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Childbirth

Natural delivery after a 3rd degree tear

42 replies

Dragonhart · 10/07/2006 19:22

Had my ds a year ago and am due next jan with a second. Last time I had a quick delivery and had a third degree tear. I have had afew problems since (but not too serious)and my doctor and the midwife when I went to my booking in appt, told me that they would advise a c section and the midwife even said that the consultant would be 'barbaric' if he made me give birth naturally. I accepted this but recently I read in another thread about bad childbirth experiences about a number of women who had had natural births after 3rd degree tears. Can anyone share their experiences good or bad as I am not sure what I would rather do and what would be best for me and the baby.

OP posts:

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Gem13 · 10/07/2006 19:33

I had a 3rd/4th degree tear and had DD 18 months later by a c-section.

Am currently pregnant with number 3 and would like to avoid a c-section this time.

I appear in lots of threads about it so do feel free to do an archive search with my name and tear. I need to crack on and make dinner.

CaptainDippy · 10/07/2006 19:38

Hello!! First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy - hope everything is going ok!!

I had a 3rd Degree Tear with my first following a very looooong labour and a very frustrated me pushing DD out too quickly I had too many stiches to count inside and out - so every sympathy to you honey!!

14 months after my horrid tearing experience I gave birth to DD2 naturally with no need for any stitching at all! There was no talk of my having to have a C-Section - I was just told that my pushing stage would just have to be much more controlled this time - and the midwife was fab - She made me stop and breathe at the correct time and I gave birth to DD2's head very slowly while she held my perinium (sp!!?)

Admittedly, DD2 was a tad prem (4 weeks early) was nearly 1/2 the size of DD1 (weight and head measurement etc); but I think it was the controlled delivery that made it better for me not the teeny baby!!

It can be done - do whatever you feel most happy and confortable with honey!!

Azure · 10/07/2006 19:41

I had a slow delivery and third degree tear (following ventouse and forceps). I decided to have a c-section next time around as I didn't want the risk of the same or worse happening again. The consultant said it was my decision - in my particular case there was no medical recommendation - but a number of other people I spoke to (midwives and my GP) agreed with me. A c-section is obviously not something to be taken lightly, and a straightforward vaginal birth is always the better option, but it was all a good experience for me and I feel I made the right choice for me. FYI I wasn't able to meet the consultant or make a final choice until I was 36 weeks. Best of luck whatever you decide.

schneebly · 10/07/2006 19:50

I had a third degree tear with ds1 and when I got pg with ds2 a cs was never even mentioned - I went on to have a natural birth with ds2 (8lbs 1oz - same as ds1) and had a fairly mild 2nd degree tear and have had no real problems since. I really didn't realise that a cs was advised in this instance

SoupDragon · 10/07/2006 19:58

I had a 3rd degree tear with DS1 (10lb baby, ventouse delivery, shot out like a cork at that point!) lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng repair job in theatre and no subsequent problems. 2 years later, had DS2 (2 weeks early, 2lbs lighter) and had an episiotomy to direct the tear away from the original one when it began to "button hole". Again, all healed well with no problems. 5 years later had DD at home in a pool (slightly heavier than DS2), controlled "panting" delivery, 2nd degree tear. Again, no healing problems afterwards.

After the 3rd degree tear, I did have a follow up ultrasound to check the repair and it was then that the consultant said there was no reason for me not to deliver subsequent children vaginally.

Dragonhart · 10/07/2006 20:34

Soupdragon, can you tell me more about the ultrasound check. How long after birth did you have it. I have not been offered that.

Thanks to all for the advise. Know it sounds silly but feels good to know that other people have had the same problems. Guess different places offer different things. The hospital did say that it was hospital policy to do c secitons after 3rd degree tears when I had the repair work done.

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SoupDragon · 10/07/2006 20:36

It was either 6 weeks or 10 weeks - I can't remember which!!

Basically they stick a probe up your bottom to check the scar. You have to squeeze so they can see the muscles around the repair working. You don't get to take away any ultrasound pictures though

SoupDragon · 10/07/2006 20:37

I think I was offered a c-section or early induction with DS2 but that was due to the size of DS1 rather than the tear. The tear didn't get mentioned by anyone although it was on my notes.

Greensleeves · 10/07/2006 20:38

I had a vaginal delivery 23 months after a third degree tear and multiple lacerations. I'm an idiot

The tears were much less severe the second time. I did have PPHs/transfusions after both deliveries but I think that was a separate issue.

Good luck xx

SoupDragon · 10/07/2006 20:38

There's another thread here and I'm sure there are loads more.

louismummy · 10/07/2006 21:57

i had a third degreee tearwith ds1, after 1hr 40 pushing ( no panting) i was offered cs my choice. i deffinitely didn't want a cs, i had an epidural much more controlled this time, had an episeotomy (sp?) because i was tearing, noprobs. i still though haven't repaired properly from the first time one side of my pelvic floor doesn't work, i had the probe and internal exam too. but by the time they found this out i was pregnant again.! personally with a small agae gap i didn't want a cs , as i would't be able to lift ds1 who still at 23months loves being carried. ds2 is 2 months. hth

pucca · 10/07/2006 22:13

Oh god this thread has got my brain twitching again lol.

I had 3rd degree tear with my dd 2.6 yrs ago, i will be having a c-section in 5 weeks time with no 2, i was advised straight away to have a section by my consultant who specializes in serious tears and i went with what she said, but have been up and down about it ever since, i guess the only thing that is making me believe a section is the way to go is the fact they think i am having a large baby this time, growth scan predicted 6.7lbs at 32 weeks.

Dragonhart · 10/07/2006 22:15

Soupdragon, thanks for the link to the thread. Have just finnished reading it and have to say that I feel quite lucky! I think that the thought of having a worse tear this time (I tore without intervention-the midwife said it happened even before the head was fully down) does not bear thinking about. Will talk to the consultant about testing to see how bad the dammage is but have to admit that a c section is looking better. It took about 2 1/2 months before I felt vaguely normal and about 6 weeks before I could walk properly or drive so that sounds pretty much the same as a c section. Only worry is that my ds will be 18months when new baby is born and prob still need loads of lifting. Will have to get him working on his walking!!!

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Waswondering · 10/07/2006 22:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dragonhart · 10/07/2006 22:20

Pucca, dont suppose that you could let me know how it goes. Know you wont feel like it for a while but when you get back on your feet - I would be very grateful

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Astrophe · 10/07/2006 22:28

After awful tearing with 1st I had an episiotomy for my 2nd, 21 months later. I REALLY didn't want one, but it was actually so much better and healed quickly.

pucca · 10/07/2006 22:38

Dragonhart...I will certainly let you know how i get on .There are loadsa threads on this subject, alot started by me and posted on by me lol

Waswondering...You have been fab with advising me as has Spub, and want to say thankyou so much. xxx

spub · 13/07/2006 09:37

Pucca, sweetie,
I am now 2 weeks post section and feeling pretty damned good. The first couple of days after the section are pretty uncomfortable and you do feel like a muppet cos you can't motor around but it does get better, honest!
Chin up, petal!

KatPoo · 15/08/2006 16:14

With my 1st child 7lb 8oz, 1 week early and had a 3rd degree tear after long back to back labour, failure with forceps / ventouse delivery. Was not aware of having to have a c-section until I saw doctor early with baby no.2. At 13 weeks had 1st scan / appt with consultant who said as I had not had any incontinence issues (thank god!!!) there was no reason why I could not have a normal delivery. . . however I have to see her at 36 weeks to check size of baby and only if it was large would she then reccomend a c-section. Please let me know your experiences in similar situations! Thanks x

Bugsy2 · 15/08/2006 16:27

With my first, I had an epi & then tore as well, which they said resulted in something similar to a 3rd degree tear.
I was absolutely bricking it with my second & forced the consultant to scan me at 38 weeks, so that they could measure the size of the babies head. Fortunately DD's head was 3cm smaller in diameter than DS's had been & I had a natural delivery with her. I tore, but this time only 2nd degree. Healed up no probs & I have no incontinence issues with wee or poo!
Good luck KatPoo & congrats on your 2nd pregnancy.

Panyanpickle77 · 15/08/2006 17:27

I had a third degree tear (labio cliteral....ew) due to my dd being a compound presentation, and a relatively quick delivery (4 1/2 hours total) which I had to have repaired twice. I was absolutely pegging it when preg with DS, as i was scared about the delivery (had flashback from DD's in the last couple of months). I had a completely supportive midwife team who were great, and my husband was diagnosed with a serious illness, which took my mind off the fear. I gave birth naturally, standing up, without any pain releif to a 9lb baby, and I didnt have a single tear, or require any stitches. I did a fair bit of research before he was born, and my midwife recommended massaging the old scar tissue, and perineal massage with vitamine E oil, which I really think helped. Have a look here
Perineal massage

100Vicki · 15/08/2006 20:29

Thank you for starting this thread. I had a very long labour with ds and ended up with 3rd degree tear (really nasty!). Am dreading this happening again as I'm now 5 months pg. No one has mentioned anything about a c-section. Will definitely ask midwife at next appt. Thanks again!

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jamiesam · 15/08/2006 22:44

Katpoo - I had practically the same advice as you - sadly i did have some incontinence issues for 6-8 months after the birth so this time round I'll be having a c/s. However, consultant was quite clear that without those issues, I'd have been a definite candidate for natural birth. I think there is RCOG or NICE guideline about 'considering cs after 3rd or 4th degree tear' which is not always interpreted consistently (i think some drs interprete 'consider' as 'recommend')

Dragonhart · 17/08/2006 12:46

Consultant told me too that only because I have had problems that I have the option. Might have to have an opteration after baby born so they said that if there was anymore dammage to the muscle it might lead to perminante incontinence!!

She told me that there is only a 5% chance of it happening again. So if you have had no probs I would def go for the natural birth. When I started this thread, I searched for info and there were lots of people who had had a number of deliveries without 3rd degree tears again. Someone replied earlier in the thread and put a link to another thread which helped me alot.

Pucca - how is everything going now??

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KatPoo · 25/08/2006 16:24

Hello everyone - just spoke to my midwife & she has said to start massaging my perinium with vitamin E or almond oil daily to get it to stretch & sit with legs spread on a birthing ball to get everything to stretch / open up prior to the birth, also she said when you get to the pushing stage just to really listen to what they are saying - push when they say to and pant when they say not to push!!!

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