3rd Degree Tear

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.

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

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....

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

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..?