I recently saw a new OB at my practice (there are only two OBs). She took one look at my history—a severe 2nd degree tear that took 45 min to stitch up with LO1, an extensive 3rd degree tear that took 1.5 hours to stitch up with LO2–and offered schedule a primary c section. The other OB had said “absolutely not” when I asked her about the validity of a c section this time around. FWIW, I’m 100% sure it would have been easier to recover from a c section than my last delivery; it. was. miserable.

Obviously, I’d like to avoid a c section...but I’d also like my lady bits to stay intact. OB #2 said we could also schedule an induction at 39 weeks (my last two were 8.5 lb babies born at 40+2) to hope for a smaller baby, but one of my friends said inductions themselves are linked to tearing (though I don’t know if there’s any truth to that)

Ladies with histories of severe tearing—what have you done? Proceeded with a C Section? Inductions? Crossed your fingers and hoped for the best? Anyone else have any thoughts?