Opinions? Doula made suggestion about tearing.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxox · June 2012

My doula came over this morning for our first appointment with her. We got talking about my first birth and I told her about my 3rd degree tear that never healed correctly. I've been told by my doctor that it would be best just to tear again to have another chance at healing, and if it doesn't, it will have to be corrected with minor surgery.

She is usually 100% against episiotomies, but said that one of my options would to ask the doctor to do one where I have problems so that I can guarantee that I tear along the same place that I did last time... it makes sense but doesn't sit right with me. What are the chances that (if I tear again) I'll tear the same spot as before? I just assumed that with that spot weakened, it would be more likely to tear again.

Can I get some opinions on this? I plan to bring it up to my doctor, but I'm just curious if anyone has heard of this being done before?

bdutton0005 · June 2012

I tore really bad with my first one also (25-30 stitches) and I was told you usually don't tear in the same spot and that if he were to have cut me that typically if you have another one you tear easier and worse then if they just let you tear in the first place. Hope that helps a little. But I would definately bring it up with your doctor

dosafyre · June 2012

I had a third degree tear with #1, and tore just a single stitch in the same spot this time around. So even though it tore in the same place...it seems it was stronger (and this baby was a pound bigger!)

dmhrn13 · June 2012

if you have an epidural this makes sense. if your planning natural, which it sounds like you are- you don't want one or to have something that involved repaired under local anesthesia. go with you gut- if it sounds weird, it is. my vote is to have it done after, you can be comfortable & it will be done right, without birth trama involved.

pinksweetpea2 · June 2012

I had a 3rd degree tear with my first and no tear with the second. My second baby at 10 lbs 10 oz was also more than half a pound larger than my first and I pushed for a lot shorter time.

There is no reason to think that you will tear again....and if you do that it will be worse or that the spot will be weakened. I would NOT talk to your Dr. about this and IMO it was irresponsible of your doula to suggest it. It really is not her place IMO.

GL

ChibiMommy · June 2012

I think this is kind of 6 of 1. If you have the episiotomy you MIGHT not have to have surgery or you could let natural tearing occur and have the same result. There is no guaranteeing that you won't end up needing surgery either way so I would go with the less painful option and allow natural tearing.