Those with 3rd degree tears, how was your second labor?

By rubyshoes Nov 20, 2014

If you had a third degree tear with your first, how was your second labor?

Over a year later I finally feel like I'm completely back to myself after a severe 3rd degree tear and I'm nervous about my next labor. My first was crazy fast, I know I pushed too hard (but I felt like I had no control over that) and her hand was on her face (also out of my control). We are starting to think about planning our second baby and I'm super nervous about tearing again. I'm considering asking about a scheduled c section because the recovery was so awful.

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18 comments

matador84
papaya / 10560 posts

Nov 20, 2014

I had 3rd and 4th with my first child and tearing but minimal 1st/2nd with my second child. I am sure it is because I gave birth standing up as opposed to laying down. I had no time to labor down with either child.
rubyshoes
apple seed / 4 posts

Nov 20, 2014

That makes me feel better! I'm assuming you were standing for the 1st/2nd deg tears? I had grand plans to labor and push in various positions, but when the time came laying on my back was the only position I could handle.
chopsuey
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts

Nov 20, 2014

3rd with my 1st, 2nd with my 2nd!
Bao
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22276 posts

Nov 20, 2014

I had 3rd with my 1st LO and I think 2nd with my youngest LO. Honestly though, compared to that first time it didn't feel like much! It took her just a few minutes to stitch me up vs the first time it took her a good 45.
Freckles
honeydew / 7444 posts

Jan 3, 2015

This comment has been deleted by the original poster.
Mrs. Champagne
coconut / 8483 posts

Jan 3, 2015

Woah I almost started this thread. Not pregnant with number 2 yet but I also had a brutal 3rd degree tear.

I'm most paranoid about like... Ruining my sphincter if it happens again. incontinece from that location doesn't sound good.

Did anyone else's doctor mention that as a possibility??
rachiecakes
coconut / 8279 posts

Jan 3, 2015

Mine wasn't classified as a 3rd or 4th degree tear but I had a pretty major medio lateral episiotomy that cut through the three layers and I have permanent nerve damage from it. Recovery was a horror show, took about a year and it's something that I deal with on a daily basis three years later.
Fortunately with the epidural I felt all pressure, no pain. I would be nervous about a second delivery though.
Veggiemama
apricot / 287 posts

Jan 3, 2015

I had a very severe 4th degree tear from my first delivery, it didn't completely heal for over 6 months. For my second delivery my OB (who did the sutures and who I saw for all my follow up for the 6 months) strongly recommended a c-section. She said she couldn't make me do it but that it would be considered "medically indicated" not elective. Even my midwife (who I saw during my first pregnancy) was in agreement. When my doctor said the words "reconstructive rectal surgery" and "permanent incontinence," I made the decision to have the c-section very quickly!
kpc324
grape / 77 posts

Aug 14, 2015

I had a third degree with my first and am now halfway through pregnancy with my second and getting nervous about tearing again :(. Having a planned c section is sounding like a good idea!
reverie
kiwi / 661 posts

Aug 14, 2015

ugh I remember being 6 months out thinking "i guess this is it now". currently pregnant with my second and definitely scared of going through this again
SproutBee
cherry / 157 posts

Aug 14, 2015

Anyone else with any 2nd time stories? I, too, had a 3rd degree tear with my first. Dealt with some mild fecal incontinence for a couple months until that thankfully resolved. Due for #2 in 6 weeks and def a little nervous...
Rockies11
persimmon / 1363 posts

Aug 14, 2015

I don't have a story but I worry about the same. I had a c-section for position with my first, a vbac with an episotomy and a 3rd degree tear with my second, and the vbac recovery was a million times worse for the vbac than for the c-section, so I don't know what to do with a third!
LomaLinda
cherry / 217 posts

Aug 14, 2015

@SproutBee: I had severe 3rd degree tearing with my first LO, with a painful and long recovery, and I just had my second LO 2 weeks ago! I was SO nervous about tearing as badly again, but I only had a 2nd degree tear this time around. Pushing was much quicker this time (30 minutes vs 3 hours with my first), and I only pushed when I felt the urge, no coached pushing. I also had a midwife for this delivery who was very involved in supporting my perineum during pushing- something I wanted since I was so scared of tearing again. Recovering from a 2nd degree tear has been a BREEZE compared to the 3rd degree! I was up and moving around comfortably within hours of giving birth, and was able to stop taking pain meds on day 5 postpartum, and am able to sit on my bottom without discomfort. I am so glad I didn't let my awful recovery with my first stop me from having another LO; and I'm glad I went ahead with another vaginal birth - it went so well! I hope my story encourages you!!
SproutBee
cherry / 157 posts

Aug 15, 2015

@LomaLinda: thanks, that gives me hope!! Anyone do perianal massage to help loosen things up the second time around? My OB has suggested I do it in the last month, but not sure how much it would actually help?
Rainbow Sprinkles
eggplant / 11287 posts

Aug 15, 2015

Great!

Minimal tearing--just 3 stitches--with my second delivery.
mrsjyw
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts

Aug 15, 2015

It was a breeze this time! Minimal first degree/borderline second degree tearing (vs an episiotomy last time). Got up right away only took two doses (first day pp) of pain meds and had a medfree birth w only 10 min of pushing (compared to two hours the first time).
SproutBee
cherry / 157 posts

Aug 15, 2015

You ladies give me hope!!!
LomaLinda
cherry / 217 posts

Aug 15, 2015

@SproutBee: I didn't do it, but have friends who did it and felt like it helped!

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Those with 3rd degree tears, how was your second labor?

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