Tearing a second time

12 replies

Frizzy1986 · 09/02/2019 09:06

Hi all,
I'm very early in my second pregnancy but want dto get some experiences before I have my midwife appointment. I had a 3rd degree tear with my first 5 years ago. Natural labour, gas and air, pool delivery. Midwife just told me to push when I felt like it. I went from 6cm to baby out in 50mins. It appears I went hell for leather and definitely felt the tear as I yelled "I feel like I'm splitting in two"
I had to have a spinal and surgery to sort it out. No lasting issues and midwives and tear clinic were pleased with the healing and function of all holes!
I'm just wondering, having had such a big tear last time, is it likely I'll tear again along the scar tissue?
What can I do to try to prevent it? Was it because I pushed too hard and fast? Would more direct midwife support in the pushing prevent it?
Interested in peoples' experiences.

OP posts:

Farmerswifey12 · 09/02/2019 09:26

Can't offer any advice on likelihood of tearing again.

However wheb you go into labour sp3ak to the midwives who will be delivering your baby and ask them to talk you through the pushing stage. With my 2nd I was also told to "do what my body was telling me" but I also just pushed as much and as hard as possible to get it over with. My far the surest birth. With my 3rd growth scans showed my baby measuring large for dates, the midwives knew this as obviously one of the risks of a bigger baby is tearing and they talked me through the final pushes, for example some I was told to pant. I actually panted the head out and didn't even realise it was out! So think there are certain techniques they can use to try

Farmerswifey12 · 09/02/2019 09:28

Apologies for the typos, I'm on my phone and didn't proof read that should read my 2nd was by far the sorest birth!

Mummytumm · 09/02/2019 09:31

I had a 3rd degree tear with my 1st (7lb 6oz). With my 2nd (13 years later) I had a shoulder dystocia birth (9lb 5oz) and had to have an episiotomy, amongst other things, to get him out. Didn't tear before or during.
I really don't think there's anyway of predicting if you will tear or not and, in my own experience, isn't related to baby's size either. Hope this helps?

HalfBloodPrincess · 09/02/2019 09:33

There’s no telling.
I didn’t tear with my first, had 3rd degree with my second and 2nd degree with my third.

CherryPavlova · 09/02/2019 09:34

My first birth was very traumatic due to a severe shoulder dystocia. My second was a 10lb 2oz baby where I received a minor graze and needed one stitch. My third resulted in an entirely intact perineum.

Pelvic floor exercises are helpful. Some suggested almond oil for a couple of weeks before hand. Waterbirth to help relaxation process - a relaxed mother tends to better outcomes. Good breathing practice

Original poster

Frizzy1986 · 09/02/2019 09:40

Thanks. It's good to know that a 3rd degree tear first time doesn't necessarily mean another 3rd degree tear. I didn't do any panting and wondered if it was the speed that caused it last time.

OP posts:

DownWentTheFlag · 09/02/2019 09:43

From a recent appointment with a consultant, I seem to remember that chances of a tear with 2nd baby (following a 3rd degree tear with the first) are something like 7%.

donkir · 09/02/2019 09:50

I had a third degree tear with my first which needed reconstructive surgery a year later. With my 2nd I had a tiny graze which healed on its own.
First was 8lb 2 and 5 and a half hours from first contraction to birth
Second was 8lb 14 and 2hrs 35 mins from first contraction to birth.

NannyPear · 09/02/2019 09:51

I had a 2nd degree tear with DC1, following a pool birth, which needed a spinal and surgery to repair too, as they weren't sure if it was a third or not. All healed fine.

I do remember though when his head was out I was waiting for the next contraction to get his body out and it just didn't come! Stupid me panicked and thought he must be drowning or something (...) so ended up pushing him out when really I shouldn't have. I'm more than certain this contributed to the tear so I'm going into this birth being a bit more sensible!!

Having another bad tear is a fear of mine as I'm planning a home birth and would be absolutely gutted if I had to go to hospital afterwards.

Farmerswifey12 · 09/02/2019 10:56

@Frizzy1986 yes I definately felt more pain and took longer to heal when left to my own devices as I just pushed to get it over with. So worth a try asking midwife to talk you through it as I felt a difference

Jsh125 · 15/02/2019 21:40

I had a 3rd degree tear with my first 2 years ago after a forceps delivery. Healed really well with no issues at all & was worried about 2nd time round & if I’d be as lucky. Second child is now 6 weeks old, had a waterbirth this time & had a 2nd defree tear which midwife stitched. So far so good with no issues at all again. Can’t tecommend pelvic floor exercises enough - start them now if you’ve not already. If you do test again they’ll definitely help minimise any bowel issues (not absolutely guaranteed of course)

APurpleSquirrel · 21/02/2019 18:26

I had a 3rd degree tear with my DD in 2014 who was 8lb 13oz (as well as retained placenta & massive post partum haemorrhage) & was terrified of going through the same or worse with DC2. I was consultant led throughout the pregnancy as they were concerned too, so had more scans to keep a check. One scan made them worry DS was growing too fast so advised inducing at 39wks (DD was nearly 2 was overdue).
Was induced, all progressing well, then the midwife found my dilation had reduced & couldn't feel DS head. Got scanned on labour ward & found he'd disengaged head & gone back up birth canal & was now oblique! CFer!!! Anyway had to have CSection as was no longer safe to birth naturally so thankfully no tearing, retained placenta or blood loss, just csection scar instead.
If you're worried talk to your midwife.

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