3rd degree tear - 2 years later..

[kendalmintcake]

Hi, did anyone else have a 3rd degree tear during childbirth?

I had a homebirth, lost lots of blood and had to be taken to hospital to be stitched up. Lots of problems afterwards with pooing- on movicolon for 1 year after birth.
Now- 2yrs and 3months I feel better about gong for number 2s.. but I can 'feel' stuff when I clench my bum and it still feels 'raw' iyswim.

So my question is does everyone else feel completely normal after 2yrs?
or do you have lingering side effects?
Thanks in advance
K

[PotterWatch]

I had a 3rd degree tear 3 and a half years ago. For at least the first year I had problems holding my bowels. This has got better but it is still looser than it used to be. A little while ago it also felt quite sore down there, where I think the stitches were. I had DC2 (by ELCS) 6 months ago and I wonder if the pressure of being pregnant again had made it ache a bit. It is fine again now though. I'm not sure if these things are ever 100% after something quite traumatic.

[kendalmintcake]

Thanks for your reply PotterWatch. Hope we both feel a bit better soon!

[Flisspaps]

I had a 3a tear in March 2010 and felt 'normal' by about May 2010 - I'd go back and get it checked again if you're still having problems with it, it might well be something that you can get fixed easily rather than spending years feeling embarrassed and 'raw'.

The Ragged Bits thread might be helpful, I think you can find it in the Health section :)

[first1]

I had a 3a tear 15months ago. Do you know whether yours was a, b or c as perhaps that effects how long things take to get sorted but still over 2 years is nuts you poor thing. I've been on movicol for 8months due to fissures and don't see myself ever coming off it

[Boosaphena]

I've had 2 3rd tears. The last feb 10. I've had quite a lot of the probs you described and gave been under treatment with the colorectal team. I'm just waiting on the outcome of some tests but it sounds like I have torn through the nerve endings in my anus so have a little incontinence. I left it for ages before I got seen and really wish I hadn't as am 8 months pg right now!
If you are worried really see your gp.

[kendalmintcake]

Thanks for your replies, Perhaps I need to 'grab the bull by the horns' and go and see the doctor :)

[PotterWatch]

It can't hurt to get them to have a look.

[Boosaphena]

I would... The thought of seeing someone is worse then being seen. It's amazing how easily it's all completely normalised in that environment too so not all that horrible.
When I saw one of the doctors they said in cases like mine they either see people at my stage or when they hit the menopause but who wish they'd gone at my stage. Good luck