second.time
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When I had my son in 2012, I had an episiotomy that led to a third degree tear. Apparently it was pretty bad because I remember a nurse wincing sympathetically when someone told her the extent of the tears. In retrospect, though, I got off really easily -- I healed thoroughly and smoothly, was able to go off pain meds after just a few days, everything went 100% back to normal within a few months, and I haven't had any lingering complications.
I don't think I realized then how serious third-degree tears are, but now I've read more about them and it scares me for my second birth! I don't know if I'll "get lucky" a second time -- if I tear that badly or worse this time, I'm very concerned it will leave me with permanent issues, or result in a really long, painful recovery time.
My mom had a fourth-degree episiotomy/tear with my big brother and then had five more children (no C-sections) without any further issues or major tearing. She said the other births were totally fine, and we were very large babies too.
If you tore with your first birth, how did your second/third/etc. births go? I have nothing against C-sections, so I'd consider one if it will help avoid major injuries, but I'd also like to try a natural birth if I can.
I don't think I realized then how serious third-degree tears are, but now I've read more about them and it scares me for my second birth! I don't know if I'll "get lucky" a second time -- if I tear that badly or worse this time, I'm very concerned it will leave me with permanent issues, or result in a really long, painful recovery time.
My mom had a fourth-degree episiotomy/tear with my big brother and then had five more children (no C-sections) without any further issues or major tearing. She said the other births were totally fine, and we were very large babies too.
If you tore with your first birth, how did your second/third/etc. births go? I have nothing against C-sections, so I'd consider one if it will help avoid major injuries, but I'd also like to try a natural birth if I can.