ELCS after 3rd degree tear first time round?

[Bangonthedoor]

So I'm pregnant with my 2nd - only just found out so early days but already obsessing over everything!

With DD I had a 3rd degree tear and needed surgery which lead to a couple of other complications etc. Could have been worse but could have been a hell of a lot better! This was just over 2 years ago now.

The consultant at the hospital told me for future births I could opt for a c-section if I wanted. At the time I thought 'yes absolutely!' But now time has gone on and both physical and emotional pain have subsided...my heart is now leaning towards a vaginal delivery.

Can anyone share their experiences? Did you have a 3rd degree tear and go on to have a tear free birth or did you tear again but worse?

Thank you! Xx

SIL was in your situation. She had a CS second time round. She said it was wonderful to hold her baby and feed straight away, rather than being rushed to theatre to be put back together while my brother held the baby. She's found feeding, her recovery and her early relationship with the baby much easier than with her first.

Hi. I guess it depends on your case but ask your midwife and consultant if you have one this time. I had a third degree tear with my first. It was stitched up in theatre. Second baby I delivered and he was breach. I tore a little bit and have had no problems since.

Thank you bonzo

It did kind of get things off to a bad start between me and DD - I hope that doesn't sound awful?!

Surprisingly I really enjoyed labour and managed well with the pain and if I had an ELCS this time round I would feel gutted that I didn't go through the nice bit again and may have missed out on my dream birth...on the other hand if I went natural and had another bad tear, I don't think I could cope with that amount of pain again. I suppose there's just no way of knowing.

1st birth was 3rd degree tear, opted for a vaginal birth the second time and the lovely consultant told me to go to the MLU and should consider a water birth as I'd be much better off up there - I could have kissed him! In the end ds2 was born after a 4 hour labour, we didn't make it into the pool, and I had 2 tiny stitches after lots of discussion between 2 midwives who decided that if they did stitch they could tidy up some of the mess from the 3rd degree tear. Interestingly ds2's birth also stretched out the lumpy scar tissue that I had so that it was much smoother. If I'd have known he was going to be that good a birth I'd have opted to have him at home!

Thank you for sharing bert lovely story

Thank you for sharing also mummy

I suppose I'll have to wait until my booking appointment to speak to my midwife and see what she suggests.

Eeek I can't believe I'm doing all this again!

I had ELC and found everything so much easier inspite of being bed bound for a few days and also taking things easy after op.

i think its a no brainer and research old elc threads on here and go for it, i found bf and everything so much easier.

I had 3rd degree tear four years ago and the most wonderful elcs 7 weeks ago

As a midwife I've looked after lots of women who have had previous third degree tears, all those that I have had in labour have gone on to have either no stitches or small tears that I have sutured without any problems. The risk of another third degree tear is thought to be about 5%. You have to do what is best for you. A section might well be the best thing for some people but it certainly won't be the best for everyone, a section guarantees a large wound whereas a normal labour/birth doesn't (although obviously it is a bit more of an unknown quantity)