Hi bellasmummy, I have also been perusing these posts about various experiences. I had a 4th degree tear last time and like you the risk of incontinence is one I don't want to take. My consultants appointment isn't until the end of Dec as I am not due until end March. I have only had my booking appt with midwife so far (am 13+3) and altho she referred me to the consultant she didn't discuss delivery with me yet. I shall avoid discussing it with her until I have seen the consultant as from past experience I found both midwives and health visitors a bit too opinionated!

I was just about to post the very same question about C-section following 3rd degree tear and then saw this posting.  It is good to read about all of your experiences and to get some other view points about whether it's a good idea or not.

I'm just expecting number 2 (11 weeks so still early days) and am due to see my consultant in a couple of weeks.  Last time I saw him at my 6 week check following the birth of my little girl he suggested I might want to consider an elective C section next time, but he was very good and didn't force the issue.  I just can't bear the thought of the possible incontinence problems I could face if I tear so badly again.  I know they tell you everything might be fine, but maybe I'm not much of an optimist!!  I also worry that knowing I may have problems could cause me a mental block in a natural delivery situation, which could make matters worse anyway.

When I saw my midwife for my booking appointment she was trying to encourage me to go natural, but I don't think I want to.  It's reassuring to see that you have all been through the same and to hear about the decisions you have made.

xx

I had 3rd degree tear with my first pregnancy and massive PPH too. It was a horrible experience as I'm sure you will no doubt know. There is no way I wanted to experience anything like that agin and opted (and had to fight for to be honest) a section this time round. I was worried about the amount of blood I would lose having a section but infact lost minimal, the whole process for me was brilliant, the pain of a recovering from the section was easier to cope with than for the tear. It is a very individual decision but I am very pleased with my decision to have a section for baby number 2.

Ive had 2 vaginal births, first with a 3rd d tear, had second and dident tear at all 2 years later, had section this time for breech bubby,

If It was me I would have the section, you sound like you went through a lot last time, im not saying a section is easy, its major surgery and the recovery was slow for me but it was calm, planned and was all fine and no panic at the time, it sounds like the actuak birth might be nicer for you, I was fine with the vaginal births but it wasent at al calm lol.

good luck, xxxxx

I thought the same regarding the epidural, I couldn't feel the contractions and flat on your bad is the worst position to be pushing as all the pressure is down near the perinium area.

I also spent hours in theatre then recovery all by myself and really felt I missed out on the first important moments with my new family.  I got to see and hold my new baby much quicker with the section, much more civilised.

Best of luck for tomorrow x

Thank you all for your advise it has been really helpfull I lost 8 units of blood last time and I think the reason I tore was because I had an epiduril and couldnt feel the contractions properley. I didnt really get to see bubs properley for about 1day and 1/2 so I think I am going to go with having the section at least someone will be on hand if pph happens again and hopefully it will be alot more pleasent experience for both me and my partner. I am 36+4 days now so am hoping will get a date tomorrow for within the next two weeks!!!! Very nervious but excited to!!!!

xx

Hi there, I also had a 3rd degree tear with my first and a pph of 2 and a half litres. It was very traumatic for me and I felt absolutely deadful afterwards. I was also given the choice of elective section or vaginal birth for 2nd baby and like yourself found it very hard to decide what to do. I eventually chose to have a section, and had beautiful little boy on Tuesday under GA. For me, I feel I have absolutely made the right choice and my recovery has been so much faster than last time. I lost 500 mls during surgery which is quite normal I think, and so much prefer the stitches in my tummy than elsewhere! The day after the birth, I was in so much pain trying to walk I thought, what have I done! But the day after was so much better and better again the day after that and 6 days later I feel great. Of course, I know many people may have had successful vaginal births after similar experiences, so its really up to you to decide whether or not to take the risks, but I guess it helps to hear what other peole in similar situations have chosen to do. I really wish you all the best and that you have a fantastic birth, whatever your choice. Lots if luck.

I had a 3rd degree tear with my first he was 8lb 7oz so pretty big for my size. I was in theatre after the birth but had no problems after that. With my second child i was advised to have a section because of the risk of tearing again so i did. I didnt like the section and wish i'd had a natural birth. This time round i've decided to go for a vbac and looked into it and have found a lot of info that helped such as the position you give birth in and not having an epidural as my first was back to back this didnt help and probably made the tear worse. I spoke to my consultant and theyre happy for me to do this and will watch me closely during labour i will also be talking to a midwife about positions best for giving birth to reduce the risk of tearing and also an episiotomy. You need to decide whats best for you and that you dont always tear badly again with another child many women have succesfully given birth without any problems after a 3rd degree tear. Hope this helps.

bernadette 25+3

Hi, I know the dilemia you are going through. I also had 3rd D tear and at 20 & 34weeks it was suggested that I have Csection. At first I was really upset, as I was induced last time had a quick but dreadful labour and had really hoped that this time I would experince labour naturally as I have always felt that I was missing out. However, following the consultants advice I am having my section next Tuesday and I really think that this has been for the best,, as I am able to plan appropriate childcare for my son, ensure that I will be home intime for him starting Nursery School, and lots of friends who have had C sections recently have recovered really quickly - much quicker than I did last time as it took about 18months of Physio and trips to hospital. So I must admit dedspite being a little bit disappointed at missing out on the gas and air I do think that this is going to be much easier for both me and my family.

Good luck with making your decission - I know it’s not easy.

 

Hello, I had a elective section with my second baby after a 3rd degree tear with my first.

I had growth scans at 35 and 37 weeks so I knew number 2 was going to be a very big baby, and also it took me about a year for my bowels to recover properly and I didn't want to risk it happening (or worse) again.

Do you know why you tore?  If it was because of a big baby, growth scan can indicate if your next will be big too.  If it was not because of a big baby, you can get into certain positions during labour to minimise the risk, although you would need to be fully mobile so an epidural would be out of the question.

I believe I made the right choice, although it was not easy to make and I am quite happy about the way it all turned out.

If you have a look back through the previous pages, there are lots of previous 3rd degree tearers asking the same questions as you.  HTHs Lou x

Hi everyone, I’m new to the forum. I am 35+6 preggers with  Ds. All the way through my pregnancy I had been told that I had to have a section because with first pregnancy 19 mths ago I suffered a 3 degree tear and massive pph (where I haemorrhaged after placenta would not separate). Yesterday I went to book section date with consultant who told me that I did have a choice and I did have the option to deliver naturally and that they would take precautions in the hope that this would not happen again. He said that there was a 50/50 danger that it could happen again whichever I one I choose to go with and that possibility of incontinence and placenta not separating with natural birth again but was better for baby and me. With section because it’s an operation high risk of haemorrhaging again. Now I just don’t know what to do as I was induced with dd and hated every minute of it. But the labour wasn’t that bad, I would love to go into labour naturally (I don’t know why I just do) and now I have been given the choice I don’t know what to do?? Has anyone got any advice that may help me choose as I have to make a decision before next Wednesday?>>