Third degree tear experiences

[CharlieB93]

I am posting this hoping for people’s experiences after having a third degree tear
I had my daughter 4 weeks ago, labour was fine but afterwards everything went wrong, obviously the tear was repaired then after returning from surgery they relieved my uterus wasn’t contracting which meant a consultant (without explaining why) put her hands inside me to remove massive clots. (During which time I was sobbing hysterically telling her to stop...) - it’s been a very lonely and hard recovery especially not being able to have any help (through coronavirus and no one being allowed in our house). I feel physically exhausted, i feel like my OH assumes that I’m just moaning for the sake of moaning but I still don’t feel better ‘down there’. I still have some stinging and heavy feelings. I’ve been told no exercise for 4-5 months and no sex for 12 weeks.

My question is - how long did it take for you to heal? Also what ‘route’ did your recovery take? I’m so fed up - I want to be able to go for walks and be ‘myself’ again.

[CharlieB93]

Bump

[Hisashiburi]

Hi.

Sorry you had this experience. I had one 3 years ago and had to be repaired in surgery. It was scary and upsetting at the time but all absolutely fine now. It took a good 3 months to feel back to normal and was able to give birth vaginal again recently. Just be kind, scrupulous about keeping the wound clean and don't sit or stand for too long. Don't push yourself to rush around either.

Hope you feel better soon.

[CharlieB93]

@Hisashiburi thank you for replying, I’m glad you said that about another birth as it’s something I was worried about. I’m glad you healed well.

[ellesbellesxxx]

Hi,
I had a 3b tear after my twins’ delivery. The doctor spent at least 2 hours stitching and it healed really well. I self referred to the women’s health physio as soon as I could and was given exercises to help with the recovery. Sex was fine (although I was too tired for it for a long time!) and continence fine as long as I keep up the pelvic floor exercises.
Congratulations on your baby and hope you recover ok xxx

[ellesbellesxxx]

I say two hours, I was in theatre for two hours after so repairs were being done for two hours!

[starterfor11]

Hi I had an episiotomy that extended to a third degree tear it can remember postnatal feeling that it was never going to get better. When I had my follow up gynae appointment I was told that it wasnt completely healed I had to wait four more weeks then when I went back I had silver nitrate treatment which really speeded up the remaining healing process. Like the PP I had another vaginal delivery 22 months later and only had a second degree tear that time. I found it quite debilitating at the time and if felt like it would never get better....but it did.

[Ihaveoflate]

Same as pp, I had episiotomy and tearing, and developed a haematoma (pooling of blood) behind the stitches. I couldn't sit down for 3 weeks without a special cushion and I couldn't walk properly for weeks. I thought it would never heal, but it did, gradually.

Take it easy and don't push yourself. I also have a prolapse and see a women's health physio nearly a year on. It's a long old road, but you will get there.

[CharlieB93]

Thank you all for your replies, I feel like I’m in quite a dark place at the moment and seeing that you all healed has given me hope. I had my first physio appointment this week and they’ve told me my pelvic floor is pretty much non existent and to try and build it back up again. It’s strange how I can’t even sense where my pelvic floor is if that makes any sense!

[Cazzy198]

I feel for you @CharlieB93. I gave birth to my first 16 days ago and had a 4th degree tear.

Giving birth during COVID is scary and lonely enough without suffering a third or fourth degree tear. I felt like things were never going to get better and was very low whilst in hospital.

This week I've noticed a huge change and my stitches have stopped hurting. Every now and then they feel tight and uncomfortable but not painful and I can go to the loo almost pain free.

I do suffer from the most horrendous headaches sometimes though which absolutely floor me. Thankfully these are also becoming less frequent.

Every one heals at different rates. I hope that your pain subsides soon and you can start feeling yourself. Take it easy and remember, you've been through something major

[CharlieB93]

@Cazzy198
Hi cazzy, I’m so sorry to hear of your tear. You’re right in what you say - having a baby is ridiculously stressful in these times without throwing a tear into the mix too!
I’ve really turned a corner after this weekend - the pain is gone, I’ve been able to get out and walk, all I have now is some dull aches but it’s nothing compared to how I felt before! I feel brand new 😂
I hope your tear heals well and you can enjoy your new baby, make sure you take it easy even if you feel well, it’s still a big injury x

[Thenextplateau]

I had a 3rd degree with my first, also a theatre repair. I found sitting on a cold pack really helped with the swelling and discomfort. Do you have laxatives? I was given lactulose and fybogel to keep everything soft.

It was about 3 months before I felt properly normal, and another one before I was willing to try sex.

[Cazzy198]

@CharlieB93 I'm happy to hear that you are feeling much better. Make sure you also take it easy.

I go for short walks with the baby but I am the slowest person in the park 😂 that's the extent of my exertion aside from tending to baby

[CharlieB93]

@Cazzy198 wow you’re doing amazing to say you had a 4th degree! Have you had no adverse symptoms from it? I’ve only just been able to walk properly at almost 5 weeks pp!

[CharlieB93]

@Thenextplateau yep I got given laxatives too - grim when you’re taking iron tablets!
Have you had any long term effects from it??

[Thenextplateau]

@charlieb93 no long term effects, took a wee while to get passing wind under control but I think that might have been the laxatives! Things don't look quite the same down there but no actual problems.

[CharlieB93]

@Thenextplateau good news! I suppose it’s expected for it to look different - I assume no ones looks completely the same after giving birth!

[Cazzy198]

@CharlieB93 I had no real issues walking, my only issues were going number 2 but the pain in that regards has subsided for the most part.

I was given Lactalose and fibogel but I never took he fibogel and only take 15ml of lactalose every other day (as suggested by midwife) although I dont think I need it anymore.

I am amazed at how quick I appear to have healed. I scar real easily and normally take a while to heal properly so I was sure it would take me months and months to recover. I am not complaining though!

[girlmumoftwo]

I could have written this. Currently 11 weeks postpartum and still feeling so crap and sore. I had episiotomy and 3rd degree tear and the episiotomy stiches came apart! How are you feeling now?

[CharlieB93]

@girlmumoftwo sorry you’re feeling so poorly still! I’m now almost 11 months pp and honestly I feel no different to how I did before I had my daughter. Hang in there it gets better!
Have you had your stitches checked for infection?

[girlmumoftwo]

@CharlieB93

Thank you! I’ve been getting them checked weekly. No infection but I have a skin tag there that’s bleeding and raw now :( still can’t sit or walk properly without pain and discomfort. Have physio and gynae appointments coming up. But still so sore :(

[CharlieB93]

@girlmumoftwo I really feel for you but trust me it will get better! Plenty of rest and painkillers. I used badadas (spelling?) in my bath which took the sting out and cold pads from Amazon!!

[SassyFo]

Hi,

My baby is now 3 weeks old and I had to have a forcep birth with an episiotomy. The stitches were very painful for 2 weeks after but finally healed.
I noticed after this however that inside my vagina was bulgy anc it occurred to me that the difficulty I was having when going to the toilets may be due to a prolapse.
When I approached the gyno team about this they more or less fobbed it off saying it was normal for they of labour I had and I would need to do pelvic floor exercises for at least 6 months before they would entertain looking further into it. My concern is that everything I've read of prolapse suggests an operation.
Has anyone else experienced a bulging as they healed that got better?
Thanks

[CharlieB93]

@SassyFo hi I’ve got a cystocele which I developed after my tear and birth. To be honest it was really bad until about 6month pp when my core strengthened, I now only have symptoms around my period.

[SassyFo]

Thanks Charlie,
It's an awful thing to know it's a life long issue now.
I would have like to start running again but that's out the window.
Thank you for sharing.

[ArtemisBean]

I had a 3c tear with DS. Stitched up in surgery. It was sore for a few weeks and sex was excruciating when we tried at 9 weeks (too early in retrospect), but it did get better. Never had a problem with continence, thank God. I didn't feel 'right' until a year had passed, and was recommended a section for DD to protect the scar tissue. I'd take the section recovery over the tear any day! Hang in there, it does get better. But definitely go back to GP if you have any problems - don't just live with it, and don't be fobbed off!