Grade 4 tear discussion

[sareliza1983]

Has anyone had a grade four tear and is now pregnant or had subsequent pregnancies? I would love to hear your story. I had a grade 4 tear exactly one year ago. Im 11 weeks pregnantand its recommended that I have a c-section b/c I could tear again...it might not heal. While I certainly do not want stool incontinence or a fistula, I really dont want a section. I healed well with my tear and was walking 1-3 miles every other day starting one week after. I lightly jogged 3 miles 6 weeks post and ran a 10k 3 month s later. I was in severe pain and crying on the toilet for about one week after, but that was the worst. It took longer to heal down there than a regular vaginal but nothing intolerable, I think I healed well. My visit to the rectal surgeon this month will tell me for sure! I want to be as active as I in recovery.  will I be able to do this with a c-section?  Running and staying active are very important to me. My OB seems to think grade 4 tear is worse surgery to recover from, but I disagree.

[sjpolo]

I'm terrified of tearing. With my first pregnancy my doctor cut me...I don't know of that's an option but I hear if they cut it heals better than  a tear.

[chanti4]

I've had a 4th degree laceration. Over 100 stitches, had to have a gathader to pee for over a month. That was 9 years ago with my first baby. Im now expecting my 4th baby and this will be my 3 c-section. For me the risk wasn't worth it again because I almost bled out on the table, my son had complications to because it was so traumatic.

[Aly215]

I have never had that bad of a tear or a c section but when your doc says its better to heal with a section hes right because it is a straight incision instead of with a tear it could be uneven amd jagged