One of the first decisions a pregnant woman makes regarding her pregnancy is how she wants to deliver. The choice is between vaginal delivery or a c-section. While women are often well-versed with the potential risks of c-sections, the risks of vaginal delivery aren’t as widely discussed.
After learning about the risks of c-sections, this woman decided she wanted a vaginal birth. When complications arose, however, she had to have a forceps delivery – and it permanently altered how she can live her life. (1)
“How A Forceps Delivery Ruined My Life”
Like all soon-to-be moms, Amy Dawes was told she could either choose vaginal delivery or via cesarean (c) section. After learning about all the potential complications and risks, she opted for a vaginal birth. Though plenty of time and attention was put into explaining the risks of a c-section to her, no one said much about the potential complications of vaginal birth. (1)
On d-day, Amy spent 19 hours in labor. When her doctors finally decided that her pushing wasn’t going to do it, they gave her the choice between a cesarean or a forceps delivery. (1)
“I was completely unaware of the risks associated with forceps,” Amy said. “I had only heard of the risks with caesareans. So I ended up having a forceps delivery.” (1)
It was a harrowing experience, to spare details, however, her daughter was born healthy and happy. Sixteen months later, however, Amy realized that her life was never going to be the same. (1)
A Life-Altering Procedure
Before the birth of her daughter, Amy was very active. She loved exercising and being outdoors. She always envisioned herself as being that strong, energetic, active mom. (1)
“Recovery was slow, but I thought I would recover. I could barely even walk for about four weeks,” Amy said. “I was extremely hopeful everything would be fine. I really didn’t understand the magnitude of the injury.” (1)
That magic recovery, however, never happened. Finally, with the help of a women’s health physiotherapist, she figured out what was wrong: Her forceps delivery caused a bilateral levator avulsion that led to pelvic organ prolapse. (1)
“Basically the forceps had torn my pelvic floor muscle and detached it off the bone. So now, at 16 months postpartum, I was told not to lift my daughter, and to avoid things people normally take for granted, like squatting or bending.” (1)
More Hard Choices
Again, doctors gave Amy two options: Surgery, which has a 1 in 3 failure rate, or be fitted with a pessary to support her organs. Given the grim prognosis of surgery, she opted for the pessary. Unfortunately, this means it is something that she will now have to manage for the rest of her life. (1)
“We talk about childbirth as being the ultimate in womanhood, especially to deliver vaginally,” Amy explained. “I feel my birth took away my womanhood. I have issues with intimacy now which obviously affects my life and my partner’s life. It has affected the way in which I can interact with my children. I always thought I’d be a strong, fit mum with a child in either arm. In reality, I have to avoid lifting my children. I can’t run. I can’t jump on the trampoline.” (1)
Amy doesn’t know if knowing the risks would have caused her to make a different decision or not, but she does wish she’d at least had the knowledge to make a more informed decision. (1)
“It has completely decreased my quality of life. And it’s not an injury you can forget about, you can feel it all the time.” (1)
After her experience, Amy founded the Australasian Birth Trauma Association to help educate and support other women, their partners, and families. Through this platform, she brings awareness to the risks of all types of deliveries – vaginal and forceps delivery included.
Read: This Image Shows Why Women Need Lots Of Time To Recover After Childbirth
The Risks of Giving Birth
As you probably are realizing now, there are risks associated with every type of delivery. Sorry, women, we definitely got the short end of the stick here. All women who are planning on one day having a child must familiarize themselves with these risks to make informed decisions, even mid-way through labor.
Better yet, use this information to make a “delivery day plan”, with plans A, B, and C, so that if you are not conscious and therefore not able to voice your opinion, no one is tasked with trying to make that decision for you.
Risk of Vaginal Birth
Many women hope to give birth vaginally, and there are many benefits to doing so. There are risks, however. These include (2):
- Tearing
- Hemorrhaging
- Incontinence
- Injuries to the baby during labor
Another aspect is the fact that while a woman may try to have a regular vaginal birth, in the end, she may have to go another route. This could be an emergency c-section or assisted birth using a vacuum or forceps.
Risks of C-Sections
For mothers, risks of c-sections include (3):
- Higher infection rate
- Post-surgery pain
- Poor birth experience
- Less early contact with their baby
- Psychological trauma (higher instance with unplanned cesareans)
- Ongoing bowel obstruction
- Future infertility or problems conceiving
For the babies, risks include (3):
- Accidental surgical cuts
- Respiratory problems
- Difficulty or not breastfeeding
That said, there are thousands of women who deliver happy, healthy babies every year via c-section. Talk to your doctor about whether or not they think you are a suitable candidate for this procedure.
Risks of Vacuum And Forceps Deliveries
Assisted vaginal delivery methods are the ones that are often out of the conversation when talking about how a woman wants to give birth. As women like Amy know, they do come with plenty of risks. These are (4):
- Perineum pain (the tissue between the vagina and the anus)
- Lower genital tract tears
- Difficulty urinating
- Short or long-term urinary and fecal incontinence
- Bladder or urethra injuries
- Uterine rupture (aka tearing of the uterine wall)
- Pelvic organ prolapse: The weakening of the muscles and ligaments that support the pelvic organs, causing them to drop lower in the pelvis
- Excessive bleeding and requiring blood transfusion (3)
- Hemorrhoids (3)
- Difficulty with intercourse for weeks or months after (3)
- Psychological trauma (3)
For babies, the risks include (4):
- Minor facial injuries
- Temporary facial palsy (weakness of the facial muscles)
- Minor external eye trauma
- Skull fracture and/or bleeding within the skull
- Seizures
The risks associated with vacuum and forceps delivery really need to be explained along-side those of regular vaginal delivery. Just like Amy, if a vaginal delivery is not working, the woman will have to choose between assisted or an emergency cesarean.
Talk To Your Doctor And Ask Questions
Armed with this information, you can ask your doctor informed questions and help them help you to make a birth plan that you are happy with. As always, just because risks exist, it doesn’t mean you will experience them. However, it is always important to know what they are so you can make decisions based on knowledge rather than fear or pressure from others.
Remember, at the end of the day; it’s your body, your baby, and your birth. You have the right to know the risks from beginning to end, and you have the right to make your own decisions. Make your birth plan, with decisions thought out down to the worst-case scenario, and make sure the labor and delivery staff have access to that plan so no matter what happens, you are in the driver’s seat.
Keep Reading: Trans man who gave birth to healthy baby boy opens up about pregnancy as a man
Sources
- “‘How a forceps delivery ruined my life’.” Kidspot. Emily Blatchford. March 25, 2021
- “Vaginal birth comes with risks too – so should it really be the default option?” The Conversation. Mairead Black. July 26, 2016.
- “Vaginal Birth and Cesarean Birth: How Do the Risk Compare?” PQCNC
- “Forceps delivery.” Mayo Clinic