Second degree tear

[newtonupontheheath]

Just wondering what the definition of a second degree tear is?
With DS I had 1 stitch and didn't feel too bad, more uncomfortable but maybe the memory has faded with time!!
When I had my booking in with my midwife (new one from last time) she had gone through my notes and commented that I had had a second degree tear last time. I queried this as it sounded really bad but I had "only" had one stitch. She sort of dismissed what I'd said and moved on to saying there weren't many notes from my labour (home birth with one midwife so she don't really have enough hands for note taking!)
So is that what a second degree tear would be...one stitch-worthy?! I daren't google as you never know what it'll throw up!

first degree is just skin. second degree is into the muscle, so maybe you had a small into the muscle tear. first degrees are often left if they meet neatly, seconds are more often stitched.

My 2nd degree tear was pretty big and went it two directions! I think you can google the different degrees of tears, without anything too scary coming up

my 2nd degree went into the muscle, but it was also about one inch downwards, and upwards requiring many stitches, plus grazing.

i guess if you tore into your muscle, and needed only one stitch it is still 2nd degree, as it wasn't just the skin (1st degree)

Ah, right, gotcha. Thanks. That's good enough for me! I was just a bit worried that it might effect me having a home birth this time- the term, I mean. Or thought that it might have been recorded wrong or something (having never doubted the midwife at the time, who was fab!)

Now wondering whether I should have asked more questions about tearage at the time. I was of the opinion that I'd rather not know on the day!!

i had a 2nd degree tear that required 23 stitches and must admit that thought scares me about my home birth this time round, i've been told it quite likely to occur again:( rubber ring to rescue again!!!

Eek rhibutterfly that's made me a little queasy!

I had 2nd degree tearing which needed nearly an hour of stitching (worse than the delivery!). It healed poorly and was always tender and prone to thrush and soreness. I have since had a Fenton's procedure which excises the rubbish scar tissue. I feel like a new woman :o

A tear shouldn't affect your decision as to whether to go for homebirth anyway - firstly, it's your decision regardless, and secondly having a previous tear has no bearing on whether you'll tear again nor are you more likely than anyone else to sustain a tear.

rhibaby I don't know why you've been told differently. The only thing is if you tear badly once, then if you DO tear subsequently, the tear is probably going to be as bad or worse.

I had a 3rd degree tear first time round and am planning a hb this time (any week now )

Hi there,
Just to reassure you a bit (hopefully) I had 2nd degree tear with DD1 and remember having distinct problems sitting down for a good week afterwards and being in a bit of pain.....with DD2 had homebirth and also had 2nd degree tear (stitching at home not the most dignified process, but fine otherwise!) and it was fine within 2 days or so - took nowhere near as long to heal as first time round.
Now awaiting DC3 and sort of expecting stitches again but much less worried after DD2 (who was also 1lb 5 ox heavier).
Good luck!

I had a 2cm long and 1cm deep second degree tear that was not stitched and healed fine. I think second degree category must be large!