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Vaginal Birth after Prolapse – Kat’s Story

vaginal-birth-after-prolapse-kat

Trigger Warning: This birth story contains details of vaginal birth, birth after birth trauma and birth after prolapse. If you are triggered by these topics you may wish to skip this blog or read it once you have support available. If you are seeking support for your birth trauma, you may wish to contact our Peer Support Service.

Life after Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) was a struggle. 

I’d always wanted a big family but after POP I was just so scared.  I told my husband I didn’t think I could have another child, my body had suffered enough.

But somewhere amongst all the physio, counselling and connecting with other mums who had POP I changed my mind.  I had to work through a lot of emotional trauma as well as the issues around POP.

I didn’t have a supportive birth experience in the public system, so we decided to upgrade our private cover and found an OBGyn we liked and trusted.

I was much kinder to my body the second time around.  I worked less and slept more!  I tried really hard to limit lifting my 2 yo daughter.  I wore a pessary for the first two trimesters.  I gained a total of 11 kg instead of the whopping 26 kg I put on with my first!

I explained my fears of prolapse and of being alone during labour.  My OBGyn actually requested that the midwives provided “lots of tender loving care” during my labour!

I felt a lot more anxious leading into the birth as I was more aware of all the things that might go wrong…. I went through the URCHOICE screening tool with my physio to decide on vaginal birth or caesarean.

I’m happy to tell you I had a healing second vaginal birth.  My midwife was there as much as I needed and my OBGyn let my hubby lift our son out and up onto my chest straight away.  I was so happy I cried!

And guess what?  I didn’t make my prolapse any worse.  For me, it was the right choice – an informed choice!  

Each woman is different, each body and birth is different…. Believe in yourself and do what is right for you.

If you would like to connect with a mum who has experienced birth after birth trauma, please contact our Peer2Peer Support service to connect with one of our Peer Mentors.

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