Feel a little like a wuss (VBAC and tearing)

ghaber

Hello ladies!  I usually lurk on this forum because although I am not pregnant yet (actively ttc) I did have a c-section with my DS a little over 2 yrs ago and am hoping for a VBAC this time around.  The birth story goes:  I was over 41 weeks, never had contractions so OB scheduled induction, broke my water and there was meconium in the fluid and heart rate dropped with the pitocin - I never made it past 6cm. All of this makes me a little nervous to even think of VBAC but after reading some of the success stories here, I have more confidence. 

The wussy question is - since I never got to push, would the tearing be the same as if I was giving birth for the first time? I was wondering how the tearing/episiotomies were for anyone who had a vbac, since I never experienced one.  God, I feel really dumb just reading this back to myself.  Hope you understand what I am trying to say.  Thanks ladies!

CAM2007

Yes, since a baby never had to make the trip that way, it would be as though it were your first pregnancy.  Tearing will still be an issue.

iris427

Yes, tearing would be like a first timer.  Keep in mind the vast majority of women have a 2nd degree tear or less, and many people have no tears at all.  The horror stories you hear about tearing are pretty rare.

I just had a VBAC and had a 1st degree tear, no stitches.  The recovery has not been bad, certainly not worse than a c/s recovery.

Gina1221

I just had a VBAC last night and actually tore pretty bad.  Partly because of it being my first vaginal delivery and partly because he came out really fast at the end.  I have no idea how many stitches I received but I was stitched for what felt like an hour.  I had a lot of little tears, internal and external, and my right labia was torn in half from side to side.  Pretty bad as far as tears go and they are very painful, but...even with all that, I am still feel like a million bucks compared to how I felt after my c/s.  The pain is manageable, I can get around very easily, and best of all will be going home tomorrow.  I think it's normal to be afraid of tearing, but who knows, you may not even tear, and if you do, I still think you will find that tearing is easier to deal with than a c/s incision. 

novilise

I have to admit, I struggle with this, too.

My first son was stuck because I am small in those regions and I do get scared that it will make it even more likely that I will tear badly. I know not everyone, even with my potential problem, do though. Just so many unknowns!

And I didn't think the c/s recovery was that bad overalll, but then I don't have anything to compare it to! Maybe even a bad tear wouldn't be that horrible, either, but it just scares me becacuse (TMI) ...I already get fissures in the bottom. 

sleepingbeauty825

I had an episiotomy, which ended up requiring a few stitches. Like a PP, it isn't comfortable but it's a bajillion times better than an huge incision! Good luck!

jess478

I had my VBAC almost 6 weeks ago.  I pushed for 3.5 hours, she came out quick at the end, and she was 9lbs 9oz so I ended up with a 3rd degree tear.  The level of pain with my tear was about the same as with my c/s.  Tearing was a huge fear of mine, but I'm definitely glad I went through with the VBAC.  It was an amazing experience.

cynnnabun

I almost scheduled a RCS because I was so afraid of tearing and ruining my vagina. Thank god I didn't.

I VBAC'd almost 6 weeks ago. Pushed for 32 minutes. No tear at all.

And even if you do tear, it will likely be small. Majority of tears aren't the crazy stories you hear. They're small, some stitches, and that's that. It's nothing compared to the cut and stitches you'll get from a c/s. 

I think it's normal to worry about this. You'll be fine! 

LiluBee

There is nothing wussy about tearing.  I just had my VBAC and I had a third degree tear. Had to have surgery with a spinal after so I am still struggling about the whole situation.  I don't regret having a VBAC but if I had to choose right NOW about another birth I lean towards a RCS.  I think it has to do with the location of the soreness, I hate not being able to sit well and and not knowing what is going on down there.  However, I am also able to do SO many things right now I couldn't do after my c-section including really being a mommy to my 4 year old and honestly, that was my main motivation for a VBAC. 

My doctor did say that her patients don't usually tear and she had little experience with a third degree so I had to have a special surgeon take over.  Maybe you can talk with  your doctor about your chances of tearing and then factor that in to all your pros and cons when deciding between the two. 

lorryfach

I had first degree tears and did get a few stitches just so it wouldn't hurt to pee. The hemorrhoids were more of an issue than my tears, to be honest. It's not wussy at all to be concerned. Vaginal birth is a new ball game with its own set of complications and issues. The chances are awfully good that things will go fine, but it's human nature to worry anyway!

papagena

I never got anywhere near the pushing stage with #1.  With #2, I pushed 2 1/2 hours, and my doctor massaged my perinium.  I had a very small 1st degree tear that didn't require stiches, and honestly, I couldn't tell you what pain was the tear and what was the swelling.  All and all, it wasn't bad at all. 

Ritzy19

Gina1221:

I just had a VBAC last night and actually tore pretty bad.  Partly because of it being my first vaginal delivery and partly because he came out really fast at the end.  I have no idea how many stitches I received but I was stitched for what felt like an hour.  I had a lot of little tears, internal and external, and my right labia was torn in half from side to side.  Pretty bad as far as tears go and they are very painful, but...even with all that, I am still feel like a million bucks compared to how I felt after my c/s.  The pain is manageable, I can get around very easily, and best of all will be going home tomorrow.  I think it's normal to be afraid of tearing, but who knows, you may not even tear, and if you do, I still think you will find that tearing is easier to deal with than a c/s incision. 

Thank you for this! I've been wondering about the pain associated with a bad tear, and how it compares recovery wise with a C/S.

ryemo

I just VBACd and had an almost 3rd degree tear. My MW did a great job stitching me. This is still something to recover from but NOTHING compared to a CS. Like a PP said, I think most of my discomfort is from the swelling from pushing so hard, not from the tear. I can bounce out of bed and carry my toddler.

HappyNutting

I had an episiotomy that also tore, it was a 3rd degree- but this is not a common degree of tear.  It was no treat to heal from, but I far preferred it to my c-section recovery.  My scar actually healed up kind of thick down there too.

It did make sitting difficult, and I had to keep up on my sitz baths.  It also made sex a bit tougher than after my c-section...sometimes it's still a bit uncomfortable. 

 Still, I would totally take that healing over again compared to healing from my c-section, and I had no complications with that.