4th degree tear experiences?

Question

Hey ladies! I gave birth 8 months ago and unfortunately it was a very tough delivery. Babies shoulder got stuck coming out and I had a 4th degree tear. I truly believe that if I had not had the epidural and a much better staff it wouldve been much easier and I would’ve been much more in control. I’m curious if any of you have had a 4th degree tear and went on to have more vaginal births or if they recommend c sections after? I would love to start TTC but I’m so afraid I won’t be able to have #2 how I’d like to (no epidural, water birth maybe) I just moved and haven’t set up a new obgyn yet so I can’t ask them right now.

Answer

I support your desire to do things so naturally however I’m sorry but as a medical professional I can say the epidural had nothing to do with you tearing in any way. Nor most likely did the medical staff. I’m sorry if you had a bad birthing experience either way!! That’s horrible! But the epidural if anything most likely kept you from feeling the full wrath of a tear that severe while it was happening. And it’s more likely that your pelvis was not wide enough for the baby. Hence her getting stuck despite their best efforts to get her out without complications and you ending up tearing completely.  If she got out without harm I can say at least they were able to accomplish that despite her almost literally not fitting. For the safety of you and your future child I would just suggest the c section! In my opinion a healthy undamaged child and healthy undamaged you is more important than ensuring you have a completely natural birth. Is only my opinion!! Best of luck!

Answer

I haven’t experienced a major tear personally, but maybe this info will help:
“Most women go on to have a straightforward birth after a third- or fourth-degree tear.
However, there is an increased risk of this happening again in a future pregnancy. Between 5 and 7 in 100 women who have had a third- or fourth-degree tear will have a similar tear in a future pregnancy.”

Answer

I just had a 4th degree tear. The practitioners have no idea why it happened as we did everything “right” to minimize the risk. 
I had a completely natural and intervention-free labour. First time delivery, we had slow progression of the head and 1 hour total of active pushing. Prior to labour my husband assisted with perineal stretching st home. And during delivery the midwives supported my perineum the whole time.
Despite all of this, I was part of the 3% of women who tear. 
The OB who repaired me in the OR for over an hour said I should only have an elective c-section for future births unless my baby was less than 7 lb - in which case I could consider a natural labour again. This baby was 7lb 15oz so that won’t be an Option for me.  (although very surprisingly he said if I had a natural labour I should have an epidural so that the delivery is more “controlled”. I was very surprised by that statement given that everything I’ve read in research suggests that epidural increase likelihood of tear. So I will ask him for the evidence at my six week follow up for sure.

Answer

Even if you tear, you will fully heal and will be able to have another vaginal delivery (as long as everything else goes ok).

4th degree tear experiences?

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