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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Birth recommendations after 3c tear?

10 replies

lexib · 01/09/2015 15:14

With my first two years ago I had a 3c tear that fortunately was stitched well and I recovered without ongoing issues (a later consultant appt confirmed I could have a normal birth next time). I'm 31 weeks pregnant now with dc2 and due to discussing it late with the midwife I'll only be seeing the consultant later this week, she has said however that the home birth I want is likely out and it may go so far as needing a C section.

Does anyone have any experience of likely recommendations given the above? Relaxing home birth ideas to c section has thrown me a bit

OP posts:

SweepTheHalls · 01/09/2015 15:18

I am in the same position but DC3. My consultant offered me a C section which I do not want and she is supporting me to go for another water birth as she says this is least likely to result in another bad tear.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 01/09/2015 15:24

I can't see why a homebirth would be out. Worst case scenario you tear again and transfer in for suturing.

You have approx a 7% chance of tearing again to that degree. You would get a lscs if you wanted one. So really it's personal choice, how much of a gambler you are, whether you consider those good odds, how against a lscs you are....etc.

Someone who wasn't bothered about another vaginal birth is more likely to go for a lscs. Someone who passionately wants another vaginal birth may decide that a 93% chance of not having a bad tear is good odds.

If you had an instrumental delivery last time that raises your risk of a tear and you're less likely to have an instrumental with subsequent births.

toptomatoes · 01/09/2015 15:26

I had a 3rd degree tear (extended episiotomy) with my first. They encouraged a natural birth second time around but there was a lot of confusion about where I could give birth. The consultant midwife said a home birth or the midwife led unit would be ok but when I was in labour I went to the midwife unit and was taken to the main hospital unit as they said I couldn't give birth there. Very stressful whilst in labour! I would make very sure you know where you will be allowed to go.

Having said that, the birth was straightforward although I had a second degree tear. The repair work wasn't as pretty as first time though (when I had an epidural for it).

Third time round, I was allowed to give birth anywhere, I had a just-in-case home birth kit as we were worried about childcare issues. Just a couple of stitches that time.

Original poster

lexib · 01/09/2015 15:46

It wasn't an instrumental birth last time, and 93% sounds decent odds to me - midwife confusingly said a water birth would be out, but then I'd heard different elsewhere again that it actually helped tearing.

I do feel I need a bit of certainly so the last minute place changing you say about would stress me out too.

Am not especially anti cs, just that with one already I was hoping to keep everything as stress free as possible, no rushing ds around or leaping to hospital - ds took 6 hours and I keep hearing about how the second is often faster.

Thanks for the replies, does tally with my feeling about it, don't feel high risk etc

OP posts:

scrumpkin · 01/09/2015 16:02

I had a 3C tear with my first after a 4 day induction. Was terrified next time round. Thankfully she was born without a stitch needed after 1.5 hour labour. Couldn't believe my luck. I hope it goes well for you

Original poster

lexib · 01/09/2015 16:11

Thanks Scrumpkin, it's great to hear it can be better second time. I kind of think I'll know better what I'm doing this time round, but there are so many variables... Decided a while back to hire a doula to try and minimise any issues (or at least smooth out my experience), felt a bit extreme but glad we did

OP posts:

AmberLav · 07/09/2015 14:03

I had a 3c with my first, that was repaired very well in surgery. For my second I had a 2nd degree tear in the birthing centre, and no one mentioned a CS at any time... the second tear was also repaired well... Still planning on doing exactly the same for my third in a few months (hopefully!).

Chalalala · 07/09/2015 14:10

I had a 3c tear with my first, my consultant left it entirely up to me but gave me the odds.

Only about 7% chance again of tearing badly again, yes - but (and it's a big BUT), if you were one of the unlucky 7%, then the odds of being left with lifelong continence issues would go up drastically compared to your first tear.

So the percentage may seem low, but if it does happen, it can be really really bad, much worse than your first tear.

I went for a ELCS, I personally didn't want to take the risk. Very happy with my choice, the recovery was so much easier than after my tear.

Original poster

lexib · 09/09/2015 14:57

Thanks for your replies, chalalala that's I think where we're coming out- having got through it fine once I really don't want to chance it again to only find I've then some lifelong problem. It's disappointing to not have the birth I'd like, but for the sake of a few hours we just need to know (as much as anyone can) that we've the best chance of coming out unscathed.

OP posts:

Chalalala · 09/09/2015 15:38

yes that was my view too lexib... the consultant said I was really lucky to have recovered so well the first time, so I thought I'd quit while I was still ahead :-)

for me it was also a matter of managing anxiety. I know I would have stressed about it for the last months of pregnancy, and that during labour I would have been absolutely terrified. Once I'd taken the decision, the ELCS gave me peace of mind, and a more relaxed pregnancy. But not everyone is as much of a worrywart as I am, of course!

Good luck whatever you decide

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