Are you offered an elective c-section with 2nd pg after 3rd degree tear with first?

[Nellybell]

I had a 3rd degree tear with my first preg that took a long time to heal and left me in a lot of pain. Now I'm pg again and feeling anxious about the birth. I've read that some women have been offered c-sections after experiencing a tear wiht the first and wondered if this is offered as a matter of course to women who have had 3rd degree tears with the first. Does anyone know? I'll be seeing the midwife in a few weeks and I'll ask then but wondered what other people's experiences had been?

[thehappyprince]

nellybell, I had similar problems and got the impression that it was standard practice to offer a cs due to the risks of faecal incontinence if further tear. However, consultant very open and honest and offered also could go ahead with normal delivery with option to switch to cs at short notice if necessary. He said should be referred during future pregnancy to discuss then, my choice what to do. If I were you, I'd raise it with your midwife / GP and request a referral to discuss with O&G. tbh, though they often get bashed, obstetric care locally was great and was saved from midwife who was great during delivery but rubbish when I developed complications shortly after. Community midwives great too.

[pucca]

I had a 3rd degree tear first time around, and bowel trouble for 12 months afterwards sad

When i got pg with my ds, i just decided i would talk to the consultant and go with whatever they thought best - they thought a elective section was the best option.

Even now after almost 2 years since that section, the memories have not faded, i found an elective section horrible, my BP went through the floor while they were stitching me up and i almost lost consiousness (i for some reason thought i was dying), my ds was all grunty and had low oxygen levels and was very close to being carted off to the neonatal unit which was extremely worrying at the time, and my recovery was not good at all.

The pain getting out of that bed the day after, will stay with me forever, much much worse than the pain i got after my previous tear, i also ended up with infections inside and in my wound.

To me, having been through both a traumatic vaginal birth and a section, i feel i can give my opinion, i, tbh, preferred the 3rd degree tear! and how anyone can think an elective section is the "easy route" is living in cloud cuckoo land.

Oh and less dignity too, having the MW to help me shower.

Vaginal birth = the pain before.

Section = the pain afterwards.

I know which i prefer now.

[pucca]

If my post doesn't make sense, its because i copied and pasted from another thread, just has my opinion.

[DMCT]

Mrs Tittlemouse and Pucca, if you had bowel trouble/control issues didn't you go for surgery afterwards? I am waiting to see the consultant re it and the other docs, midwives think i will have to have surgery to repair the repairs already done. I had 4th degree tear and am far from back to normal at 6 wks.

[MrsTittleMouse]

I pushed and pushed to see a consultant (it was the fourth GP who finally realised that I shouldn't be in constant pain/discomfort at 6 months postpartum - by which time it was too late for some of the procedures I could have had). But when I finally saw the consultant I was told that I'm not a good candidate for corrective surgery, as my problem scar runs along the length of the vagina, and the classic Fentons procedure is to relieve a circular band of scarring around the vagina. I've been lucky in that I haven't had faecal incontinence issues (thank goodness).

This isn't something that I have given up on. I'm seeing the consultant again (I have a referral but don't have an appointment yet) and I have the name of a private consultant from another MNetter if things aren't great after this delivery (whether it is a VB or CS).

[MrsTittleMouse]

PS Good luck with your repair DMCT. I found it quite shocking how many of us on MN have had complications from a VB, but strangely reassuring that I'm not alone (strange because I wouldn't wish complications on anyone else of course).

[DMCT]

Thanks, hopefully they dont make a mess of it this time. They'll have to knock me out to examine me though!