Clitoral tears during childbirth? Anyone sadly have this experience?

[beatie]

Someone I know in the US just had a baby. She was induced at 35 weeks with pre-eclampsia.

She was induced with the cervical gel and things happened very suddenly. The baby was born quickly, whilst she was leaning against the bedhead, and without assistance. As a consequence she tore badly and through her clitoris.

What is especially sad is that her baby died, she knew the baby was not compatable with life - she had a Trisomoy - but had chosen to carry her to term.

Now she and her husband are keen to try and have another baby but she is worried that the clitoral tear is going to affect her sex life for a long time. Is there anything anyone can advise? Is there a 'best way' for such a tear to be repaired? Is it likely that the tear was repaired the right way if a doctor did it in her delivery room and not in theatre?

I wish I could help her.

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry I have no experience to share just wanted to acknowlege your post and your friends and their DD birth.

{{hugs}}

Hx

Oh Beatie! Have never even heard of this happening to anyone. So sorry for your friend, sorry I have no info.

Oh the poor woman!! Maybe she should see a plastic surgeon for a consultation, see what they think? She should definately have follow ups with a OBGYN consultant if nothing else...

Poor woman and her husband, they must really be going through hell right now

Beatie I bet the best way you can help her is by being 'there' for her, so you're doing it already! Even on the other end of the phone having someone to talk to can be one of the most comforting things ever xxx

I don't know how bad hers is but the skin surrounding my clitoris tore away so its much more exposed on one side than it used to be, that was pretty painful while it was happening and painful for a while but its fine now 14 months on. I didn't have any repairs done though, so I'm sure mine wasn't so bad. There are holes in my labia though near there where its healed funny but it doesn't seem to cause any problems.

Hi Beatie,

I really feel for your friend. I have no experience on cliteral tears, but, i got a third degree tear with my ds.

Hopefully she was repaired well, as it's more about 'who' does it than 'where'. So that may encourage her. I doubt they would have taken the repair on without the skills. I know my midwife didn't and a doctor did mine, because it was out of the norm.

In my experience it's more of a psychological issue. I've been feeling down about mine, even though it seems to have healed ok (i hope). It's just more the 'why me...' worry and insecurity that it won't be the same...'. It must be even worse due to her loss.

I would just say to her to stay as positive as possible, and to focus on improving confidence with the 'mind over matter' issue. I suppose it's just adapting to it. Hopefully she is in a position to have another child which is a very positive thing.

Sending her a virtual hug.

ps. Note to first time expectant mothers: although it sounds grim - it REALLY is SO worth it. Please don't be put off!

beatie - I am so sorry to read about your friend and her loss.

The position she delivered in would not have contributed to her tear but it was probably the speed. If she had been on her back the tear may well have been more extensive elsewhere.

A clitoral tear is not usually repaired in theatre unless a spinal anaesthetic is needed. Local anaesthetic can be quickly injected. The clitoris has a really good blood flow and will heal very quickly so I really do not think she will have long term problems but it does depend on the extent. Sometimes a urinary catheter is inserted for 24 hours where there has been a clitoral tear to ensure no stitches go into the urethra. I am not aware of any ongoing problems after delivery. HTH.

I had third degree tears with my first went on to have another was really upset about it at first to be honest but after time every thing goes back to normal apart from when you need a wee you need one IYKWIM I had mine all repaired in theatre because they didnt realise it had happened for 2 hours sex was painful at first even after 8 months but it has healed alright now and had no futher problems with my second pregnancy you can request a c section on the grounds of these tears and they do offer it but I gave birth naturally all my love to your friend x

On the last delivery i assisted with, the lady tore her clitoras, it shouldnt make much difference to her sex life as contary to belief, the clitoras is 10cm long and the clitoral muscles decend down and back from the actual clitoras...so...technically it makes no difference and the only reason that one could suggest repair would be for asthetic/cosmetic appearance of it.

hth
did she actually have it repaired?

I experienced a clitoris tear three months ago when I delivered my first baby girl. It was a painful experience, thankfully I didnt feel much-- due to the epi. but it was not experience that was the problem, it was recovering from it. It took me about three to four weeks to even be able to walk comfortably again, also I pretty much sobbed every time I peed... salt (or in this case ammonia) in an open wound. But by six weeks it was okay, stitches healed nicely, no scars. But my doctor did say it will take a few months for it to feel 100% better... mostly pressure now and again, and a little painful during sex if a certain spot gets hit to hard. But its nothing that time will not fix by itself.

another one who tore up and around the clitoris, the surgeon who stitched me ups commented that it was a 'very delicate area to tear and quite unusual' i also gave birth kneeling up against the bed, but have done that with other births and didnt tear at all.

anyway mine wasnt stitched for anumber of hours after the birth as they were busy! and when they did it was excruciating, worse than giving birth! but i have gone on to have 3 more children and had no problems with my sex life, infact i think we were 'back to business' much quicker after ds2 (who i got the tear with) than we were with the others.

so its shouldnt necessarily be a problem as long as it heals well, which most do and she takes it slowly of course and with lube etc if necessary, whatever it takes for her to feel mentally and physically comfortable.

i am so sorry for her loss :( xx

when i was about 10 yrs old (dont laugh) i was entered into a 'bare back jumping competition on a very old horse (relevant because the older the horse, the more protuding it's back bone is). I completed the course on this old bony horse with much discomfort and pain and , effectively bouncing on a very hard bone with my unprotected (no saddle) vagina. I was very sore for days if not weeks after. i am 48 yrs and wonder if this affected the fact that i dont get any sexual feeling in my clitoris. it has no response if it is touched, it never becomes erect. i wonder if it was 'killed' (!) damanged by the bare back riding.

I doubt your clitoris was “killed”. The clitoris is more than the little protuberance we see and feel outside. If you have problems with it feeling anything I would suggest you to try the Lelo Sona device. Any would be good , but the Sona 2 starts at softer levels. The Lelo Sona has been adviced for women with anoregasmia and these kinds of troubles. I hope that helps. ❤️

I just delivered recently, had tear at the clitoris and was stitched,my problem is that the dissolvable catgut thread is dissolving but noticed that when urinating,urine also passes through the holes the threads passed. Thou the wound is still flesh,no much pains. But am much disturbed now