Gynea Question

In that respect I think a chiro or some dr person that specialises in backs would be able to make a better judgement call than the gynae himself as they deal with babies and pregnancies and not with backs as such.

Maybe you could make an appointment to see a back specialist, just once, and get their opinion? Although they might request an x-ray which wouldn't be such a good idea during pregnancy, but maybe could ask something like that when making the appointment.

Whichever birth method you decide one thing I can tell you (or rather strongly urge you) is not to lift anything even remotely heavy for at least 6 weeks AFTER the birth, regardless of how you feel.
I had a totally natural (drug free) vaginal birth, so no epidural or spinal or anything (I was too terrified of having one so used hypnobirthing and never felt the need for one), and so literally within 20 min (as soon as the dr finished stitching the one tiny tear) I was off the bed and walking down the passage to go check on my baby (he'd been taken to the nursery due to breathing difficulties).

I never needed painkillers. the nurses kept offering and I could never figure out why as I had no pain. I felt like super woman LoL.

But as a result I wasn't particularly careful, and so about 2 or 3 weeks after birth I hoisted the pram into the back seat. And although it's not super heavy, it was heavy enough and I literally felt something give in my back.
Although I felt like super woman, all the ligaments were still soft from pregnancy. It's now more than 18 months later and I'm still struggling with back pain.

It had nothing to do with the birth itself, but rather with the weeks immediately following birth.

So that is one thing I can say is to be careful afterwards, no matter how great you feel.

Hi Huggles

Thanks for the response.

The issue with my back is a gym injury where I hurt my SI joint, it's basically the joint where your spine and pelvis join so it's exactly where the baby would push through and chances are that more damage would be caused during natural birth.
It has been quite crippling and I have already been on bed rest for a week with it since falling pregnant.

I know that natural is better for the baby, but I dont think its better for the baby to have a mother that can't stand or pick him up after he is born.

It is a decision that has been weighing on my mind because I do feel like I am being selfish, but sometimes I think one does need to consider the mother's condition too..

I havent decided 100% yet but I am leaning towards the ceaser. My chiro says anything can happen with either method, the midwife I saw said I should go for a ceaser, the gynea doesnt seem phased with either method...so they have literally left it in my hands. I almost wish my chiro or gynea would just tell me what to do.

I have the exact same issue with paediatricians.


It's a really tough choice because the personal touch really makes all the difference, and makes one feel important etc, but then again the personal touch isn't much good if they don't know their work well etc.

Maybe you could look into getting a doula or midwife to help you through your pregnancy. That way you'd get the personal touch from them, but the medical expertise from the dr?

I'm curious to know why you think a c-section would be easier on your back though? That was actually one of the reasons I was against having a c-section - because the spinal blocks can cause life long back troubles and I've always really struggled with my back and so was scared to potential cause more problems. I don't think a vaginal birth puts any unnatural pressure on the back at all, though I guess I could be entirely wrong about that.

Hi Hasie

He is actually one of the only gyneas that I know who is pro choice. He actually performs more natural births that C sections. Unfortunately I have a very bad back so it looks like I will be having a c section to avoid doing more damage (this is my choice, my gynea doesnt seem too concerned but I am worried about not being able to hold my son after he is born due to my back issues)

It is VERY important to me to be with a very good gynea. I know there are lots of good ones out there, however I personally had an experience where I went to a gynea for a check up before we started trying for a baby and he told me that I had PCOS and would struggle to fall pregnant without treatment. I was devastated after hearing that, only to find out that he totally misdiagnosed me and I never had PCOS and I fell pregnant naturally after trying for only 2 months.

I disagree when you say that only I deliver the baby, the gynea needs to know what he is doing, especially because I will most likely be having a C section, if he doesnt know what he is doing then it can me detrimental to both myself and my baby.

Technically my gynea is brilliant, I just wish he was a bit better with the people skills.

Hi Snail,

If I where you, I'd change my gyni even if I was 37 weeks!!!!!

And he is not the person who delivers your baby, YOU ARE!! Are you trying for a normal birth of opting for a c/section?

Why is it important to be with the "best" gyni in town? There are lots of very very good ones, and then there are also uber great midwifes who really will have a good relationship with you if you are their client.

If your gyni doesn't know who you are, do you think he's gonna care about your birth preferences? Is yours going to be seen as one of the hundreds of babies he "delivers" every year, or is it going to be YOU BABY'S ONLY BIRTH and your first birth???

Just saying...

Hi Everyone

So I need some opinions please. The gynea that I go to is considered to be one of the best in Joburg. He has been on Carte Blanche a few times, written articles, etc and just has a very good reputation.

When I found out that I was pregnant I considered myself lucky to have gotten an appointment with him. However, since he is so good, he is also VERY busy. So he won't see you unless you are pregnant, then when you fall pregnant he won't see you for your first appointment and sends you to someone else to make sure it is a viable pregnancy, he will then only see you for your 12 week scan.

When I saw him for the first time I really liked his mannerisms and bed side manner and I though "wow, no wonder he has such a good name", however since then I have somehow begun to doubt that he is that great. Yes, technically he may be brilliant, however he is SO busy that he has no idea who I am, even though I have now seen him a few times, He walked passed me in the passage the other day and didnt know who I was.
I had an issue with blood in my urine and I was really worried about it, I emailed him and just never got a reply and he never said anything to me about it at my next appointment.

Last week I had a huge scare where my glucose tolerance test came back raised and they wanted me to go for a more intense screening, he couldnt even call me himself and got his midwife who I really dont like to call me instead. Surely with something so serious he should have called me himself? Luckily it turned out that it was only slightly high and I dont have gestational diabetes, but he should have called me himself to explain this to me.

Am I being unreasonable wanting my gynea to know who I am and to respond to my emails and make me feel like we kind of have a relationship? Or should I just be grateful that my son will be delivered by one of the best gyneas in SA? I am 27 weeks so I wont change my doctor now, but I would just like to hear your opinions.