They have several different kinds they can do through an IV, shots, and even some oral. As for stretching, I've been absolutly terrified of the same thing.... and actually wouldn't let my husband near me for fear that I would feel different down there. However, I'm apparently not stretched out at all, and just the same as I was before. I'm sure it does happen to some women and not others, but like others have already said in this thread make sure to do Kegels before and after. It'll keep those muscles in shape (which is good for the delivery alone) and will help you shrink up and get back to normal faster.

CalliopePurple -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 6:51:30 PM)
My sister has one of the highest pain tolerances I know of because she used to be a cutter and burner. And she was pushed beyond her limit in a drug-free childbirth.

Elegant -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 7:42:10 PM)
I had two V births, 19 months apart and experience no problems with muscle control.The first baby was a long labour and my cervix never went past 8 so forceps were used..but still no problems. The second was out almost too quickly..2 pushes and a cough it seemed like and then I was up for a shower an hour later. I used pure cocoa butter as a massage cream during the last three months of pregnancy and did (and still do) my kegel exercises. (I do them at every stoplight..lol). As to drugs or no drugs? It's your choice but I do encourage you to research. I was lucky to have both my children when I lived in the UK. TENS units are encouraged for labour and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is normal. I loved labour and delivery. Hurt like hell but a hurt that I knew would end with something beautiful. One thing you might consider: make a detailed list of everything you want and don't want during labour, delivery, aftercare etc. Make two copies and give one to the midwife/nurse when you arrive at hospital.

mymasterssub69 -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 7:48:36 PM)
my first delivery was with 2 epidurals (a very difficult premature birth) however the second one was without the drugs - felt every minute of pain and kicking throughout the delivery. yep, the kid literally entered the world kicking and screaming.

HollyS -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 8:29:46 PM)
I've had two vag births and haven't experienced any loss of muscle tone or tightness. Both were drug-free as well, so if you want to go that route I'd definately encourage reading all you can about your options. I worked with hypnosis & guided imagery before having my first, so that might be something you could investigate too. I second Aileen's comments about making friends with your OB nurse and would also suggest you look into a doula. They're kind of like a "helper" during labor -- they run interference with the nurses, bring you ice chips, massage your back, suggest things to ease pain and generally make labor much easier. Most will hang out with you at home if you're in early labor, before you ever get to the hospital. Honestly, my husband agrees that hiring Trish was the smartest thing we ever did. Email me on the other side if you want more info on this. No matter what you decide, try to be flexible and keep an open mind. Things happen sometimes that demand a change in plans. What matters is that you have a healthy child at the end, n'est pas? Best of luck to you and congratulations! ~Holly

SweetBobbie -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 9:43:05 PM)
Being Male i have never had a child but being an obstetrician i have delivered several thousand. The majority of my patients who did Kegel's exercises before and after delivery had no more looseness than before. Since you have had a previous C-section you may find it difficult to find an obstetrician that will permit you to attempt a vaginal delivery because of the litigious nature of our society. After the big push in the 1980's the VBAC movement kind of fell on hard times at the hands of lawyers. If you have had the proper type of c-section ( most done today are that type but you need your records or must return to the same Dr.) then VBAC is actually safer than repeat C-section.

tangldupinblue -> RE: Birth (1/11/2007 9:47:03 PM)
as funny as it may be, during delivering my second child i ripped a bit and the doctor asked my husband if he wanted her to sew me "tighter" needless to say he said yes/

alandraofMists -> RE: Birth (1/12/2007 8:31:46 PM)
i have had four vaginal births... all slightly different and no complaints afterward of it being looser than before. the first labor was about 8 hours long with pain management drugs, the doctor did a cut to stop tearing and i was up and walking around with in hours after the birth of a 7lb 11 oz unmentionable. i came home the next day and traveling the day after for a couple of hours. 20 months later, labor was about 8 hours, tried laughing gas this time... bad choice for me i got bad headaches and nausea for days afterward... tore this time... was up and walking around about 4 hours after the birth of a 8lbs unmentionable. i came home the next day 30 months later, labor was about 6 hours, went with the pain meds again, no cuts or tearing this time... was up and around within an hour after the birth of a 7lbs unmentionable. and home the next day. 20 months later, labor was only 4 hours, pain meds again but this time spent most of the time in the shower with hot water beating on my back... grins tapping on the wall helped dispel some of the pain.... my Lord could tell when the pain started and when it slowed down. no cuts or tears with this unmentionable even at 8lbs 4 oz. was in the shower and heading down for something to eat at the cafeteria within an hour afterward. smiles at elegant with this one there was only two pushes and luckily the doctor walking by the room at the right time. After all of them the time that the doctor suggested for my recovery was not always followed grins If you listen and know your body well you will be able to tell when you are ready to take that step after the birth. Knight’s alandra

twicehappy -> RE: Birth (1/13/2007 3:23:14 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Devilslilsister So i'm just curious as to what other peoples experiences are. Did it stretch and lose its tightness or not? Three births, each of them natural, no meds, only had an episiotomy for the 2nd. 1st one took the longest, 6 hours, weighed 9 1/2 lbs, 2nd one took 2 hours and weighed 13 1/2 lbs (no i was not diabetic just very healthy), 3rd one was induced at 8 months due to the size of the 2nd one, that took 20 minutes from start to finish and weighed 10 1/2 lbs. As far as recovery time the longest i remained at the birthing center (i used midwives not doctors) was about 8 hours. Kegel ! Kegel ! Kegel ! I do not think Scooter has any complaints about the fit, lol.

Quivver -> RE: Birth (1/13/2007 6:24:45 AM)
4 here. 1 with forecepts and an drugs, the next 3 without. After the first I'd never bother with the drugs again. I ~think~ the tightness isnt created from the vaginal wall itself, it's the muscles that surround it. I've bred horses for years and one of the first things you watch for in a mare in the final stages of the pregnancy is a softening of the muscles near their tail. Where no different. Keeping as fit as possible thru it all is the key I feel to not only an easy delivery as long as bone structure allows the passage, but also in returning to normal. .............. as for no drugs, it's possible to have an earth shattering orgasm as the baby passes through the birth canal. it didnt happen every time, but WOW when it did. [:D]

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