3rd Degree Tearing
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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=27617
Printed Date: 30 August 2025 at 8:41pm
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Topic: 3rd Degree Tearing
Posted By: townie
Subject: 3rd Degree Tearing
Date Posted: 21 July 2009 at 3:14pm
| Hiya am due with #2 in Jan and just wandered how many people out there have had 3rd degree tearing with their first and gone on to have a vaginal birth second time around? or whether you were told you would have to have a c-section? haven't caught up with midwife yet to talk about it but just wandered what others have been through. thanks for that. |
Replies:
Posted By: arohanui
Date Posted: 21 July 2009 at 3:43pm
I had a 3rd degree tear... I was told by my gynae when I met with her 6 weeks after the birth that it was my choice if I wanted to have another vaginal birth, but that she would recommend elective c-section. There's a 1 in 4 risk of damage being worse after a second birth (even if it doesn't tear) and being faced with incontinence  I've decided I'm going with the elective cos I don't wanna be crapping myself with a newborn and a toddler.
------------- Mama to DS1 (5 years), DS2 (3 years) and... http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 22 July 2009 at 10:47am
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hmmm interesting. I had a 3rd degree tear with my first and no problems with it since. My follow up appt with surgeons they said no reason not to go for vaginal birth just have episiotomy this time and discuss with your midwife.
Really wouldn't want to end up fecally incontinent though so maybe i need to some more research. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 22 July 2009 at 12:57pm
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A friend had a really bad tear with no1...to the point she had to have corrective surgery later, and has had another vaginal birth (in fact thinking about it...2 people I know have had that and neither considered a cs) -------------  
 
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Posted By: MonicaMouse
Date Posted: 22 July 2009 at 2:19pm
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I'll let you know all going well within a week. I had a 3rd degree with Blair, and visited a specialist to discuss options at 36 weeks, and after reading my notes she said she can't see any reason why I can have a "normal" delivery.
My MW also said that there is some research out there suggesting an episiotomy for someone with a previous tear, but I can't find anything. On the positive side my BU MW has in recent times delivered 2 bubs to 2 mums with previous 3rd tears and they walked away with practically nothing this time around ------------- 
Blair 15/10/2007 Daniel 30/07/2009 |
Posted By: Mum2ET
Date Posted: 22 July 2009 at 7:29pm
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I had a 3rd tear and didn't get told by the specialist in the follow up appointment about needing a C/S, she just said everything was fine. Will be double checking with the MW when I see her at 12 weeks, but I don't see any reason why I wouldn't be have a vaginal birth. ------------- Mum to Ella (5) and Tom (2) |
Posted By: DonnaB
Date Posted: 23 July 2009 at 10:22pm
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I had a 3rd degree tear with DD and posted a question like this when I first found out I was pregnant again.
DD was born using forceps so that's why I split. My stiches were repaired by a surgeon, not a midwife or registrar as my placenta had to be manually removed in surgery. Here is some TMI - sorry.. I suffer from anal fissures - pre babies and have them checked regularly by my gastric surgeon. When found out pregnant with baby #2 I visited him and asked what would the chances be of incontinence / tear etc due to 3rd degree tear. He checked out my scar and said it had been repaired well and that if tear again, it's unlucky but will most likely be along same line BUT with special attention during birth should be ok. He did however write me a letter of recommendation to have an elective C section due to more damage to anal fissures, incontinence and scar tissue. He said it was my choice whether to have C Sect or VB. I spoke with my MW and after lengthy conversations with friends and family, I have decided to give vaginal birth another go. My MW said, that vagina's are the fastest healing area on a woman's body and to trust myself and not be scared. I am a little worried but am working on my mind to push this out so does not affect my impending birth. I am doing all my pelvic floor exercises to help with any postnatal incontinence and using positive affirmations..!! I could not imagine trying to look after my NB, a toddler who still crawls, run a house and all after really, major stomach surgery.. Don't be afraid.. Ask your MW to be extra supportive with this birth as you aren't too sure - I know it scary..!! You have a little more time than me and Monicamouse so if you can hold out - I'll be sure to post a comment about my birth after I have bubs and am sure Monicamouse will tell you how she got on too.. Stay positive.. :o) ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: DonnaB
Date Posted: 23 July 2009 at 10:23pm
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And congrats by the way on baby number 2...!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: townie
Date Posted: 24 July 2009 at 9:54am
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Hey thanks so much everyone for all your comments, will definitely talk to my MW next week when I see her. And like you say Donna I have a bit of time to think it over, although I don't want to over think it either.
Sounds really like its on a case by case situation and a Dr sutured me after the tear and my MW watched the whole thing and said the Dr did a really good job so thats promising. Will just see what she has to say and then if she thinks nothing to worry about then will just get it out of my head so one less thing to worry about. Us mothers all know how we like to worry about things haha. Can't wait to hear about your births Donna & MonicaMouse. And Goodluck Arohanui and Mum2Ella!! |
Posted By: MonicaMouse
Date Posted: 07 August 2009 at 4:11pm
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Update
Baby Daniel was born on the 30th July - no pain relief - still not too sure how I managed that, and I ended up with a 1st degree midline tear. My MW said that she could have put in 5 stitches, but in all honesty thought that I didn't need them, and recovery would be better off without them. Blair's birth was completely different from this one. With Blair I laboured a lot on my back (didn't help that initially I didn't know I was in labour, and even when I asked after being monitored - which I was everyday - didn't get an answer. Also Blair was posterior and he wouldn't turn - and I couldn't turn him during labour, I pushed while virtually flat on my back - legs against MW and DH, also pushed for nearly 2 hours, and he was ventouse and forceps assisted and once he his head was out there was no stopping him. With Daniel from the moment I knew (or was pretty sure) I was in labour, I was more upright - sometimes just leaning against a couch while resting on my knees. I didn't push until I really felt like I needed to, and I ended up delivery on my hands and knees - a position I didn't want to deliver in, but didn't really have a choice, as I had been sitting on the toilet when I suddenly got the urge to push and didn't feel like I was going to make it across the room, and it was easier for my MW to get me down onto my knees. -------------
Blair 15/10/2007 Daniel 30/07/2009 |
Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 07 August 2009 at 6:06pm
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Thanks Monica for the update, that's great to hear and congratulations on the safe delivery of your new baby!
I've been looking into this and talking to my midwife and am going to go VB again. I'd rather have the risk of a tear than the guarantee of abdominal surgery! I've heard the risk is actually much lower of tearing worse (like 10%) and there are things you can do to help such as pushing slower, holding the head as it comes out so you can control your push, labouring in water to soften things up and if needed a mediolateral episiotomy. I'm feeling quite confident now so only 27 weeks to go till we find out hehe. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: DonnaB
Date Posted: 15 November 2009 at 10:21pm
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I had a 3rd degree tear with DD.. It was a pretty awkward birth and tore from forcep delivery..
I went into this pregnancy knowing that I would have to birth again and wondered how it would be and pretty much was packing self from about 36 weeks on.. I spoke to MW about perenial massage and I tried that but found it too hard and it hurt too. MW suggested trying a water birth as this can soften skin. But my labour was too fast.. 3 hours from start to finish.. My MW was a saint - she knew I was scared.. I was reluctant to push cause so damn scared of tearing again. But she guided me to breath my baby out instead of push.. As the widest part of the head crowned I was told to blow like I was blowing out a candle to stop me from pushing (natural feeling) - It was stinging, but that's normal and I didn't feel any tearing etc.. I came out with a 2nd degree tear this time but was up in the shower and walking around quite comfortably after the birth.. No where near as bad as first baby and recovery has been extremely quick. Oh yeah and I was sort of on my side while birthing bubs.. Was laying on right hip with other leg elevated.. Much better than on back.. I had no pain relief and without sounding like some sort of hero - think it good idea as can feel EVERYTHING when you are pushing.. And breathing the baby out was great too.. Talk with your MW about this.. All the best and wish I could have said I came out without a scratch.. Next time maybe..?? PM me if you have any other questions.. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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