To ask you about your subsequent birth/s after a tear with dc1

[quackersandcheese]

I'm currently expecting dc2 and have my first midwife appointment soon, but I'm really shitting it about giving birth. Dc1 was a big baby and a 4 hour labour which ended in a 3rd degree tear and haemorrhage. I needed surgery afterwards and am convinced I have a prolapse going on but I can't bring myself to go back to the doctor and get any more internal examinations.

Will I be consultant lead so that they can keep an eye on the size and induce early if I have a natural?

Can you tell me your experiences with subsequent births please!

I had a 4th degree tear with my first and was told I needed a c section for my 2nd as I still have issues from the 4th degree tear and they didn’t want me to risk a natural birth
I was reluctant about the c section but have to say for me it was the best thing. The c section was far simplier than I imagined. I still got skin to skin and best of all recovery from the c section was really smooth and no where near as bad as I was expecting (in fact a lot quicker than with my tear).
I think c sections get a bad reputation and I was really disappointed to be having one initially but wouldn’t hesitate now if I was having no 3
Good luck in whatever you decide OP

Tore again with DC, so had a c section with DC 3.

Hi- I had a third degree tear with my first. During follow up care the consultant advised me to have a section for future births. Then when pregnant with my second my midwife put me off a section so I went ahead with vaginal birth. Was very straightforward but I did suffer another third degree tear. Recovery second time around was so quick though and I’ve had no adverse effects since.

1st baby episiotomy 6lb 14oz. 2nd baby 8lb 9 not even a graze. 3rd i was induced and the while thing went tits up n had emc as she was trying to come out with brow presentation and she wouldn't fit.

I had a third degree tear, internal tearing and a 3 litre blood loss that needed three transfusions. I was consultant led with my second pregnancy due to the blood loss mainly.

I had a section for my second. Best decision I ever made!

Had ventouse then forceps with 1st too. Had an epidural at 9cm dilated. 2nd was just a bit of gas and air

Dc1 resulted in small tear and episiotomy. I was worried I'd tear again because of the scar tissue. Dc2 was born in the water (maybe that helped), no tearing, text book birth. So don't worry, perhaps discuss with your consultant to see if there's anything that will reduce the risk of it happening again.

I had an episiotomy with Ds1 and 2 i had a 3rd degree tear with ds3 it was awful i was told i would need a cs if i had anymore.
when pregnant with ds4 i was told that i shouldnt have been told that i just needed an experienced midwife to slow down delivery.
ds4 i had a second degree tear and for dd i also had a second degree tear.
Lots of damage and not very easy to stitch as not a lot left to stitch but after having a third degree with ds3 a second degree felt not that bad and i was up and about like normal.

I had bad internal tearing, haemorrhage & blood transfusion with dc1. Asked midwife how to avoid for the next birth and she suggested a side position with DH holding my leg up (had epidural for both births). So did that and dc2 was bigger but no tearing.

They should give you an option of a section all things considered.

The statistics are that you have the same chance (around 3%) of tearing again but if you do the chances of the tear being the same or worse will be 10%. It’s up to you to decide what those odds mean to you. Because you had a 3rd degree tear you should be automatically referred to a consultant to discuss.

I had a rather nasty 3rd degree tear 5 years ago and I’m due to have a c-section in a couple of weeks. I made my decision and let my midwife and consultant know and they’ve all been very supportive, no questions asked, just booked me in.

Good luck

Thanks for all the replies, it's really eye opening.

@CherryChasingDotMuncher and @WillowWitch that's crazy, your second birth experiences is what I dream of for this one!

@MrsJ12 pleased to hear your section went so well, that's reassuring to know

@Kikisdeliveries thank you for your post, that's good to know there are better birthing positions to help. I wonder if the epidural helps because it's not as painful and maybe the muscles are more relaxed?

@PinkyBlunder thank you. That's good to know they have been so supportive for you. Good luck with everything.

Had a 2nd degree tear with first baby, had stitches which became infected and fell out after a few weeks without healing properly. Though apparently things were ok at my 6 week check. Never had any problems with it.
Anyway, had my 2nd baby 7 years later, 7 pound 6 oz, born very easily. I had a small tear but the midwife said it didn't need stitches.
3rd baby - 7 pound 12 oz, born very quickly and easily, didn't even tear.

Just an update from me baby born 10:04 this morning, whilst section had me up a height and super nervous, once it was underway it was by far the best option for me - on ward and both doing well. Pain is on par with tear, but expected pain so feels easier to cope with ! Good luck to anyone needing to make a decision soon

My first was a 36 hour labour and large tear. Second birth was maybe an hour labour (came within 30 mins of getting to hospital), no tears!

Congratulations on the pregnancy :)

Sorry just seen your post!!!

Congratulations on the new baby

Tore internally and externally with ds1 loads of stitches I can't remember now how many. Ds2 nothing, all good. Though with ds1 I ended up pushing when told to pant, as he came so fast ( 3 hr from a show to delivery), but ds2 I really listened to the midwife (1 hour 40 min labour).

Robots1 Congratulations! Are we allowed to ask wieght etc? (Yes I'm nosey!!!)

8lb 3oz