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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Third degree tear recovery time

18 replies

Pinkbell123 · 08/03/2014 16:30

I had a third degree tear two and a half weeks ago after a forceps delivery. Not sure if it's a, b or c but they spent a lot of time discussing whether it was third or fourth before they stitched me so I'm guessing it was pretty bad.

It's healing well but I'm still in so much pain, I can't even walk around the supermarket without being in tears. How much longer until I can get out and about and say, go for a short walk. I saw the nurse yesterday and she told me off for trying to do too much but I feel so cooped up and all I want to do is go for a walk with my baby.

How long did your recovery take and what was it like. I feel like I've been given no info in what to expect. I'm also really anaemic but can't take iron due to constipation which I really don't want at the moment!

Thanks

OP posts:
snowmummy · 08/03/2014 16:42

Ah you poor thing, give yourself a bit of time. It may be six or seven weeks before you start feeling normal. I know it seems ages, but in the meantime, you should rest as much as possible, take regular pain relief and eat lots of iron rich foods.

I know how you're feeling, I've been there but you will get over it. Good luck.

Marne · 08/03/2014 16:47

Sad I feel for you, mine felt better after 3 months but never felt right until after I had dd2 then a lovely midwife re stitched me instead of the surgeon and it heeled within 6 weeks.

It can take a while and it does feel like forever, I found it upsetting that there were mums who had a C-section the same time as I had dd1 and they were recovering faster than me. Hope your feeling better soon xx

beginnings · 08/03/2014 16:52

They are horrible :(

I started to feel properly better after about four weeks but you MUST heed what the midwife said and slow down. If you do for a little while, it will get better more quickly.

herethereandeverywhere · 08/03/2014 18:09

Make sure you get decent pain meds. I was on diclofenac when my huge episiotomy broke down following forceps delivery - that was without the complication for a serious 3rd degree tear. Go back to the Dr/Midwife and ask for better pain medication you should not be suffering.

And yes, its galling to be recovering more slowly and painfully than those post-cs after the massive campaign we all endure about vb=good and cs=bad.

Take it easy and ask for help with everything. Ignore the 'I was back running 10k and repainting the house the following week' types. Childbirth can be really, really damaging to a woman's body. Please give yourself the time for it to heal. And get decent painkillers in the meantime.

Original poster
Pinkbell123 · 08/03/2014 19:10

Thanks everyone. I guess I'd better take it easy then, it's tough when feeding makes it hurt so much so hard to sit on the sofa even, tried feeding lying down bit not really practical for all the time.

I wish we were given more info on this, I just got given a six week check with the gynae and told off you go basically. Of it wasn't for the internet I'd have no idea what to expect.

I think il be asking for a c section if I ever do this again!

OP posts:
snowmummy · 08/03/2014 19:25

Have you got a valley cushion? Available for hire from nct. Makes sitting so much more comfortable.

Kezzybear · 08/03/2014 19:29

I felt more like myself after 3 months. Used a valley cushion and tried to take it easy as much as I could with 3 under 4. Try not to be too hard on yourself.

cravingcake · 08/03/2014 19:58

If they spent a lot of time discussing then its likely its 3c. I had a 4th degree tear 2 years ago and honestly, it was months before i felt 'normal' again. Realistically it was a good 6-8 weeks before sitting for any reasonable time was comfortable.

Stay on top of your pain relief medication, take it by the clock rather than when you feel pain. Be kind to yourself, rest when you can and let your body recover. Dont compare yourself to others, most havent been through what you have.

I had DC2 by elcs a few weeks ago and the recovery has been so much easier. If you feel you need more information about long term issues please come join us on the Ragged Bits thread in general health, we are a friendly bunch although slow moving thread.

YokoUhOh · 08/03/2014 20:03

Oh ouch! I tended to feed lying down in bed with my 3a tear. Quite honestly, it was more comfy after a couple of months but took a lot longer to get used to sex again. Take it very easy and be kind to yourself :)

mrsbug · 08/03/2014 20:05

Re. Your iron levels, have you tried floradix? I stopped taking my prescribed iron tablets for the same reason and started taking floradix instead and everything went back to normal

Congratulations on your new baby Flowers

kernowmissvyghen · 08/03/2014 20:05

As others have said, it could be slow recovery I'm afraid. Take it easy, rest, if you can, and eat as well as you can.

for me, it was 8 weeks before I could go for a walk ( further than the end of our tiny garden) or drive, and even then it still bloody hurt and felt like my insides were going to fall out. And it was 18 months before I actually felt like "me" again.

I had a CS less than 3 weeks ago (baby number two) and the recovery so far is a walk in the park compared to my third degree tear...

lighteningmcmama · 08/03/2014 20:41

Have they checked for a infection? Sadly it will probably be painful anyway but it's worth ruling that out.Hope you feel better soon

DuckWaddle · 08/03/2014 21:09

Please ensure they are 100% certain there's no infection as it sounds like you're in lots of pain. It is early days though so as others have said take it as easy as possible (impossible with a newborn!).I had an infection that wasn't detected for a while and this meant the stitches split and I had lots of scar tissue. I later had surgery to sort it. I don't want to scare you as I'm sure it won't be the same but I was continually fobbed off with 'it's the stitches tightening'

Original poster
Pinkbell123 · 08/03/2014 22:31

Yes I had it checked yesterday as my pain had got worse but it's all healing normally apparently. Just told to rest more Hmm

OP posts:
lighteningmcmama · 09/03/2014 14:35

Did they do a swab? Or just check by sight? Some signs of infection are visible by sight eg funny coloured discharge or with a strange smell, but a swab is the Best way to be sure. I had a similar experience to duckwaddle -twice Sad all fine now though, and am expecting dc3!

Chacha23 · 09/03/2014 17:33

your experience sounds very similar mine. It took me a good 8 weeks before I could sit/walk down the street somewhat comfortably. Good luck!

Noggie · 09/03/2014 17:49

Poor you! It took ages for me to be able to sit down comfortably- I ended up having to go back to the hospital to have it seen to as it didn't heal properly so def keep going back to gp if you are unsure. Also be careful re pain medication as some of it makes you constipated which is especially uncomfortable with healing stitches etc My midwife recommended putting ky jelly in the fridge with a few drops of tea tree oil and lavender oil - spread it on a sanitary towel - helps to soothe that area. Hope you feel better soon x

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