https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:27:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2264277 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 18:43:41 +0000 LomaLinda 2264277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SproutBee: I didn't do it, but have friends who did it and felt like it helped! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2264223 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 15:11:24 +0000 SproutBee 2264223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You ladies give me hope!!! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2264192 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 12:57:18 +0000 mrsjyw 2264192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2264153 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 10:50:40 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2264153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great!</p> <p>Minimal tearing--just 3 stitches--with my second delivery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2264142 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 10:05:48 +0000 SproutBee 2264142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2263948 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 19:05:14 +0000 LomaLinda 2263948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2263877 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 17:11:58 +0000 Rockies11 2263877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2263850 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 16:34:20 +0000 SproutBee 2263850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2263836 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 16:11:17 +0000 reverie 2263836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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 :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2263831 Fri, 14 Aug 2015 15:44:00 +0000 kpc324 2263831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2008512 Sat, 03 Jan 2015 22:28:17 +0000 Veggiemama 2008512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2008498 Sat, 03 Jan 2015 22:17:31 +0000 rachiecakes 2008498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.<br /> Fortunately with the epidural I felt all pressure, no pain. I would be nervous about a second delivery though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2008084 Sat, 03 Jan 2015 15:47:39 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2008084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Woah I almost started this thread. Not pregnant with number 2 yet but I also had a brutal 3rd degree tear. </p> <p>I'm most paranoid about like... Ruining my sphincter if it happens again. :meh: incontinece from that location doesn't sound good. </p> <p>Did anyone else's doctor mention that as a possibility?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-2008033 Sat, 03 Jan 2015 14:51:33 +0000 Freckles 2008033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-1953539 Thu, 20 Nov 2014 20:33:44 +0000 Bao 1953539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-1953534 Thu, 20 Nov 2014 20:31:46 +0000 chopsuey 1953534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>3rd with my 1st, 2nd with my 2nd! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-1953478 Thu, 20 Nov 2014 20:05:39 +0000 rubyshoes 1953478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-1953159 Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:28:07 +0000 matador84 1953159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/those-with-3rd-degree-tears-how-was-your-second-labor#post-1953149 Thu, 20 Nov 2014 16:23:38 +0000 rubyshoes 1953149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you had a third degree tear with your first, how was your second labor?</p> <p>Over a year later I <i>finally</i> 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. </p>