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Childbirth

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

Original poster

How do you know what 'degree' tear you had?

18 replies

lilacclaire · 10/03/2008 20:57

I know i had stitches all the way inside and outside up round the side of my 'sensitive' bit but never was told what degree that is.
Can anyone shed any light?

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 10/03/2008 20:59

There are some definitions here

TheBlonde · 10/03/2008 21:01

I was told but I also read my notes both times

alfiesbabe · 10/03/2008 21:13

It's written in your medical notes.

Original poster
lilacclaire · 10/03/2008 21:19

Thank you chocolate, think mine was a back to front 2nd degree tear
Never looked at my medical notes and never thought to ask, didn't discover mumsnet till well after ds had arrived!

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 10/03/2008 21:43

Well actually there should be a note in your GP file anyway because they write to them whenever there is surgery (including stitching) so you can ask next time you go to the docs for something else.

Heated · 10/03/2008 21:56

Yes, do ask. I found out my first labour was 'traumatic' - well, I knew it was, but it's reassuring to know they thought so too and I wasn't just a wimp! My community mw told me I had a 3rd degree tear, which was again useful to know, although her advice to have a look down there, certainly wasn't!

whomovedmychocolate · 10/03/2008 21:58

LOL Heated - I read through my notes and they had a pain scale and apparently I went off it twice! I think the midwife must have been half asleep writing my notes up.

sweetkitty · 10/03/2008 22:03

Read my notes and it said second degree tear with DD1.

Had nothing with DD2 and she was 3lbs heavier.

Original poster
lilacclaire · 10/03/2008 22:07

God, i didn't look dwn there until 6 months gone and even then i was crapping it. Was all more or less like it was, kinda.

OP posts:
daisym · 11/03/2008 08:44

I had 3rd degree tear and its only recently I've realised it means tearing completely from front to back... I've had a look though not sure what I'm looking for as didnt pay any attention to my bits until after childbirth (wish I had now so I knew what it is I'm comparing it too!) What I'm not sure about is whether the stitching to repair the tear extends round the skin on the buttocks. I'm sure I have what looks like scar tissue there and its loads more sensitive than before especially if knickers rub against it...

Weeteeny · 11/03/2008 09:22

Reading the descriptions has made my eyes water.....I had a surgical repair after the birth of my first baby, bur wasn't actually aware I had had a "3rd degree tear" until my midwife read it from my notes during my second pregnancy. I knew at the time I had had over 80 stitches and spent a couple of hours in theatre apart from my baby.

I am pleased to say I healed well and had practically no pain or discomfort, however as soon as it was labelled a 3rd degree tear, and I realised what it had involved I was then petrified as to what was going to happen during the second birth. In my case it was too much information.

Second birth, I had a second tear, with a much bigger baby.

It must look like a car crash down there, but I don't have to look at it do I?

Elkat · 12/03/2008 09:29

Lilacclaire, A third degree would have been done in a theatre by a doctor. I was also automatically given a 12 week hospital check up as well.

With a second degree tear, it will be done in the birthing room either by the midwife, or if a bad second, then a junior doctor might also do that too - but you won't need theatre. At least, that's what I was told when I had my 3rd degree tear.

I'm guessing if you had a 4th, you'd just know!

aprilfoolsbaby · 12/03/2008 13:37

With 2 weeks left to the birth of my first baby maybe I shouldn't have read this thread who! For those of you who read your notes did you ask whilst at the hospital or afterwards? Also, does the midwife / doctor not tell you how many stitches you're getting at the time!

ruddynorah · 12/03/2008 13:42

my notes said i had a 3rd degree tear. however all i had was two stitches done by the midwife there and then. i had very little discomfort and look just the same down there. so not sure if that was a mistake..probably though seeings as she also converted dd's birth weight wrong, telling us she was 8lb 5oz...when in fact she was 8lb 14oz

OrmIrian · 12/03/2008 13:44

Mine didn't have any qualifications.

monkeybutler · 12/03/2008 13:44

I had second degree tear with my first DC (6lbs) and then nothing with DS (10.5lbs). Go figure!

Have been wondering where the bath water disappears to when I get in.....

IdrisTheDragon · 12/03/2008 13:46

I had a second degree tear with DS (6lb 1oz) and was sewn up in theatre, but that was due to PPH and not enough light in the delivery suite to work out exactly what was happening.

Elkat · 12/03/2008 19:28

Aprilsfoolsbaby - if you have a third, you don't need to read your notes, you'd know! It is done with a spinal injection (not gas and air), you are often catheterised for the op and I was on quite a bit of morphine after! Lots and lots of drugs!

In relation, my second degree tear was much more straightforward - done in the same room, very low key and you use gas and air for pain relief. Most frequently it is your midwife who does this (although I had a doctor as I had a bad 2nd and an episiotomy).

Don't forget though, some women don't tear at all and 3rds are actually quite rare!

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