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[MincePieMasterchef]

So Im close to giving birth to my 3rd child at the age of 42.
Recently read on another forum that a lady my age opted for a c section because of her high likelihood of having serious tearing from a vaginal birth due to her age.
I haven't had any care providers mention this to me (Im going public).

I realise older mums have more risks overall but so far the babys looking healthy, no GD or other complications and I thought my risks were lessened by the fact that I have had 2 successful vaginal births.

Was wondering if any other older mums had heard of this?

[Soontobegran]

As they age women lose elasticity in their skin which includes perineal tissue so in theory there is an increased risk of tearing the older we are however I really can’t say it is an issue that presented itself so often that it would require a C/S just to prevent a tear.

Good luck.

[MincePieMasterchef]

Soontobegran, on 18 March 2019 - 11:23 PM, said:

As they age women lose elasticity in their skin which includes perineal tissue so in theory there is an increased risk of tearing the older we are however I really can’t say it is an issue that presented itself so often that it would require a C/S just to prevent a tear.

Good luck.

Thanks thats reassuring.

Ive read some positive things about using heat packs so might have to give that a go!

[kerilyntaryn]

I was a few weeks shy of 40 with my 3rd, no tearing, but had tearing with no 1 at age 31

[No Drama Please]

If had tearing at 36 and no tearing at 39. Are you less likely to tear next time around, is that a thing?

[Mumma bug]

If you are worried you could ask your midwife/obstetrician what their thoughts are on an Epi No. Or research the free option - perineal massage.

I used the Epi No with both kids (when I was 33 and 36) and only had a small tear both times. Could be coincidence of course.

[Oriental lily]

The only tearing I had with my four vaginal births was in my first (at 27 my last vaginal birth at 39 ) . For me it was position , I barely got a graze lying on my side with a leg in the air. The first birth was a second degree tear and I was in a reclining position with my legs up near my ears .

[maryanneK]

I'm not sure, I had mild tearing with all 3 of mine. I think the tearing was slightly worse with baby #3 at age 40 but that was probably because  baby #3 was by far my biggest at close to 4.5 kg !

[livvie7586]

I tore miserably at 20!  So i wouldn't make it a priority when planning a birth.

I would mention it to my healthcare professionals, though, and see what they said.

[MincePieMasterchef]

No Drama Please, on 19 March 2019 - 06:49 PM, said:

If had tearing at 36 and no tearing at 39. Are you less likely to tear next time around, is that a thing?

I meant the risk of tearing with a mum over 40 who has given birth before vs one over 40 who hasn't.  Many of the risks to mums in that age group are less if its not your first child. I did find some brief mentions that this may apply to tearing but not much to go on.

Edited by WannabeMasterchef, 20 March 2019 - 07:20 PM.