Tearing in second birth after episiotomy in first?

[mommymeggie]

Hi everyone,

I'm pregnant with DD2 and had a bad vaginal birth with my DD. She was back to back and they used both ventouse and forceps. They had to cut me three times to get the baby out with the forceps in the end. I have a scar in the shape of a V. Well, I was wondering if anyone ripped from your episiotomy scar ( or tear) in your second birth that you received from your first? I'm a bit worried.

I had DD1 (bad tearing), DS (episiotomy), DD2 (bad tearing along the tear from DD1).

I think you are more likely to tear along scar tissue as it doesn't stretch. It may depend though - if you only had to have the episiotomy so they could use the forceps etc, and because of baby's position, then you may not tear or need episiotomy at all this time.

For me, I have massive babies and obv not the roomiest fanjo, so I will always either tear or need episiotomy I think.

Talk to your midwife about it. Tell them you're worried about tearing along your scar, and ask them to watch it closely during the birth (maybe tell your DH to tell them, and write it in birth plan), and tell them if you want to have an episiotomy if it looks like you will tear.

HTH. Try not to worry too much about it, just get educated about your options.

Hello. i had an episiotimy which then resulted in a 3rd degree tear with dc1.... i was petrified about the labour with dd2 but was lucky.... i had a second degree tear but it was only superficial and didnt require any stitches.

your best option is to tell your midwife your concerns when you get to the hosp and hopefully she will be as lovely as the on i had.

hth.

I had a huge Episiotomy with ds2 (forceps etc) but then had a homebirth with ds2 (who was 2lbs heavier and went straight into 0-3 clothes). In my second birth I only had a slight tear - no stitches necessary.

Having a waterbirth second time might have helped...

The midwife said to me that there is a risk of tearing on scar lines from previous births (and the risk is higher if you have a smaller gap between pregnancies, as I did).

ITA with Charlotte about talking it through with the midwife who attends you in labour.

HTH

I had episiotomy with DS1 - must have been fairly large as it took forever to stitch up. Had a tear with DS2 - but not along scar line. Episiotomy again last week with DS3 - no tearing along either previous scar. Don't know how scientific this is but I have been told the most important thing about any cut / tear is how well they stitch it up i.e. you want an experienced midwife or the registrar doing it, not anyone else!

I had a terrible tear after ds1 (shudder) internally and externally. I had ds2 14 months later and had a tiny tear, which didn't need stitching.

With ds1 I was lying flat on my back and pushing for over an hour. With ds2 I was on my knees with my arms over the back of the bed. I think this really help as I didn't really need to consciously push, he just sort of came out with the contractions (hard to describe but my body pushed on its own and naturally only twice). It was amazing.

Thanks for sharing with me your stories. I will def talk to the midwife who is in the delivery room with me. Forgot to mention after my episiotomy, it took them ages to stitch me up but did a really good job! My baby was only 7lbs 15oz but felt like 15lbs coming out!! I will speak to them also about cutting me again rather than tearing.