Fear of forceps

I have no opinion on the use of forceps but wanted to say "What a gorgeous baby!" to Suregena

Thank you!!!    His sweet little smiles make me melt.

I didn't have forceps with Jean but did need a ventouse.  I think what mainly caused it was my being on my own in antenatal ward for about six hours with no hubby or midwife nagging me to move about and bounce on the ball (I curled up on the bed with the mp3 player).  She was absolutely fine and my episiotomy didn't even give me much trouble.

Put what you want down but know that things might not go how you want them.  Stay as upright and active as possible in labor.

Sorry, I know this isn't what everybody wants to hear but I delivered my daughter with the use of forceps and it was awful. The only thing I was truly terrified of was forceps and, of course, that's just what I got.
I did everything the midwives tell you to do: I bounced on my ball, walked around, tried to stay calm and listened to my music, got DH to rub my back. I even (against my better judgement I might add) decided to forgo the epidural in favour of gas and air, and later, a shot of pethidine. According to the midwives, an epidural makes you more prone to needing forceps, an episiotomy or tearing as you "can't feel to push properly", they told me. Well, my result was a forceps delivery (after the pethidine had worn off) with nothing more than a local anesthetic and gas/air. After 20 hours of labour, apparently the cord was wrapped around DD's head, which was preventing her from crowning. They had to do an episiotomy to get the forceps in, but unfortunately I ended up with a 3rd degree tear as well.
To make matters worse, they had to give me the spinal block after DD was born in order to stitch me up. So, I STILL ended up with forceps, episiotomy, bad tear and a catheter but without the benefit of pain relief while it was all happening. Ah, the irony. IF there's a next time (because this experience had definitely put me off going through that hell again), you can bet I'll be first in line demanding (not requesting, DEMANDING) an epidural or possibly even a C-section. I'll never go through the experience of a "natural" birth again after that. It's now been 14 months and my body STILL isn't working properly yet as a result.

Sorry, I know this isn't what everybody wants to hear but I delivered my daughter with the use of forceps and it was awful. The only thing I was truly terrified of was forceps and, of course, that's just what I got.
I did everything the midwives tell you to do: I bounced on my ball, walked around, tried to stay calm and listened to my music, got DH to rub my back. I even (against my better judgement I might add) decided to forgo the epidural in favour of gas and air, and later, a shot of pethidine. According to the midwives, an epidural makes you more prone to needing forceps, an episiotomy or tearing as you "can't feel to push properly", they told me. Well, my result was a forceps delivery (after the pethidine had worn off) with nothing more than a local anesthetic and gas/air. After 20 hours of labour, apparently the cord was wrapped around DD's head, which was preventing her from crowning. They had to do an episiotomy to get the forceps in, but unfortunately I ended up with a 3rd degree tear as well.
To make matters worse, they had to give me the spinal block after DD was born in order to stitch me up. So, I STILL ended up with forceps, episiotomy, bad tear and a catheter but without the benefit of pain relief while it was all happening. Ah, the irony. IF there's a next time (because this experience had definitely put me off going through that hell again), you can bet I'll be first in line demanding (not requesting, DEMANDING) an epidural or possibly even a C-section. I'll never go through the experience of a "natural" birth again after that. It's now been 14 months and my body STILL isn't working properly yet as a result.

((((((((((((((((((((you)))))))))))))))))))))

Sorry, I know this isn't what everybody wants to hear but I delivered my daughter with the use of forceps and it was awful. .... I'll never go through the experience of a "natural" birth again after that. It's now been 14 months and my body STILL isn't working properly yet as a result.

Who cares what anyone else 'wants to hear'; you're being honest about your experience and your feelings about that experience!  Good for you!

I've got no problem with women who decide they want a natural birth, but I hate the way that many (not all!) of them, in turning it into some sort of cause, go on to make other women feel guilty, or feel as though they ought to feel guilty, for making a different choice.  It's mis-directed activism.  Instead of putting their energies towards ensuring that the system is accommodating all women and allowing them to participate fully in their own birth process, they start pressuring all women to participate fully in a particular kind of birth process.  It's complete B.S.!

So, for anyone who didn't have a perfect, wonderful, it's-no-bother-i'll-just-squat-behind-this-shrub-over-here-be-back-on-my-feet-in-a-few-hours, drug-free, euphoric, the-hills-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-music Natural Birth... don't let anyone so much as look at you funny about it!  Tell them exactly where they can shove the guilt and recrimination.

Ok...I think that's a /rant.  

ETA:  I don't mean to offend anyone; I've just been reading really stupid Digg comments all morning, and have come over all militant-Feminist! 

gatsby, that's why i think we were very lucky in our experience with forceps.  i've encountered a lot of women online who experienced serious problems after such births (and also after natural tears sustained when they probably should have been csectioned).

Who cares what anyone else 'wants to hear'; you're being honest about your experience and your feelings about that experience!  Good for you!

I've got no problem with women who decide they want a natural birth, but I hate the way that many (not all!) of them, in turning it into some sort of cause, go on to make other women feel guilty, or feel as though they ought to feel guilty, for making a different choice.  It's mis-directed activism.  Instead of putting their energies towards ensuring that the system is accommodating all women and allowing them to participate fully in their own birth process, they start pressuring all women to participate fully in a particular kind of birth process.  It's complete B.S.!

So, for anyone who didn't have a perfect, wonderful, it's-no-bother-i'll-just-squat-behind-this-shrub-over-here-be-back-on-my-feet-in-a-few-hours, drug-free, euphoric, the-hills-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-music Natural Birth... don't let anyone so much as look at you funny about it!  Tell them exactly where they can shove the guilt and recrimination.

Ok...I think that's a /rant.  

ETA:  I don't mean to offend anyone; I've just been reading really stupid Digg comments all morning, and have come over all militant-Feminist! 

wooooooooooooooot!!!!!   

*high five*

(and also after natural tears sustained when they probably should have been csectioned).

Yes, this is what I've thought all along. I really believe that I should have been c-sectioned. I'd been pushing for over an hour with no progress and DD's heart rate kept going up and down. The midwives told me it was out of their hands as they weren't qualified enough to handle me at that point, which is when the consultant came in with the forceps. But, no one ever asked me what I wanted or gave me the choice of a c-section. Afterwards, the consultant told me that if I ever have more children, I would be a good candidate for a c-section and should consider it as my tear was so bad. Gee, thanks but it would have been good to know that was a possibility BEFORE she yanked my baby out. Still, DD is healthy and beautiful with no apparent damage so I'm thankful for that at least.

I understand c-sections are major surgery and take weeks of recovery time, but now I'm faced with the possibility of permanent damage should I ever choose to have another baby naturally.

Wow Gatsbygirl, that sounds awful.    Sending big hugs to you!

Thanks Tin