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Original poster

Long term effects - 3rd degree tear

27 replies

Dumbo18 · 08/06/2021 21:16

Currently trying to decide if my second should be born by c section after suffering a 3rd degree tear first time around. It’s not the actual birth I’m frightened of it’s the long term effects of suffering a tear and having another natural birth. Anyone I speak to about it says they are fine but are mostly under 40 and i’m wondering more about later in life. Anyone have any experience? I don’t want to jump into a c section without giving it thought. Also don’t want to be in my 40’s with no bladder control or worse!

OP posts:
StayOrGoOrWhat · 08/06/2021 21:20

I wasn’t even told I’d suffered a 3rd degree tear after having my first but suffered for a few weeks after. It was only when I started worrying about having the 2nd (at 36 weeks pregnant!) when my midwife looked at my previous notes and realised about the 3rd degree tear. Had my second one naturally with no significant tear and I have no long term effects. I am younger but wanted to share anyway x

User112 · 08/06/2021 21:24

I had a episiotomy with my first. I still have problems holding farts. It’s SOO embarrassing. I had 3rd degree tears with my second. No issues at all.

User112 · 08/06/2021 21:25

I had my first at 31 and second at 33

FireworksAndSparklers · 08/06/2021 21:26

I had a third degree tear with my first 18 years ago - I had a home birth but had to go to hospital for stitching under spinal anaesthetic. Second degree tear after second - stitched at home. Small tear not requiring stitches with third and just a graze with fourth 13 years ago. I'm 41. Only have slight stress incontinence, which is mostly caused by having loads of babies, being very overweight for a few years and not doing my pelvic floor exercises. It gets better when I do them regularly and when I'm working out a lot so don't lots of squats! Not to do with tear because anatomy. Your risk of tearing is less with a second baby even if you tore first time round. Don't have a C-section to prevent a year. Potential damage from major abdominal surgery is far more of a risk than a tear following vaginal birth.

TiddleTaddleTat · 08/06/2021 21:28

3rd degree tear , one baby , healed fine. No further issues whatsoever .

Terrazzo · 08/06/2021 21:36

3C tear age 25, 6 years ago. Still have some continence issues now despite a year of physio, devices, Pilates etc. C section for DC2 aged 27. Now 31 and ttc dc3 so a bigger gap. Probably another section but do really want to experience a calm vag birth but probably won’t run the risk.

Not sure your question re age - are you going to be having the baby in late 30s/40s or are you worried pelvic floor will still be affected in a decade or 2?

C section was elective and I went into my booking appt requesting it. Still, I lost half my blood and needed a transfusion. Unusual, but it is a considerable op as you know!

80sballetgirl · 08/06/2021 21:42

3rd degree tear nearly 27 years ago - no problems since.

GeorgiaOQ · 08/06/2021 21:55

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

nancybotwinbloom · 08/06/2021 22:00

How do you know if you had a third degree tear?

I had 16 stitches.

Is that a third degree tear or is it the area?

FantasticMax · 08/06/2021 22:02

I had a 3rd degree tear first time round and like you was worried about the longer term effects of another vaginal birth and tear. My
physio had suggested the problems wouldn’t arise until menopause age.

I eventually decided that my second baby should be born by Elective section, I couldn’t bear the thought of tearing again and knowing it could have been avoided. I’m now 37 (2nd is 4 yo) so too young to know about the effects of menopause on things but have no regrets. It’s not an easy recovery by any means (extra help is invaluable in n the first few weeks) but genuinely no worse than my 3rd degree tear.

GeorgiaOQ · 08/06/2021 22:03

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

nancybotwinbloom · 08/06/2021 22:07

Thank you @GeorgiaOQ

spicedemerald · 08/06/2021 22:18

I had a second degree tear with my first and never felt like I had healed properly...I also had a prolapse which never resolved. When I had my second baby, 2 years later, I had a third degree tear and have no real issues now (10 years on). The surgeon who repaired the third degree tear did a great job-I felt ‘normal’ once it healed for the first time since before I had my first. When I came to have my third baby I was unsure what to do for the best but my midwife was very pro having a natural birth, which I nearly went for until she said I would most like be doubly-incontinent in later years, but that could be fixed if/when it happened. Needless to say-that was my decision made! C-section!

forinborin · 08/06/2021 22:30

3rd degree tear, was doubly incontinent for a year, now only minor leaking here and there. Lost quite a lot of vaginal sensitivity though, there are areas that are just numb to touch - but don't have sex and not planning to, so not too worried. Yes, as a previous poster, was advised that problems may return after menopause.

forinborin · 08/06/2021 22:33

OP, in your case I'd probably ask for a plastic surgeon opinion. From what I understand, the issue is not the tear as such, but rather the amount of scar tissue formed and where exactly it is. This is where your body lost elasticity, and that's where further damage is possible.

caffeine99 · 08/06/2021 22:51

Episiotomy and third degree tear with my first. Vaginal birth with my second followed with some stitching. I has physiotherapy after my second birth and that helped.

No lose of sensitivity or incontinence here. I invested in an Elvie and that helped with me practicing exercises and staying in control of the exercises.

I write this as a 39 year old... I'm hoping there are no issues later in life BUT... Having gone through the episiotomy I don't think I'd want to put myself through a c section for the second birth because you've already survived one traumatic experience and came through it - I wouldn't have wanted to put my body through a C-section because then it's like you're dealing with 2 traumatic births and recovery etc after the c section would be tough too?

APurpleSquirrel · 08/06/2021 23:11

I had a 3rd degree tear after first DC, plus major blood loss & retained placenta.
Was terrified of going through it all again & potentially developing worse issues such as prolapse etc with DC2 but went ahead with the intention of normal vaginal birth. DC had other ideas & ended up having a csection after Labour stalled.
Tbh I was relieved as no issues vaginally. Recovery from the csection was easier for me than the vaginal birth, as it had been so traumatic.
If I were to have another baby I'd go for a csection again.

APurpleSquirrel · 08/06/2021 23:11

Oh & im now 41 so not sure if anything will develop in later years.

5zeds · 08/06/2021 23:15

I’m 51, had a third degree tear with my first. Went on to have four more children and so far so unremarkable. I have no idea if that’s luck or the norm%

tulippa · 08/06/2021 23:25

I had a section for DC2 after a 3rd degree tear for DC1. This was on advice from the consultant despite GP and midwife trying to push me into a vaginal birth. I wouldn't have got pregnant again if I'd have had to have gone through a vaginal birth twice as it was completely traumatic for me the first time round.
The section was a complete breeze in comparison. I was in hospital recovering for a shorter amount of time and was back to normal much quicker overall. And I wasn't traumatised.

It does depend on you though and I think 3rd degree tears do vary in severity. Mine must have been pretty bad as the consultant said even a vaginal birth with no tearing at all would risk too much damage to me after the first one. Have a good chat with a doctor who can look over your notes and see what's best for you.

QuentinBunbury · 08/06/2021 23:29

I've had 2x 3rd degree tears. Am mid forties now and eldest DC 17. Have some issues cleaning myself- like a little pocket that gets poo in it Blush and the odd escaping fart/urgent poo needed. But nothing like the scare story leaflet I got after DC1 was born!

I had an ELCS for 3rd DC because of the tears and that was a harder recovery but it was absolute bliss not to worry about going to the toilet afterwards!

TableFlowerss · 08/06/2021 23:32

I had a 3rd degree tear although I was 31/32 but you’re only 40 so I’m sure your age wit make a difference with the healing process op. Good luck with it

TableFlowerss · 08/06/2021 23:33

wont

AGirlsGotToDo · 08/06/2021 23:36

My friend had two natural deliveries, both 3rd degree tears. She opted for an elective section the 3rd time around. I don't blame her

Original poster
Dumbo18 · 09/06/2021 10:46

Thanks for everyone’s thoughts and experience. I was 29 first time around and will be 32 this time round. My biggest worry is tearing again and having problems in years to come but I suppose it’s just pot luck. I haven’t had many problems since my first tear although it got very interesting when I decided to go on a bouncy castle one afternoon - won’t be doing that again! Don’t want to rush into a c section as I know it’s major surgery and already having one will make it harder

OP posts:
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