Labour after 3rd degree tear

[sarahmia]

Im pregnant with my third child and will be going into labour 14 months after my last labour. I had a 3b Tear last time and had to be sutured in theatre. I'm absolutely terrified I will tear the same or worse and be left incontinent forever.
Any experiences??!

Hi, I had a 3rd° episiotomy and tear first time round and second time, like you, I was really worried about it happening again. I spoke to my mw about it who referred me to a consultant. It was decided that I should be ok to have a vb again but to speak to the mw in the delivery room. He also told me to do perineal massage.

When it was time to deliver, I explained my worries and my mw was fantastic (different hospital, first hosp was a nightmare) and basically, while his head was being delivered, she told me to stop pushing and just breathe it out. I think taking it slow and steady helped give me time to stretch. Ds2 came out with a massive head (98th centile for head circumference ) and he also had his hand on hs head thanks ds. I ended up with just a second° tear and whilst that was being stitched, they repaired the bodged stitching from the first time. Bonus!

Good luck op, and try not to obsess over it like I did. I have read that a lot of people on here have had big tears/episiotomies but have gone on to have other babies with barely a sratch

Thanks! I am obsessing a bit. But the more positive stories I hear, the better!