Mothers with 4th Degree Tears
By MW4DTs
Mothers with 4th Degree TearsJun 24, 2019
20. Alyssa’s Story, Kansas
In today’s episode we hear from Alyssa in Kansas who had a 4th degree tear during a vacuum delivery about 9 months ago. Not only did she have to deal with the recovery of a 4th degree tear, but also a severe postpartum hemorrhage and a NICU stay for her baby boy.
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
19. Emma’s Story, UK
In today’s episode we hear from Emma in the UK, who experienced a 4th degree tear in 2017. Unfortunately she has had multiple complications since then and has undergone 10 surgeries. Emma wants to help women who have gone through the same and to help prevent it from happening to others. She has started an Instagram account @recover_together_88 to document her recovery and has even had her story featured in the Daily Mail. I’m so thankful for women like her who put a face and name to injuries like ours!
Daily Mail article - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7608723/Mother-31-unable-sex-excruciating-daily-pain-traumatic-birth.html
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
18. Jama’s Story, Arkansas
In today’s episode we hear from Jama in Arkansas. Jama experienced a 4th degree tear during her first birth 4 years ago, which was misdiagnosed as a 2nd degree tear and left completely unrepaired. She shares with us the physical and emotional impact it has had on her, but also that through this journey she has found her voice to speak up for herself and to trust her instincts.
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
17. Kristin’s Story, Washington
In today’s episode we will hear from Kristin in Washington state. I met Kristin at the Trauma and Birth Conference in Seattle this past March. She is a mental health professional who also suffered a fistula after her first birth. I am really excited to talk with her about her own experience with the fistula and subsequent postpartum PTSD, and as a mental health professional who has specialized training in birth trauma.
For those in the Seattle area https://www.kristinhilltherapy.com/
Find an EMDR trained therapist near you here https://www.emdria.org
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
16. Maranda’s Story, Maine
In today’s episode we will hear from Maranda in Maine. She will tell us the story of her 4th degree tear 2 years ago, as well as the emotional journey since then. Her story highlights the importance of having a good repair immediately after delivery, and the need to address trauma after a traumatic birth experience.
Find an EMDR trained therapist near you here https://www.emdria.org
Find someone trained in Traumatic Incident Reduction here https://www.tira.org
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
15. Jo’s Story, UK
In today’s episode we hear from Jo in the UK who suffered a 4th degree tear during a forceps delivery almost 25 years ago. Jo suffered in silence for over 20 years and had to quit her job due to the complications of her delivery. After joining Instagram (@the_babys_ok_am_i) three years ago, she came across the account of Dr. Emma Svanberg of Mumologist and Make Birth Better. Jo realized that she was finally ready to share her story and receive the help she had so desperately needed, both physically and emotionally. Her story was featured in the Daily Mail in July 2019 (link below). She hopes that by sharing her story, other women will reach out for help sooner or will realize that it is never too late.
The Daily Mail article - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7257843/The-traumatic-births-haunt-women-DECADES.html
Dr. Emma Svanberg’s Make Birth Better - https://www.makebirthbetter.org
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
14. Jessica’s Story, New Jersey
Welcome back to the podcast! After a summer break we are excited to be sharing new stories on the podcast again! In this week’s episode you will get a brief update about my own journey and the WOW2019 Awareness Week. We will also hear from Jessica in New Jersey who tells us the story of her 4th degree tear due to a forceps delivery. Her story is a refreshingly positive story of a good repair, good recovery and a subsequent vaginal birth.
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
13. Lianne’s Update
In this week’s episode we will have a special update from Lianne of Episode 5. In Episode 5 she told us about the birth of her son in January when she suffered a 4th degree tear. She was repaired by an inexperienced doctor, so her repair broke down and turned into a fistula. When we spoke to her she was almost five months postpartum and was finally going to have her repair surgery later that week. She wanted to update us on how her surgery and recovery went, and on how she has began doing advocacy work at the hospital where her tear occurred.
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
12. Laura’s Story, Maryland
In this episode you will hear from Laura in Maryland who shares the story of her son’s birth almost 7 years ago that resulted in a 4th degree tear. I’m so thankful that Laura was willing to share the difficulties that she experienced in her marriage. If anyone has struggled to communicate with their partner about how they are feeling after their 4th degree tear, then I highly recommend sharing this podcast episode with your partner to help them understand how we feel physically and emotionally following our tears.
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
11. WOW2019 - Our Own Awareness Week!!
We are having our first World OASI Week! In September 2019 we will have an Awareness Week for 3rd and 4th degree tears. In this episode you will hear exactly when it will be and why we chose that week.
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
10. Shelley’s Story, UK
In this week’s episode we will hear from Shelley in the UK, who experienced a buttonhole tear during the birth of her first child. Buttonhole tears are a less common type of tear in which the tearing is mostly internal. Fortunately for Shelley her buttonhole tear was immediately diagnosed and repaired, but even so she continues to have problems 18 months later.
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
9. Laura’s Story, Pennsylvania
In this week’s episode I will tell my own story of my 4th degree tear and the two births I have had since then, and how those experiences impacted the creation of the Facebook support group and eventually this podcast.
Article mentioned about pushing (or not pushing) your baby OR YOUR POOP out - https://youtu.be/fVl6L88HmDI
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
8. Katie’s Story, Chicago Area
In today’s episode we hear from Katie in the Chicago area. Katie tells us about her two birth stories: her 4th degree tear during her first birth and a healing c-section of her second. After hearing from Katie, I will share some of the research regarding c-section vs vaginal birth following a 4th degree tear and what ACOG recommendations are.
Article mentioned around 27’ about the emotional impact of birth trauma on postpartum sex - http://jenhannahspeaks.com/birth-trauma-sex-why-we-just-cant-go-there-right-now/
ACOG recommendations - https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/119f/065ce9cd664afc241bcb1546781ce4fd8a47.pdf
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
7. *Maria’s Story, Chicago
Today’s guest is *Maria from Chicago. She tells us the story of her first childbirth that resulted in a 3c tear during a forceps delivery. Maria was pressured into having a forceps delivery by her OB even though her baby was not in distress. After she consents a resident doctor enters to perform the forceps delivery and repair. Maria believes she was used as a guinea pig for the resident doctor to practice on, and has since heard stories from other women who had the same experience at the same hospital.
*Name changed for privacy
If you had a similar experience or know someone who has, please email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com.
Also consider filing a complaint to the hospital using the information at the following site. https://improvingbirth.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IB-Accountability-Toolkit.pdf
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
6. Madeline’s Story, Indiana
On today’s episode we hear from Madeline in Indiana. She tells us the story of her 4th degree tear during the birth of her first child, and how that experience affected the choices she made for her 2nd pregnancy and childbirth, and influenced her to change career paths.
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
5. Lianne’s Story, Washington
In this week’s episode we have Lianne from Washington State, who tells us about the birth of her first child in which she suffered a 4th degree tear. Unfortunately she did not receive a good repair and was left with a rectovaginal fistula which she has had to deal with for the last four months. She will finally have her repair surgery later this week! Lianne’s story highlights the importance of a good repair by an experienced doctor immediately after delivery.
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
4. How to Visualize Perineal Tearing
‼️TRIGGER WARNING‼️ I do compare the birth of a child to a bomb going off! 😬 Do you have a hard time visualizing perineal tearing? Not exactly sure what a fistula or buttonhole tear is or how to know the difference? Find out a simple way to help visualize that part of your body better.
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
2. Rachel’s Story, California
On today’s episode we will have our first guest, Rachel Kercher from Los Angeles California, who sustained a 4th degree tear during the birth of her 2nd child last year. Rachel’s story is unique in that her 4th degree tear happened during her 2nd vaginal birth and during a natural water birth at a birth center. I love that Rachel is our first guest because her story shows us that all births are complex and unique and we shouldn’t make assumptions about someone’s birth experience.
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com
1. Welcome! What is a 4th Degree Tear??
Our very first podcast episode! Join us to learn what exactly is a 4th degree tear and what should you expect from our podcast.
If you have any comments, questions, or interest in being a guest on the podcast, email 4thdegreetears@gmail.com
Facebook support group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995
Instagram - @4thdegreetears
Twitter - @4thdegreetears
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/4thdegreetears
Blog - https://4thdegreetears.wordpress.com