3rd Degree Tear
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24521
Printed Date: 21 August 2025 at 7:58pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 3rd Degree Tear
Posted By: DonnaB
Subject: 3rd Degree Tear
Date 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..  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
|
Replies:
Posted By: RBsMama
Date 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. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: monster
Date 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 http://www.radmid.demon.co.uk/thirddeg.htm - here . Hope it helps and good luck. -------------   
|
Posted By: weegee
Date 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 http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=20702 - here . Hope that helps ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: kakapo
Date 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 |
Posted By: arohanui
Date 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.... ------------- Mama to DS1 (5 years), DS2 (3 years) and... http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: Chickoin
Date 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...)-------------   
|
Posted By: MonicaMouse
Date 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 ------------- 
Blair 15/10/2007 Daniel 30/07/2009 |
Posted By: busyissy
Date 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.
|
Posted By: DonnaB
Date 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..? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
|