Giving birth after 3rd degree tear

[girlmama32]

When I had my dd it was quite a traumatic birth, 28 hour full back labour as she was back to back resulting in a third degree tear and lots of stitches.
My question is how likely is that to happen with no.2? Has anyone had a bad tear then gone on to be fine with subsequent births? I've been told I can have an elective section if I wish but I'm really not sure what's best.

I had a 3rd degree tear and episiotomy and minor pph with my first 20yrs ago. She was induced and back to back and eventually ventoused out in theatre.

I saw a consultant in second pregnancy (11yrs ago) who said I had a less than 5% chance of tearing badly again. Section not discussed.

I have gone on to have 3 further vaginal births. I've had a second degree tear each time. These have healed well though. The births have all been easier too despite the babies being bigger and 3 &4 also being inductions.

I'm expecting DC5 in June and will have another vaginal birth unless something goes awry.

Third degree tear after first, severe pain for weeks after, could barely stand up. Baby was born very quickly. I still think I may not have torn so badly had I been on my knees rather than my back. Was told subsequent births likely to be faster again and likely to need surgery afterwards given first tear so hospital birth advised. Second baby was indeed faster. So fast he was born in at home unplanned and without intervention. Very few stitches done by midwife a couple of hours later, tore in same place but in much smaller area (I was on my knees).

No one can tell you, any birth can go in so many directions we can only be aware of factors. My experience just says that it wasn't worth me carrying the fear through my second pregnancy, which I did. Best of luck.

I had a 3rd degree tear with #2 and after researching (and I think a couple of threads on here!) went on to have a vaginal birth for #3 which was fine - 2nd deg tear only.

I didn’t have any significant lasting symptoms after the 3rd deg tear

It’s a tough call but I read at the time that statistically there wasn’t that much higher chance of tearing again

I made very sure the midwives knew I’d had a previous tear, gave birth on my knees and they put their hands there to stop baby coming out too fast

I remember reading at the time - c section it’s a certainty muscles will be cut through, tear it’s only a possibility.

For me also the fact it was #3 meant that increased recovery time, not being able to drive etc would’ve been far from ideal

Thanks for your replies, it's reassuring to know that it likely wouldn't be as bad second time round, it's something that has been at the back of my mind since I gave birth 18 months ago.
I definitely think it wouldn't have happened or at least been as bad if I hadn't been on my back but being my first, and I suppose quite naive, I put all my trust in what I was being told to do.
If I can avoid a section I think I'd rather as spending weeks not able to do certain things wouldn't be as easy with a toddler to contend with!

My first sounds a lot like your first and I was bloody terrified of having another. The back to back contractions were so bad, I had an epidural, actually 2 as it went on so long, forceps and a 3rd degree tear.

DC2 was a walk in the park. Contractions were totally manageable, everything was much quicker and she popped out with minimal damage with just gas and air.

I had third degree tear with my first, consultant said they would prefer to do an episiotomy with second but I was averse to that so I researched it, did perineal massage with oils and had a water birth and only needed two stitches. I felt much more in control and it was a much more pleasant experience

@Rootsmanouvre

My first sounds a lot like your first and I was bloody terrified of having another. The back to back contractions were so bad, I had an epidural, actually 2 as it went on so long, forceps and a 3rd degree tear.

DC2 was a walk in the park. Contractions were totally manageable, everything was much quicker and she popped out with minimal damage with just gas and air.

This is very reassuring thankyou!

@onlymyselftoanswerto1

I had third degree tear with my first, consultant said they would prefer to do an episiotomy with second but I was averse to that so I researched it, did perineal massage with oils and had a water birth and only needed two stitches. I felt much more in control and it was a much more pleasant experience

I have read a bit about this and think I will definitely give it a go, worth it if it helps that much. I had my heart set on a water birth first time round but it ended up slowing everything down and I needed stronger pain relief so I had to get out

I had a third degree first time despite perineal massage and kneeling up etc, long recovery. Unfortunately went on to have another 3rd degree with DC2 but recovery was so much better and felt so much more in control - even where this time I had quite a rigid birth plan I wanted to stick to because 'going with the flow and seeing how I went" meant I was flexible but just didn't know what to do and what was happening - anecdotally lots of friends agree with the whole "trust your body, it knows what it's doing" thing for number 2 onwards.

Basically would you want to risk trying again for major surgery with an older child - good luck with the birth, risks are minimal (and I say this from the lovely position of being in the 5% )