Previous 3rd degree tear?

[Mama2Bee]

Hi ladies, has anyone suffered a 3rd degree tear and gone on to have a normal natural delivery second time around? It took me at least 6 months to recover from my tear last time and I am seriously considering an elective c-section (which I have been offered) x

 

[Babydance]

Hey sweetie, im the same (not pregnant 2nd time yet) but i had a horrendous time and like you it took me a good 6 months to recover and 9 months to be able to have sex! I was told by my gyne at the time i'd be offered a c-section next time but i could also opt for natural if i chose to. She said youre as likely to tear first time as you are second time? which i didnt quite understand if there is existing scar tissue surely youd be more likely to tear 2nd time? anyway im thinking i may just have an epidural and have it topped up through pushing etc but im also really confused about it? i'll be keeping an eye on this thread. Sorry for not being much help! xxxx All the best whatever you chose

 

[Mama2Bee]

thank you, good to know i am not alone.. it took us 8 months to have (very cautious!) sex and i worry that if i tried to have another natural birth it could really pour cold water on our sex life.. at least with a c-section you know your downstairs area will stay as it is now!!

My other big fear is being incontinent as I had no control over my bum for a long time and it was so embarrassing when visitors came over!!

i have been reading the elective c-section thread and it does sound more appealing, i know that it is major surgery but it feels like more of a known quantity than a potentially horrific tear and long recovery...

xx

 

[Babydance]

Yes i was the exact same!! I have only JUST got control now at 19 months PP and its not even good control! Our sex life has just got back to normal as i kept having panic attacks etc and it did put alot of strain on things. I do know a woman who became doubley incontinent after a 4th degree tear and i worry this could happen to me as i was borderline 4th degree! what are the docs/midwives saying to you? xxx

 

[Mama2Bee]

yes i have heard lots of horror stories about ladies becoming double incontinent and it is a big risk to take. when i left hospital after having my son (i was in for 5 days so longer than a c-section stay...) the midwife who cared for me said to me i should have a c-section if i have any more children, and my current midwife is encouraging me to have a c-section too. i saw a consultant who said it was my choice entirely but if i had a natural delivery i should have a very experienced midwife to help keep the tearing to a minimum... all well and good but if you happen to go into labour at a busy time there would be no guarantee of an experienced midwife or specialist care. also my tear came about as a result of a ventouse delivery with episiotomy as i couldn't push ds out and he went into distress, in the same circumstances i am sure i would tear again. i was in theatre for the first hour and a half of ds life and i regret that. i have to say I am leaning towards a cs all things considered... xxx

 

[ermm23a]

I am having an elective C-section for fear of having a massive tear. My husband was an 11 lb baby and they took him 3 weeks early. My own baby was measuring 3 weeks ahead at my last ultrasound, and I did fertility treatments so I know my dates aren't off.

My doctor said I could "try" to labor and have him vaginally if I wanted to, but she recommended going ahead and scheduling a section because she said he will more than likely be too big for me to deliver on my own. I am completely fine with this, as I have a friend who had a 10 lb baby vaginally and had a 3rd degree tear with lots of complications.

C-section scares me if I really think about it, but I trust my doc and she said it would be far less traumatic for baby to be delivered that way than to try the other way with him being so big already.

 

[Mama2Bee]

I am having an elective C-section for fear of having a massive tear. My husband was an 11 lb baby and they took him 3 weeks early. My own baby was measuring 3 weeks ahead at my last ultrasound, and I did fertility treatments so I know my dates aren't off.

My doctor said I could "try" to labor and have him vaginally if I wanted to, but she recommended going ahead and scheduling a section because she said he will more than likely be too big for me to deliver on my own. I am completely fine with this, as I have a friend who had a 10 lb baby vaginally and had a 3rd degree tear with lots of complications.

C-section scares me if I really think about it, but I trust my doc and she said it would be far less traumatic for baby to be delivered that way than to try the other way with him being so big already.

sounds like a sensible idea - esp if this is your first baby, recovery will be easier as you won't have a toddler to run after! have you read the planned c-section thread on here, it makes c-section sound very pleasant!! good luck xx

 

[Babydance]

god its like we had the same delivery hun!! i was only on g&a the surgeon came in to try and try LO so shoved both her hands up to try but failed so i had an episiotomy and forceps! Then down to theatre for 2 hours. I think going on the info you have a c-section would be the safer option? cos you have no guarantees whos going to deliver your baby if you go naturally. My friend who ended up doubley incontinent ended up having to have 3 ops in the year after her labour under GA and that again holds its own risks!

 

[Mama2Bee]

god its like we had the same delivery hun!! i was only on g&a the surgeon came in to try and try LO so shoved both her hands up to try but failed so i had an episiotomy and forceps! Then down to theatre for 2 hours. I think going on the info you have a c-section would be the safer option? cos you have no guarantees whos going to deliver your baby if you go naturally. My friend who ended up doubley incontinent ended up having to have 3 ops in the year after her labour under GA and that again holds its own risks!

right then c-section it is!!! i like being able to control my bum now!!!

spooky how similar our deliveries were...

when do you think you'll have another baby?
xxx

 

[Babydance]

god its like we had the same delivery hun!! i was only on g&a the surgeon came in to try and try LO so shoved both her hands up to try but failed so i had an episiotomy and forceps! Then down to theatre for 2 hours. I think going on the info you have a c-section would be the safer option? cos you have no guarantees whos going to deliver your baby if you go naturally. My friend who ended up doubley incontinent ended up having to have 3 ops in the year after her labour under GA and that again holds its own risks!

right then c-section it is!!! i like being able to control my bum now!!!

spooky how similar our deliveries were...

when do you think you'll have another baby?
xxx

lol yes bum control is always nice! i think we'll probably start trying when LO past her 2nd birthday? Its taken me until about a month ago to accept we were going to have another before that the thought petrified me!! xxx

 

[gmcmommy]

Hello ladies. Just wanted to let you know that it is possible to go on and have a natural delivery after a 3rd degree. With my first I was actually cut as far as you could be and delivered naturally. The second delivery was much smoother. I did tear of which the doctor said it was so minute that a stitch was not even necessary but went ahead and put 1 in. Let me tell you also that the recovery from the first was months and months where as the second was much much sooner, well within the 6 week post partum time. I am planning on a natural delivery this third time around and will make sure that I am prepared no matter what happens. Witch hazel pads are a savior as I am sure you all know

 

[dannyboygirl]

idk but

 

[Kylarsmom]

i had a 3rd degree episiotomy, that was the only way they could get the baby out. i pushed for 4 hours before he did the episiotomy and got him out. im seriously considering a c-section as well bc of how traumatic that was for me. i also took a really long time to recover, and i just dont want to chance going through that again! plus i have GD, so I cant help but just thinking a c-section would be the better choice for me.