Bit worried about labour with DC2 after having bad 2nd degree tear with DS1- what's the likelihood of me tearing again?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

Hi, I am 13 weeks PG with DC2, my DS is 15 months old now. I tore really badly with DS and needed stitched up afterwards and could barely sit down for days / weeks after it. It took a good 6 ish months to get back to normal, I had gynae investigations etc but thankfully it all got back to normal

I had my booking in appointment yesterday and had to see the consultant due to me tearing before. She said that they might want to c-section me this time as I tore so badly before, even though DS was only 5lb 10oz (although he did come out with his arm up by his head). I'm getting scans at 28 and 34 weeks to check the size of this baby but I'd ideally like to avoid a section because I'd be pretty immobile after it and wouldn't be able to lift my DS etc.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Have you had a tear at one birth but been fine the next? Or had to have a section because of your history? Thanks

[mumoftoby]

I tore quite badly with DS1 (8 lbs 12 ozs) 2nd degree and then also extensively through my labia on both sides- which was the really painful bit. However, the good news is that I was only grazed really (just a few stitches) with DS2 who was 10 lbs 14 ozs.

I think the position I was in for DS2's birth may have helped and the very experienced midwife. I was leaning over the back of the bed and she asked me to put my knees as far away from each other as I could (IYSWIM)? She also helped a lot by pulling one of his shoulders out before the other.

Scans (at about 34 and 36 weeks I think) had shown him to be on the 50th centile - so they must have been very inaccurate. I'm no expert, hopefully some of the doulas will have more examples for you?

[thisisyesterday]

i had a second degree tear with my first.
no-one even mentioned it second time round!!! lol i didn't have to see a consultant or anything, depsite them feeling that ds2 was going to be big. he was, 9lb 5. but I didn't tear again.

[mumoftoby]

My second degree tear wasn't mentioned either or the possibility of a Cs for that reason etc. The reason for my extra scans was lack of foetal movement.

[thehouseofmirth]

I had a third degree tear with DS1 and have just decided to go for a VB again this time.

Until recently I was going to err on the side of caution and have a section as I have been told there is an unquantifiable risk of further problems (not necessarily another tear) but there are so many reasons why I don't want to, including risks to the baby and the recovery time when I also have a three year old to look after and my consultant suggest that since I've done it once, and everything has stretched there is no reason to assume I'd have further problems. Sounds like your tear was caused by an awkward presentation so no reason to think you'd have a problem again either.

[ouchitreallyhurts]

Hello

I tore (2nd deg) with first who was 7lbs 4oz (somethign to do with MW's hurrying me though rather than baby size etc) but with other 3, no tears.
I did all the perineal massage malarky with the last 3 and had water births rather than 'legs akimbo in stirrups' that my first was.
As others have said, you will probably be fine