C-section after 3rd degree tear?

[locomomma]

Hi ladies, looking for advice. On my 2nd delivery, I had a 3rd degree tear. I was told by the perineal clinic that if i had a 3rd baby I would be assessed for a C-section. In my booking-in appointment, my midwife was a bit dismissive of this idea. I said I'd drop it for now but I might get a private consultation on it. Keen to hear if anyone else who had a 3rd degree tear was advised to get a c-section in a subsequent delivery. Thanks in advance xx

Finally got induced on Friday at 10am following week from hell fighting for what I had been told would happen by consultant. Baby arrived 3.23pm following 2cm cervix to birth in half a hour and failed epidural. Elias was 9lb 7oz not the estimated "no larger than 8lb 7oz." Midwife and consultant were amazing, nearly needed forceps due to slowing heartbeat but just managed to get him out. Seriously don't think I'd have managed to push him out if epidural hadn't failed (wasn't saying that at the time.) However got home by 11pm that night so am glad now things happened that way.

Have had episiotomy and 2nd degree tear but no way as bad as previous 3rd degree and never thought I'd manage without epidural but didn't even realise it hadn't worked properly until needed to push and flipped onto all fours without warning terrifying everyone!

I guess it just reminded me every birth is different and you can only go with what you feel is best at the time, it's all worth it now!

Well done to Totty!
Love the name

I had a 3c tear with my second (10lb2 baby, delivered with his hand up by his head, head circumference off the charts, 2hr labour - no wonder!) although it healed well and I had no subsequent problems. When I got pregnant with my third I was referred to a consultant, got ready for a fight - determined to get a c-section - and as soon as I walked into the room he said he'd reviewed my history and recommended a c-section. So it was no problem at all.

One thing I found was that when I had the tear and subsequent surgery people still expected me to be up and about very soon after the birth, as though the tear hadn't happened. Whereas after the c-section everyone let me put my feet up for longer and as a result I found the recovery easier!

Congratulations Totty, hope you're recovering well and enjoying every minute of getting to know your new baby! Sounds like a tough enough time (i had a failed epi on no. 1, it's like the lifeboat sinking!). Fleecy, thanks for your feedback, great to hear you got the support you needed.

Congratulations Totty!

Completely agree with Fleecy, friends and family would talk about the few stitches I'd needed with DC1, they couldn't believe I had to stay in hospital for a week. They had no idea. 200+ stitches!

But loads of sympathy for the planned section :)