Anyone had vaginal tears in first birth - how did it go second time around?

[MightBeMad]

With my first baby I ended up with a rotational forceps delivery, an episiotomy and two tears (2nd degree) running up the vaginal wall internally (caused by the forceps being dragged against it).

I'm now 27 weeks with baby no.2 and terrified of what might happen this time around. I have visions (nightmares!) of the delivery ripping open all the previous scars and making an even greater mess of my poor nethers!

Can anyone who had similar injuries from their first delivery share their experiences of second time around (especially if it was better!) so that I can get some perspective/prepare myself for what's to come? Thanks!

[OnTheNingNangNong]

I had similar tears but it's wasn't through intervention. Second time round I only had slight external grazing.

My second birth I was able to push when I had contractions which really helps reduce the risk of tearing

[MightBeMad]

Thanks ningnangnong, that's encouraging!

Bumping for the evening crowd. Any more stories you can share?

[PoppyWearer]

I had internal tears the first time around from DC1's fingernails and her just being in a bloody awkward position with her arms on her way out. Had to have an epidural after the birth and be stitched up in theatre.

It wasn't an issue at all with DC2, I "only" tore externally due to his mahooosive nose.

[Allthatglitters789]

I had a 2nd degree tear with both births.

[ZenNudist]

This is the kind of thing I don't want to ask for fear of the answer being bad, ie tear both times. Still, watching with interest!

[NaturalBlondeYeahRight]

No tears with second DC. Shelling peas DH said

[ilovepowerhoop]

I had a second degree tear with dd and had extensive stitching. I found recovery from the stitches worse than the birth itself. I always felt a bit 'tight' afterwards. With ds I also had a second degree tear but as there was no bleeding it was left to heal on its own i.e. no stitches (I have a feeling that it was existing scar tissue that tore which is why there was no bleeding). My recovery was much quicker and I had much less lasting pain after the second birth and the tightness was gone making sex much easier and more comfortable.

[yetanotherworry]

I had a 3rd degree tear first time and grazes the second time.

[NorthPolo]

I had a second degree internal tear first time, mainly due to waters breaking at last minute with mecomium in and having to get baby out asap. Second baby was v overdue, induced and bigger but only had a small graze (delivered standing and didn't really need to push). I did unfortunately need a whole 2 stitches but this was fingernail related like the person above and wasn't painful at all.

[Chubfuddler]

3/4 degree tear with no 1.

ELCS with number 2. It was bliss and I probably recovered more quickly from the cs than the vaginal delivery.

[BedHanger]

Second degree tear with stitches the first time - was very sore and I used those ice pack thingies for a while.

Minor graze second time around, no stitches needed and honestly, a day later it felt like I hadn't given birth at all.

[NAR4]

2nd degree tear of varying severities for all 5 births. Some were less painfull and healed quicker than others. This didn't seem to depend on the severity either.

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

I had internal tears following the delivery of ds1 that required surgery to control the bleeding. It's thought that it was caused when the MW untangled the cord from around his neck.

No problems with ds2 at all.

[Irishmammybread]

I had a Keelans forceps rotation with my DS,my episiotomy wound broke down and was left to heal by secondary intention so presumably lots of scar tissue.I was convinced my next delivery would also be complicated.
However,with my DD1 I had a tiny tear which didn't need suturing.
With my DD2 ,tiny tear ,one suture.
Good luck!

[hazeyjane]

Dd1 3rd degree - pretty bad
Dd2 2nd degree - mm, also pretty bad
Ds elcs - fucking awful!

However, I think I am just crap at giving birth!

[Flisspaps]

3a tear first time (episiotomy which extended and forceps)

No tearing second time (episiotomy and forceps)

[MightBeMad]

Thank you all!! Well, it seems to be a mixed bag. I'm going to focus on those of you who got away with a much better result second time around and keep my fingers crossed At least it doesn't sound as if too many people came off worse second time and I got through it once...

[firesideskirt]

Anecdotal but I knew 4 ladies who had forceps first time and no intervention subsequently (although my experience was rather better, so no personal experience)