Did you attempt a natural delivery after 3rd degree tear?

[theHoHoHouseofmirth]

3 years ago I had a 3rd degree tear as DS was born by ventouse and very stuck (not big just awkward!).

I have suffered no symptoms since but had a very thorough follow up at St George's inclding a series of tests and an ultrasound which indicated an area of muscle weakness in the anal sphincter where I had torn. I was advised at that time if I had subsequent children a c-section would be recommended.

When I became pregnant again I saw a consultant at the perineal clinic who told me statistically I had a 18-40% chance of symptoms ranging from another 3rd degree tear, which if it were like the last one wouldn't bother me, to being faecally incontinent, which would! from that I came away thinking a section was the only real choice.

Today I went to see the obstetric consultant to discuss the section and he said he saw no reason why a well managed natural delivery should be a problem. I was initially really pleased as I've never had surgery before and the thought of a section was quite scary and also I know it's not best for the baby. But now the inital suprise has worn off I'm beginning to wonder what I should really do.

Obviously the Perineal consultant sees the worst of everything and none of the women who've gone on to have sucessful, normal births. I am the kind of person who likes to be 100% confident I've made the right decision but appreciate that's not possible in this instance so I'd love to hear from other women who've already been here please.

I had 8 natural deliveries after episiotomy and 3rd degree tear with my first baby.

Tbh nobody ever suggested anything else or said that there might be any problem with subsequent deliveries.

I had a 3rd degree tear with both of mine - no problems since. I was advised to have an episio second time so that it would tear in a different place but to be honest it didn't make any difference. I may not have had such a bad tear second time but DS was back to back. No problems since

I've had 2 natural deliveries after suffering a 3rd degree tear with DS1 (10lb, ventouse...)

However, the ultrasound I had showed no weakness and the consultant then said there was no reason for me not to give birth naturally with subsequent children.

With DS2 I had an episiotomy when the old scar began to button hole and with DD I had a 2nd degree tear. Haven't had any problems apart from the scarring being raised.

Like you, I too had conflicting advice after a 3rd degree tear which left muscle weakness in the same area you describe.

I opted for a guaranteed epidural delivery for my 2nd which was very controlled and went brilliantly and I was on an absolute high afterwards for about a year!

But 2.5 yrs on, I do wonder if I made the right choice. Although I did not tear further, I am conscious that the muscle weakness is still there and a 2nd delivery couldn't have made things any better. And I do worry what my bowel control will be like when I am older, a consideration I didn't give enough weight to at the time.

I had a fabulous HB after a 3rd degree tear. Nobody mentioned any possible problems, but I also did not have any scans etc. after the tear.

I did have a 2nd degree tear at my HB, but it was very controlled. MW's knew my first shot out like a rocket which is why I tore so badly, so they made sure they controlled it as best they could.

Good luck with whatever happens

i plan on it, like you. the consultant said i should have a 95% chance of avoiding it again. i also didn't listen to the mw, panicked and pushed too quick, i won't do that next time!

I had a hb after 3rd degree tear with no.1. I had a brilliant midwife who suggested hands on delivery, which meant that as the baby crowned she gently applied pressure on the perineum which controlled the delivery. Also we talked a lot before the birth about not pushing and breathing the baby out. I did loads of perinneal massage (the discomfort is work it) I ended up with just a tiny graze. I am expecting no.3 and plan to have a hb again, I will ask the midwife to do the same again. HTH

Meant to say that with no.2 I had a brilliant midwife!! The midwife with no. 1 panicked, told me to get in a deepsquat and to push as hard as I could

recently posted the same dilemma - I was terrified of tearing again as had long problems recovering following 3rd degree. Like the other posts here, I didn't have ultrasound or any assesments visually of the scar area but was quietly dissuaded from having c-section by all medics I came across any time I mentioned my fears - no one seemed to think there would be any problem.
So I insisted on getting senior led care and had a lovely team that were brilliant helping me not to push at the final stage. Its all about not bearing down. You breathe out like a steam train through the urge to expel - it was super hard to ignore the urge but I had three midwives, my partner and somewhere faraway at the back my head me going 'DON'T PUSH'. I did tear but only because her shoulders came through funny and they said it was ok to push at that point but it was 1st degree only and has given no problems so far.
I am really glad I managed to do it as it wiped out the bad birth memories in a closure sort of way and also I was up and running with her sister within a week but can totally understand why you would want to avoid anal incontinance. Its a hard one to call I know. I know that the other ladies on the ward who had had a section were all in a bad way which made me double glad I had chanced it after all. Try to find what your instinct is as you will need to be confident in yourself. I should add that I am small and the baby was a 9lber with a big head so I guess i did stretch the first time after all. After all my obsessive worry, it was bizarrely gentle in a way.
Good luck!

I had a 3rd degree tear with DD1 and under 13 months later had a natural birth with DD2. I had a failed ventouse and then forceps delivery with DD1 which I think was the cause of the bad tear. I wasn't offered any follow-ups after DD1 so I don't know how bad things are down there. I wasn't even offered a c-section with DD2 - the doctor I saw for two minutes gave me a lecture on how natural births are better and left it at that. I did not tear with DD2 but I do worry about future faecal incontinence.

I had 3rd degree with DD 1 (now 4 1/2) and was advised to opt for caresarian with DD2 (not 4 months). I didnt and had an unassisted vaginal birth at home. It was all over in 40 mi9nuted and i delivered myself eith very minimal tears.

PS dd2 was 9lb 2oz!!

Thanks for all your respones that is certainly encouraging.

Heated when you say you are conscious that the muscle weakness is still there do you mean that you are physcially concious of it in terms of having symptoms or just psychologically aware there may be future problems?