C section after 3rd degree tear?

[Olipops22]

I’ve recently gave birth to my first baby who was 9lbs1oz which I was extremely shocked at as
I am only 5ft1 and weigh 7stone. I suffered a third degree tear (unsurprisingly!) had to stay in hospital for 3 nights and also had to have a blood transfusion. I was never told that I was expected to have a big baby. I am now extremely anxious about the same thing happening if I was to have another baby. Would I be offered a c-section for any future babies?

[Quaffy]

Rightly or wrongly I don’t think a third degree tear is likely to be enough that you’re offered one but certainly you can ask for one.

Congratulations and hope you’ve recovered by now

[Mrsaverage1]

Hi! Congratulations! I had a 3a tear with my first baby due to a very rapid induced delivery. (Or I think that's why)
I was automatically offered a follow up with a consultant and a physio 6 weeks after birth and then automatically referred at booking in with this baby for a consult again.

Both consultants gave me the statistics involved with a natural delivery second time around but ultimately said it was up to me. They had no reservations about a natural delivery in my case and I found recovery absolutely fine so I'm not opting for a section but never felt I'd have had a "fight" to get one if I did.
Consultant at 20 weeks also told me that if I changed my mind to just ask the MW to refer me back to him. I have an obstetrician friend who tells me this is all (or should be) according to guidelines. Hope this helps!

[Allhallowseve]

You will be consultant led for any subsequent births and would be offered a c section. I had 3b tear first baby second baby had vaginal birth with episiotomy then a hamorhage. I'm now pregnant with number 3 and opting for an else this time round.

[Allhallowseve]

That should say ELCS

[Monkeytapper]

I had a 3 rd degree tear with first baby and was offered a c section with 2nd baby 2 years later.

[sianyb83]

I had my DS nearly 5 years ago, and had a tough birth and forceps delivery and 3b tear.
I'm now 37 weeks, I was offered a c-section from my consultant at around 24 weeks. The risk of tearing again is pretty low - about 1 in 20 - but if you suffer any incontinence after (bladder or bowel) the nhs seem to push for c-section.
After much discussion, I decided to still go for a vaginal delivery but found out at 32 weeks the baby is breech...and still head today...so a c-section is looking more likely!!
I'm also measuring on the 110th so they've estimated baby's weight as close to 10lbs - so despite my reservations a c-section seems the after option.
Anyway, my point overall was I have felt very supported by nhs - I could have booked section as early as 20 weeks...but I'm glad I was giving options around trying for a vaginal delivery this time, even if it hasn't turned out that way with the baby now being breech!

[MythicalBiologicalFennel]

I had a 4th degree tear with my first (healed well) and was told I would be offered a section for subsequent births. It wasn't the case at all. My next pregnancy was midwife lead and she was obstructive when I tried to get a consultant appointment for a section (had done my homework and knew the risks mainly thanks to MN!). I have written about it here before but yes I had to fight hard and smart to see that consultant! Once we got there it was straightforward and he said a section in my case was a no brainer. It's a tough choice but I don't want to be incontinent.

[userabcname]

I think it depends on your trust. I had a 3dt and PPH in 2017 and am currently pregnant- consultant-led and was offered either another vaginal birth or c section. Consultant said he would support either decision and gave me the risks of both at my first appt. I have gone for an ELCS and booked in for next month.

[MythicalBiologicalFennel]

Forgot to say that my section and recovery were a walk in the park compared to the VB, stitches etc. Odds of tearing again of 1 in 20 sound risky to me. A bad tear is serious injury. You will have to live with it, nobody else. There is lots of information on mumsnet so you can make an informed decision.

In the meantime... Enjoy your baby

[Frizzy1986]

I had a 3b tear 5 years ago and had no lasting effects which I think is the main point for me.

I was reffered to a consultant straight away this time and they discussed the possible reasons for the tear last time.
I said at the first meeting that i didn't want a section as it's major surgery and not without a lot of risks itself.
As standard my trust books you in with a consultant at 36 weeks if you've had a prior significant tear so if you want a section you can, I just had to turn down the appointment.

I read that the risk of 3rd/4th degree tear is around 5% for a first time mum. If you already have one the risk of it happening again is 7%.

My labour was fast which is why they think it happened so I'm taking steps to try and prevent the same this time (guided pushing, better breathing, hypnobirthing etc)

There's no guarantee that it won't happen again, but when having a baby there are a lot of risks in general that you have to weigh up and decide yourself.
Risk of subsequent tear and lasting damage, or risks of surgery having a section.
No one can decide for you as there is no "easy choice" and I definitely think it depends on recovery, and reasons for the tear in the first place.

[EverythingNow]

Depends where you are I think. I had a 3rd degree tear with my first. With my second 9yrs later, I was sent to consultant who told me had a less than 5% chance of tearing that badly again and discharged me back to community MW.

I've gone on to have 3 further births, all increasingly bigger babies, all with second degree tears and all far far quicker and easier than my first. I healed fine from them but my pelvic floor isn't great, however is that because I've had 4, I'm fat, I'm old, I'm a bit shit at doing my exercises?

It's only reading on here that I've realised that a C Section following a 3rd degree is offered. It was not mentioned at my consultant appt with #2 and I never thought to ask.

[Ihatefootball86]

I had a 3b tear as well but was still advised to go for a vaginal birth as had no major problems with it. Then got a 2nd degree tear the second time. Got a few stitches and took a few paracetamol for a few days. I think it would have been a much tougher recovery with a c section.
It's your call though, be assertive if you want a c section because they do discourage it.
A few mums from the baby groups moan about their 'overhang' from the excess skin near the stitches and say however much weight they lose they can't get rid of it. I think there are pros and cons each way.