I had a 4th degree tear internally, and so I had to have a c-section second time around.

This was very difficult, emotionally for me.

I saw a perineal specialist who reviewed my hospital file from the first birth, interviewed me, had a look, etc, and then gave me a risk assessment for a repeat performance if I attempted a vaginal birth with DS2.

It was a substantial possibility that I would have another 4th degree tear, and so I had to have a c-section.

I think you just have to get the best, most accurate and straightforward information available to you, and then make a choice based on those risks, your desires, and determine what is going to be best for your family, particularly your daughter and your baby.

Would you be immobilised? Would you need a longer hospital stay? More doctors appointments afterwards? Will you be able to get to those appointments? Will you be able to drive? Will you suffer emotionally, or just physically? Will your recovery realistically be about the same as recovering from a c-section anyway? Will you suffer mentally? Might it lead to PND or PTSD? Will the stress of having a c-section be worse than the stress of getting another tear?

I talked through all of these sorts of things with my counsellor and my DH, and got the risk assessment done, and made our decision from all of that ...

HTH.


It's not an easy decision at all. Hugs.