I don't have an email address for Grainne O'Connor, so I'm sending a copy of
Beth's message to her by snail mail.  In the meantime it would be great if
other people could help in any way.

Please respond directly to [log in to unmask] if you
can offer any help/information/advice, etc.

Please also copy your message to the list.

Many thanks

Ishbel


----- Original Message -----
From: "eddie flower" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: 02 October 2000 03:40


Dear Friends, I am writing in hopes that you can pass on a message to one of
the contributors  to your website.  A midwife named Grainne O'Connor wrote
an article on Symphysis pubis pain/ diastasis symphysis pubis and I would
like to know if, in  any of her research, she has come across women who have
chosen c-sections as a means of minimizing further damage to the pelvis in
labour and if so , what was the outcome.  I am a 36 yr old mother of one
(born at home with independent midwives) am now 34/40 into my second
pregnancy aand suffering once again  (actually ,still ,4 yrs on) with
symphysis pubis pain.  I am very seriously considering a c-section as means
of delivery as  the post natal pain  was wworse than the ante-natal pain and
nearly drove me to depression and caused serious problems in caring for my
child , particularly in the first year, but also in general and certainly
now with this next pregnancy. The advice I have recieved has been mixed and,
to some degree, unsuitable. Pilates exercise to strengthen the area left me
unable to walk.  Physiotherapy was suggested by many: homeopaths, midwives,
obstetricians; but the physiotheraapist basically sent me away  after one
session saying most treatments were contraindicated during pregnancy and '
here's a belt' (uncomfortable and uselesss for me) . Her suggestions for
birth positions (left lateral) were in opposition to other's ( supported
squat). In the end, I felt that only I could decide what is right for me.. a
decision I have taken on before, obviously, having had my first child at
home.  However, I don't take the decision to have a c-section lightly,
especially as I wanted a family centered birth with my son there to witness
the miracle of birth and life first hand.  But in the end of the day, I feel
my ability to happily care for a four year old and a newborn is more
important than any of my other wishes and if I can prevent further damage to
my pelvis by missing out on pushing  out a big baby through a small pelvis
 my 1st son was 9lb 3oz and I had a 6 hr second stage) I wish to do so.
SO.... any 1st or 2nd hand  info  on others' experiences would be greatly
appreciated.  Thank you for your time in reading this account and in passing
this message on to Ms O'Connor and anyone else who might be helpful.  Yours
Sincerely, Beth Harris, London.