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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Section or Natural?

11 replies

M00ving · 21/03/2022 13:50

I suffered a 3b tear with my first and at the time it was advised if I was to have another a section would be the best option,however, after my consultation appointment, they have advised that as I had no recovery issues a natural birth would be fine as the risk of another tear isn't that high so now I don't know what to do!

I had got my head around a section and obviously having a date in advance makes it more convenient for childcare arrangements but I don't think that is a valid enough reason to undergo major surgery! I am worried that if I have another tear I won't be so lucky with recovery this time and could have issues for the rest of my life.

Anyone any advice or experience that may help? Thanks x

OP posts:
TheBirdintheCave · 21/03/2022 15:46

I'm in the same position. I had a 3b tear in 2020 with no recovery complications and I still don't know what to do if we have another child. I feel very lucky to have healed so well but have also been told that the risk of another grade 3 tear is 7%.

Like you, I'd like to avoid major surgery if possible.

Currently I'm thinking I'll try for another natural birth as I enjoyed my experience having my son and would be sad to miss out on that again. However, if the event that I'd need an induction or baby was breech etc I'd then choose to go straight to a section instead.

Sleepy86 · 21/03/2022 16:39

I'm in the same boat as both of you. I had a 3b tear in 2018. My consultant appointment is on Thursday, so waiting to see what they say. I keep to-ing and fro-ing between an ELCS and a vaginal delivery, on the one hand I'm terrified of tearing again and causing lifelong issues, but I'm also worried about undergoing major surgery unnecessarily. Not an easy decision at all!

Gigi30 · 21/03/2022 16:48

Hi I'm also in the same position. I suffered a 3rd degree tear in 2015 and had a consultant appointment last week where he asked if I'd want a vaginal birth or c section. He did t really give me a lot of time to think about it, I felt rushed and said is do vaginally. Now I thinking about the long term and what if I'm not as lucky next time.

Nikki037297 · 21/03/2022 17:59

I did have a bad tear with my first and then needed an episiotomy on top which then got infected. It’s never happened again with my next pregnancies

Original poster
M00ving · 21/03/2022 21:25

@thebirdinthecave I think that is how I will go about it too and see how baby is measuring as DS was in 90th percentile. I have until mid June to change my decision about 100 times!

OP posts:
Nikki037297 · 21/03/2022 21:29

Also my first baby was 8lb6 my second was 9lb12.5oz, no issues with second just a minor graze. Nothing at all like the first.

Shiteshow100 · 21/03/2022 21:32

I'm on my 5th pregnancy and had a major tear with my first. I didn't tear with any of the rest just had grazing.
I would always opt for the natural as recovery wise it's easier. There can be alot of issues after a section and it's certainly not the easy option.

Rach713 · 22/03/2022 01:12

I had a 3rd degree tear with my first. I didnt have any complications after but it was very sore to sit down as you'll all know. I wasn't offered the option for a section second time round but was told risk of another tear was very low.
I had a second 3rd degree tear Sad but again had no complications from it.
For my 3rd and 4th baby I opted for an elective section.
My risk of tearing again was higher because of the scar tissue, but I would have gone for a section anyway because it was so hard trying to hold/feed baby when you're unable to sit comfortably.
The risks are still very low for a repeat 3rd degree tear I was just very unlucky. Even when I've told my consultants since they've been shocked haha.

Jowd92 · 22/03/2022 05:07

I had a 3rd degree test with my first which required theatre and reconstructive I was never offered a section the second time and I had a 2nd degree year with stitches for my 2nd 3rd and 4th baby currently pregnant with number 5 and still no mention of a section I think if you heal well after they aren’t really that concerned well they aren’t about me anyway haha

IndigoJam · 22/03/2022 05:40

I had a section with twins and natural with my daughter. I wanted natural with them but didn't happen. I have to say apart from first 10 days after section. I Thought recovery was quicker and better than with my first

Somerandomgirl · 23/03/2022 09:23

C section with first natural with second...I'd say go for natural... recovery after c section is just so slow and milk comes slower and everything....

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