The first thing my physical therapist pointed out to me when I was diagnosed with symphysis pubic dysfunction, SPD, is that the mode of the baby’s arrival would be important to consider. Already knowing that I plan to have an elective c-section based on my past experiences, she quickly added on that a c-section is the best way to deliver a baby from a mother suffering with SPD. Thinking about this, it makes perfect sense. Why try to force a child’s head through an area in your body that is in extreme pain? Why try for a vaginal birth when the reality of a vaginal birth for women with SPD is the action of splitting the pelvis further apart, possibly even breaking the pelvis, and causing life long problems and discomfort? Why not opt for the truly safer option for women with SPD, the elective cesarean and bypass the pelvic floor and further damage to that area completely?
Why, when based with the evidence of a professional, and based upon a mother’s own pain with SPD, is a vaginal birth even considered? Well, me being me, I checked out literature and forums surrounding this very topic. The topic of c-section with SPD versus vaginal birth. With despair, I noted that many women, women suffering with SPD, now also are suffering with disparaging answers and discussions on forums regarding their possible choice to have a c-section. Why is society so adamant that vaginal birth is best? Clearly, when a woman is suffering with SPD, c-section should be the most obvious and logical choice. Unfortunately, the forums I encountered suggested ways to still push for a vaginal birth with this condition. Ways that encouraged mothers to avoid a c-section at any cost. Ways that clearly were not optimal to a woman in labor. One such suggestion was measuring how far you could put your knees apart prior to labor without essentially cracking your pelvis, creating a ribbon loop, and using the loop during labor to not surpass that width. As a women suffering with SPD, I can assure you that the width would not be that far, thus making labor and delivery much more difficult to achieve. In addition, delivery of a baby vaginally by a woman with SPD increases the chances for SPD in the next pregnancy. For that matter, any traumatic vaginal birth where there is damage to the pelvis or pelvic floor results in an increased likelihood for SPD in future pregnancies. I know this to be true as my current SPD condition is a result of my weakened pelvic floor by way of my prior forceps traumatic delivery.
I’m all for choice in birth. However, when society dictates a decree about vaginal birth at any cost, I hesitate to agree. There should always be an open-minded discussion regarding the mode of delivery. One that considers the mother’s physical and emotional needs as well as the baby.
Thanks for reading,
Lauren
