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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

pregnancy after 3rd degree tear

39 replies

fuzzymummy · 01/04/2007 10:15

Hi , I think I might be pregnant again. DS was born 27 weeks ago and I think I am 4 -5 weeks . Does anyone have any experience of an unplanned early pregnancy so soon after a tear . The specialist midwife gave me dire warnings about urinary and faecal incontinence if I decided to have another pregnancy . She also said a doctor would decide if I could have a natural delivery or CS . (homebirth last time ) The doctor who discharged me in the hospital said to wait 2 years for next baby . I don't know what to do ???

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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h27 · 01/04/2007 10:28

You poor girl, i had a 3rd degree with my ds who is 2.10 and i have just had my dd who is 10 days old by c section as i was told it could be more dangerous delivering naturally this time! I think you should speak to a doctor asap and discuss your options as soon as you can! They are really helpful if you suffered a 3rd degree tear! if you want to ask any questions please feel free to ask! I do wish you well.

Helena

Original poster

fuzzymummy · 01/04/2007 10:39

I have 2 children now , a 6 month old and a 23 month old and I don't think I could cope with a pregnancy complicated by incontinence . Do you think I should appraoch my GP then ? I have a hospital appointment with the specialist midwife on 20 th April for the last birth .

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Original poster

fuzzymummy · 01/04/2007 10:40

Also my baby was 10 lbs so they said I would be at risk to have a large baby again .

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sniff · 01/04/2007 10:49

I cant help as there is a bigger age gap witth mine but I want to wish you all the best

Original poster

fuzzymummy · 01/04/2007 12:03

H27 congratulations on your new baby . Did you have any problems during the pregnancy ? Was the baby heavy ? Did you do any special exercises or anything during pregnancy ? I would like another baby at some time but I don't want to leave myself with lifelong difficulties .

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Klaw · 01/04/2007 15:38

Hi,

I know someone who had a third degree tear and went on to practically drop her baby out 13 months later. She totaly enjoyed giving birth second time around and has not informed me of any worries about incontinence of either kind since...

I would stop worrying and enjoy this pg. There's no point worrying over something that may never happen. To give you more confidence do your research and take charge of your birth, This is your body, your birth and your baby. You don't need any HCPs to tell you what to do.

Start by googling for perineal massage. i did and just one link was this

HTH, stay strong!

MuminBrum · 01/04/2007 15:59

What are you asking for advice about - continuing the pregnancy or what kind of birth to have?

Original poster

fuzzymummy · 01/04/2007 22:04

I was really hoping somebody could tell me they went through something similar , give me some advice on how to help myself and then if at all possible that everything ended well . I have received negative vibes from the registrar who stitched me and the midwife I have attended in the perineal clinic . The registrar asked me if I had completed my family ( I have 2 children ). When I said I wasn't sure if I had finished , she said to wait 2 years . I had an episiotomy with DD and it broke down after a week . The registrar ( for DS ) said the old wound had broken down as well as a new 3rd degree tear (my son was 10 lbs and had his hand up to his chin ). The specialist midwife said I could develop incontinence during and or after a subsequent pregnancy and that the weight of DS made me at risk for heavy baby again .

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Original poster

fuzzymummy · 01/04/2007 22:09

The midwife led me to believe that a doctor would decide what kind of birth I would have . And yes I know , they would need my / husband's consent . I have problems with urinary incontinence and I don't want to go for the double ( that was the worst fear I had this time ).

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lulumama · 01/04/2007 22:11

well i guess now you are pregnant, less than two years on, that you need to see the specialist midwife sooner rather than later....she can hopefully guide you and help you find the best route to take...don;t know about physio when you are pregnant.

Original poster

fuzzymummy · 01/04/2007 22:17

Thanks Klaw for the link . But I know if I have to give birth to another 10lber it won't drop out . I done perineal massage for the last birth . I was very fit . The asked the midwives for an episiotomy , they examined me and said I had enough space and didn't need it . They did not however notice the baby's hand and the rest is history .

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lulumama · 01/04/2007 22:18

Fuzzy, it might well be that this baby is (a) not as big and (b) won;t be a compound delivery

and the MWs will be on alert for it this time....

water birth can be really good for supporting the perineum and all fours can be better for less tearing....

definitely seek advice from specialist asap x

Original poster

fuzzymummy · 01/04/2007 22:30

Thanks lulumama , I think you are right I will try to see midwife asap . it's been helpful getting some of my thoughts out there . Still scared though .

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Original poster

fuzzymummy · 01/04/2007 22:30

Thanks lulumama , I think you are right I will try to see midwife asap . it's been helpful getting some of my thoughts out there . Still scared though .

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lulumama · 01/04/2007 22:32

BTA has specific support i think for women who have had 3rd and 4th degree tears....

HTH ! x

incy · 02/04/2007 09:39

You poor thing. My DS1 also came out with his hand up - he was only 7lb but I also suffered a bad third degree tear.

Like yourself, I was given dire warnings immediately afterwards about waiting for number 2 (can't say I was up for the idea at that time anyway !) and told would be strongly advised to have a c section.

Now 33 weeks and went to see consultant at about 20 weeks. I have seen 3 different registrars at the clinic and every one has had a different opinion.

no1. strongly advised c section
no2 - said I was being ridiculous and should have a natural birth with a possible cut should it be required.
no 3 -said do what you want.

so basically, you should do what it best for you and from what I have seen opinion varies wildly !

For what it is worth I've had no problems (so far) in this pregnancy and am booked in for a c section. However, this has been totally my choice.

lou33 · 02/04/2007 09:52

had 3rd degree tear with number 1, went on to have 3 more naturally, no problems, in fact by the last couple i didnt need any stitching at all

having a c/sec was never mentioned to me for any subsequent pg's

Klaw · 02/04/2007 10:59

Lulu is right, this birth is likely to be very different. You shouldn't be treated as if it is likely that things will be the same etc. All you should be doing IMHO is learning from previous and trying to lessen risks. Which is why I suggested the perineal massage. You know about that already so that's great! You will also be doing your Kegel's regularly, I assume? And as Lulu says water supports the perineum and all fours positions will help reduce risk to perineum.

And the midwife is wrong, it is NOT up to anyone but you how/where/when you give birth. They can OFFER advice but ultimately it is your decision and it best made with all the facts at your disposal. However, these days women are not given ALL the pros and cons for many of the procedures offered in childbirth. We blindly assume that the cons is God. They are not normally experienced in normal childbirth as they only ever see problems.

You must do what feels comfortable to you so start researching. Keep asking questions!

Original poster

fuzzymummy · 03/04/2007 20:50

I have taken some action . I have brought forward my appointment with the midwife . I have also marched into the community midwives office and asked to have someone go through my notes with me to clarify my questions . I doubt whether you can definitely pinpoint the exact risks but the midwife manager is going to see me . My GP put things a little bit in perspective as well i.e. that I already have bladder weakness and stress incontinence so I'm not a perfect specimen now anyway . I suppose the whole thing is still so fresh and I can still feel how it felt if that makes sense .

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Original poster

fuzzymummy · 03/04/2007 20:52

The midwives in the hospital seem to have a morbid fear of larger babies . Plus also seem to take it as read that if you have 2 whoppers chances are you'll get 3 .

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Original poster

fuzzymummy · 03/04/2007 20:56

BTW , very ,very ,very stupid question ; is there anyway that you can keep baby's weight down before the birth ? Asked the GP she laughed . She seems to think it i primarily a genetic thig and dieting will not work .

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scootermum · 03/04/2007 21:03

I had a third degree tear with dd,now 14 months-and am 32 weeks pg again now-no one has even mentioned my tear throughout this second pg!Am having a bit of urinary incontinence now but no more than I had in first pg to be honest..
Maybe I should ask my midwife-but am banking on everything being ok-ignorance is bliss?

ProfessorGrammaticus · 03/04/2007 21:07

I had a bigger gap after my 3rd degree tear - but much much less tearing the second time, not third degree though I still had stitches

ProfessorGrammaticus · 03/04/2007 21:07

Perhaps should clarify - gap between children !! LOL

Original poster

fuzzymummy · 03/04/2007 21:12

I don't know . Perhaps my midwife and obstetrician are 2 pessimists but as far as I can gather the difficulty stems from the fact that the wound from the first pregnancy gave way ( they are 17 months apart )plus I got the new tear .SO I think she suggested 2 years due to my track record being bad for proper healing IFYSWIM . Also they had issues with the baby size because they said the weight of carrying it may cause problems . I don't want to put you off scootermum , obviously your circs are possibly not identical . I am glad to hear you haven't had any new difficulties so far . But , do ask questions .

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