3rd degree tear with DS1, will it happen again?

[Jen1978]

Hi
I am thinking about trying for number 2, but had a bad 3rd degree tear after DS1 (now 20 months) where I had to go to theatre to be stitched up afterwards. Unfortuneatly the stitches did not dissolve as they should and all the tissue bunched up into this hard lump, so I had to have the whole thing re-cut and stitched when DS was 16 weeks - it was agony! The consultant said that if I had another baby there was no reason for me not to deliver naturally. However my friend had a 3rd degree and further repar just like me and now she is having baby number 2 by elective cs because that is what she has been advised.
Anyone had any experience of this?

Incidentally the birth of DS1 was pretty quick (4 hours) and he came out with his hand by his face which is prob why I tore. although midwife did not tell me to stop pushing or anything as his head crowned - so not sure if this is why I tore so bad.

I have had 2 3rd degree tears which I put down to me pushing them out very quickly and uncontrolably. I haven't had any problems with stiching or healing. I am now expecting No3 and have decided not to have CS as I feel that its only possible I will tear again whereas a CS is definately surgery IYSWIM?
Incidently I had an episio with DC2 and it made no difference. I also had more problems with the episio site than the tear.
Hoping to help

I had 3rd degree tear after DS1 too. He too has a fully dilated baby in about 4 hours but had a large head and bated repeatedly on my pelvis until his heartrate dropped. Cue epesiotemy (sp?) tear right round and forceps delivery.

Upon a 16 examination by the chief consultant in Bristol he decided to suggest elective c section as the risk of possible further damage was too great.

Ende up living in Germant for second birth, which is all private healthcare. I showed the consultant's letter from Bristol and all was fine.

jen1978 Hi, I had a 3rd degree tear with dd1, it was awful and like you had to go to theatre after for repair. I did however heal well although I always knew it never felt like it used to IUSWIM. Anyway, I had dd2 in Oct and all went fine, I was soooo scared about tearing again and thought long and hard about a c-sect. Came on here for loads of advice but to be honest no one can tell you if you will or wont tear again but you can hear how the majority do not. The consultant did say that if I was not having any problems in that area then there was no need for a c-sect unless I really really wanted one, which to be honest I was scared of as having 1 dd thought it would be more difficult looking after 2 children with a c-sect and knew my recovery was quite quick after 3rd degree.
I had a fab midwife at the hospital who knew my fear of the tear I had 1st time round and I think as long as you speak out and let them know they will do their best to avoid any tears possible.
DD1 was 7lb 3.5oz and was forceps delivery and 3rd degree tear

I did ask that if things were no going well and baby was looking like it was stuck then could I have c-sect which they said is more damaging as would have to pull baby back up the birth canel and this would damage me more than tearing and cause stress to the baby so would rather use an instrument to help baby out.
DD2 9lb 2.5 and a slight grave, no stiches and graze was not on previous scar tissue.

Hope that helps a little.

I had a second rather than third degree with DS1 but was anxious about tearing a second time (am v squeamish about stitches).
But I didn't tear at all with DS2 who was pretty much the same size as DS1 but with a bigger head.
I asked on here for advice when pg and it was recommended that I try a water birth and giving birth kneeling down. Am sure both of these things helped. Also when I coudl feel the head crowning I reached down to touch it and tried to make sure I didnt rush things, I had read that holding your hand to your baby's head can help prevent tearing.
HTH...

jen1978 - I had a third degree tear with ds2 (a vbac!, not particularly big but I was pushing for a couple of hours with no real progress and then he came out with one big push when I was 'threatened' with forceps and c/s...) and was advised afterwards not to risk another vaginal delivery.

I think the issue is not the extent of the tear as such but how well your muscles and nerves heal afterwards. I had some testing of my bottom muscles/nerves which indicated quite a bit of damage. In fact when I was referred to a physio for help with pelvic floor exercises, she realised that the reason I couldn't do them very well was because I really couldn't feel very much at all! For around a year after birth I had some faecal incontinence, and tbh, if I have to go to the toilet for a poo, I REALLY HAVE TO GO, even now, 5 1/2 years on.

If you decide to go for vb, there is loads of advice from eg Association of Radical Midwives (think I've got that right) about optimal positioning, getting your perineum in good order (lots of rubbing oil in I seem to remember), good practice in labour etc.

Good luck

bosch thats interesting re having to go for poo as I feel like that although they never have appeared to find anything wrong. Its like the urge is there and I know I have to go sorry if tmi!!

Jen1978 your story sounds similar to mine. Although I did not require a subsequent repair.

DS1 was a 4hr labour, they gave me an episiotomy as it looked tight but he shot out really fast and the result was 3rd degree tear.

DS2 was born 4 years later at home. REsult was 2nd degree tear, after very controlled birth, I think I'm just not that stretchy.

I hope you can have a straightforward VB.

I also have to go for a poowhen I have to go. Never had problem holding it in (tmi) but know I must go.