C-section vs natural birth existing hip problems

[Gem09x]

So this is a bit late in the day but was wondering if anyone had a similar experience. I have an existing hip problem consisting of a ligament impingement and my socket sitting too deep in my pelvis. I have had countless steroid injections in my joint and 2 operations and before I got pregnant it limited my day to day life but to a point I could cope. With the extra baby weight this is obv out a strain on it to the point I can’t walk the length of myself 😭 anyway I’m 37 weeks tomorrow and the midwife decided last week that I might not be able to have a natural birth due to limited movement in my leg. I had a physio assessment last week and they have said I only have 25-30% mobility therefore any assisted delivery would have to go straight to section and I wouldn’t be able to have an epidural incase more damage was done to my hip as I wouldn’t be able to tell them it was sore. I’m also not allowed a water birth as they can’t guarantee I could get in and out the pool safely. They haven’t ruled out a natural birth but have referred me to speak to a consultant on Monday to discuss an elective section. I was just wondering has anyone had the same experience and managed a natural birth? I’m terrified of going through hours of labour and needing a section anyway! Tia x

[Lydialego123]

I haven’t been in the situation with your hip that you have but I did have a breech baby and was offered an elective c section. I’d always envisaged my birth would be a c section for a number of reasons but said no and had my baby turned to try natural birth as this was in lockdown and I wanted my husband to be with us if he could.

In the end I had an unplanned c section, and in some ways I just wish I had said yes to the elective in the first place when I was offered one!

I guess what I’m trying to say is talk to the consultant and see if they can give you a % chance of you needing one if you try natural birth and make a decision from there. If you really want a natural birth, then try one but know that you could have a section anyway (that’s the case in any birth). Speak to the consultant about your concerns but ultimately the decision is yours to make, if you really want to avoid a c section tell them so and see what can be done.

Best of luck xx

[Gem09x in reply to Lydialego123]

Thanks for replying! Hope your c-section and recovery went ok.

I’m just terrified I go for a natural and I do damage to my hip that means I’m back to square one and I’m not able to do anything with baby. It would be amazing if we could have a crystal ball eh?

I’ll speak to the consultant and see what the say, it’s more the recovery that’s putting me off but would rather a longer recovery than being in agony with my hip for years.

Xx

[Lydialego123 in reply to Gem09x]

No worries, yes it all went fine thank you!

That’s understandable, yes it’s hard to be going into the unknown! I found all the consultants I spoke to really helpful in giving me information to make a decision myself so hopefully you will have the same.

The recovery for me wasn’t too bad I felt pretty much normal by 3 weeks and fully normally by 6. Best of luck whatever happens xx