Had 3rd degree tear with DD and would like advise on what to do 2nd time and any symptoms!

[jenwa]

I had a 3rd degree tear oct 05 with DD. I had been cut then the forceps used by the consultant were turned when apparantly they should not have been. Anyway, this lead to me tearing and having to spend time in theatre to be stiched up.

Now I am pregnant again I am experiencing some slight discomfort down there. (am only 11 weeks and 2 days) but it is mainly when I have been on my feet for a long time and it feels like everything is heavy and pulling around that area which ached after having DD. This also tended to happen the first day of my periods too after I had DD. I think maybe it is the muscles pulling but just wondered if anyone else had had this?

Also what are peoples experiences of labour 2nd time?

I wanted homebirth 1st time and endud up in hospital after 12 hours at home and not much happening the ambulance took me in and dd was born another 9 hours later. I would love the home birth route again but also am scared of tearing and not recovering well. I am also scared of c-section and the recovery and scar after that (especially as I already have one dd it would be manic not being able to get up and about for awhile)

Please can anyone tell me there experiences

As ligiments soften you might feel it a bit more there like I did, that's what the consultant suggested. The only real concern might be - sorry if TMI asked - did you get any incontinence after your first delivery?

The stats are reassuring though. Did a lot of reading when expecting my 2nd, after a rough ride with my first, and 75% of 2nd time round mums to not tear or not tear to the same degree again. Which is what happened to me. I had a tiny tear at point of exit which healed in no time.

You could also look at the rabidmidwives online which offer good advice.

I'm going through the same thing as you. I'm PG with DB2 having had a large episiotomy from Ventouse with DD, and healed badly. I've had exactly the same experiences of aching during my period, and I'm nervous of another delivery. I have spoken to my MW about it, and she was very good. She offered me an elective CS, but I felt the same as you - it would just be another scar on my body! And I would worry about coping with a lively toddler after a CS.
What I am doing is talking to the senior midwife and consultant at the hospital. My MW is going to organise it for me at my 16 week appointment. Basically my birth plan is that I will try to labour naturally, and have a very active labour, but if anything goes wrong, I do not consent to another instrument delivery, and I'll have a CS. I'm also going to do perineal massage to work on my scar, and get all the info I can about whether my scar will deal with another birth (the fact that my continence has been OK is a positive sign here).
Do you have the option of a birthing centre? I think that's the way that I'm going to go, as I will have it in my notes that I will not been sewn up by the junior doctor muppet again, but will have the senior midwife or a consultant. That will also give me the option of a water birth (I hope, not all the rooms have them) which is also recommended to soften the perineum.
In terms of experiences, I know that a friend of mine was very worried about her scar tissue during delivery, delivered quite quickly, and only had a small tear that was sewn up really well and she's had no problems since. In fact, I think that the MW sorted out some skin tags from her first delivery while she was down there. So a bad tear first time doesn't always mean a bad tear second time.

Heated - thank you.
No I never did get any incontinence so was very lucky, there was one time I walked back home and had to get there very quickly and very nearly did but I think the quicker I walked and the more I thought about it the more it was coming, I have never, ever been that desperate before and luckily it has not happened again. It was slightly worrying but was prob afew weeks/2 months after. I just now notice that things are not the same as they used to be down there, especially when going for a number 2 (sorry TMI) but I can hold it and nothing hurts there just feels different.

Will look at that website though, thank you and good to hear a high percent of people ok after 3rd degree tears.

I had a third degree tear with my first baby, and was so worried when it came to my second. I had discomfort down there too, but it didn't actually cause any problems iykwim.

My second labour was quick (4 hours from first contraction to delivery) and I had a small, superficial tear, mainly due to my baby being born extremely quickly! I needed a couple of stitches, but it healed within a week and I have had no problems at all since.

I realise that not everyone will have this experience, but I wanted to let you know that for me, the second time was much easier! Good Luck

MrsTittleMouse

You do sound very simular to me. I spoke to my MW who will get me to see the consultant at 16 wks. Def think the massage idea is good though and I am thinking the same as you that I would like to try to labour but if any things goes wrong then CS. I would like a home birth and have a nice big bath so could try that route then if things dont work out then off to hosp for CS. We dont have a birthing centre hear (not that I am aware of) just the labour ward at hosp.

Do you know what oil to use for perineal massage? I did hear of one but cant remember what is was.

How far pregnant are you? My aches started at 10 wks I think. It nice to know there are other people in the same situation, not that I ould wish this on anyone else but its good to talk to other people about it.

mammyjo-thats really good to know, thank you.
I heard from my M/W that a lady delivered very quickly the other day and had a 4th degree tear due to the speed and weight of baby! I am lucky it never went that far for me and my baby was not big.

I'm 12 weeks, so very similar to you.
Last time I used almond oil for massage. I haven't started yet this time, even though the midwife suggested starting earlier than recommended normally, because I have scar tissue to break down, it isn't just to stretch the perineum.

PS I don't know about you, but I have a very bad opinion of instrumental deliveries. I had the same birth plan last time (ie natural or CS) but was over-ridden by a bully of an OB when DD wouldn't turn (she was OP). I tried to argue, but when you haven't slept for 3 days and are having contractions it's difficult to keep going. That's why I'm making sure that the medical team know all about my wishes right from the beginning this time, and I'm going to have it stapled to the front of my notes. There is no way that they're doing that to me again! Luckily for me I'll be at a different hospital too, so no chance of running into "Dr Butcher".

I dont know why we bother with aplan, they never even read mine!

Will def be stating what I want this time! I asked for dd to be given straight to me last time and they took her away and did all her checks fisrt even though she coughed when she came out.

Big note on front of file 'PLEASE READ' and 'NO INSTRUMENTS'

I didn't bother with a birth plan for my 2nd so the team had to talk to me & dh.

Heated - Good idea!

I didn't have a birth plan with DD1, and I think that was a bad idea. Because I didn't have it written down by me when I was in sound mind, they treated me as though my requests for a CD (rather than instrument) were just me raving to get a CS because I hadn't realised that childbirth might get a bit painful.
I'm going to be buying fluorescent orange paper to write my new birth plan on, in block capitals and bold.

I had a second degree tear with DS1 (homebirth with no intervention, he shot out and had a huge head) - I know this isnt half as bad as a third degree tear, but I was very keen to avoid tearing again, mainly because having the stiches freaked me out and took forever and was painful both during and after.
DS2 was also born at home, but in a birth pool with me on all fours and I didnt tear at all. Apparently water helps support your perineum, I also put my hand there and felt his head coming out as I read that this lessens your chances of tearing.
Might be worth posting this in the childbirth section as well, I had some great advice from Lulumama who frequents the birth threads (she is a doula).
The Janet Balaskas book, "Active Birth" is good for info on this kind of thing.

I did have a birth plan and it appeared they never really read it, but yes I should write it all down to at least say it was there and clear!

pnnacotta - Thanks, will def try the water option, was thinking in my own bath as cant imagine the nightmare emptying a birthing pool etc

Pannacotta - sorry mispelt your name!

But you won't be the person to empty it.

thats ok!
The pool was really worth the hassle, it made labout SO MUCH easier, I wish I had stayed in it for DS1's birth.
I had one contraction out of the pool when the MW wanted to check the position of the baby and almost cried from the pain, whereas in the pool it was really manageable right until the head crowned.
Woudl recommend it far above the bath (tried that too) and get your DH to empty it. Good for him to ensure some pain too

Do the MW's do that? Cant expect DH too he may not like that idea too much!

Just looked at a post in the childbirth section that is simular to this so been having a quick read, def seems that most people have better 2nd labours!

Pannacotta- ha ha, yes they dont have to go through any do they!

Pannacotta- ha ha, yes they dont have to go through any do they!

Oh that went twice!