QuestionI had a childhood coccyx injury which left me unable to sit for over 3 months due to the pain. When giving birth naturally to my first child I was made to deliver on my back on the bed (plus posterior position) due to complications. It took 5 months after delivery before I was able to sit without excruciating pain. It felt like having a broken bone reset every time I sat down. I went through the same trauma with my second child. Problem is I am now 33 weeks preg with number 3 and very concerned about recovery if I go natural again. My husband will be the primary carer for our kids for the 4-6 weeks after delivery then I will have them full time. My experience tells me that I may not be able to sit to feed the baby for up to 5 months after delivery. Previously I laid down to feed but I can't do that this time because I need to be able to supervise. (I had a lot of help with the last two but since relocating interstate will only have hubby).
I can't go through the same pain again because it is so intense and prolonged. I don't particularly want major abdominal surgery by having a c section but at least I would have a chance of recovering within 2 months instead of 5 or longer. What are my options? I have been offered cortisone injections on a weekly basis after delivery but I fear causing further injury due to not being able to feel what is happening. Which way should I delivery the baby?
AnswerYour best option is to stay out of bed. There is almost never any good reason why you should be forced to delivery on your back in bed. This position provides absolutely no benefits to either you or the baby. It's sole reason for existence is the convenience of the doctors and nurses. If you are being told that you have to lie down so they can get a better reading on the heart monitor, you can tell them to come hold it on themselves while you move around, or they can use a handheld monitor. They work for you, and you have the right to birth in whatever position works best for you. Forcing you into lying on your back and re-injuring your tailbone is completely unnecessary.
If you have had the same care provider for both of your previous births, you may want to look into switching to somebody else, preferably a midwife who will be more familiar with birthing out of bed and less restrictive in her practice.
If you have a c-section, you will be dealing with an incision that goes through your abdominal muscles. You may be healed in two months, but 30% of women have permanent pain from their cesarean scar, and many also have numbness and discomfort around the incision site. Not to mention that you will be forced to sit on your tailbone during your entire recovery period, which is going to be excruciatingly painful with a previously-injured tailbone.
Again, even if you are in a hospital, you have the right to birth in the best position for YOU, not for your doctor. If you can birth on your hands and knees, you will increase your pelvic outlet by up to 30%, and your tailbone will be curved outward and away from the baby, removing it as an obstacle to the birth. I broke my tailbone in September of 2006. This July, I gave birth to a 10 lb 8 oz baby and had absolutely no complications from my tailbone. I birthed in an upright position in a large hottub, at home. You might want to consider staying home, where you will encounter less interference.
Good luck!
