The only 4th degree tear I have witnessed happening was in a very young aboriginal girl, about 14 years but looked 20, who birthed naturally in all fours with a student midwife doing her 20th catch. Baby's head popped out a bit fast but I have seen faster birthing of the head without tears, and I could see the rectum laid out flat. The lass was good to work with because she was suspicious of everything we did and asked what and why incessantly and made up her own mind, based on information supplied, about what would happen. She appeared to recover very well.
The next that I had anything to do with was a primi who had had a home birth and had a 4th degree tear and PPH at home, I looked after her and her baby when they came in. She is a fit gym going woman and she has recovered well but unfortunately has just had a CS for breech. She borrowed my Breech Birth Woman Wise but ended up going for the CS.
Maybe sometimes we can't just blame the hospital and the doctors.
Judy
From: "Vicki Chan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Julia's birth Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 22:25:06 +1000 Isis... Over the years attending women birth at home, I have never seen a third or fourth degree tear...rarely there has been a sizable second degree, sometimes a small tear, and mostly an intact perineum... Of my clientele, there have been several women with past very serious damage... Third degree tears,5 previous episiotomies, a 'shattered'perineum...all these women birthed gently (and ne'er the word'"push"to be heard) with beautiful unharmed bodies.... There are no guarantees...there is more �t risk'here than your pelvic floor...there is more to you than your pelvic floor...what is important to you? What really matters? listen to your body and your heart...they will guide you where you need to go...only you can know what is best for you. I wish you well... Vicki -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Andrea Quanchi Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2002 3:15 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Julia's birth Isis, The bit about tearing worse the next time is rubbish. So continue to trust your instincts and birth your way with your chosen midwife next time and you'll be fine. I too had a bad tear the first time, was talked into an elective epis the second time and had a smaller tear the third time. Even the third degree tear healed better and was less painful than the episiotomy. I agree that the stranded beatle position wouldn't have helped and so that is the thing to avoid next time. Andrea Q -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit
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