Can we talk about perineal tearing for delivery #2?

[Anonymous]

1st degree tearing with the first and no tearing with second and third.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wondering the same. I had a horrible horrible experience with my first. 2nd degree tear, signed off on a new resident stitching me up which ultimately was done incorrectly. It caused a ball of scar tissue to form partially over the opening to my vagina. Couldn't have sex for 6 months. Needed an episiotomy and re-repair at 7 months post partum followed by 16 weeks of PT which included the physical therapist manually stretching my vagina back open each visit. Wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Omg!!

[Anonymous]

I had 2 second degree tears and a terrible recovery with baby #1. I had baby #2 less than 2 years later and didn’t tear at all... Recovery was a piece of cake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 second degree tears and a terrible recovery with baby #1. I had baby #2 less than 2 years later and didn’t tear at all... Recovery was a piece of cake.

OP here. Thanks PP and others who have shared. Love the anecdotal “data.” For those of you with less tearing the second time, anyone manage that despite a bigger baby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had 2 second degree tears and a terrible recovery with baby #1. I had baby #2 less than 2 years later and didn’t tear at all... Recovery was a piece of cake.

OP here. Thanks PP and others who have shared. Love the anecdotal “data.” For those of you with less tearing the second time, anyone manage that despite a bigger baby?

DP who didn’t tear at all the second time: yes, that baby was bigger. 7-15 vs. 7-4 for the first one (so not that much bigger, but not smaller)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tore horribly with my first. Several tears, and though I'm not sure what degree, some were really bad. Second birth and only three tears. None of them are that bad!

Not sure on the stats, but in my experience, the second time might not be worse.

This was me too. My stats going into labor were different too. I was induced both times, but the first time I had a closed, hard cervix going in. The 2nd time I was already 4 cms dilated.

Also baby number 2 had a normal to small head. Baby 1 has a huge freaking head (thanks to my DH).

So I still tore, but not nearly as bad the 2nd time. Recovery was much faster.