Advice on my next delivery

[chr1ssy84]

Hello,

Ive never posted on here before but theres a first for everything lol.

Anyway... Me and my partner are considering having our fourth child but I would like some advice on the type of delivery I should go for please.

My first child is 6 years old and was delivered my emergency c-section weighing a whopping 10lb3oz! My second child is nearly 4 years old and was a forceps delivery and weighed 8lb4oz. I also suffered a 3rd degree tear. My third is nearly 9 months old and was a planned c-section, she weighed 7lb9oz.

All three of my births have been a nightmare and extremely painful. I would love to try a natural delivery but I am terrified of having another tear.

Any opinions? Thanks in advance

Have you discussed it with your midwife at all? I had a water birth with my first and it was a fantastic experience, very calm and I felt really in control throughout. I don't know if you would need more observation as a result of your previous births though. Hope it all goes well whatever type of delivery you end with!

The majority of hospitals if you've had two previous sections would recommend you have another section due to the risk of scar rupture. You'd have to have a look at what the stats for scar rupture are, I don't actually think they're that high, off the top of my head maybe 1.4% for two previous sections.....it's whether that risk is acceptable to you or not.

Most research suggests if you've had one previous third degree tear your risk of another is about 7%. However a forceps delivery is a risk factor for a third degree tear so if you can avoid a forceps you're less likely to have a bad tear again. Instrumental deliveries are far more common in your first vaginal delivery than subsequent ones.