labor with the band?

silry · January 13, 2008

i'm 23 weeks pregnant with a very big boy with long legs! b/c of my lapband they are treating me as high risk, which is actually kind of cool b/c i've had 3 really fun ultrasounds. i'm not thrilled to be gaining weight (up 7lbs currently), especially after only losing something like 20lbs and getting knocked up so soon after my surgery. (he was more then an "oops" baby!)

i notice i'm starting to get stuck more and more, which makes me very nervous. since i got banded in Mexico, i don't really have any support from my surgeon on how to proceed. we're trying to figure out a way for me to get an unfill.

so of course i'm nervous about that, but what really has me freaked is labor. from what i've read, women can vomit b/c of the stress of labor. not just a little, but violently. so now i have this huge fear of slipping my band during labor and having to go into emergency surgery right afterwards.

because i'm "high risk" i have the option of choosing a c-section over vaginal. my doc is actually rather anti-c-section, but is giving me the option. i don't want MORE scars on my poor belly and the recovery time is longer then vaginal.

so, my question is how many of you with bands that have had children since being banded, had vaginal birth? did you have any issues with your band as a result?

(sorry for the LONGEST POST EVER. i applaud your patience!) :smile:

want2beme · January 13, 2008

Thanks for posting this. I am a little more than 1/2 way to my goal and would like to get pregnant when I am at goal. I also thought about a C-section. I am planning on a Tummy Tuck too, so maybe a C-section is the way to go! No more Blow-Out Vagina! haha...

If I were you, I'd definately get an unfill! Just to be on the safe side. You are going to gain weight no matter what. You already have the tools to get back on track after the baby is here. You'll be fine. Who was your doctor?

silry · January 13, 2008

Who was your doctor?

Dr. Ortiz in TJ, Mexico. I was very happy with my surgery and all that, but it's just a bit scary to not be able to go to his office and ask for options. Plus it's a bit of a pain to get down to MX with our work schedules. We don't want to use up sick time NOW - want to save it for when I pop out the kidlet! My husband is mortified to send his pregnant wife to MX alone. LOL.

NataliesMommy · January 15, 2008

Hey Silry!

I've been banded for almost 2 yrs and delivered a healthy baby in Oct. Vaginal delivery. No complications. Everything went great!

Back in the spring, I got a fill, and went home and found out I was pregnant. No joke. I was worried that I'd have to have an unfill to not only provide nutrients to the baby, but also to prevent slippage.

My surgeon told me that it should be fine as long as I was not throwing up all the time. I had your average case of morning sickness, I guess you could say. But the band was fine, and did not slip. So, I didn't have to get an unfill, and I just waited until after the baby was here to get my next fill. Overall, I actually lost weight during my pregnancy. About 40lbs total.

And my OB said that as long as I was taking my Vitamins, the baby would be fine. He just advised me the food that I am able to get down, should all be healthy.

Congrats and good luck w/ the little one!! :smile: