When I had my son four years ago, he was a big baby and I had a very difficult birth. The end result was a level four tear, the doctor basically has to reconstruct my rectum. I have had a few problems associated with this since then, but nothing too major. I am now "considering" another one, and was wondering how my previous tear will affect my next delivery. Any advice?
I had a tiny tear with my 1st that only required one or 2 sticthes. The 2nd baby came out in only 3 pushes. No tearing at all.
What helped the most was to apply vitamin e oil liberally every morning and night in the perineum area. I also applied it before pushing.
Both babies were 7 and half lbs.
I had the same problem with my first. His head came out, then on the next push BOTH shoulders like a football player. So basically, the doctor re-did my rectum also. I didn't have anymore problems with my next two births. Small episiotomy with the third and none with the second. My hiney did just fine. ;)
Yours probably will to!
Good luck,
L.
I had stitches with my first two, my second ending with a fourth degree tear. I just had my third (two years later) and I didn't have any stitches although I didn't have any complications after my second. I would talk with your caregiver about your concerns. I know the one thing that we did (husband and I) was to do perineum massages. This is supposed to help with the stretching and reduce tearing.
I had a level 2 tear with my first (8lbs 7oz) and did not tear at all with my second one (7lbs 15oz). I would talk to your doctor though since yours was more severe. If anything you could have a c section if they thought the baby was getting to big (or an early induction while he/she is a bit smaller). Good luck!
Have you asked your doctor about this? I would think that most Dr's would do a scheduled c-section for the second baby after a tear like that.
I had 4th degree tearing with my 2nd child - it was a really hard delivery - vacuum assisted (he was 9# 10 0z and 24 inches long) - my OB did NOT want me to have another vaginal delivery b/c I suffered complications for years (Vulvar problems and almost needed reconstructive surgery due to some issues that were not baby related). I was still going to have my 3rd vaginally (with a different doctor) - but was going to induce at 38 weeks for size - but she was early and breech and a c/s anyway.... Guess mother nature decided that for me. I would have taken a c/s over that difficult birth anyday - he was too big for me to have delivered vaginally. That being said, there is no reason you can't have another vaginal delivery - assuming you have healed completely - but talk to your doctor - to discuss your options. As an ob nurse and a mom of 3 that has had all different deliveries (one perfectly easy natural childbirth - one difficult induction with vacuum assist and trauma, and one c/s - I can offer my experiences to you privately).
Good luck on your "consideration" of number 2!!!
Oh my gosh, I am aching for you, I hope you had an epidural during that! I had a vacuum delivery with my 1st (8.7 lb) and my tear wasn't as bad as yours, but it did go in all directions (front, back, sideways) and took a good 6 months to heal, I had a lot of stitches.
My second (7.8 lb), I only had 2 teeny tiny stitches and no problems.
I would definately talk to your doctor about it. If you are completely healed, I would think it would be fine, but of course I am not a doctor.
I had the same problem with my first. He was only 7lbs 1oz, but they had to use the forceps. It was painful and the healing took a while. However, when I had my second it was totally different. I think I had 2 or 3 tiny stitches that I didn't even really notice. Each birth is different.
