Natural Birth after a 3B TEAR

howaboutnooo · 2025-12-17T13:46:25+00:00

Hi ladies, I’m currently 25 weeks pregnant with my Second baby and I know I have some time to decide but I’m really confused as to what road to go down regarding my birth options; I had a forceps delivery with my first, he was 9lb 2oz, resulting in a 3B tear and suffered with SPD for about 6 months after. The recovery was brutal and I’m still having the odd problem with my pelvic floors. Has anyone had a natural birth after a third degree tear and what were your experiences? I want to hear all the good and bad! Consultant is advising for me to have a C-Section but my midwife is also advocating for a natural birth so am fairly confused right now! Can’t wait to hear your stories and advice. Thank you 🙏🏽

eacapade1982 · 17/12/2025 21:53

Go with the consultant... if you get another 3rd degree tear it might not repair so well and you run a higher risk of long term problems with continence. The risk isn't very high, like 10%, but if it happens, it could be very bad.

pambeesleyhalpert · 17/12/2025 21:57

Id 100% be having a c section

blankcanvas3 · 17/12/2025 22:14

I’d be going for a c-section without a doubt

golemmings · 17/12/2025 22:21

I had a 3b tear, minimal physio then had a vaginal birth for a 9lb8 monster.
I don't deliver well (I required forceps for rotation when I was born and DC2 should have had forceps but it was a bit of a cock up and they left it too late). But small episiotomy and small tear and he was out.

There were a number of issues and with hindsight I may make a different decision now.

Newhere9 · 18/12/2025 19:30

Hi, I had a 3B tear after my first baby in January this year. I was really upset when the consultant said I should consider C-section for future births. I would like to consider vaginal delivery again, so sought advice from a maternity debrief, read countless birth stories etc, there's a podcast Australian birth stories, a lady called Luka McCabe had 2 subsequent vaginal deliveries after a 3B tear with her first. So from lots I've read it is possible. Though completely your own choice, is it possible for you to have a endoanal ultrasound that may help inform you on how bad the damage/scar tissue is on whether to attempt vaginal again? I'm waiting on my results and review with gynea in the new year before I decide on any future pregnancies/births though I would be really keen for a vaginal birth again for the benefits of vaginal delivery (breastfeeding initiation, microbiome etc etc)

Pallisers · 18/12/2025 19:31

My first birth was very similar - luckily I recovered well. I had 2 c sections afterwards. No way was I going to risk incontinence or worse again. The c sections were easy by comparison.

zoomzoomzoomz · 18/12/2025 19:53

I had a 3b tear with my first and decided to go with a section for my second (my midwife and consultant were supportive whatever decision I wanted to make) due to the trauma it caused me and feeling like I'd have more control over the situation that way.
im really glad I opted for a section, it was a really lovely experience, so calm and the theatre team were fantastic at talking me through every step. the recovery was much much easier compared to my first and I have no lasting issues after it.

GentlyGentlyOhDear · 18/12/2025 20:06

I had a 3b tear with my first 14 years ago and then two subsequent vaginal deliveries with no problems. I do have small bits of urinary incontinence when running in the days before my period, which may be due to perimenopause and the fact I have not done as much physio as I should have, but I dont regret the vaginal births at all.

Craftysue · 18/12/2025 20:12

I had 2 babies vaginally after a 3B tear and didn't have any further problems and obviously don't regret my decision. I recovered fairly well from the first birth so I was lucky. It sounds like you had issues for a while after delivery and in your shoes I may have decided on a C-section

TheBirdintheCave · 18/12/2025 21:55

3B with my first and had another vaginal birth three years later. Came away with a second degree tear which healed very quickly. I was really lucky. I nearly had to have a c-section because my daughter was breech but they managed to turn her.

omggggggg · 18/12/2025 22:15

In your case I’d have a c section. It doesn’t seem like you’re fully healed. Any further tearing could cause terrible damage.

2old4thispoo · 18/12/2025 22:22

I had a 3C tear with my first dc.
When I was expecting my 2nd dc I moved and my notes weren't transferred (1990s).

When i turned up in full blown labour, the midwife was shocked when she examined me.
Thankfully it was all fine.
Went on to have 4 more dc with no issues.

But I was incredibly ignorant. Had I known then, what I know now, I would have had a section.

36 years later the true impact of those birth injuries still affect me daily.

EarlGreywithLemon · 20/12/2025 01:23

Pallisers · 18/12/2025 19:31

My first birth was very similar - luckily I recovered well. I had 2 c sections afterwards. No way was I going to risk incontinence or worse again. The c sections were easy by comparison.

This exactly. The C section recoveries were 1,000 times easier.

caringcarer · 20/12/2025 02:26

My niec had a large 9 lb 6 baby and resulted in a 3b tear. It took her almost a year before she healed. She couldn't decide about delivering her second DC. In the end she opted for C section. Her second DC was 10 lb 4 Oz and consultant told her she would likely have torn again and possibly worse. She had a third DC by C section and she was 10 lb 2 Oz. Some women just have large babies. My niece was a size 8 when she had first baby and an 8-10 for other babies. She told me her C section was far less painful than she expected and it only took her a couple of months to fully recover. She said she wishes she had a C section with her first as the pain and discomfort she had ruined her early motherhood.

TheBirdintheCave · 20/12/2025 16:40

caringcarer · 20/12/2025 02:26

My niec had a large 9 lb 6 baby and resulted in a 3b tear. It took her almost a year before she healed. She couldn't decide about delivering her second DC. In the end she opted for C section. Her second DC was 10 lb 4 Oz and consultant told her she would likely have torn again and possibly worse. She had a third DC by C section and she was 10 lb 2 Oz. Some women just have large babies. My niece was a size 8 when she had first baby and an 8-10 for other babies. She told me her C section was far less painful than she expected and it only took her a couple of months to fully recover. She said she wishes she had a C section with her first as the pain and discomfort she had ruined her early motherhood.

My son was a tiny 6lb 9oz and he was the one who gave me a 3b tear. Sometimes it’s how they come out rather than how big they are :)

Lennonjingles · 20/12/2025 16:48

My first born, 33 years ago was delivered by forceps, I wasn’t told what degree the tear was, but it took over an hour of stitching afterwards, a lot of pain, discharge for about 3 weeks. Second baby 29 year old, was born, naturally, only gas and air, no tear at all. I’m really glad I got to experience this, also quite proud of myself that I managed it, both babies were similar in size.

Mumofonexo · 26/12/2025 17:15

2old4thispoo · 18/12/2025 22:22

I had a 3C tear with my first dc.
When I was expecting my 2nd dc I moved and my notes weren't transferred (1990s).

When i turned up in full blown labour, the midwife was shocked when she examined me.
Thankfully it was all fine.
Went on to have 4 more dc with no issues.

But I was incredibly ignorant. Had I known then, what I know now, I would have had a section.

36 years later the true impact of those birth injuries still affect me daily.

You brave lady! Can I ask what issue you are facing now x

2old4thispoo · 26/12/2025 18:53

I wasn't brave but ignorant.

I have always had incontinence issues and I now have a rectocele.
The old tear scar hurts since going through menopause.

Topical estrogen helps but I get incredibly sore, cant wear anything with a seam, jeans, cycle or swim.

Mumofonexo · 26/12/2025 23:26

2old4thispoo · 26/12/2025 18:53

I wasn't brave but ignorant.

I have always had incontinence issues and I now have a rectocele.
The old tear scar hurts since going through menopause.

Topical estrogen helps but I get incredibly sore, cant wear anything with a seam, jeans, cycle or swim.

I’m sorry if I upset you. I meant no harm by calling you brave.

Im ever so sorry to hear that you’re experiencing pain from the scar tissue. That’s something I’m incredibly worried about as I tore to a third degree and got cut (without consent) in a different direction and have lots of scarring now 🫠