C section after tear?

[georgiams]

Pregnant with baby no3 and considering elective section. Both babies were born back to back. Baby no1 - spontaneous labour ending with episiotomy ventouse and 2nd degree tear. Baby no2 induction due to ICP (obstetric Cholestasis) ending with episiotomy, forceps and 3b tear and about a month of agony. Baby 2 will only be 11 months old when this one arrives so my body hasn't had all that much time to recover so leaning towards c section as I've had the same sort of situation twice already. Luckily I don't seem to yet have any lasting damage from the tear but I'm worried about the consequences of another. Also the icp has a 70-90% recurrence rate which would therefore likely end in an induction again with a higher chance of intervention and tearing. The only thing that puts me off the c section is having an 11 month old and newborn to look after. Has anyone been in a similar situation or have any advice ? Sorry for the rambling! Thanks.

I havent had an section but just thought I'd reply to say I would also to an elective section in your case too. The ICP is a big issue and the anxiety alone of a 3rd tear would be enough to push for and elective section. You have grounds if they say otherwise, good luck xx

Thank you x

I would definitely choose an elective section over an induction, but then I don't have 2 children at home already. Do you have a partner - how much time can they take off? Or other family that can help?

Hey I'm pregnant with my 3rd also, my first I had episiotomy and a 3rd degree tear, 2nd I had episiotomy but then the placenta got stuck and had to be rushed theater to get it all out. Haven't had any bad lasting damage either but something about a csection scares the life out of me.. So not any advice really but I get where you at lol

I had an elective csection with my first and honestly was over the worst within a couple of day. I was driving again 2 weeks later (with agreement from GP) and back to normal by week 6ish

Friends who have had episiotomies / tears took much longer to recover. I'm having another csection with my second later this year, imagine recovery will be slightly harder with a toddler but not enough to make me worried

I had a third degree tear with my first child after a long back to back labour and have just had my second child by elective csection. The recovery from the csection has been a million times better than the recovery from my tear. In your shoes I’d definitely go for a csection, I wouldn’t want to risk any more damage if you were to have another tear.

I have one child and had an emergency section after a complicated pregnancy that ended with a full abruption.

Even with my reasonably weakened state (blood loss) I'd say I was pretty much normal by 4 weeks PP but not fully normal until 6-8 weeks. I wouldn't want to care for an 11 month old along with a newborn but I reckon I could have. Although you wont be able to lift the 11 month old for quite awhile so consider how you can change your routine to allow for that. I think the main issue will be going up and down stairs? Getting in and out of a high chair etc.

If you can be pretty much helped 24/7 for the first 2 weeks then I reckon I'd go for a section in your position. After 2 weeks you are likely to still have some discomfort, but so long as you've taken it easy and are healing well you should hopefully be over the worst of it. The only issue I've seen from all the people I know who've had sections is when people try to do to much too soon, which is probably more tempting if you have another baby to look after.

I had a 3b tear which was painful for months. Then had an ELCS- it was fab, really smooth and quick recovery. Much better and easier than a tear.