2nd Degree Tear

[oliviat93]

Hello

I'm 7days pp, I had a 2nd degree tear - had stitches and I am still so sore and they have also become quite itchy. How long did people take to recover from a 2nd degree tear? Any secret tips to make me feel better?

I didn't really get much aftercare instructions apart from take paracetamol and ibuprofen. I saw a midwife a few days ago and she said to take baths to clean/soothe them, she also had a look and said they don't look bad but I can see your stitches.. I've been doing this and it helps when I'm in the bath but as soon as I'm out the pain and itchiness comes straight back! I feel so useless right now because I'm so limited to what I can do! I'm praying it starts to feel better soon 😭

I'm also PP with a 2nd degree tear which needed stitches, a few weeks further along than you though OP.

My stitches dissolved after about a week and the midwives recommended sitz baths to help with recovery. I was told to completely avoid the use of bath products (soaps, shower gels, femfresh) going anywhere near that area as you can end up with a bad case of thrush. I recommend the bottle of water to clean down below after using the toilet then lightly dabbing with kitchen roll or a clean flannel, it's alot gentler than wiping with toilet tissue.

Question for those on the thread who caught an infection down there, what were the giveaway symptoms? I'm not feeling too comfortable in that area, a bit of stinging this morning and an odd sensation, i'm wondering whether there's an infection I haven't picked up on.

@Jessy111 my infection symptoms were; soreness, stinging when having a pee, smell was unpleasant, but I could also see yellow pouch and discharge upon dapping/on my pad. It deteriorated very quickly (my MW did a home visit and checked it; didn't have swab with her to send off so went to clinic the next day and she was that concerned she wanted me to have a broad spectrum antibiotic that day!) 3 lots of antibiotics later and a GA to debride the wound I was left with a gaping wound it's pretty much healed 9 weeks after debridement and have another appointment this week to see what's next as may need further surgery! Sorry not meant to scare anyone just want to let you know my experience

Oh and to anyone struggling with healing or pain ... see if your maternity hospital have physios that specialises in post natal. Or if there are any Maternity wards in your area that do so. I was referred to a different hospital for physio and they use phototherapy to promote healing and inflammation. It has definitely helped and I am sure I would not have healed as quickly without it! I actually feel human again even when the wound was a fair size!

It took my sister a month to recover from a third degree tear. She was encouraged to wee as much as possible, even if it stung, because it was good for her muscles and the infection. She was taking lactulose and fybogel to keep her bowel movements soft. No pain relief provided as she was breastfeeding but she only had pain during the toilet / in the shower.

Saw the midwife earlier today she looked at my stitches and said they looked good and there were no signs of infection. She told me to use lavender oil in baths too so will definitely get some!

I actually feel better today, just trying to air it loads. Slept with no underwear on a towel and feels like that's helping it was nice to have a break from the pad!