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Childbirth

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

Second birth after 3rd degree tear

8 replies

Fknm · 02/06/2020 05:26

I had a traumatic birth with my first child in 2014. Had a forceps delivery in theatre with a 3b degree tear and multiple internal lacerations and lost over 60% of the blood in my body. My daughter was born blue/floppy and needed resuscitation after her cord snapped before she was fully delivered. It took me a long time to take the step and try for a second child. At my 12 week booking in appointment the midwife referred me to the high risk clinic for a consultant led delivery. However I'm now over 39 weeks and still have not seen one. I inquired about it at every midwife appointment I had then a couple of weeks ago i had a telephone consultation with a midwife from from birthing options, she said she didn't have any of my proper notes with her. When I asked about the bleeding she said i probably bled because my uterous didn't contract and she didn't have anything on her notes about the cervical tears or my daughter's cord snapping and said that it couldn't have snapped before she was born and must have happened after she was clamped and after she was delivered. she went on to say that i can even give birth at the birthing center if I wanted and would be perfectly safe.
After the appointment I went back and read through the notes that I took pictures of at the time and it said the uterous contracted well and bleeding was from the laceration also said that the cord snapped before delivery. She couldn't properly answer any of my questions or address my concerns. I called my midwife after this and told her how I felt and told her I assumed I would be speaking to a consultant, she said my referral at the beginning was not done properly and as it's last minute she put me through to birthing options instead. She said she would try and arrange another appointment with this midwife and asked me to take my notes with me when I do. It has been 2 weeks since and today I got a call from my midwife saying that the birthing options midwife said it's up to me now to decide what I want to do, an elective c section or a vaginal birth at hospital or birthing clinic and that I won't be seeing a consultant or have another appointment with herself. I'm really confused and terrified. I assumed I would at least be able to discuss with a consultant to get some reassurance about what happened last time. Or at least find out about the risks so I could make an informed decision. My last antinatal appointment I had last week was not with my usual midwife as she was on leave. The midwife I saw said that I should have seen a doctor by now because of what happened last time and would send an email to try and get me seen but then I get today's call saying I won't be seeing anyone now. I'm really confused. I want to know if this is normal. I know everyone's situations are different but those of you who had 3rd degree tears did you see a doctor to discuss or is what I am experiencing normal.

OP posts:
Sosounhappy · 02/06/2020 05:34

I saw a doctor but that was 16 years ago

HT96 · 02/06/2020 05:36

NO it is not normal! You have been completely let down and I beg you to PLEASE put in a complaint! Contact your midwife again and tell her you are absolutely disgusted at the care you have been given and will be putting in a complaint to the hospital! Make sure you give names to.

I did not have a severe tear but I did bleed with my DD so I was consultant based with my second and saw a consultant 3 times in my pregnancy who then decided to induce me at 39 weeks, I had a highly experienced midwife for the birth and a student midwife stayed with me through the whole process other than for her breaks, I met the doctor and anaesthesiologist at the beginning of my labour..... thank god I had proper care because I haemorrhaged again and even though the midwife hit the emergency button straight away they just could NOT stop it and I ended up in theatre seconds away from a hysterectomy! I even had to sign for one as they were putting me to sleep....

Personally if it was me making your decision I would have a C-section! At least then you know you are in safe hands.

Elephantonascooter · 02/06/2020 05:40

I haven't been through this because I'm only a few weeks pregnant with my second but my first birth was very similar to yours. I have little trust in the maternity services due to them not following my birth plan last time and taking advantage of the fact I had lots of meds to do things their way and not mine. As a result, this time I will be taking matters into my own hands and planning a c section. It takes all the uncertainty out of it for me, as last time was so traumatic.
I'm sorry you've been through this. Go with your cut as to how you would like to birth. Although, it does sound a little late to be planning a c section

Raindancer411 · 02/06/2020 06:09

I had a haemorrhage and third degree tear with first and ventouse. I was told I needed to see a consultant but wouldn't be until later in pregnancy. I would chase up again.

I just had my second and they basically had drugs to give me to stem the flow of blood and quickly reduce the uterus. The midwife used a method called stomp. Slow delivery and a warm wet compress on the area and I did not tear at all this time:

Keep chasing and good luck

Fknm · 02/06/2020 20:45

Thank you all for replying. Made me feel a bit better about choosing an elective but looks like I will be seeing an obstetrician now so I can make a better informed decision although more inclined towards an elective.
A couple months ago I had a large haemorrhage in my eye from throwing up caused by valsalva maneuver, and have temporarily lost central vision in one eye and have to wait for baby to be born to get treatment. I had an appointment with the ophthalmologist today who said I must see an obstetrician to discuss c section or vaginal birth and that vaginal birth could cause more damage to my eye, so GP made another referral so hopefully will get to speak to an obstetrician soon and be able to discuss previous birth also. GP said if I happen to go in to labour before then, then to go in to hospital at first signs and tell them that I need to speak to obstetrician.

OP posts:
Whatelsecouldibecalled · 02/06/2020 22:26

I’m sorry they have made you feel like this. Awful. Whilst I can’t comment on second baby as my
First is only 8 weeks old. I had a 3b tear and significant blood loss. I was told second baby would be a planned c section due to mess first baby made! More than happy with this and I would have pushed for a section anyway I can’t recover from a tear again

Ostanovka · 02/06/2020 22:37

I chose a C section, consultant said if I hadn't, they would still have had cross matched blood on standby in case of another hemorrhage. I'd definitely ask about that. I had a 3C tear from a water birth and needed a transfusion.

LadyFuschia · 02/06/2020 22:48

I had similar to you: long labour, ventouse, coccyx snapped, haemorrhage, 3rd degree tear ... awful slow recovery and was petrified that I could never have another baby. Nearly three years later with dc2 I was determined to have a c-section which was ok’d immediately and was SUCH a positive experience - in the main because it all went exactly as they said it would so there was a wonderful sense of calm & order that was rather healing.
Hope you can make a decision and yes, complain about your (lack of) treatment! Enjoy your baby!!

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