Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Who had a 3rd degree tear then went on to have a natural birth? Any stories/Experiences appreciated.

17 replies

DetectivePotato · 29/09/2010 19:51

I had a 3rd degree tear with DS. Healed well and I am 21 weeks pregnant.

Had an appointment with the consultant today to discuss this birth. Basically they are leaving it up to me whether I want a c section or not. If I want it, they won't question it at all.

She said if I hadn't healed as well as I have, they would recommend a c section but as I have healed well, it is up to me whether I want a natural birth.

I have to weigh up the risks of a c section or the risk of incontinence. Just because I tore last time, doesn't mean I will again. Chances are the same as any other pregnant woman. They will do an episotomy, even though she said there is no evidence to prove that it helps. I had one last time and still tore so I don't see the benefits tbh.

I had an epidural and forceps. This time I was thinking of not having an epidural but I don't know what really strong contractions feel like as I had it pretty early. I had it as I have M.E./CFS and it was recommended by the consultant. I would like to get in the birthing pool but as there is only 1 at the hospital, chances are this won't happen. Anyone know if you are allowed a bath there?

Any stories, good and bad welcome please.

OP posts:

Report

snowmummy · 29/09/2010 20:02

I had a very similar birth experience with my first and had exactly the same decision to make as you. I decided on a cs for my second and will do the same for the third.

My first birth experience was so horrendous and traumatic that I knew I could not face another 'natural' birth. The cs was a positive experience for me.

I haven't really answered your question but hope this helps!

DetectivePotato · 29/09/2010 20:07

It does help thanks. I want to know about the women that chose not to have a natural birth too.

OP posts:

deemented · 29/09/2010 20:08

I had a 3rd degree tear with DD, and then went on to have DS3 vaginally. I did tear with him, but only a 2nd degree tear and tbh i didn't even notice it - nowhere near as painful as the 3rd degree tear.

I think i have some research put away in one of my files for chances of tearing badky again - i'll have a look to see if i can find it for you, but basicly it says if you can identify why you tore so badly last time you can take precautions to avoid it the next.

I know i tore badly because i was flat on my back strapped to a monitor and dd was back to back.

DetectivePotato · 29/09/2010 20:10

Makes sense to know why.

I was on my back due to an epidural. DS heartrate dropped and had to be born quickly so they done an episiotomy and I had forceps then tore. DS was 8lbs 11oz (and 10 days early) but the registrar did say that the size of the baby wouldn't have an effect.

OP posts:

fairysparkle67 · 29/09/2010 20:12

I had a nasty 3rd degree tear with DS1 .. after a long labour, epidural, and turning forceps in theatre. I healed well. With DD1 had qucik labour,mostly at home, with lots of moving about ... tore again, but only minor tear ( she ended upcoming too fast) and healed again.Hospital had told me to give it a go second time round and I didn't push for a section - the right choice in my case.

lou33 · 29/09/2010 20:12

I had a 3rd degree tear with my first, had 3 others with nothing major to report. In fact every time i gave birth i tore less.

No stitches for the last two
Hth

QueenFee · 29/09/2010 20:15

1st 3rd degree tear healed well
2nd back to back episio and 3rd degree tear. tear healed well episio caused me problems
3rd epsio and apparent small tear, much more problems than with 3rd degree tear. I keep sressing I don't want episios but they just keep giving them to me.

My sister has had 4 kids and her was 1st 3rd degree tear second 2nd degree tear third nothing 4th 3rd degree tear. She had a long conversation with the midwife after her last who said she birthed the baby slowley and there would have been nothing she could have done to avoid it. Her tears have also healed well.

I would say that as you had intervention that that would have had an affect on your tear. Your second birth may be absolutely fine.
I think a lot of it is about how well it has healed some people have dreadfull problems with tears.
hth

PotPourri · 29/09/2010 20:15

I have 2 different friends who had this, both went on to have a natural birht. One by choice, one went into labour in the middle of the night 10 days early (3 days before elective section) adn decided ot just go for it. Both were fine and really pleased they did it.

notnowbernard · 29/09/2010 20:16

No 3rd degree tears but had 2nd degree ones with 1st 2 DC

3rd DC was 10lb 2oz and not a stitch in site

Also had waterbirths with all 3 in hospitals which only had 1 pool - HTH

dolores12 · 30/09/2010 07:58

i had 3rd degree tear too and after 52 hours labour it was totally exausting i am due my 2nd daughter in 13 days and have opted for a section. for me i think it is the best option as healing last time took soooooo long. you must choose what is right for you you do not get any medals for doing it the hard way!!

DreamsInBinary · 30/09/2010 08:05

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I had a third degree tear with DC1 following an epidural, episiotomy and ventouse. All healed well and decided to go for a natural, midwife-led birth with DC2. She was back-to-back but the labour was much faster and I stuck to gas and air. A far, far more positive experience. I did tear a bit (2nd degree) but was very happy with the way it went.

Good luck!

Avocadoes · 30/09/2010 08:10

3rd degree with DD1 after episiotomy and forceps.

With DD2 I refused episiotomy and had the best mw ever who really coached me on pushing. DD2 was 10lb 2oz yet a hardly tore at all.

DetectivePotato · 30/09/2010 09:19

I wouldn't have thought about getting a medal for "doing it the hard way"

Its not the hard way, its the natural way anyway, the way that most women give birth.

I was thinking of saying I don't want an episiotomy, especially after the registrar was saying about there being no evidence of them actually having an effect and I have read this myself recently too. Don't know why they are saying they would automatically do one if there is no proof of it helping. In fact, if women tear as well, surely that is proof that it makes no difference?

OP posts:

MiniMarmite · 30/09/2010 09:35

A friend of mine had a 3rd degree tear which too 6 months to heal and she will have to have further surgery once she has finished having children.

She had a normal delivery with gas and air and no interventions second time round.

lou33 · 30/09/2010 10:00

I should add i also had an episiotomy, and had a emergency delivery at home as dd came so quickly and she was coming out head facing the wrong way, and her heart stopped for a bit because the cord was round her neck.

But i had no such dramas with the others, aside from precipitous labours and home births lol

smokeybacon · 30/09/2010 12:41

I had a third degree tear with DS2 17 months ago and am now 32 weeks pg with twins. Am hoping to deliver both naturally. Consultant very encouraging about prospects of this and said that most women who have third degree tears can and do deliver vaginally again with less trauma. Am hoping he is right!

loobsie · 08/09/2011 15:51

i had 2nd deg tear with first baby, 3rd deg tear on second baby who was only born 10months ago. am not yet ready for another baby and thats probably because i'm terrified of how it will be born. i fear i'll follow the trend and have a 4th deg on next birth, but am equally terrified of a c-section!! any words of wisdom?

Flip

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.