Birth after a third degree tear

I'm also in the same situation, and know there are a few others on the forum as well. Would be keen to hear how people got on 2nd time around??

I'm in the same situation and from what i've read, they say that it doesn't necessarily make a difference. It can depend on why you had a third degree tear last time and your midwife will have to play it by ear and see how the perineum looks at the time.

So if you tore last time with no episiotomy your midwife might suggest a mediolateral cut if your perineum is blanching white and not giving way. But she won't know until the time.

I've heard that labouring in water softens the perineum so plan to spend more time in the pool this time. My midwife has said no to water birth as she wants to see whats going on down there and can't without scuba gear in the pool lol.

Had a 3rd degree with Blair - assisted delivery 2x ventouse and 1xforceps.

Daniel's delivery was very VERY different, and I only ended up with a 1st degree tear, that being said the whole thing was just under 3 1/2 hours was first contraction to delivery. I was referred to the hospital for a specialist appointment about whether or not I 'could' delivery or would need a CS, and after reading my notes she couldn't see why we couldn't proceed with a natural birth.

Oh yeah, and things all seem to be normal.

Edited by MonicaMouse

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..

I had a 4th degree tear with my first boy, (short perineum) i have the same wonderful midwife this time and she is keen for me to have a c-section. I feel kinda bad that i'm not going all natural again but i don't wanna have problems later on.

Hi!
I just gave birth to a beautiful DD on Monday, and can now answer this...
Last time I had a natural birth, no intervention etc, but was close to having ventuouse (pushing 2hrs). DS was 8pd7, and I had a spiral 3rd degree tear, which was stitched in delivery, then I was sent to the OR and given general anaesthetic to get it all fixed up.

After that birth, I didn't have any major issues or anything, but was referred back to the hospital outpatients for a follow up 6 mths later. There they told me it all looked good and there was no reason not to have another vaginal birth, but the MW would need to watch and be ready for an episiotomy if needed.

Also MW sent me for a growth scan at 36wks this time to see what size bub we were looking at.

So, this time round, I spent as much of my labour in the bath to soften the perineum, and it was also fantastic pain relief! (had a little gas too but was fine up till transition stage).

This time labour and birth were much faster, and DD was out after 10-15mins of pushing. No tear to preineum, but got a 2nd deg tear along the scar tissue internally. Not so bad though.

DD was 7pd12, so a wee bit smaller than DS.

Good luck!

I had a 3rd degree tear with DS1.

MW would have preferred CS with DS2, but we went ahead with vaginal to see how it would go.

3hrs from start to finish. I did tear but it was 2nd degree, and I breathed the baby out this time too.

I was up and around straight away. Felt really good. Didn't feel like my insides were falling out like last time :D :D