Anyone getting a planned C-section after a 3rd or 4th degree tear?

[oneway]

I was wondering if there were other mommas out there who are will or have already had a planned C after a serious tear the first time. I had a traumatic birth with my first LO which resulted in a 4th degree tear and internal tearing and it took them 90 minutes to fix me up in the OT. I did not hold my LO until a couple of hours after birth. I would be so grateful if I could hear from others who are in the same situation.

This time I opted for a planned C. My section is fixed for the 2nd of March.

Hope to read some responses here!

 

[bumblebeexo]

Me! I have a planned c-section in 2 weeks time.

My DD was born, no issues, an hour or so after birth I began feeling faint. When the midwife made me stand I collapsed and started losing a LOT of blood, my OH had to catch me before I fell on the ground. I was rushed to theatre where it was found I had a 4th degree tear, high up, so it had gone unnoticed. I was in theatre for a couple of hours and it was very traumatic for me and my OH so we opted for a c-section this time. I've had people tell me that it would be a slim chance of it happening again but the doctors I have spoken to know how traumatic and scary the whole thing was, for both them and me, so I feel happy with my choice.

 

[oneway]

Oh that sounds horrible! I am glad you recovered well and I am happy to have found someone who understands the trauma of a 4th degree. It was like a c-section of the vagina with a very long recovery time. The anal incontinence really changed me and I thought I would have to go in adult diapers for the rest of my life. The fact that I have healed well is very heartening. But I cannot risk undoing all of that by having a natural birth.

Did you have a long recovery as well? Like you, I am happy with my choice but it's really nice to connect with someone who has been through what I have and discuss things.

 

[bumblebeexo]

Recovery wise I was in pain for a long time and I ended up back in the hospital a couple of weeks after with an infection, I had to stay in for a couple of days. It took me a couple of months to feel 'normal' again. However there have been no long lasting effects such as incontinence which I am very grateful for as they did say there was a high risk of that happening. That's also what made me decide on a c-section this time as my doctor told me that if I tore like that again the chances of bowel/urinary incontinence would be much higher.
Was it simple for you to have your c-section booked? I had no problems but I've heard of some doctors/consultants trying to discourage it and encourage natural delivery in cases similar!

 

[oneway]

I am also very grateful that I don't have any permanent damage from the tear. I was diligent about doing kegels and now I don't even have urinary incontinence when I laugh or sneeze like some of my other pregnant friends have.

They don't encourage c-sections here in Norway and they tried to list out all the risks involved, including death. Then I asked if they could guarantee that I would not tear again the way I did. They had to admit that they did not know for sure and then the consultant admitted that I was the first person he had seen that had had a 4th degree tear. They are not that common.

Hope you have a calm and peaceful birth experience! Most of all, I look forward to being able to hold my LO soon after birth instead of 2 hours later like last time.

 

[littlefish85]

Hi guys! I am in a similar situation but earlier (nearly 11 weeks with number 2!) Can I ask if you found it difficult to make your decisions? I had a 3c tear after forceps and struggled with bowel problems for maybe 6 months post baby. I'm not scared of another labour but not sure I could face that recovery again! So I'm leaning towards a section... but also a bit upset that I might not be able to have another vaginal delivery. Also scared about coping with recovery from section with a toddler. It's so difficult and even health professionals seem to have different opinions! Hope you have wonderful birth experiences... exciting to be so close

 

[oneway]

Hi littlefish!

Thanks for sharing your story! Everyone assumes that every vaginal birth is better than a c-section. It's only those of us who had a bad 3rd or 4th degree tear know that a bad vag delivery is worse in terms of recovery time than a planned c-section.

I have a 3 year old at home, but he goes to daycare thankfully. My mother-in-law is coming to help out the first week, my husband will take over week 2 and 3 and then my parents are coming to help me out after that. I am VERY lucky to have so much help. Can you get help from parents, siblings or friends? Is it possible to get some babysitting for your toddler?

 

[littlefish85]

hey yeah sounds like you've got a great set up there! my little boy will be 18 months when baby comes so still quite little. i guess i still have plenty of time to think about it and plan - that's another positive to a section... no stress about sorting childcare when waiting for labour, you have a definite date! so that will be good.

that's great that you recovered well with no lasting damage. i had physio and was like that with kegels - so determined to get everything as back to normal as possible! don't want to end up back at square one!

 

[DebbieF]

I have an appointment next week with one of the OB's at my practice that is a "pelvic floor specialist" I had a 4th degree tear with my dd in Dec 13. (She was posterior) At my last appointment with the midwife she suggested a c-section after numerous others told me it wasn't necessary. In a way, I like the idea of basically just going in at a certain time and knowing that my baby will arrive quite quickly. On the other hand, surgery scares me. I will try to remember to update this after my appointment.

 

[oneway]

Good luck with the appointment Debbie! Keep us posted.

 

[Teri7489]

Thank you for this post! I feel I'm going mad thinking about delivery and I'm just under 11 weeks gone. I had a 4th degree tear in October 2013 with my daughter and have suffered faecal incontinence since. Even after intensive physio. I was supposed to have it repaired but ended up really ill with chronic cholecystitis and liver failure which still causes complications to this day so never had that surgery.

I have a consultant appointment soon to discuss delivery but my head is a mess. I don't think physically I could cope with a vaginal delivery but having more abdominal surgery scared the hell out of me after a bad gallbladder op. Argh. Sorry for the stupid post? Blah this is hard!

 

[oneway]

Oh wow Teri! I really wish you all the best in your recovery and pregnancy! That's a lot to deal with!

If you have fecal incontinence I don't think they will encourage natural birth, especially since you need surgery down there that has not been done yet. What does your doctor or midwife say?

You said the gallbladder surgery scared you. Can you tell us why? A planned c-section is probably different from other abdominal surgery because you have a baby at the end of it. A lot of happy hormones are released that might help with the pain. At least, that is what I am telling myself.

 

[chicky160]

Hi ladies! Can I join you all? I will be having a section in April around the 22nd ish (date not confirmed) after a horrid time with ds1. I also suffered horrendous tearing after and episiotomy and forceps delivery, not to mention manual placenta removal

A section has been recomended by my consultant and midwife from day 1 because I'm still suffering bowel issues 19 months on and will need surgery to fix it.

Recovery sucked! I'm praying this time it'll be easier emotionally if not physically to recover from!

 

[oneway]

I hope so too Chicky! Are you having the bowel surgery after the baby is born? I wish you all the very best for a smooth pregnancy and a calm and peaceful delivery!

 

[DebbieF]

Hi all, I'm just coming back to update my post from earlier. I met with the pelvic floor specialist today, and I am 99% sure I am going to opt for a c-section. He took a look at how things were down there and he said everything looks like it healed nicely from my previous tear. He did say that if it hadn't, he would have suggested a natural birth as he would need to repair it again anyways. He also said, if we were planning on having a large family (4-5 more kids) he would encourage a natural birth as well. Since this will probably be our last I think this is going to be the best option for me. I am scared of surgery, but more afraid of tearing again and having fecal incontinence or worse.

 

[oneway]

It makes sense what the pelvic floor specialist said. Glad to hear that you are dealing with a reasonable medical professional! I too, am afraid of undoing everything that has healed, especially because it has healed well. A c-section is therefore the best option for me. Like you, this will probably be my last pregnancy. So I am at peace with my decision. I will update this thread in a couple of weeks to let everyone know how a c-section compares to a 4th degree tear repair.

 

[oneway]

I am getting into single digits now. Not long! I am excited and a bit nervous. Hope it all goes well. I have a friend that was due and had a c-section planned but her baby arrived yesterday. The baby arrived so fast that there was no time for a c-section! But both mother and baby are doing well. She is a VBAC. I was reassured at the hospital that if baby starts to come earlier than planned that I would still have a c-section. They told me not to wait long if I have symptoms of labor because if baby's head starts to squeeze out then I will not be able to have a c-section.

Hope this little guy stays in until his planned c-section date of March 2nd!

 

[Teri7489]

Hi there, thank you for replying to me.

My midwife booked me in for an urgent consultant apointment to discuss it, but she thinks a section would be better. My gb surgery went wrong. Instead of an hour it took five as I have masses of fibroids surrounding it, then it burst leading to a huge bile leak that needed a full washout. My liver then failed so was really poorly. I took a long time to recover from the surgery and my wounds ended up infected. Couple that with several admissions afterward because of continuing gb attacks. The whole surgery thing just scares me. Xxx

 

[oneway]

Sounds awful Teri!

All of that after a 4th degree tear! You had a lot going on! Hopefully by then you are ready for your planned C-section you would have healed even more, both emotionally and physically and will have a great birth!

Hopefully you will hear my own positive story in a few days

 

[Teri7489]

I hope so, ill be stalking!! Gl xxx