THIRD DEGREE TEAR

[JOJONES1979]

Hi, I had my ds nearly four weeks ago after a very quick second stage of labour. I had to have an episiotomy and ended up having to go to theatre afterwards to repair a third degree tear. Just wondering how long it took everyone to feel 'normal' down there after giving birth? I am not in pain but still feel bruised and a little achey. Just all feels a little strange. Anyone else experienced a third degree tear?

I had one 18 months ago, sorry to say it took me at least 6 months before everything felt completly normal, but as you are not in pain just 4 weeks after, fingers crossed for you that you will feel normal sooner than i did

Took me a good 7 months to feel confident, but actual tear healed within 6 weeks. It feels slightly different down there - but not in a bad way - sure most woman do, regardless of tear.

I think i might have had piles or a fissure, hence 7 months - as going to the toilet was agony! I'm not sure that had anything to do with the tear to be honest.

Anyway, drink lots of water, eat lots of all bran and be confident in your body - recipe for good recovery. Oh - and stare at that baby lots - and you'll be dandy! It is beyond worth it - it just gets better and better. I want more, more, more! x

my tear was no where near as severe but things still felt bruised etc 4 month later, and must say dont think it ever feels normal again! sorry not much comfort!

I had a third degree tear about 11 months ago and I'd say its taken me this long to start feeling 'normal' again. Can totally emphasize with you about the feeling heavy bit, think its due to all the swelling. To make matters worse I now seem to have developed really bad piles to! Am resisiting the urge to itch, sorry TMI!

No-one ever told me about this before I had children!

I felt normal within 10 weeks. It was 7.5 years ago so I'm not entirely sure. Everything healed fine although I guess it is "different" down there I've had no problems.

have posted about mine elsewhere but had dd in jan 05 and recently have asked to be referred as still don't feel completely normal. Foudn out what it actually meant - did you have it explained to you? 3rd degree goes into the outer ring muscle of the bum and 4th degree goes into the inner ring muscle. The outer one is what you can clench to stop farts or poo, the inner is what your body automatically clenches. so thankfully I'm not actually incontinent but it's still not quite right iyswim.

i had a scan a couple of weeks ago and the muscle has not repaired enough to be a complete ring therefore I can't do pelvic floors myself so am going to physio and might nee dmore surgery. if this rings any bells then get yourself referred and keep on until you get help. NOONE explained this to me 20 montsh ago, i've found it out as I go.

My DD is 11 weeks. Was 8lb 12oz born and face to pubis, hence 3rd deg tear (although the MW had done a small episiotomy to try and help her out!) Like you JJ, went to theatre to be stitched. Had my 6-week antenatal check with the registrar at the hospital (the same one who had done the stitiches) and all was fine. Never felt really uncomfortable beyond 6 weeks and I think it was a better job than the episiotomy done for my DS 4 yrs ago due to the stitches being done "properly" in theatre.

As said elsewhere on this thread, to aid recovery I would recommend drinking loads of water and having a daily bowl of AllBran for brekkie!

PS Would also add that the pelvic floor exercises are important!

Also, I have no incontinence probs whatsover whereas friends who tore slightly but did not receive repairs regularly report weeing when laughing etc...So maybe there is something to be said for "major" tears if they result in proper repairs?!

Did you have an internal or anything at your six week check with the consultant? Or did he/she just ask you lots of questions? Have mine in a couple of weeks and was just wondering.

Yes, he did a brief internal (nothing too painful!) just to check that it was healing properly. (My husband is also happy that everything has healed for obvious reasons!!)

Based on the various experiences posted on this thread, have come to the conclusion that as I have healed fairly quickly, either my tear wasn't as bad as some or if it was, the stitching job was a good one (plus drinking loads of water etc helped). You all have my sympathy if you're still suffering.

As I said, I prefer to have been stitched when compared to friends who had mild tears who weren't, and are having continual problems months or years after giving birth.