OHbaby! Forums : 3rd Degree Tear https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:33:20 +0000 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:01:15 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.05 360 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=24521 <![CDATA[OHbaby! Forums]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ <![CDATA[3rd Degree Tear : Ooh ouch Arohanui, that sounds...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=614365&title=3rd-degree-tear#614365 Author: DonnaB
Subject: 24521
Posted: 14 February 2009 at 3:01pm

Ooh ouch Arohanui, that sounds rough too.

LMAO - re "try to think "saggy baggy softy fanny"

I too really enjoyed my labour - no pain relief and used breathing to work the baby down. I actually don't think I was quite ready to push, I didn't realise you had to wait until you could control holding on no more. (if you know what I mean)

My whole labour was only 7 hours but due to all the over pushing I got very tired and started to fall asleep between contractions. My MW suggested a forcep delivery to help progress quicker.

My MW said she was just about to make a small EPI cut but I tore before she could get the scissors there.

DD's head was only 33cms so think it was just that my skin was fragile - MW said no reason why can't have another VB but specialist said have a 50% chance that will tear again, could be another 3rd degree of even a 4th degree.

My specialist told me that because scar tissue doesn't stretch as much as normal skin, can make birthing difficult. I was incontinent for 3mths following DD birth - it wasn't nice and sometimes embarrasing. I also suffered 4 infections due to the wound.

IMO VB is better for baby but don't want to suffer forever from it if tear.. Scary decision.

Do you think because of the tear that you won't push so hard next time..?]]> Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:01:15 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=614365&title=3rd-degree-tear#614365 <![CDATA[3rd Degree Tear : Hi Donna, I was luckily enough...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=614322&title=3rd-degree-tear#614322 Author: busyissy
Subject: 24521
Posted: 14 February 2009 at 12:59pm

Hi Donna,
I was luckily enough not to have much damage with my bubs (Issy had a small head bless her!) but live in terror of it each time. Just want to send you a and say congratulations on your #2. Hope everything goes well.]]> Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:59:22 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=614322&title=3rd-degree-tear#614322 <![CDATA[3rd Degree Tear : I had a 3rd degree with Blair,...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=614311&title=3rd-degree-tear#614311 Author: MonicaMouse
Subject: 24521
Posted: 14 February 2009 at 12:51pm

I had a 3rd degree with Blair, and speaking with my MW recently she saw no reason why I couldn't try a VB again. Part of the reason I think I ended up with the tear was because of his delivery - he ended up posterior due to 5 days of bedrest prior to delivery ( in which time the little monkey turned), I also ended up with ventouse and forceps and once his head was out there was no stopping him - he just "exploded" out.


This time around I'm going in more informed (having had a delivery) with what to expect, and want to try a couple of different things which I hope will help ]]> Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:51:12 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=614311&title=3rd-degree-tear#614311 <![CDATA[3rd Degree Tear : Wow, great thread! I love that...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=614270&title=3rd-degree-tear#614270 Author: Chickoin
Subject: 24521
Posted: 14 February 2009 at 11:42am

Wow, great thread! I love that website. It has really got me thinking about my next baby and how to avoid a tear. (Definatly won't be on my back!!)
Just wanted to say best of luck Donna, good on you for looking into a VB.
And Congrats for making an Oct bub, they're the best kind (or early Nov...)]]> Sat, 14 Feb 2009 11:42:05 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=614270&title=3rd-degree-tear#614270 <![CDATA[3rd Degree Tear : Hi Donna, I had the same issues...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=614071&title=3rd-degree-tear#614071 Author: arohanui
Subject: 24521
Posted: 13 February 2009 at 11:09pm

Hi Donna, I had the same issues with you (with tearing... in the same place, apparently it was "shattered" ) and was also told the same thing... that they recommend a c-section cos there is a 1 in 4 risk of damage being worse and being left incontinent (is this what you were told as well? 1 in 4?)

When next time comes around, I'm pretty scared actually and don't think I'll be able to try a v birth. I'm just scared I'll be left incontinent. My first birth was entirely natural and lovely, and I was really relaxed (positive thinking and all that). Nothing could have changed the fact that my boy just had a huge head cos it was swollen (39.5cm) and he came out with his hand on his face (darn that elbow that ripped me to shreds). So I guess for me, I'm scared cos I can't really control it. And I'm scared that it could happen again, and my next baby could be even bigger and...... yeah.

I really wish you all the best if you end up going for a v birth, I think that's awesome! Probably the best thing to do would be to find a mw who you get on really well with and who is really supportive, that way you'll feel really comfortable and in safe hands

Did the specialist or your mw give you any insight as to why you might have tore so badly with your first bub?

Oh and I'm watching this thread with interest... will have to go and have a read of that website I think....]]> Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:09:14 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=614071&title=3rd-degree-tear#614071 <![CDATA[3rd Degree Tear : That&#039;s a very interesting...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=614036&title=3rd-degree-tear#614036 Author: kakapo
Subject: 24521
Posted: 13 February 2009 at 10:22pm

That's a very interesting website monster - has helped to reassure me that it should be fine to have a vaginal birth next time, even after a 3rd degree tear. This particular piece of advice from a midwife made me giggle....

"Good luck. As well as trying to breathe the baby out s-l-o-w-l-y try to think "saggy baggy softy fanny". (you can get it back to nice firm bum after) My other suggestion is staying off your back. In the second stage left-lateral or hands and knees, whichever feels right for you, and don't be afraid to change if your body wants to. Lots and lots of positive thoughts."

ETA - oh and all the best Donna for your pregnancy and birth .



Edited by kakapo]]> Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:22:37 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=614036&title=3rd-degree-tear#614036 <![CDATA[3rd Degree Tear : Congratulations on #2 Donna, you&#039;re...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=613454&title=3rd-degree-tear#613454 Author: weegee
Subject: 24521
Posted: 13 February 2009 at 11:44am

Congratulations on #2 Donna, you're a braver woman than I am Feel free to pop in and say hello to us all in the July 2008 thread, we talk a lot but we don't bite and newbies are always welcome!

monster is right, this was asked not that long ago, that thread is here. Hope that helps ]]> Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:44:28 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=613454&title=3rd-degree-tear#613454 <![CDATA[3rd Degree Tear : I haven&#039;t been in your situation,...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=613448&title=3rd-degree-tear#613448 Author: monster
Subject: 24521
Posted: 13 February 2009 at 11:35am

I haven't been in your situation, but remembered reading about this somewhere else recently.

There's a UK website that has questions and answers posted by midwives. It's full of different points of view and real examples of all different situations, with a bit specifically on tearing here.

Hope it helps and good luck. ]]> Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:35:58 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=613448&title=3rd-degree-tear#613448 <![CDATA[3rd Degree Tear : I don&#039;t have any experience...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=613437&title=3rd-degree-tear#613437 Author: RBsMama
Subject: 24521
Posted: 13 February 2009 at 11:26am

I don't have any experience here, but didn't want to read and run. I hope you get some helpful answers and good luck with your pregnancy and birth. ]]> Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:26:36 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=613437&title=3rd-degree-tear#613437 <![CDATA[3rd Degree Tear : This might be TMI for some - but...]]> https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=613333&title=3rd-degree-tear#613333 Author: DonnaB
Subject: 24521
Posted: 13 February 2009 at 10:09am

This might be TMI for some - but am hoping there is someone out there that can relate to me.

I had a 3rd Degree Tear after the birth of my first DD 7 months ago and am pregnant again with our 2nd baby due in Oct 09.

I suffered some incontinence the first 3 months after DD's birth due to the tear. That has stopped but still hurts some after BM. My scar is quite substantial and was effected with when I had surgery for a post partrum heamorage (sp?) 6 weeks after DD's birth.

I saw a specialist yesterday who has given me a letter of recommendation to have a C Section due to other factors to do with back end, but has said it's totally up to me.

My question is, has anyone had a 3rd degree tear then gone on to have another VB without any issues with the 2nd birth..??
I would prefer a VB but specialist worried I will suffer longer incontinence and ongoing problems.

Thank you.. ]]> Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:09:22 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521&PID=613333&title=3rd-degree-tear#613333