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Childbirth

2nd degree tear and stitches...

5 replies

ChangeMyHappy · 28/12/2012 21:39

Hi,
I had a 2nd degree tear when my DD was born 11days ago, and my stitches have broken down. I'm now gaping somewhat, (nice!) and have been told that they never re suture but that things will heal up in their own time. Was told this could take weeks to months.
Has anyone else had this and if so how long did it take before you could walk/sit down without wincing?
Also, any hints on how to speed up the healing process would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

OP posts:

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HarleyK · 28/12/2012 21:44

I had stitches with my Ds to a similar extent although I was cut rather than tearing, my stitches dissolved after about a week and I had a small 'gap' like you I was a bit concerned but just continued to sit in a plain warm bath for a few minutes twice a day and it soon healed My Ds is now 7months and you would never had known my 'area' had been subjected to such trauma hope that helps

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BillyBollyBrandy · 28/12/2012 21:49

I have had this with both dd's. I would say it took about 4 months for everything to feel completely normal after dd1, much quicker with dd2, and both were 2nd degree tears. I'm guessing the difference was the skill of the doc who did the stitches. I feel entirely normal now though.

After dd1 they asked if I would mind the new house doctor "having a practise" on me as he had never done stitches before. Hmmmm. NO

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StrawberrytallCAKE · 28/12/2012 21:50

Hello! I had a 2nd degree from tearing three weeks ago today and it is getting slowly better. I don't feel like i'm gaping so much as bunching and slightly pushed out (sorry for the tmi). I have only just started to be able to walk for more than a minute without feeling like my insides are going to fall out and I can sit but have to move after 5 minutes or so.

I'm 'enjoying' salt baths morning and night with lavender oil in and airing the area for 15 minutes or so a day.

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BillyBollyBrandy · 28/12/2012 21:52

If everything is still sore I can recommend lavender oil and tea tree oil in a cup of milk poured into a luke warm bath for you to sit in. The milk distributes the oil through the water. It is a miracle worker.

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ChangeMyHappy · 28/12/2012 22:10

I've been putting tea tree oil in the bath, but I like the idea of adding lavender-I hadn't thought of that.
It's more the thought that it has to heal by itself from the bottom up, so to speak, that makes me worry it'll take ages, and be raw and sore until it's all healed. Wouldn't be the end of the world except that I have a very active 3 year old who's going to get massively stir crazy if I can't walk as far as the park and school runs again next week.
Hey ho!