third degree scaremongering or what - help???

[alipeepee]

Hi. My story: I had my first baby in March 06. Gave birth in the midwife led unit. When waters broke there was meconian (spelling!) in them so they had to send me upstairs. However, I never got out the room as it all started happening rather quickly so midwives just monitored him after each contraction. His heart rate dropped at one point so had to push hard and fast when I have to say, I didn't feel "the urge". He came out with one arm by his head and with me practically standing. I had a third degree tear which was stitched under spinal block in theatre afterwards. I don't have particularly bad memories from it (in fact, it didn't even really hurt that much apart from the obvious), I wasn't traumatised by the tear and I've never had a moments incontinence from day one. However, I'm now preggers with no 2 and am terrified of c section and also of being left incontinent as I've ben told that there is a chance of DOUBLE incontinence if it tears again. I would like to know how many people actually do have another third degree tears second time around and of those, how many are left incontinent. Is this a midwife vs doctor thing - who do I trust????

ali you might find this useful.
Third degree tears

Really all depends on why it happened first time around.
I saw my consultant this week for my 6 week check and he says that as I have a short perineum I would definitely need an episiotomy next time.

I was told after my first that there was a high probability I would tear during subsequent deliveries as the scar tissue wouldn't "give". I didn't. So, things don't always go the way they say they will.

Thanks Juule - nice stories are good to hear. All a bit accademic now as I miscarried last night - very sad but it was early so guess better than it could be. Guess I can stop obsessing about tearing for a bit! Horrid day lies ahead. x

so sorry to hear that x

So sorry to hear that, Alipeepee.
Be kind to yourself.

vole3 - as a midwife I am a bit amazed that your doctor could tell you that you would need an episiotomy because of a short perineum. Doctors have minimal experience (practically none) of facilitating normal birth without stitches. A non prenant perineum look much different than a pregnant one stretching in the second stage.

alipeepee - I would like to echo what mintpurple said about the importance of correct repair of a third degree tear. When repaired well there shouldn't be any problem.

information on repair and management

I have also seen many babies born after previous third degree tear with no problems.

There is evidence that the pressure of a pregnancy can cause strain on the sphincter itself - women who have had C/S have weakened sphincters so it is not all down to mode of delivery.

If you have had no problems since delivery then it is fine to go for vaginal birth. HTH.

So sorry Alipeepee

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that Alipeepee, my thoughts are with you.

thanks guys. Had awful weepy day but am starting to feel a bit more human now especially with a large glass of red wine poured - this cloud's lining comes in bordeaux not silver! Mears it's great to hear that about tears. Hopefully I'll be in a position to be obsessing about it all over again soon. lots of love. xx