4th degree tear Mamas- Scheduled C-section next pregnancy?

Question

I am seeing a new doctor for this pregnancy and she seems so nice but she said that since I had a 4th degree tear with my first baby (he was only 7lbs 3oz) that they recommend a c-section to avoid possible complications. She said since my next baby wasn’t likely to be smaller than my first if I were to tear that bad again through the scar tissue it would be less likely to heal properly and could leave me with fecal incontinence. I was a little caught off guard because I had never heard that before (although, it does make sense and I don’t really want to take chances with fecal incontinence). I was looking forward to trying to create a more positive birth experience with my second since my first was so traumatic. I would love to hear what you decided to do with your second, vaginally or cesarean? Also if you went vaginally did you tear as bad the next time or have any incontinence issues?

Answer

I would get a second opinion first.  Often a calmer birth experience results in an easier birth.  Csections come with risks as well. Like i said you might want to check with another dr to just hear what they have to say

Answer

I'd get a second opinion. To me, baby's size likely wasn't the problem that led to your tear, could have been positioning of baby and while pushing, coached pushing, traumatic experience, any number of things that can be avoided as much as possible with baby #2. I had a bad second degree internal tear with my first due to a traumatic birth and baby's OP position. Second baby I had a much more relaxed experience and I did a lot of work to get her in the optimal position. I still had a minor second degree tear because she came so fast but it healed up without any issues

Answer

1st baby was 4th degree tear, 2nd vaginal birth was no tearing. 3rd and 4th were c sections and my recovery was harder than my tear.

Answer

My second baby was an emergency c-section but my drs still did everything they could to make it a positive experience. The only two things I regret is 1. My husband forgot to bring his phone to take pictures in all the craziness and 2. I wasn't able to put him on my chest immediately after birth. But they pushed him out (yes they push the baby out of you) and wrapped him up and gave him to my husband and let him bring my son to me almost immediately. Then they had to take him to another room (they take you to the same room for an hour afterwords to watch you after surgery) to get all his vitals. My husband went and my dr stitched me up giving me details the whole time about my baby boy and then sent me to the room with him and my husband handed me my boy. I will say I love that my husband got to be the one who handed me our miracle baby (TONS of complications). I will also say make sure you have help at home because c-sections are no joke. I was up and shopping within days of giving birth to my first but still having issues getting out of bed with my c-section for around 2wks

Answer

Oh man that sounds awful!! I had a traumatic labor that ended in a csection. Not quite the same scenario but I am opting for a csection this go round just because I know mentally I can’t face what I went through again.

Answer

With my first, I had an episiotomy, which resulted in a 2nd degree tear. With my second, I tore a bit on my own, but nothing like the episiotomy. With my third, I didn’t tear at all and she was an entire pound bigger than my first.

Answer

I would definitely get a second opinion

4th degree tear Mamas- Scheduled C-section next pregnancy?

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