anyone else had a 3rd and a 2nd degree tear?

[Jenny123G]

I am interested to speak to anyone who has had both a 3rd and 2nd degree Tear or anyone who knows someone who has.
Basically I've had both and am pregnant again and have a choice of vaginal birth or c. Section. Not sure what to do

[downtonscullery]

Yes, me unfortunately. I'd go for a c-section every time. Wish I hadn't allowed myself to be talked out of a c-section for my second birth if I'm honest.

[How2GetItOut]

I've had both. First baby was a 2nd (4.4kg!), second was a 3rd (only 3.5 kg!). Now 22 weeks with DC3 and in same dilemma - deciding vaginal v section. Have had some not so nice symptoms after 3rd degree tear, so leaning towards section, but still really undecided, as am a bit (extremely) hesitant about surgery and also don't have family around to help after birth. If you've had no negative symptoms and really prefer a vaginal birth I would go for it. From what I understand, risk of tearing again is not higher given previous tear. However, if you have had some symptoms (ie. incontinence), risk of vaginal birth worsening the symptoms is quite high (as much as 25%). My brain is screaming section, but my heart is screaming NO!

There are some very informative posts on mumsnet about this exact issue if you do a search. Hope it all goes well, what ever you decide, and happy to hand hold as you make decision, as I'm in the same boat!

[downtonscullery]

The issue is that although you may not have symptons immediately after a third degree tear (you can go years feeling 'normal') unfortunately as a result of such a horrific tear you may in all likelihood suffer in later years.

I thought I'd got away without any symptons after my third degree tear (and merrily ignored the statistics that show that as you get older and the muscles weaken particularly with the menopause, the third degree tear will make itself known) but several years later and I'm starting to suffer...

I know my second degree tear has weakened my muscles further. Definitely not planning any more children (my poor body couldn't take it!) but if I did I'd go with a c-section to prevent further damage.

[maxbear]

I delivered a woman who had had a third with dc1, a second with dc2 and no stitches with dc3. I don't think she had had any problems after her first one though. The chance of another third degree tear is around 5% if you have had one before, most third degree tears are only just third degree though and will heal well without any major problems, some (3b and 3c) tears are more severe and should really be classed differently. I would consider which type it was originally, as well as whether there were any nasty effects postnatally when considering future births.

[Jenny123G]

Thank you for all your replies
Maxbear:
This may sound weird but I'm unsure of the severity of my third degree tear all I can tell you is this. Immediately after I gave birth alarms were sounded and after a quick hold of baby I was rushed to theatre where I had a spinal and was stitched up by two people for roughly 45 mins. After that next day I had a physio visit me and had a machine placed by my bottom for 30 mins think it was some kind of laser therapy. Was given a leaflet to take away for floor exercises. It took me a week to pass a stool and I can tell you it was the most horrific event of my life and took four hours. I saw a consultant about 2 months later who looked at my pereniam and signed me off.
I have always suffered on and off with my back since but not so bad I need to see someone. Although I regained all muscle control passing stools can be hard work sometimes. With my second I wasn't offered a choice of birth which didn't bother me as I never considered a c section any way. I was just advised to do a lot of perenial massage during pregnancy which I did. I had second degree tear which was 5 stitches and done by midwife straight after birth.
I really would prefer a vaginal birth but I don't know What's best for me and I can't get a straight answer out my consultant or midwife which I do understand why they won't as both carry risk. All my midwife has said is come on here talk to others and do a lot of research as if she were in my situation she wouldn't know what to do. I'm just very confused.

[griphook]

I had a 2nd with my first and 3rd with my 2nd. I just been signed off from my consultant, my first was born at 38 weeks weighing 6.4 oz and 2nd was 42 weeks induced weighing 8.3 oz.

The consultant suggested that if I wanted another baby the best thing to do would be to have a weight scan around 34 weeks to see how big the baby was expected to be as my body seemed to cope with smaller babies.

I had a 3c, I haven't had any incontience since giving birth but in the third trimester of pregnancy I would leek urine sometimes.
the way I look at it is at the moment I have complete control over my bladder and vowels but I'm not sure that would be the case if I had a third so I would op for a c section.

Also I found the whole being rushed to threater really traumatic ( I sure a c section is aswell) but maybe if it was planned im you could prepare yourself

Also ( and this will sound silly) I not sure psychologically I could push another baby out and I wonder if subconsciously I would hold back and if this would be dangerous for the baby.

Have you had a bum scan to check for scarring as I believe that makes a difference to subsequent births?

[griphook]

I had a 2nd with my first and 3rd with my 2nd. I just been signed off from my consultant, my first was born at 38 weeks weighing 6.4 oz and 2nd was 42 weeks induced weighing 8.3 oz.

The consultant suggested that if I wanted another baby the best thing to do would be to have a weight scan around 34 weeks to see how big the baby was expected to be as my body seemed to cope with smaller bab

I had a 3c, I haven't had any incontience since giving birth but in the third trimester of pregnancy I would leek urine sometimes.
the way I look at it is at the moment I have complete control over my bladder and vowels but I'm not sure that would be the case if I had a third so I would op for a c section.

Also I found the whole being rushed to threater really traumatic ( I sure a c section is aswell) but maybe if it was planned im you could prepare yourself

Also ( and this will sound silly) I not sure psychologically I could push another baby out and I wonder if subconsciously I would hold back and if this would be dangerous for the baby.

Have you had a bum scan to check for scarring as I believe that makes a difference to subsequent births?

[griphook]

maxbear

*some (3b and 3c) tears are more severe and should really be classed differently

If you happen to come back in this thread could you elaborate a bit more, initially I was told I had a 3a tear but not be told its a 3c what's the real difference

[Jenny123G]

Thanks for sharing griphook
I was told by consultant that although scans on the bottom are available its not offered in our area so not an option for me.
I didn't know they had a classification for 3rd degree tears. I was only ever told it was a tear. Any ideas how I find out?

[soandsosmum]

I had a 3b with dc1 and am planning a water home birth for dc2 any day now. I had some bladder incontinence for a few months after dc1 but would prefer a vaginal birth. Consultant said he couldn't see why not and my midwife says she's had two women with previous 3s deliver with no tear at all

[hazeyjane]

I had a 3rd degree with dd1 and a 2nd degree with dd2. The stitching with dd1 was under a spinal in theatre, but stitching with dd2c was worse - done my mw, who cocked up and had to call in someone else (all a bit if a bkur as I kept passing out!)

I was never offered a csection when pg with ds, but had suffered double incontinence and fought for one.

Unfortunately the cs was the worst of all 3 births!

I have also found that continence issues are still worse, despite the elcs. I suppose because a lot of the damage to the muscles are done during pregnancy rather than birth. Although if I had torn badly again then I guess it may be worse......

good luck with your decision.