[new~mum~reenie]

Hi ladies - just found some interesting stats on some not-so-nice issues.

Theya re just exerpts of studies and I cannot seem to access the full ones - if you work it out, let me know!

The Childbirth and Pelvic Symptoms cohort study reported that the incidence and severity of fecal incontinence was increased in primiparous women experiencing a sphincter tear. Risk factors for tear included forceps, occiput posterior, vacuum delivery, prolonged second stage of labor and epidural.

read more (and related articles) at:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1788546...ogdbfrom=pubmed

This post has been edited by new~mum~reenie: 27/05/2009, 08:21 PM

[claireabell]

My bub may not be here if not for her vacuum delivery (4.3kg posterior baby who went into distress).

FWIW i had a 2nd degree tear and no incontinence BUT would rather have a colostomy bag than lose a baby.

I don't understand your post OP. are you trying to scare people? Yes, birth (all births) have risks, but sometimes you just can't have the intervention-free birth you want. and i am fine with that if it means there is a greater chance my baby will be born healthy.

[forgetful]

Risk factors for tear included forceps, occiput posterior, vacuum delivery, prolonged second stage of labor and epidural.

I had all of this with DD2 and no problems. Yes there are risks in childbirth but you really need comparative risks to be really informed. A ten fold risk increase from 1:1000000 is a lot different to a ten fold increase in risk of 1:10.

[soontobegran]

This is true but fortunately it is not a common outcome of labour here in Australia.They are an awful issue in third world countries where women often give birth after days and days of labour, they deliver without help or little girls, too young to be pregnant are giving birth to big babies.
It is a tragic situation that fortunately now is receiving a lot more support and expertise from the Western world.

Here in Australia the incidence of assisted vaginal delivery is about 1-8 women will need either a forcep or vacuum delivery and of those women the risk of a sphincter tear is about 7-100 women with these figures improving all the time with improved education and the recognition that there needed to be much more latitude given in birthing positions.
Happily it is a long time since I have seen a really awful full thickness tear--thank goodness

[new~mum~reenie]

claireabell - Truely, I meant no offence or disrespect. I just saw it and thought people may find it interesting because I did. It isn't meant as a scare tactic.

Saying that, I have a friend who, like her mother, tore through to her anus (without interventions other than epi). It is just one of those things to be aware of as a up-and-coming mum to be.

They are an awful issue in third world countries where women often give birth after days and days of labour, they deliver without help or little girls, too young to be pregnant are giving birth to big babies.

Yes, I saw a very interesting doco about fistula's (sp?) (incontinence) amoungst African girls, some who were pregnant at 12 or 13 and now shunned by their tribe because of their condition. Terrible business.

This post has been edited by new~mum~reenie: 28/05/2009, 10:07 PM