Odd question

[ophelia]

I was wondering if this makes sense to anyone. Could giving birth help with PFD? Could it stretch and weaken the muscles so that they are unable to tighten causing pain and urinary difficulty? I know a lot of women experience some leaking and weakness in their pelvic mucsles so that they have to then do kegels to tighten them. I'm asking this because, when I gave birth almost two years ago, my symptoms were dramatically better for weeks after delivery. My flow felt close to normal and I was only going to the bathroom 8 times a day(down from the usual 30). I started to kegels and pilates and boom the symptoms came back. I'm pregnant again due in Feb. and I guess I'll see if I improve again. I will not be doing those exercises this time. I was going to ask the OB/GYN what they thought of this, but I'm afraid I sound like an idiot! I was curious what others thought here. Any responses would be great.

[Bea]

hmmm.. never thought of it.. but it does kinda make sense. .I mean the baby is stretching everything out.. personally I had 2 c cections, so I have no idea.. ..have you thought of physical therapy... it sounds like myofacial release might work for you

[Claredale]

I don't have PFD, but when I took physical therapy and they had me doing kegals, it caused me alot of pain and spasms. My IC didn't start until after I had my kids.

[duchesstiger]

Hi,

Actually, it can improve PFD in some people either permanently or temporarily. It can also *worsen* pfd in some women because birth can cause damage to your pelvic floor muscles and therefore cause more tension and pain...it just depends on the woman. I have had severe pfd that has improved 85% through physio but I still have flare up's every couple of months depending on my activity level and if I've had any problems (the last major flare was caused by a bad UTI that wasn't treated properly the first time and resulted in bleeding in my bladder that was visible in my urine and after wiping myself after urinating..it was *bad*!). I was originally thought to have IC but was then diagnosed as PFD only by my urologist who then sent my to my physiotherapist who was wonderful (no longer need to see her).

I don't intend to have a vaginal birth at all as I will not risk causing more damage to that area of my body...the pain I experienced was unbearable and I would hate to put myself through that again. I don't recommend having a c-section based on having PFD OR IC but it is definitely an option if someone wants to have children but is afraid of the aftermath to that area of their body and who already has issues "down there".

Stephanie

[Claredale]

I had 2 vaginal deliveries and both were long. My first was 36 hours and he was only 7 pounds and 9 ozs and 23 inches long, so it's not like he was a big baby. I went to an older doctor and I heard one of the nurses say that if I would have gone to any of the younger doctors, they would have done a c-section on me. That was 24 years ago, so we couldn't request c-sections. When I had my 2nd one, my doctor induced me and it still took 9 hours of labor, with the last hour pushing. I can remember 2 nurses pushing with all their might on my stomach to get him out. He was 8 pds 4 ozs. I really don't think I was ever the same again. I don't have PFD, but I certainly don't feel the same.

[Charisse]

I never thought I'd be the type of person who would consider an elective c-section but after developing IC and all the pelvic pain that comes with it, I am starting to see how it might be an appealing option. I would be afraid all the pushing would inflame my bladder beyond belief. Right now I can't even bend over at the waist without developing bladder pain. I don't have any vaginal tightness -just pain from the urethra and north.

[duchesstiger]

It really isnt hard to find an OB who will do an elective c-section nowadays...its actually more convenient to them in a lot of ways. Women should have the freedom to choose how they want to birth based on their own situation.

[llwd]

What you wrote makes perfect sense. I had PFD before being getting IC symptoms and being diagnosed with IC. When I was pregnant, my OB-GYN and I discussed vaginal v. C-section deliveries. He thought vaginal might help the PFD because it could stretch out the tight muscles. I ended up with a C-section because of the IC and gestational diabetes (and cephalopelvic disproportion), so I never got to test out that theory.

[BBB]

I think delivering my babies caused the PFD. I had my first baby at 22 and he was 8 lbs. 11 oz. and the doctor used forceps. I ripped on the other side of my rectum, a 4th degree or something. I was an athelte at the time so I did a lot of reconditioning but it never went away.

My 2nd baby wasn't until I was 37 or 15 years later. She was 8 lbs. 9 oz. and the doctor used suction. This is when the PFD got really bad. I also developed uninary and fecal incon. Gross huh?

Well with the third baby (2 1/2 years later), I said screw it, give me the C!! My doctor asked how I was going to heal with a newborn and a 2 1/2 year old. I told him much better since I will not be ripping my vag apart, thank you very much. Needless to say he gave me the C two weeks early at my request. After my son weighed in at 8lbs. 2 oz. (mind you he was taken 12 days early) the doctor was glad he did it.

My regular OB, (I was referred to a high risk when I wanted the C) thanked me and thanked me because he said he did not want to deliver that baby. I just have big babies. No diabetes, etc. I was 10 lbs at birth and my husband was almost 11 lbs. We are both part Welsh.

Anyway....After my last baby the IC (which I had since 12) became so painful and my insides were falling out. So one year later, I had complete reconstruction of my pelvic floor (both reco and uro), a complete hyster, and a bladder sling.

I swear if I had those first two babies, or even the first (Tracey you know how it was in those days) C-section maybe, just maybe I could have avoided the PFD.

Bet you know what my vote is going to be....go for the C!! Especially you Charisse!

[muxerr012]

Hi All and hello BBB!!!
Now I have to put my 2 cents in for what it's worth....I had a c section 23 yrs ago and soon after developed endometriosis and severe PFD. I had a hysterectomy thru the c section scar 4 yrs ago and now I also have IC. Not sure I feel c sections are so hot but they do have benefits to be sure. It is all so confusing! I believe there is trauma to the body either way you go...It triggers hormonal imbalance and autoimmune responses in our bodies. This is where I believe the IC and PFD begin. Not thru the method of child birth persay. Oh and I have to say the c section has also given me a c belly that never goes away no matter how many sit ups you do. My cecarean belly I call it.

But this is just my own opinion....Everyone has valuable advice and experiences to build from. My own personal experience leads me to believe I would never repeat a c section if I had a choice in the matter. 6-8 weeks to recover versus 5-7 days w/natural birth....Very confusing to be sure....
Best of luck....

[ICNDonna]

Whether an individual has a C-section or a vaginal birth is a decision each must make, hopefully working with a physician. We are all so different. My three were all vaginal births and I didn't develop symptoms until some years later following a hysterectomy. I will always feel it was the trauma of the abdominal surgery that brought out my IC.

Donna