Birthing after tearing in previous birth

[amispeakingintongues]

Due in November and concerned about tearing again. Second degree tear in my first birth 2 years ago and the stitches were as painful as the birth. I've always felt my stitches were too tight, took a good 12 months for sex not to feel painful anymore. Even today i have some tightness, so now i'm convinced my chances of tearing the second time around are now even higher.

Anyone had a similar experience?

4th degree tear and was actually told I would need a C-section for any future children 😔

GREAT advice! Thank you

Oh my gosh i'm sorry that sounds horrific

Just wanted to add something for anyone worrying about having a second after a tear!

I'm 14 weeks and had a random app at the pregnancy unit booked in today, when I got there it was with the doctor to discuss options for the birth due to a 3rd degree tear last time- I wasn't expecting it but they said it was routine with the trust.

Anyway! They talked through everything that happened first time round and what they could do to try and prevent the same thing happening, they mentioned pelvic floor exercises and perennial massage which apparently the midwife will go through.

He also talked about a couple of things the doctor or midwife can do to help, the first being for them to apply a warm compress when the baby is crowning and then also a controlled birth with the baby coming out slowly whilst they apply pressure to the perennial area with a knuckle (more technical than this but the easiest way I understood it 😅). There was mention of an episiotomy to the side of the vaginal opening to take the pressure of lower down if it looked like it was going to tear too.

I know I'll still be panicking but it really helped and I was pleasantly surprised that they had an appointment just for this and that I was listened to, he also discussed the option of a C section and that I'd be fully supported in that decision if it was what I wanted.

But to get to the point, if it's something you're worried about please ask your midwives if it's something your trust offers, I think I'm "lucky" because it was maybe the third degree which triggered it but I can fully imagine it's needed for other degrees too- I was very lucky in that I healed well which I put down to the good seamstress 😅 (who he said still works there so this baby will be staying in until she is on shift obviously!)