What Pain did you experience after a 3rd Degree Tear? TMI Warning!

[Bridezilla3521]

I suffered a 3rd degree tear(3a) after giving birth to my DD 21 weeks ago.

I'm just interested in hearing what pain other people had after these tears and how long it lasted.

How long did you wait to DTD with DP/DH? I tried after my 12 week appointment at the hospital, it wasn't so much painful, just felt very tight and that he couldn't 'go in' all the way iyswim. Now, sometimes it feels like that and sometimes its ok after I get past the initial 'entering'. The day after my fanjo feels like its been messed around with, feels swollen almost but it isn't actually swollen.

Did you have pain going to the toilet? I am still taking fybogel and lactulose yet it can still feel like a knife cutting through me when i go. I have been referred to a specialist.

Anyone had anything similar?

Bump

I only had a second degree so not exactly the same circumstances. However, it's been extremely painful, despite my baby being born 8 months ago! However, I read somwhere that apparently pain can be hormonally related if you are breastfeeding, so I am sort of clinging onto that as a reason, which kind of makes it easier to bear! I had previously thought it was scarring and that my body was damaged- I think that made dtd even worse because I was so scared! Hope it feels better soon.

How long is it until your appointment with the specialist? From my own experience of a 3rd degree tear, I took the painkillers prescribed for 2 weeks and then paracetemol for about another week and didn't feel any pain after that. I also breastfed and didn't find that that caused me any extra pain. Everyone heals differently but I definitely think you need to have it looked at again. Did you have any appointments with a specialist midwife after the birth? Did they think it had healed ok? I didn't DTD again for about 8 months after the birth as I was paranoid that it would hurt, but it was ok for me.

I don't know if it would help, but (on the advice of the continence midwife) I had to do a LOT of pelvic floor exercises.

Have you had physio? Or a scan to check you are healed. I took lactose for 3 weeks so 21 weeks is a long time

My ds is 20 months and sometimes I feel a heavy achey feeling and just before my period it feels very tender and sore but my physio said that was hormones. Rather than a physical problem

No pain immediately after 3a tear with DD. Wouldn't have known I'd torn if they'd not told me. Tender after sex (lasting a day or so) for the first few months.

Was far sorer post episiotomy with DS, but post-coital soreness has gone so swings and roundabouts.

You may have been sewn too tightly, it is quite common - I was.
I was left with a trapped nerve, unable to sit down comfortably for about 18 months. DS is now 2 and I have just started to feel no pain getting in or out of the car.
Have had sex less than ten times in two years.
Had an operation 28th December 2012 (so, when ds was 1yo) to fix it, ie widen me.
Mooncup still won't stay in. Tampons impossible. I have had extensive pelvic floor therapy.

Sorry, I seem to have shat on your thread just wanted to warn you it might be a long, slow process with a lot of 'give it time... come back.in six months' crap from gynaecologist.

I had a 3rd degree tear with DD then tore in the same place with DS and had no pain after a few weeks with either. Sorry. I think you do need to see someone.

Thanks for you replies.

grace I am due an appointment in Feb along with a 3rd physio appointment.

footface not had a scan but hoping that is whats going to happen at appointment in Feb.

elquinto Physio said on first appointment in Sept that everything looked "normal size" iyswim.

foxy That is what i'm terrified of, tearing again!! I can't even push on the toilet, nevermind push a baby out!!