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Original poster

3rd degree tear first labour what did you do second time round?

21 replies

Bc102 · 10/08/2023 08:59

Hi

In my first labour with my daughter I got a third degree tear. I was just wondering if anyone experienced this and what you decided to do second time round if you opted for a c section or went on to have a vaginal delivery again?

if anyone did go through with a vaginal delivery second time round did it end up being ok or was you left with any problems or did it tear again?

thankyou xxx

OP posts:
LyricalGangsta · 10/08/2023 09:13

Hi
I had 2nd degree with first and stitches.
2nd no tear
3rd 2nd degree and stitches.

4th 2nd degree and she came out head and arm at same time. Internal and external stitches.

No 3rd degree but I did tear and need stitching each time bar one and everything feels fine. Youngest is 13 now.

The fear of tearing didn't cross my mind once labour started.
I wouldn't want a section in case I tore - I imagine that would involve an awful lot more recovery and risk.

TeddyBeans · 10/08/2023 09:17

As PP, I had a second degree tear first time and had another vaginal delivery second time with a other second degree tear in the same spot. The skin there is weaker than anywhere else so prone to tearing again. Personally I didn't find the tears too bad to deal with, apparently much easier than a C-section scar but if you found the recovery difficult after your third degree tear then noone would think any less of you for opting for a section! You've got to have a positive experience if at all possible so take what option you think is most likely to give you that

flightless55 · 10/08/2023 09:59

Hi

I had an episiotomy and 3rd degree last time and I'm currently 29 weeks with second

I've just had my consultant appointment to go through what I want to do birth wise this time and so far I'm leaning towards a vaginal birth

It's on my mind a lot too

I genuinely feel that I tore last time as a domino effect of interventions happened

Eg. I'd refuse induction this time and opt for a c section
But if I go into labour I want to keep up right and mobile this time not stuck on my back

chickabilla · 10/08/2023 10:01

3rd degree tear first time (extended episiotomy) but good repair.
2nd degree tear second time
1 stitch third time (smaller baby!)

Luxembourgmama · 10/08/2023 10:01

I tore but much less severely

StarsOnAMat · 10/08/2023 10:06

I had a third degree test with a shoulder dystocia with my first. Opted for a C section for my second three years later. However, he came a week early in the middle of the night and it was so quick, there wasn’t time for the section so I ended up doing it vaginally. He was a much bigger baby (8lb9 vs 7lb4) and I still had a second degree tear but it was stitched by the midwife in a few mins. I’m glad I didn’t have the section in the end as I was up and about much sooner and drove to the shops the next day! But I didn’t know it would be like that when I made the decision to have the section earlier on.

RunnerP · 10/08/2023 10:12

First baby 3rd degree tear needing stitches.
second baby vaginal delivery and very minor tear- no stitches required (think was 1st degree).
asked the midwives second time around to watch me closely down there and tell me when to push, when to breathe. No idea if that was why I didn’t tear again, or just already stretched?

DanceMumTaxi · 10/08/2023 10:18

I had to have rotational forceps with dc1 and ended up with an episiotomy and 3rd degree tear. I opted for a c section with dc2. It was an absolute doddle in comparison. I lost much less blood and I recovered much more quickly. I knew I’d choose this option before I was even pregnant with dc2 because of my experience the first time around. No problem requesting the c section and I’m pleased I did because dc2 was also back-to-back like dc1 was so I imagine I’d probably have ended up in a similar situation.

Enforceddrysummer · 10/08/2023 10:29

First big tear, subsequent ones no tears.

polkadotdalmation · 10/08/2023 10:30

If the tear was due to a large baby I would go for a c section.

Rmn21 · 10/08/2023 10:32

I had a 3rd degree tear first time round, now pregnant again and will be opting for an elective c-section this time

OhHeyBabe · 10/08/2023 10:34

1st baby I had a 3rd degree tear (3b) and had to go through to theatre for stitches. That baby was 1 day over due date.

2nd babe was 8 days late and I sustained a very minor graze. No stitches needed.

Crinklycut · 10/08/2023 10:37

I asked for an elective c-section. Second baby was even bigger than the first, so it was probably the right thing to do.

lavenderdilly · 10/08/2023 11:01

I had a 3a tear with DC1.

I then got pregnant again at 7mo postpartum so I was worried about the births being so close together.

Having a toddler meant that birth preparation was not very high on my to-do list so I did nothing other than regular sex and oiling (but not massaging) my perineum.

Had a lightning speed home water birth and only a second degree tear! I was SO HAPPY. I got stitched up on the sofa and got in to my own bed with a cuppa. It's pain free 8 days later!

I wish I hadn't spent the whole pregnancy worrying about it, none of the midwives were worried and I should have listened.

caringcarer · 10/08/2023 11:56

Crinklycut · 10/08/2023 10:37

I asked for an elective c-section. Second baby was even bigger than the first, so it was probably the right thing to do.

This is what my niece did too. It took her about 9 months to recover from vaginal birth of baby 1 that was 9 lb 10 Oz and tore badly her stitches got infected too. For baby 2 she chose C section and she recovered in 6 weeks and chose a C section for her even bigger 11 lb 3 Oz baby third time. She is diabetic so her babies grow bigger and her DH is 6 foot 4.

daffodilandtulip · 10/08/2023 12:21

Episiotomy and nasty tear with 1st.
Easy, fast vaginal birth with no pain relief and barely even bruising with 2nd.

MrsLM85 · 10/08/2023 20:31

I had 3rd degree with first after a ventouse delivery was quite traumatic and I was whisked off after to be be stiched up it put me off more children. Recovery was long I had to go for lots of checks even camera up bum to check internal healing. I’m now pregnant nearly 12 years after having first and I’m already anxious about it think I will be asking for elective

JoeMaplin · 10/08/2023 21:19

I had 3rd degree tear with no 1 (8lb) with tearing right up the bum (sorry!).
I had 3 x vaginal deliveries after that (8lb, 10lb, 11lb) with second degree tears each time which were perfectly manageable. No one ever mentioned a section for subsequent deliveries.
1 st labour - I had a second stage of nearly 3 hours.
no 2,3 and 4 - second stage was a minute or two each time.

Pallisers · 10/08/2023 21:24

I had 3rd degree tear with the first (plus PPH/blood transfusion/retained products). I had a c section for the other 2. My (new) obgyn recommended it but I wouldn't have given birth if I hadn't had a c-section. The next baby was significantly bigger.

I think if it was just a 3rd degree tear, I might have chanced it ... maybe. But I felt I was incredibly lucky to be left with no urinary or other issues and able to have sex comfortably so wasn't going to risk that. Recovering from the c sections was a doddle by comparison.

LeopardLover · 11/08/2023 10:36

I can understand how you're feeling! I had a 3b tear (forceps and extended episiotomy). Chances are it won't happen again, but I've been advised to opt for an elective c section. I don't really want to but I can't cope with a year of recovery again 🙈

MrsLM85 · 11/08/2023 14:09

Pallisers · 10/08/2023 21:24

I had 3rd degree tear with the first (plus PPH/blood transfusion/retained products). I had a c section for the other 2. My (new) obgyn recommended it but I wouldn't have given birth if I hadn't had a c-section. The next baby was significantly bigger.

I think if it was just a 3rd degree tear, I might have chanced it ... maybe. But I felt I was incredibly lucky to be left with no urinary or other issues and able to have sex comfortably so wasn't going to risk that. Recovering from the c sections was a doddle by comparison.

I was told I was lucky to have healed so well as could’ve had incontinance issues and said if I did tear again I probably wouldn’t heal as well

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