I had a third degree tear with my first kid and a second degree tear with my second. That second tear was completely unnoticeable and took no special recovery whatsoever. I'll be birthing vaginally again this time unless complications arise.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. A few more facts: I will have at most three kids, so this is either my last or second to last pregnancy. My recovery from my first birth/tear was fast, easy, and uneventful. I would prefer that outcome to even a scheduled c-section, just for the purpose of avoiding abdominal surgery. My fear is that the injury this time could be worse. I am not opposed to c-sections on principle at all. My baby last time was pretty average size - 7 lbs 11 oz with an average head.

I don't have any advice for you, but good luck with your decision. I am in a nearly Identical situation -- 3rd degree tear with #1 but really easy recovery -- and I only want 2 kids. Not sure what I'll do.

Good luck, and I hope you have an easy recovery whatever you pick.

Thank you; the same to you!

Anonymous wrote:OP here. A few more facts: I will have at most three kids, so this is either my last or second to last pregnancy. My recovery from my first birth/tear was fast, easy, and uneventful. I would prefer that outcome to even a scheduled c-section, just for the purpose of avoiding abdominal surgery. My fear is that the injury this time could be worse. I am not opposed to c-sections on principle at all. My baby last time was pretty average size - 7 lbs 11 oz with an average head.

I don't have any advice for you, but good luck with your decision. I am in a nearly Identical situation -- 3rd degree tear with #1 but really easy recovery -- and I only want 2 kids. Not sure what I'll do.

Good luck, and I hope you have an easy recovery whatever you pick.

OP here. A few more facts: I will have at most three kids, so this is either my last or second to last pregnancy. My recovery from my first birth/tear was fast, easy, and uneventful. I would prefer that outcome to even a scheduled c-section, just for the purpose of avoiding abdominal surgery. My fear is that the injury this time could be worse. I am not opposed to c-sections on principle at all. My baby last time was pretty average size - 7 lbs 11 oz with an average head.

I had a bad 2nd degree with #1 and not 1 stitch for #2! Both 9+lb big headed babies.

I had a vaginal delivery after a third degree tear. Second delivery was much easier. I can't remember if I tore again. If I did it must have been less major.

You guys realize CS have serious risks to them? Not just now but in the future? Recovering from a bad tear isn't easy but how do you think they get the baby out in a CS? They cut open your abdomen and uterus. That's a much bigger and more serious wound.

I'm a midwife and I see women who've had serious tears not even need repairing the second time. I'd choose a vaginal birth and ask that my provider do good perineal support and let me lead pushing rather than direct it themselves.

Will you have more pregnancies after this one? One csection is pretty safe, but risks increase with each. So I would use that as a factor in your decision, too.
-3 c-sections mom

Might be helpful to you


http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/668421.page

Scheduled C recovery > vaginal recovery

Anonymous wrote:

(p.s. I know a lot of people say it, but all birth is natural. You mean c-section vs. vaginal birth. My c-sections were not elective.)

I agree. I was just squeamish about writing "vaginal" in the header.

The recovery from my first scheduled c-section was VERY easy. I was up and doing stuff almost immediately. The recovery from my second was MUCH harder. I say this for two reasons (1) it'll be your first c-section, probably a fairly easy recovery and (2) I wonder if your recovery from another tear might be similar to my recovery from a 2nd c-section in that it would be much harder. In which case, I'd recommend a c-section...

(p.s. I know a lot of people say it, but all birth is natural. You mean c-section vs. vaginal birth. My c-sections were not elective.)

I had a bad second degree tear as well as an internal laceration, and the healing for it all was complicated and painful. Like you, I didn't end up with long term effects, but it wasn't a walk in the park either. You had an even worse tear than me and it sounds like there is a possibility of a repeat or even worse. In your shoes, I'd go with a scheduled C. For a lot of people, the recovery from a scheduled C (not an emergency one, which is a whole other ballgame) is quite a bit easier than a vaginal recovery with a tear. And, the long term consequences of a C versus a really bad tear are much more minor, if any. The only thing that would give me pause is if you wanted to have many more children, because there is a limit to how many Cs you can safely have. But if this is your last or next to last kid then that's an easier decision.

Scheduled c sections are awesome, easy recovery, relaxed procedure etc. They're great.

I'm pregnant with my second, and my doctor said that since I experienced a third degree tear with my first, I'm eligible for a c-section this time if I want it. The data I have found indicate that the risk of a bad tear is worse during subsequent pregnancies for those who had a bad tear with their first, but the overall risk is still not that high. Anyone BTDT? My recovery was actually fine and I've had no lasting effects, but it's not an experience I'm anxious to repeat, and I'm afraid the damage could be greater this time.