Elective C-section or vaginal birth after 3rd degree tear?

[Happybirthday123]

Hi everyone,

I am pregnant with my 2nd son due in March and I am trying to decide whether to opt for a C-section or vaginal birth after a 3rd degree tear 3 years ago.

During labor I was given an episiotomy but still had a 3rd degree tear. Recovery was quite painful but I have healed well I think. My pelvic floor probably isn't as strong as it once was and I sometimes let some pee out when I jump or run. I also find I need to go to the bathroom very very often ( some of this I think may be psychology - going "just in case").

Looking for any advice anyone has on my 2nd birth. Any experiences with elective C-sections would be hugely beneficial too.

Some things to consider:

-This will be my last birth, my husband is getting a vasectomy after this baby.

• My sex life took a big hit after the birth and only recently has it been a bit more normal. I am terrified of another bad tear setting this back again.

• The midwives I am seeing advise against epidurals and say this will prevent tearing but also said they would like to do an episiotomy to prevent me from tearing again. Getting an episiotomy without an epidural sounds horrifying to me, I would not consider it unless I have an epidural (which I have been told can contribute to tearing next time!)

• The midwives are also very pro natural birth and may discourage me from getting a C-section.

• I have a 3 year old son at home but he is in nursery Monday -Friday.

• My husband will be taking 6 weeks paternity leave once the baby is born so will be around to help a lot.

• I will not need to drive anywhere for 6 weeks after the birth (my husband can do all the driving)

Given all of this I would love some advice to help me make my decision.

Any personal experience on elective C-sections and recovery would be very much appreciated!

Thanks 😊

I had a bad third degree tear with my first and was taken straight down to surgery after the birth.
Second birth was a super quick natural birth, no tearing at all.
A third degree test the first time doesn’t always mean it will happen again.
I found that I was given lots of guidance when pushing with my second that prevented me tearing again.
Good luck in whatever you decide 🙂

Fellow 3rd degree tear mum here!

Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy 💐.

My first birth was an awful 2nd degree tear - it healed with lots of scar tissue and was really, really painful. My second birth was a third degree one and it sounds like I've recovered in the same way you have.

I won't be having any more but, if I were and I had the option, I'd look to get an elective c section. I wouldn't want the worry and anxiety of labouring and trying to avoid another, even worse tear, personally.

The way I see it is this - you show up at the hospital, have the baby in whichever way is least risky for you and the baby and then get out of there ASAP, don't look back and enjoy your lives together.

Very best of luck with everything and here's to having a vagina more or less back in one piece 🍀

My advice OP is just to be super firm and shut them down any time they bring up natural birth. I had a lot of this at my midwife appointments: 'Don't be afraid, there's no reason your traumatic first birth will mean you can't give deliver naturally this time.' Every time I just firmly and politely said, 'I'm having a C-section this time round.' They were trying to be supportive in case I really wanted natural but I didn't. I wanted zero risk of any tear again and the only way to get that is with a c-section.
It was an amazing feeling when I had my booking appointment with the surgeon ,when my c-section date came through and when I was being wheeled down to the theatre itself. Do not waiver!

I had a 3C tear 7 years ago and I’m still not the same! Had 2 elective sections since, so straightforward in comparison.

I’ve been in your exact shoes and I went with the elective section.

I was terrified of going through labour again and relieved to avoid it. And despite assurances that it wouldn’t happen again, I didn’t want to take the risk. Multiple bad tears can leave you with lifelong damage/incontinence.

I'm coming to this thread late but here's my experience. Large first baby, third-degree tear and hemorrhage, had to stay in hospital for five days to recover.

Second baby, my doctor suggested an induction at 39 weeks to prevent having another huge baby! He was born in less than three hours, no tearing, no pain relief and I was up and about the next day. My old tear didn't reopen, and I didn't need an episiotomy.

So, I had a much easier vaginal birth the second time around. But we're all individual and it's really hard to advise other people!

Not really the point but OP you really should look into a women's health physio once you've had the baby - I had a 4th degree tear when I had DS 18 months ago and after some great physio have absolutely no incontinence issues at all. Despite what we are lead to believe it isn't something that we just have to put up with!

I had a third degree test first time.

For my second pregnancy I was under consultant care, because of the previous tear. Although I was free to choose, it was very clear my consultant was very keen I had an elective c section for my second birth.

The risk of tearing again and doing irreparable damage was too high.

My elective csection was a very positive experience. It was calm and I felt safe and relaxed throughout. I healed well and quickly and felt so much better than after my first birth, which was frankly pretty traumatic and took me months to recover from.

I'm glad you've made your decision now and are happy with your choice.