Next birth after 3rd degree tear - c-section or not?

[Hmbabyonway]

Hi everyone
I had a third degree tear 2.5 years ago (not sure which but I’m thinking 3a) and am due to give birth again in 10 weeks. The tear took a while to heal completely and be able to walk long periods but I recovered fine and no long term issues.

I had my appointment with the consultant and he has left it up to me if I have an elective c-s or try a natural birth. The chance of a second 3rd degree tear is higher this time (5-10% this time) and could lead to the same recovery or worse if it happened again, but I’m also worried about the recovery time of an ELCS with a toddler. Has anyone had a comparable experience of 3rd degree tear / ELCS and able to share any advice? Thanks

I had a third degree tear with my first but elected for natural home birth for my second. My midwife was great and really helped me slow down the pushing stage and I think she sort of supported my perineum too. I ended up with no stitches!
3rd baby not so lucky but that's cos she whoosed out before medical help arrived - but that's a different story!
Good luck whatever you decide

I had a third degree tear. It didn’t heal well afterwards. I knew I wanted a section with DD2 and expected a fight about it, but the Registrar had read my notes and when I walked in said “that all seemed awful, would you like a section.” He did the section and when he put DD2 on me said “that was the right way to get this baby out.” I loved the section, it was a great relaxed day (totally different from the panic of DD1s birth) I only took paracetamol till I went home and was back on my feet quickly and driving in four weeks. I also had been dreading Labour (the last one was 3 days long) so not having to go through that was bliss.

I had a 3b tear the first time (and a pph). Second time I opted for an ELCS. I found the recovery much easier and quicker from the c section. I didn't even need paracetamol after 10 days. My first was 2yo and it was fine- dh took 3 weeks off work and then he went back full time. I was totally ok on my own by that point. I'd personally opt for a c section over a vb any day of the week but appreciate I was particularly unlucky with my first birth! Good luck with whatever you decide.

I had a bad 3rd degree tear with my first. Although I have no issues, in my area everyone with a 3rd degree tear or higher is offered follow up scans to make sure everything has healed OK, and they found a small gap that had not closed properly. They gave me a growth scan at 35 weeks and said if the baby looked like it would be bigger than my first they would strongly recommend a c section. I had the c section and it was amazing. So much calmer, the recovery was so much easier and I had no real issues. There are just over 3 years between my two dc. I did have my mum around for a couple of weeks once my husband went back to work but I don't think I needed her as much as I thought I would.

It has to be your choice, there are risks and benefits either way but I don't regret have a section at all.

Cesareans wasn't as bad as I was told it would be.
I had an elcs with breech twins last time. We already had 3 kids aged 9, 4 & 2. DH got 6 weeks off work but then I was on my own a lot as he's military so works away. I found it to be a fairly easy recovery despite my wound getting infected. Was back doing all but heavy lifting for the 1st few weeks and dh did all the driving while he was home.
I had a 3rd degree tear with our 3rd, healed well and I would have gone VB with the twins if they hadn't been breech.

I had a 3b tear with DD & PPH, & retained placenta which require me to go to theatre an hour after the birth & meant I pretty much missed the entire first day of DDs life as I was so out of it. DD was born at 9am, I wasn't really conscious till 5pm.
I was petrified of it happening again with DS, & consultant did say I could have an elcs but I decided to try natural, on the understanding that I'd accept pretty much any invention if required.
Ended up being induced (due to perceived size of DS) waters broke soon after but Labour didn't progress well (DS decided to go back up the birth channel & lie sideways!) so ended up having an emergency cs.
Honestly I was both terrified & relieved. In the end it was a much calmer & easier experience than my previous labour. Healed fine, was driving within 3wks & recovery, to me, was easier than after the natural birth. Plus no tears, & the thing I was worried about - prolapse.
If I had to do it again I'd go elcs.

I had a third degree tear with my first. I had my second 2 years almost to the day later. They never mentioned an elective section to me.

My second birth was a beautiful water birth. I was amazed when the midwife told me I hadn't torn at all! I think being in water and all fours helped me. Also the midwife who stitched me up did a wonderful job. By coincidence she delivered my second too and was impressed with her own handy work lol.

I'd honestly assumed I'd tear again so had everything prepared at home for that.

I had a 3b tear with my first who got stuck with a shoulder dystocia during a waterbirth. I was booked for an elective c section with the second but I went into labour a week early in the middle of the night. The only surgical team was already doing a section when I arrived and I progressed too quickly so ended up with a vaginal birth. The midwife was very hands on to stop him shooting out and I did end up with a couple of grazes but I was back driving the next day and felt much better than if I’d had the section although I didn’t know it would be like that when I booked it.