Anxious about third birth. Previous two big babies and third degree tear

[middleclassdystopia]

This is baby number 3. First was forceps, second resulted in third degree tear. Both were quite big babies.

What would you do? ELCS?

See my consultant soon, what should I be asking?

Do you have grounds to request a c section? I'm assuming they will only allow one if medically needed. How big were the babies?

Hi Twiddle, i'm not sure there are medical grounds. To be honest I would rather try for vaginal delivery with close supervision.

I'm just scared of pain and tearing again.

Babies were 9lbs 1oz and 9lbs 9ozs. Not massive, but big enough!

A third degree tear is medical grounds - many consultants advise it.

I had a 3rd degree tear with DS1 and went on to have 2 successful vaginal deliveries, including one home birth) with minor tears but no complications.

One f the reasons I love DS2 is because he arrived 2 weeks early and 2lbs lighter than his brother :) Is an early induction an option if they think the baby will be big?

Hadn't thought of an early induction, will certainly ask.

I just feel after two difficult births it would be nice to end (this is our last one) on a more positive note.

You don't need medical reasons for an ELCS - but your history would be enough reason anyway. Personally, I'd rather schedule a c section close to due date than being induced early. Let's face it, you are highly unlikely to be one of those woman who breathe the baby out and are home within a couple of hours, the question seems to be more which medical intervention you have.

I had two big babies, 9lb 2 and 9 lb 12. They were both face to pubes as well. I had forceps with the first and a third degree tear with the second. Very frightened about number 3. However, he was 8lb 3 and a very straightforward normal delivery, no tearing at all.

The thing is you can't predict what will happen this time. You could have a really easy time of it, or it could be like your other 2 births. There really is no way to tell.

So you need to decide what you absolutely don't want, and what you are prepared to risk.

If you absolutely cannot cope with another difficult birth and are v anxious then go for the csection.

If you really have your heart set on a natural birth, even if it means you may have a hard time - but you are prepared to take that risk, then go for natural birth with close monitoring.

Only you can decide, but it appreciate its a tricky decision (have made it myself recently!).

My babies were 9lb 9oz, 8lb 3oz and 10lb 6oz. And without doubt dc3 was the easiest of the three births. Dc1 I was induced, episiotomy, epidural and tear - a miserable experience. Dc2 v quick natural delivery.

As we knew dc3 was going to be big, I asked for an ELCS but my consultant was reluctant so we settled on induction at my due date. In the end I only needed ARM to set the whole thing off. 6 hrs later baby born, I was in the shower 30 minutes later (small tear). I was so glad that I hadn't had the section as I was up and about do quickly, no catheter etc.

BUT, as others have said labour is unpredictable. Perhaps aim for a vb but ask to move to cs at the first sign of difficulty?

I had a 3rd degree tear with 8lb 3oz dd. I'm having an elcs as there's no way im risking bad tearing and faecal incontinence.

statistically, does anyone know how big the actual risk is of repeat bad tearing with horrible long-term consequences?

Also, what do people mean when they talk about "closely monitored" vaginal birth? does any amount of monitoring make us less likely to tear?

Had a 3rd-degree tear with my first, I'll want to get pregnant again but the physiotherapy lady really scared me last week by saying that scar tissues were always weaker and more likely to tear... I would like another vaginal birth, but scared to death now. I can already see myself not daring to push too much when the time comes, lol.

I had a 3a tear with DD (forceps, episiotomy that extended 8lb 3oz)

I found when pg with DS that you're no more likely to tear in a subsequent birth than anyone else but if you do, it's likely to be worse than the first time.

DS was also forceps, episiotomy 11lb 7oz. No tearing. All fine.

But my birth is not your birth. I declined consultant care and opted for home birth but transferred in after the chubby sod refused to budge

Have you had a scan to see how extensive the scarring is from previous tear? can you request one? not pleasant but my consultant recommended elc based on this.

I had a 3b tear with DS (9lb 12oz). At my review meeting with the consultant after 12 weeks they said the chances of having a similarly bad tear with a second baby would be only 6-10%.

OP
I had 3rd degree tears with both ds1 and ds2 (ds1 was about 2mm away from a 4th degree tear). With dc3 I opted for a elective section. I honestly don't know how I would have coped with another tear. My first 2 were horrendous that took me months to recover from.

Looking back I really should have had ds2 by section. Both ds1 and ds2 were quite small, both under 7 lbs. Ds2 was a very very controlled delivery - I didn't push once and just breathed him out, however I still tore very badly. Some people just have skin that rips I'm afraid. I would totally recommend a section.

Everyone's experiences are different but you won't necessarily have another big baby.

I can't advise you on what to do but I had ds1 at 8lb, ds2 at 10lb 6 then ds3 at 8lb 1

I thought I was going to have another 9-10lber with ds3 so asked for an early induction, which I had. But them he didn't turn out to be as big as we thought.

I'd say ds1 who was the smallest was the hardest labour/birth. Ds2 was the easiest.

I needed up in theatre with DS1 being prepped for a c section but the midwife decided to try with the forceps one last time and he was out.

Ds2 I had no help with, apart from pain relief, and I was home the same day. I was quite surprised given his birth weight

Ds3 I had the induction because we thought he was going to be big again and also because I was on fragmin and wanted to control my blood flow etc. He was born via vontouse (or whatever it's called)

i am totally with tiredlady - i have had 2 third degree tears - and I don't think I will be right until my youngest is a year and that is if I am lucky.

I would say to you - don't risk bowel incontinence with another tear - I did and suffer quite badly.