3a tear, anyone else? How was any birth after this?

[sunsandwaves]

Hi ladies,

So I suffered a 3a tear with my first baby, he was only 7lb 15 but I am only 5 foot and 7 stone so I'm really petite so for me he was on the bigger side to deliver. He is now 17 months and I am pregnant with second. By time second is born he will be 22 months. I'm just really nervous about giving birth again after this, as scar is not that old and I know they say second babies are normally bigger ( not always I know)
Has anyone been through this? I have heard early induction can be offered if baby is getting to a size they feel is too big but not sure if this is true.

Hi, I had a 3b tear with my first and was offered an elcs with subsequent births - in my trust, anyone with prior 3rd or 4th degree tears is given this choice. I went for it and found a c section much better overall (although I'd had other complications such as a pph and infection with the first delivery so it was a total disaster!). I was told the risk of tearing again increases after the first tear, although the risk remains relatively small overall. If you are worried I think the best port of call is to ask to be referred to a consultant to go through the risks and benefits of another vaginal birth and to discuss a c section if you think you might want to consider one. Good luck!

I had a 3c tear and had my second 2 years later. Had an ELCS. Csection recovery far quicker but I'd say more intense for a few weeks, then rapid recovery. Whereas my tear is still recovering 7 years later.

Oh, I also recommend the Facebook group severe birth tears (UK) - lots of stories on there of women who've had both c sections and vaginal births following a tear.

(And I'm pregnant again and having another section)

I had a 3b tear (tiddly 6lb 14oz baby but she came out like superman!)
Have since had 2 vaginal deliveries and both were fine. I had a second degree tear with my second baby and a few grazes with my third baby - a 9lber!
I was home after a a few hours each time and recovery was a dream.

I had a 3a tear with my first, who was born superman style with arm up, which healed really well. With my second, who was 1 and a half pounds bigger, my labour was very very quick (under an hour) with just two pushes to get them out. I had a 3b tear and the recovery was much harder. I was in pain for longer, and it took longer to heal (physically and mentally). I’m having my third in a few weeks, and I’m booked in for an ELCS as I’m not prepared to take the risk of having another bad tear.