Second birth after 3b tear

[Loudandclear]

I'm in the first trimester of my second pregnancy after a natural birth with an episiotomy, 3rd degree tear, baby superman position and general traumatic experience of my first birth in a labour ward in Apr 2022 when covid had just made an appearance to screw up standard maternity care and disregard any follow up.

A couple of questions:
-will i automatically be consultant led?
-will anyone clinically check my scar (and possible prolapse) to give me specific pros and cons of each birth option and how likely they think clinically from what they see that I would tear etc again/ prolapse worsening risks?

Thanks

*first birth was April 2020 not 22

I was put on consultant led because of a 3rd degree tear. It was automatic where I live.

I met with the consultant to discuss birth options. I was advised that an elective c section would be best in my circumstances. That surprised me a bit but I was given time to think about it and I took my consultant's advice.

My elective c section was a very calm and reassuring experience. A complete breeze to recover from compared to my first.

Have you had a birth reflection meeting with a midwife? I declined this after the birth of my first baby as I was busy being a new mum and wasn't ready to think about giving birth again. I asked if it was still available once I was pregnant again and I found it a very informative and helpful meeting. Basically the midwife went through my birth notes with me and explained more about what had happened. There was an awful lot I hadn't remembered or realised was going on and it helped me understand why the tear had occurred and why a csection was best for me for baby number 2.

I don't think so. I had same tear and no one batted an eyelid, second and third labours tore slightly but no worsening of initial injury and could sit down straight away without a cushion.

A bad tear once doesn't necessarily repeat. Esp as my third was over 2lb heavier than first (9lb 4 v 7lb 3)

Good luck

At my trust we have a specialist clinic where you’d be offered an exam and ultrasound scan and opinion on birth planning on the basis of those findings. You can book anywhere so it might be worth travelling for this.

@Lindy2 thanks for your experiences. I haven't ruled out a section and will chat to the midwives/consultants over what they think I guess, it's just the thought of recovering from a C-section with a very active toddler and unable to drive sounds hard!
I did have a birth debrief about a year after and to be honest it just confirmed that there were a fair few of hospital failures and blatant incorrect statements/lies in the notes, alongside some things out of everyone's control of course that contributed too the outcome. Although the consultant midwife debriefing was fantastic (she wasn't there at the birth), she just led me to believe there's a chance things could have turned out differently (in a good way) if care had been different and so didn't exactly fill me with confidence in medicalised birth. I will not be returning to this hospital second time round.

@Matchingcollarandcuffs this sounds like the dream, if only I could see into the future and know for certain that I will be this lucky!

@SwayingInTime thanks so much, I didn't even know this was a thing, I will bring it up with my midwife. Do you know what exactly it is called? I'm googling to find out about it and where may offer it.

I think it varies from area to area.

I've heard it referred to as birth reflection or birth debrief.

Hopefully your midwife will be able to help you.

We call it the OASI Clinic, but this won't be national. Basically, it's a joint obstetric, physio and specialist midwife clinic that will give you a fuller picture of how you have healed. Debriefing is a separate service.

Thank you so much@SwayingInTime, it's so useful to know this exists. I just googled it and a large trust (too far from home to come for labour unfortunately but close enough that I could attend as an outpatient) runs an oasi civic. I'll ask about it at my DGH and see if they can refer me for a consultation and assessment there if they can't offer it themselves.