Is tearing 2nd time around a given?
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Topic: Is tearing 2nd time around a given?
Posted By: Emmecat
Subject: Is tearing 2nd time around a given?
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 7:47am
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Hi, I have a question that's worrying me a bit..... Is tearing during birth second time around a given if I tore the first time? TIA -------------   http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Kicker
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 8:01am
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I had an episiotomy the first time around and tore (2nd degree) around the scar tissue the second time.
I think the recovery from the tear is much better and definately not as sore as the episiotomy. -------------  
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 8:03am
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I tore the first time and was not at all the second... but I guess I had 11 years recovery inbetween LOL ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 9:12am
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I had a few grazes and 1st degree tearing the first time and a 2nd degree tear the second time. I actually found the healing slower and more uncomfortable with having been stitched up, I elected not to have anything done the second time and it was fine - no experience with being cut though sorry (*shudder*). ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 9:47am
Ouch... No experience of this myself (thank goodness) but I know my friend tore less with her 2nd than with her first... (and her first was about the same weight as Clodagh, but her 2nd was 9lb 13.5oz, lol not that your baby will be that big of course!) hope that helps  ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 10:32am
9lb 13oz???   Um ouch lol------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: X
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 10:38am
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I have a friend who had an episiotomy which then tore into a 3rd degree tear first time. With her second baby she also had an episiotomy but instead of cutting straight back they cut back & to the side & she had a tear but only 2nd degree. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 11:19am
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Hmmmm so far its not sounding too promising... I guess it's logical though if an area has torn before and healed then it's more suseptible to injury again? ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: T_Rex
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 11:32am
I got an internal tear and a perinneal episiotomy for the same baby 
The tear was much bigger than the cut, but OMG did the cut hurt while it was healing
Next time, I'll have the same rules, I think - a cut only if it's needed to save the baby (it was this time, cos she was in major distress and needed out fast). And my lovely MW reassured me on her many post-natal visits whilst I was in agony over the cut, that she had a huge cut for her first and nothing at all for her second, so it can be done. Good luck! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 11:52am
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I had a complicated second degree tear after my first baby which has left a scar I can still feel almost 6 years later.
With my second I had no tearing at all and just a very small graze from his hand being by his face. It is definitely not a given that you will tear again and there are things you can do to help prevent it. My midwife recommended perenial massage with a little bit of natural oil or in the bath and I also inserted 2x EPO caps nightly from 36 weeks onwards. Good luck! Edited for spelling ------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and: 
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 12:39pm
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i tore with my first and had stitches.. second time i tore again, but less than the first and had no stitches. and no stitches was much better for healing. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 1:06pm
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ooohh those last 2 posts are encouraging lol Thank you! EPO sounds good...i did perineal massage but got a bit slack about it but won't be slack this time if it means I can avoid that pain again. Not helped obviously by sitting down BF 24 hours a day is it?! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 2:03pm
| I had a second degree first time around which wasn't too bad and then second time round I had a first degree tear which surprised the mw she didn't think I tore. Personally I would not want an episiotomy unless it was needed to get the baby out quickly as they do sometimes tear further and become a third or fourth degree tear. |
Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 3:54pm
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I had heaps of stitches the first time around, and really nasty long healing time after that.
With my second I had a small tear and it healed up so well. It really depends on what kind of labour you have and what position that the baby is, how fast he/she comes, etc. so every birth is different, just like every baby. ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 4:28pm
I agree. My first I was cut. Second nothing Third one stitch. ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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LittleBug wrote:Posted By: BriAndOlisMum
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 5:17pm
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first time i had a 2nd degree tear with a 3160g baby with a 33.5cm head, after an epidural and vontuse delivery after 27 mins of pushing.
Second time round i didn't tear at all with a 3350g baby with a 36cm head, delivering after 4 pushes with a pretty much natural birth (epidural didn't have time to work) with a distressed baby. Second baby born 5.5 years after first. So i would say don't get cut unless it is absolutely necessary because it can definitely be done without the tearing. ETA; i too can still feel the scar from the first birth. -------------  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: angel4
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 5:32pm
| I had a small tear with henry but didnt need stitches. With kiara my first thought after she was born was 'that was wayyyy to quick i must have torn bad' but nothing. I did have a water birth with her though and that is meant to help 'soften' things up. Might be worth considering |
Posted By: HuntersMama
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 6:31pm
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Ouchies!!!
I had a 2nd degree tear which was not fun! Its scarring and im sure that I will tear again. Not sure if there is any logic behind it though? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 6:57pm
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The first time I had 2nd degress tears- had 3 rows of stitches, one up Vagina, one along perineum, and one along labia.
I had a smear at family planning recently and the Dr there said she could see the scars. 12 weeks ago I had a completely natural birth after much prepartion- read hypnobirthing book, practiced breathing excerices from that book, practicied postive affirmations, had meetings with the midwife/ DH/Mum so everyone knew what I wanted them to do, spent hardly anytime sitting during last trimester to avoid posterior baby . In labour used accupressure, breathing, massage, positive affirmations and spent quite a bit of labour in the bath. I didnt get so much as a tiny scratch- not a thing at all! The midwife didnt know what would happen due to the amount of scar tissue, but I had no problem at all! My midwife used hot cloths on my perinuem as baby was being born to avoid tears. Also she said the latest info is that you are more likely to tear with a water birth, which I had thought was the opposite. I didnt have a water birth but psent a few hrs in the bath, got out at 8cm dilated. ETA- #1 - 8lb 6 (3.8Kg), 52cm long, head circ-37cm #2 - 8lb14 (4.04Kg) 52cm long, head cicr -37cm |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 9:14pm
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I had an internal and external tear with #1, stitches and have scar tissue which I can still feel.
#2 was a bigger baby, faster labour, no drugs etc, no tears, grazes or anything. I felt better the day I gave birth to #2 than I did at about 6 weeks with #1
#1 was posterior and slightly twisted, #2 was in perfect position. M/w putting pressure helped a lot 2nd time around I think too (diff m/w than first birth). |
Posted By: boys.boys.boys.boys
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 9:48pm
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I got a 2nd degree tear with my first, it took about 4 months to heal. (6pd 11 baby)
With my second I got a slight graze (7pd baby). With both I pushed them out in 2 pushes, both were 'dry' labours and I didnt do anything to 'prepare' for labour, didnt know there was anything you could do to be honest!! ------------- 4 boys!! 7 years, 5 years, 2 years and 8 weeks... |
Posted By: jaylea4
Date Posted: 01 April 2010 at 10:04pm
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LittleBug wrote:
It really depends on what kind of labour you have and what position that the baby is, how fast he/she comes, etc. so every birth is different, just like every baby. I agree with this also. #1, i tore and needed stitches, 3690g, 35cm head - birthed on back #2, no stitches, 3890g, 36cm head, birthed on side and she came out with the waters
#3, e-csection, 4250g and #4, no stitches, 3780g, 35cm head - birthed kneeling on back of bed |
Posted By: M2K
Date Posted: 02 April 2010 at 3:40pm
I had a water birth and had 3 small tears, lost 2L of blood, had surgery afterwards (I seriously thought that was the end of me at the time) my girl was 10lb 11, 56cm, head circ- 35cm BUT her arm was beside her head!! aaargh... Just found we are pregnant again and am terrified about giving birth again, my mw said she won't let me have a water birth this time round because of the amount of blood I lost ------------- 
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 02 April 2010 at 3:50pm
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Wow Mum2Keira, congrats! Sorry about your terrible birth experience first time round though
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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 02 April 2010 at 7:56pm
Wow mum2Keira that's not a good birth story! you poor thing Congrats on the pg though...you'll have to join us other December mummies when our thread is finally established lol...meanwhile lurk away with us in November  ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Emmi_
Date Posted: 02 April 2010 at 8:20pm
Emmecat.... your Dec thread is up and running!  ------------- 
+1 May 09 Angel 
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Posted By: JD
Date Posted: 02 April 2010 at 10:59pm
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I had a tear and grazing with number 1, a water birth and no tear or grazing with number 2, and birthed on a bed on my hands and knees with number 3 (no time to fill the pool) and had no tears or grazing.
They are all different, but I would mention your fears to your MW and she will be able to help you when it comes to pushing more in control which can help with avoiding tears. subsequent babies often have a much shorter pushing stage, and you sort of have more idea of what to expect while in labour. I found this made me more in control of what I was doing. I also remember thinking "oh, I dont like this part" and therefore being more careful with the pushing....if that makes sense... Anyway, I recon you should discuss with your mw Good luck ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 03 April 2010 at 11:51am
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Wow, that's interesting Kellz. I had a water birth last week and got a 2nd degree tear in the same place as the 3rd degree tear I got when DS was born, which surprised me. Strangely, I didn't feel the 3rd degree tear happen (but was concentrating on pushing DS out asap as his heart rate had dropped too low), but did find it more painful during the pushing stage of DD's water birth, even though that was more "controlled" and not rushed In the end I was just grateful that the tear at DD's birth (she was 3.42kg) wasn't as bad or worse than the one I got at DS's birth (he was 3.09kg). Here's a bit of humour for you Emmecat - when I was lying on our bed waiting to be stitched up last week my MW handed me two combs and asked me to hold them in my hands and press them into my palm several times to counteract the pain (accupressure). I stupidly freaked out for a moment and asked "This isn't the part where you tell me you're into natural stitching without anaesthetic is it?" - she is a pretty staunch homebirth MW. She laughed and reassured me, no, it was just to help me while she adminstered the anaesthetic as it can be a bit ouchy |
Posted By: M2K
Date Posted: 03 April 2010 at 4:24pm
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Thanks ladies! think Im due in October, have a scan next week so fingers and toes crossed
I highly doubt the 2nd will be as bad as that!!! I think it was more her arm coming out with her head that caused the most damage! (her size didn't help though) Well thats what Im telling myself hehe. We really are amazing for what we go through!!!! 
Its probably harder 2nd time round as you know exactly what you are in for where as the first time was "oh how will I know when Im having a contraction?"  -------------
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Posted By: _Deb_
Date Posted: 05 April 2010 at 8:55am
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I tore quite badly with my first. I actually tore twice so needed lots of stitches. The internal tear was the worst. There were a few things that probably contributed to the tearing. Big baby (9lb 11oz), epidural which meant i was on my back, ventouse, and he came out with his hand beside his face. I lost 2 litres of blood too. So wasn't a very pleasant experience.
My 2nd birth was MUCH better. A much smaller baby too at 8lb 1oz. I only had a couple of grazes with her. Her birth started out much the same as my first. Had to be induced due to labour not progressing after my waters broke. So i was SO worried things would turn out bad again. WAY faster labour this time and only 15mins pushing. I just used the gas that time. I ended up giving birth on my back again as i was in too much pain to change positions. lol.
Recovery was so much faster. It's just a shame i had problems with bleeding for 10 weeks after her birth!! ------------- 
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Posted By: Chickoin
Date Posted: 05 April 2010 at 12:36pm
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This thread is very reassuring. I presumed that tearing for number two was a given also.
DebandKaelen, I am glad #2 was smaller. Jody was over 9lb. I plan to order a 7lber next time -------------   
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Posted By: M2K
Date Posted: 05 April 2010 at 12:50pm
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I agree DebandKaelen, very reassuring!! Not a good first birth experience, but luckily a smoother 2nd birth!
I hope I have one of those orgasmic births, like they documented on 60 minutes  -------------
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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 05 April 2010 at 1:34pm
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ROFLMAO!!!! Sounds like a tui billboard..... ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 05 April 2010 at 1:43pm
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Oh yay this gives me some hope!
With Daniel I had an episotomy cause he was posterior and after an hour and half pushing he just couldn't come out and everyone was saying I was a good pusher lol. With Jared I didn't even have a graze even though him, my waters and placenta all came out at once .
I don't really want an episotomy again, I'm really surprised I didn't tear with Daniel as I was pushing hard out for a long time. |
Posted By: mummytobesep08
Date Posted: 06 April 2010 at 9:14am
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Great to see other people's stories with this!
I tore terribly with birth of number one as well as having an episiotomy. The tear went in and down and out and went through an artery (which I didn't even know we had down there?!?!?!), lost heaps of blood. it was so sore I couldn't stand up for more than a minute for weeks. From what I was told if the area heals well and you don't Still, the MW said pretty much always it heals fine and I know a few women who haven't torn the second time around, even with 3rd degree tears. It seems that if it heals well then even though the area will be a bit weaker, chances are it won't tear or if it does it won't be as bad. I wonder if that's because things are *ahem* pre-stretched from the first birth or something? I ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
Angel babes '07 & '10- <3 <3 |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 07 April 2010 at 9:36pm
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For DD I had a second degree tear and a few grazes . I delivered on my back on the bed , she came out with her hand by her face. I had quite a few stitches and could still see the scar. She was 3.25 kg and head was 34 cm
12 weeks ago I had a waterbirth @ home. One tiny tear that needed nothing and his head was 36 cm he was 3.96 kg. I think the position you deliver in has a lot to do with how much you tear. |