4th degree tear with 1st, now pregnant with #2

[DebbieF]

Does anyone have experience with having a 4th degree tear? (baby was posterior) I had an easy recovery with it, but now that number 2 is on the way I am getting nervous.. Are you as likely to tear as badly again? Would it be a better idea to have a c section? Any stories of experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BBbliss]

I had a tear with my first and had another baby a year and a half later and the second baby was much bigger and no tears the second time, no stitches, nothing!

Good luck!

 

[Tulip]

Not a 4th but I had a 3a with my first and then a 3b with my second (despite having laboured in the water). So I'm a bit paranoid at a third baby going into 4th territory and I would choose an ELCS.

Have a chat with your midwife at booking - you'll prob get to see a consultant anyway to discuss your options with history of a 4th - I know that having a 4th in the past would prevent you from using my local MLU, so there may be a greater potential for complications xx

 

[sharnw]

I tore in 3 parts. I'm pregnant again and petrified lol

 

[Lara310809]

I'm not Sure what degree tear I had with my first, but it was quite bad. I tore again with my second, though not as bad. I didn't tear at all with my third though

 

[Eleanor ace]

I had a 3c/4th degree tear (on my notes it says 3c but on my surgery notes the surgeon recorded tearing into the anal canal/recturm and treatment for a 4th degree tear so I'm not really sure ) and had a nice easy vaginal delivery 2nd time around. With my DS I had most of the risk factors for a bad tear- larger baby, back to back, longer 2nd stage of labour than anticipated, baby with his hand up by his face and got a bit stuck during pushing. With my 2nd I had some of the same factors- hand up and shoulder dystocia so got a bit stuck, back to back baby. But she was only 8lbs and my consultant agreed to a water birth which I feel really helped with my scar tissue stretching and I got away with tiny 1st and 2nd degree tears, no stitches .

 

[Hoping4Four]

I had a 3rd degree tear with my first as well as internal tearing, so like you I was pretty scared of it happening again. Thankfully with my second (and third) I only had a very small graze that didn't require any stitches whatsoever, despite my babies getting bigger each time

All the best!

 

[Teri7489]

I had a 4th degree tear with Isabella and may be pregnant again (test is questionable) so im terrified. After seeing a therapist after a traumatic labour i was told i was able to have a section if i wanted. A girl i work with told me she had a 4th degree tear with her first but had her second baby after a 4 hour labour with no tears or grazes, not even any pain relief. xxx