Consultant for 3rd degree tear

[Chaz693]

When I had my son 5 years ago I had a third degree tear. I believe it was more due to forceps and my son's 99 percentile head. Now 24 weeks with my second and am under consultant lead care due to this tear. I have my first appointment in a couple of weeks with them and was just wondering what to expect. I never had any complications from the tear and honestly can't even remember it hurting after. It's not caused any long term issues either. So I'm wondering what this appointment will be about. Will they push for me to have a c-section as I'd rather avoid this as much as possible. I've read that they may want to test my pelvic floor muscles and things like that. I'd rather not have this done as I haven't had any issues. Even in this pregnancy. Anyone been through something similar?

I had a third degree tear with no. 1 and I was checked before having no 2. They did a scan of where the muscle had healed and said it was strong enough for me to have a vaginal birth for no 2. They also did a late size scan in case she was huge at about 38 weeks. I did give birth to no 2 vaginally and do not tear again.

I had a third degree tear with my DS who decided to come out with his hand up next to his face. With my second pregnancy, the consultant left it up to me to decide whether I wanted a c-section or a vaginal delivery. As I’d taken ages to recover from my tear and had an infection, I decided to choose an elective c-section. The consultant and midwives weren’t pushy at all, they just explained the risks with each option, let me go away and think about it and then we made a decision by the next appointment.

I had a 3b tear with my first - a forceps delivery like you but recovered well & no ongoing issues. When I got pregnant with my second a couple of years later having an appointment with a consultant wasn't offered to me, or even suggested. My midwife was amazing & at my booking appointment we talked about my first birth & what I'd love to happen for my second labour. she reassured me there was no reason I needed to consider a c section if I didn't want to or need to be consultant led. So I didn't & that was the end of that. No further talk of consultants etc.. or planned c sections. I was deemed low risk for my second pregnancy.

My second was a beautiful water birth, just how I hoped it would be. I had a second degree tear in a different place but was repaired in the room rather than theatre & zero issues since.

If you would prefer a c section then absolutely go for it but if you don't & you'd prefer not to be consultant led then just having the 3rd degree tear isn't enough of a reason to need to be consultant led. Push for what you want & it is absolutely possible.

I had a 3b tear with my eldest and when I got pregnant the second time at the consultant appt they said they would follow my lead but usually would say if you were still having issues as a result of the test then a section might be better.

I had a 3a tear with my first and similar to you, had a consultant appointment at around 20 weeks. They didn’t check me at all but I explained I recovered well from the tear and had no lasting effects. She explained the slightly increased risk of tearing again but that she would fully support a vaginal birth. I was on the fence so we booked a scan for 36 weeks to check baby’s size. After this I booked in for a c section but in the end baby decided to come before the c section date and very quickly! I had a 2nd degree tear, mainly due to his quick arrival.

Thank you all for your replies! That's reassured me a lot. Feel like as long as me and the consultant are on the same page will be alright. This babies head is measuring a normal size so far! Unlike with my son who from my first scan I was told his head was big. So I'm hoping that this will mean we can have a much more smooth birth this time round. I may see if they give me an extra scan just to check her size closer to birth so I can have some idea of how big she going to be and if we're likely to have a problem and go from there. Fingers crossed! X

Hi, sorry to jump on this late. What did you decide in the end OP? I too had a 3b with my first but would prefer to try for a VB for any future births...

Hi, I ended up going for a VB. my labour was a bit complicated. I ended up being induced at 39 weeks due to baby measuring small. I had the pessory put in but after 3 hours had to have it removed due to baby’s heart rate being high and then having decels. Almost was sent for an emergency c-section but the lovely consultant said she wanted to wait and see if baby would calm down. Which is exactly what happened. Spent the night on the monitor and had my waters broke the next morning at 6am. By 6:30 contractions hit hard and fast. By 7am I suddenly felt her drop and had so much pressure my body started pushing on its own. But because she dropped so quickly they were struggling to find her heart rate so for the safety of the baby they gave me an episiotomy and with the next push she was out at 7:07am I ended up with 2nd degree tear. But they think that was more from the episiotomy. I healed fine and have had no issues since! Hope that helps. X

Hello, thank you so much for your reply, congratulations on your baby. That's reassuring that you had a patient consultant/Obgynea... So pleased for you in the sense you never had any further 3rd degree tearing! Hope you're recovering well and taking good care. Thanks again!