We're WTT for LO number 2, I had a 3rd degree tear with LO, also because he came out with his arm up. I went for scans and a function test to see how I've healed and I've been reassured that I've healed very well and am safe to go for a vaginal delivery next time . I'd definitely recommend getting checked out thoroughly (if you haven't already lol) so that you can make an informed choice. Good luck!

Thanks Sounds good, glad to hear that you have healed well Did you have to ask for the tests to check or were they standard? I just had to see a consultant after wards for a quick check up some months after but that was all. My mw seems to think ill be ok, I healed quick and havent had any problems and it will be getting on to 4 years since I had George, I have an appointment soon with Birth Reflections so I can ask them about it all too and see what they say

I just had to reply to this...my doctor told me the odds of tearing badly again were actually slim especially if it was a tear due to having a nuchal hand (hand coming out with the head). I'm only pregnant with my 2nd but I thought I'd share my story...

With my DS, his right hand was clenched in a fist beside his left ear with his elbow sticking straight out! Instead of facing my spine he was facing up and to my left a little. He was 8lb 5.5oz and 27 inches long (that's right, 27). I had a 4th degree tear. He tore my colon completely away from my rectum requiring a plastic surgeon to repair me. It took about an hour and a half for him to stitch everything back up! It's probably a good thing I had an epidural - but that one was no question for me since I have a twisted pelvis and my lower three discs and tailbone are twisted and slightly cocked to the side so I was miserable during labor! I also ended up with a severe infection when DS was 11 days old. Ultimately, I have seen 3 OB doctors and my family doctor for consult about whether or not I should have an elective C-Section. All 4 are very confident that I will most likely have a perfectly normal vaginal delivery as tears caused by nuchal hands aren't likely to repeat.

I'm not saying I'm not nervous about the delivery of this one but it's more because I'm afraid I won't make it to the hospital! I live about 30 minutes from the nearest hospital and the one I'm supposed to go to is about 35 minutes. I don't remember having any fears like this with my son!

Sorry to make this so long but I would like to stress that you should get another opinion if this is something that concerns you! I was extremely concerned at first so I did a lot of research and ended up having 4 people look at my tear site (aka my lady bits) just to ease my mind and I'm totally cool with vaginal delivery now! In fact, I have so much faith in their opinions that my general doctor will be delivering my baby again this time!

Thanks a lot for sharing your story, that's very reassuring that you can go for a vaginal delivery again after going through all of that before. I spoke to my midwife and doctor and they said pretty much along the same lines of what they said to you about the arm etc happening again to me and also that I am less likely to tear as badly again with my 2nd baby etc so I am feeling a lot more comfortable about it now. I also have an appointment to see someone here from a service called Birth Reflections where they will go into detail with my notes from before and explain everything to me and the risks etc so that should be informative too. I also read that a lot of women have gone on to have home births too which is something else I have been looking in to as I am not far from the hospital so it is definitely reassuring to read other peoples experiences and get different opinions both from medical professionals and the people who have been there and gone through it

Birth reflections sounds like a great idea. When is your appointment?

*nervously peeks into thread*

I had 2nd degree tear from midwife shoving her hand up me trying to manually turn my back to back baby, and then a big 3rd degree episiotomy.

Nervous about subsequent labours.

Its on May 2nd so not too long to wait. I'm looking forward to it and will no doubt have a list of questions haha. My midwife appointment is then on the 4th May so it will be nice to have the two appointments close together and have everything all fresh in my mind

Oooh ouch *winces* hopefully 2nd time around will be a better experience for you. I haven't seen anything too worrying regarding tearing again since ive been looking into this which is reassuring, this forum has been a great help

Just because you tore with your first baby doesn't mean you will with your second baby. In fact, your perineum is more "flexible" than it was with your first baby. If you have a good repair with your first, I would go ahead and do a vaginal delivery. It's much less invasive and risky.

I nearly your straight through with my son it took 45 minutes to stitch and forever to heal. I have birth to my daughter 15 months later and needed no stitches I had one graze. I also had my son practically yanked out of me with the vaccume.