Mainly curious about this as i have had an Episiotomy. With a 2nd (or other) deliveries is there a possibility the scar can tear or rip open? Mine is rather internal also so i worry about this (sure none of you want to now this). And is it painful to give birth after having one as scar tissue normally is?

x

I'd be interested to know about needing to re-repair previous 3rd/4th degree tears?

__________________

I have delivered several women that have had previous Episiotomy's but have had intact perineums or small 1st degree tears second time round...

Also did a lecture on perineal trauma that other day.. There was a very low insidence of women how gained 3rd/4th degree tears after a previous tear.. Yes it was a higher percentage than if they had not had one first time round.. But it was still low... (Cant remember exact figures!)

__________________
Duel X
3rd year student midwife
SM.NET Stafford University Representative
Moderator

I suppose it would be higher as there is obviously a factor that made them tear first time round.

__________________

All depends on the size of the baby, type of delivery and management of the perineum.. Also individual skin types too..

__________________
Duel X
3rd year student midwife
SM.NET Stafford University Representative
Moderator

The age of the scar too. We had a woman the other day who had, had an Episiotomy last year and it tore along the scar with this birth. The midwife said it was common if it wasn't an old scar.

I also know someone who was advised to have a LSCS as less than 2 years earlier she had a 3rd degree tear!

I also had a huge Episiotomy with my daughter, but when I had my son 8 years later I didn't have a tear in sight

__________________
If babies needed hands to guide them out,
wouldn't women be born with an extra pair
attached to their inner thighs?

This is taken from the NICE intrapartum guidelines:

1. Women with a history of severe perineal trauma should be informed that their risk of repeat severe perineal trauma is not increased in a subsequent birth, compared with women having their first baby.

__________________
3rd year Student Midwife

We have an ongoing issue in our unit with doctors demanding an 'experienced' midwife to birth with women who've had a previous 3rd or 4th degree. It seems silly to me to think that having an experienced midwife is more likely to mean there isn't further perineal damage. I think what they're asking for is code for, 'someone who'll do an Episiotomy'!!!

I had an Episiotomy with my second child. When I gave birth to my third (but second labour) 2 years later the scar did tear (2nd degree). Was told I almost got away with it, but her shoulders made it go. I preferred the tear, it healed so much better.

__________________
Catches: 2 assisted.

http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/michelle-susie

Yes they tend to it seems, saying that there is a place for Episiotomy, I saw a woman the other week who had one in her previous birth, and refused and said she would rather tear, unfortunately, she had Shoulder Dystocia (shoulders get stuck) and ended having a fourth degree, so poor woman had to go to theatre, of course its unknown the extent of the damage had she had an Episiotomy, but I feel in this case it would have been far better x

__________________


Have you just been offered a place? If so and you want a mentor please post in post this forum (also post here if you would like a mentee)