Episiotomy first time, will I tear second time??

[kaz1983]

Mw offered me perineal massage but i didny like the sound of it xx

 

[Tigger87]

Apparently perineal massage has been shown to not be very effective after a tear on the scar tissue (was told this at booking in because I had 2nd degree last time).

I have also heard that a tear heals better than a cut because it's a bit rougher to knit back together - if that makes any sense? It might also be absolute bollocks!!!!

 

[flexilexi394]

Apparently perineal massage has been shown to not be very effective after a tear on the scar tissue (was told this at booking in because I had 2nd degree last time).

I have also heard that a tear heals better than a cut because it's a bit rougher to knit back together - if that makes any sense? It might also be absolute bollocks!!!!

I had a 3rd degree tear the first time, like I tore everywhere! Up, down, inside, you name it.

So this has been on my mind a lot, and whether this baby will tear me like last time. I was wheeled off to theatre straight after having my daughter to have a spinal block to repair the tears.

I was in theatre for 3 hours and felt so awfully sore afterwards, I really hated every minute of it for the first week.

I wonder if there is anything I can do that might help this time around xx

 

[lucylu87]

I'm in the same boat as you flexilexi. I had an episiotomy and then tore and had to be in surgery afterwards also. Its definitely something I will be speaking to the midwife about X

 

[Tigger87]

I don't know if a tear last time makes it more likely this time? I tore badly mainly because of the local anaesthetic injection I had - I was told obviously the extra fluid injected makes it more taut and you can almost guarantee a tear. My mum will be delivering this one, she's got 30+ years experience and I implicitly trust her judgement - she doesn't have a history of many horror stories!!!!

 

[flexilexi394]

I understand it to be because scar tissue doesn't stretch it just rips again so I assume it is more likely to tear? Xx

 

[westy100]

Second birth no problems for me. I was worried but I did lots of relaxation during my pregnancy and had a fab second birth. Good luck

 

[flexilexi394]

Second birth no problems for me. I was worried but I did lots of relaxation during my pregnancy and had a fab second birth. Good luck

That does offer lots of reassurance so thank you! I spoke to my friend who is a midwife and she said sometimes if you have had a bad tear the first time you can experience a bad bleed if you tear in the same places again but I plan on a nice water birth or something calming for my second so I can concentrate better on listening on when to push - the mistake I made last time was not listening and being lazy! xx

 

[Nanna]

With my first son I had epi and forcep delivery very sore for about four weeks. I then went on to have three more not a stitch I was very worried. But all I can say is trust your midwife do as she says for a nice unrushed delivery of the head. And I am sure all will go well. Good luck.

 

[flexilexi394]

With my first son I had epi and forcep delivery very sore for about four weeks. I then went on to have three more not a stitch I was very worried. But all I can say is trust your midwife do as she says for a nice unrushed delivery of the head. And I am sure all will go well. Good luck.

Yeah that was my problem, she was coming so slowly then all of a sudden shot out! xx

 

[lucylu87]

I had a bad tear with my first and have been advised against a water birth by consultant as apparently the water swells your skin and as there is less control by midwife as well there is more chance of tearing again!! I don't think I will ever get the dream water birth!! X

 

[flexilexi394]

I had a bad tear with my first and have been advised against a water birth by consultant as apparently the water swells your skin and as there is less control by midwife as well there is more chance of tearing again!! I don't think I will ever get the dream water birth!! X

Yeah I have been advised against this as well, I don't think I will get my waterbirth either! So gutted. I still want to try and labour in water if that makes a difference, I assume you are still going to get wet so it would be the same outcome. xx

 

[lucylu87]

Yeah I wanted to labour in water too but yeah I expect it will be the same.... I have been offered an elective section but I have declined for now. But have been thinking and think I would prefer c section rather than being induced again as I think that was the cause of my problems with my episiotomy and tear. I don't think I could do hypnobirthing, so I am going to think about my other options, maybe trying to keep active in labour. X

 

[flexilexi394]

I had a good labour and plan on hypnobirthing this time - I had practised it in pregnancy last time so I think I can do better this time. I am trying not to be anxious about my last tear as my midwife reassured me that it might not happen again and the lovely ladies on here also have reassured me. xx

 

[Ams1985]

I had an episiotomy and 3rd degree tear with my first. Had our daughter 19 months after and had a 3rd degree again but wasn't anywhere near as bad as first time, healed so quickly