Elective c section or risk another tear?

[surferchic41212]

Hello all,
I had a ventouse delivery nearly three years ago with dc 1.. I was induced as two weeks late, cue 36 hours of 'not being in labour' and then epidural, suction etc later my little girl arrived. I had an episiotomy.. Don't know what grade, but I had really awful after issues. I didn't sit for a month, and had lots of issues. Then, six months after, it was all such a mess (two infections, attempting sex was horrendous and distressing), my parents helped me pay and see a specialist, who said 'you are a mess' (in a kind way) and said he would sort it out. In that operation, he ended up having to open up the original and redo the whole thing, as well as create an opening on the opposite side as the scar tissue was so bad I wouldn't have been able to have sex. It was the best thing I have ever done, and that surgeon is amazing. I'm now pregnant with dc 2, and my midwife said I should talk to a consultant about a c section.. I was pretty scared about opening either of the wounds again.. But what are the risks of that happening again? And what are the risks of c section? I'm not sure I could face six months of agony again, but I wondered if anyone had been through this? Thanks.

[surferchic41212]

Thanks rink.. I've got an app to see consultant, but wanted to be informed. A couple of friends had planned c sections and they were walking and up and about after a week or so. I didn't stand straight for a month! I'm sure they'll discuss all the options with me.. I had good care throughout last time...Just Sod's law..!

[nutelladipper]

I had similar to you first time round episotomy and 2nd year following ventouse leaving me too in a mess albeit I could have sex. Then had DC2 and had a worse ordeal resulting in another episiotomy and 2nd degree tear. My scars are horrific and have been told at a recent smear I should get it sorted.

Now35 wks with DC3 and I'm having a ELCS. I can't bear to have the same war wounds again or worse.

At some point I need to pluck up the courage to fix down below but I cant face it!

[Roonerspism]

I had a third degree tear with my first and a second with baby #2. They healed ok but I was left with a prolapse.

I was given the option of an ELCS for baby #3 and it was definitely the right decision for me. Sore for two weeks though which is hard with two little ones! But long term, recovery was way easier.

[RufusTheReindeer]

Similar situation

I had two further children by C section, with no problems, on doctors advice

Good luck

[Canyouforgiveher]

episiotomy/4th degree tear on first labour after forceps.

I had 2 ELCS after that and never regretted it. My recovery after each c section was way way easier than the first birth. I also left the hospital faster in each case.

[surferchic41212]

Thanks all..it sounds like the c sections were less traumatic overall. Other people I know say similar things.. Will be good to talk to midwives/specialists..

[Roonerspism]

The specialists will try to talk you out of it.... It was my midwife who suggested I push for it and I'm grateful she did

[AmberLav]

I had a 3rd degree tear with DC1, but it was fixed brilliantly in surgery, and then a 2nd degree tear with DC2, which was fixed brilliantly by a senior midwife. Now pregnant with DC3, and I do worry that I'll be unlucky the third time, but I will probably chance it. I do now know to put No episiotomies under any circumstances! on my birth plan, as I find that my tears have happened naturally and well.

One advantage I had first time round was that my sister had an awful recovery after a 3rd degree tear, as it was badly stitched by a midwife. When they were trying to decide if my first tear was a 2nd or a 3rd, I asked to go to theatre for a repair, and it was good as they discovered eventually that it was a 3c, so much worse than they'd thought in the birthing centre.

From what I have read, an elective c-section is a generally good outcome, but there can be healing issues for some people. whichever way you go, keep on top of the healthcare professionals, and don't stop nagging them to get the right treatment drugs etc. You would have been able to get the repair on the NHS, my sister was fixed by an NHS consultant who arranged for an induction for her second when the trusted consultant was on shift, to fix any problems second time round - she actually had no tearing at all the second time round... Good luck!

[lotsoftoast]

Had a beautiful natural caesarean after horrific third degree tear. Healed fine, was out and at playgroup with baby in the sling by day 5 and have had no issues. If you've had a good repair, don't risk your future continence or sexual function with a vaginal birth