Anyone have a 3rd degree tear and choose a vaginal birth next time?

[2021ComeAtMe]

As per the title, has anyone had a 3rd degree tear with one birth but still choose to have a vaginal birth, as opposed to caesarean, for a subsequent delivery?

With DC1 I suffered a 3B tear.. Was not ideal, to say the least luckily I recovered well and no serious long term damage. Now we're TTC DC2 and looking ahead at birthing options. The only person who I know who that happened to had an ELCS for their next birth, and said the recovery was so much better!

I'm just torn with what to do and hoping some real-life experiences might help

I've had two planned caesarians. In answer to your questions, numbness for a while but it didn't really bother me, no real overhang to speak of. The first scar was cut out during the second one, my scar is small and barely visible now (sorry to be graphic but it probably helps that it's below the top of my bikini line). I found them both pretty easy (and went home the next day for the second one) but appreciate that everyone's experience is different.

I had a 3a tear, twice, almost certainly caused by head circumference on 99.4th centile for both, though my first was also back to back. I also had 2 water births, I don’t recall if the midwives tried to coach when pushing, all I remember is that I find the agonising pain of crowning so difficult to bear that I just want it over with as quickly as possible at that point, so panting was not physically possible.

However, the recovery for me was absolutely fine both times and I have no regret over the decision to have second naturally. The consultant advised that risk of second tear was around 10%. Decision would depend on experience first time round for me - mine was overall a good experience despite the tear and recovery was fine, but if your first experience was not good then you may be better with ELCS.