1 week after a 3rd degree tear - sorry v. graphic, but please help!

[Homsa]

I had my baby a week ago and suffered a 3rd degree tear due to her having her hand up to her face when she came out.

I was stitched up in the OP and was pretty comfortable for the first few days in hospital. However, the hospital didn't want to let me go home until I'd had a bowel movement, and as I was desperate to leave I tried the suppositories they suggested to make me go - bad mistake! Very, very painful and uncomfortable, but nothing came out...

Discharged myself on day 4, and once at home, started passing tiny amounts of stool, and having embarassing leaks from my back passage. Some days have been bearable, but other times I feel a constant need to go to the toilet, and very little, if anything, comes out. It's incredibly distressing. My midwife says to be patient, should get better soon. I have been taking Lactulose, but have decided to stop this now as I suspect it may be making things worse.

Anyone else been through this? Have I been stitched too tightly, or is this normal? When will I feel better???

Well I almost felt like sending out a "poo announcement", especially as DH had told absolutely EVERYONE about my predicament, and people kept asking if anything had happened yet! I have no dignity left after this!

You're right about not getting complacent and taking the lactulose and drinking water, I promise I will. Right now, I'm doing several soft poos a day (in the loo!) and the leakage has stopped almost completely! I'm still very sore and can't sit down normally, but this is nothing compared to the agony I was in!

Thanks again everyone for your really good advice!

Oh excellent. What a relief for you. Getting over the first week or two and knowing that you can 'do it' makes such a difference.

i had a 4th degree tear so know how you feel!
I drank loads of lactose solution to make my poo runny!!
it gets better. took me about 6 weeks to feel better.

i was also put on iron tablets which contadicts the whole soft poo thing!

hi homsa I am so glad you are feeling better now, DD1 came out with a hand by her face but I managed only to have a second degree tear, I ate a whole load of apricots and grapes about 3 days after birth to make sure I had a poo (I only have to look at an apricot and I get the runs!) oh and I managed to have DD2 18 months later who was 3lbs heavier than DD1 without even a graze.