Worried about future health issues after third degree tear

[Mumofonexo]

Hi, I don’t know if anyone else feels like this/ has felt this way.

i had my son 2 years ago via forceps but unfortunately sustained a 3b tear. During recovery I couldn’t hold wind and had the odd accident (max 3 times) with loose stool. This took around 4/5 months to resolve. Since then I’ve been absolutely fine even with stomach bugs.

however the thought of getting older and menopause absolutely terrifies me as those symptoms can come back as hormones drop and muscle tone weakens.

Does anyone else worry about this?

I had a 3b tear along with some other issues when my first baby was born 6 years ago. It took me about 6 months to recover, with intensive pelvic physio. I’ve since had two more children (via C section), and have been fine through both pregnancies. I had a bit of urine leakage when heavily pregnant and standing/ walking/ sneezing or coughing violently, but no more than that. I’m 43 now and am 6 months post partum.

The thought has definitely occurred to me. My plan is to take up Pilates again in the long run. Sadly the local specialist women’s physio who also do tailored Pilates classes is a bit too far away for me to go regularly, but I was going to mix and match with some more generic classes nearby.

I meant to add that I have irritable bowel syndrome so used to have occasional issues even pre pregnancy.

Hi thank you so much for replying.

i have had tummy troubles for years but im not sure if its classed as ibs? If I had a hot drink/ curry even before pregnancy I’d need the loo asap and I get really bloated and uncomfortable after eating certain things? I’ve had an impacted bowel before and then I often have looser stools? 🙈 sorry for the tmi post lol

have the urine symptoms subsided now? And was it just during pregnancy.

How did you find your c sections?

Im so on the fence about having another baby. Like to have that healing calm birth (elective c section) and to not be totally out of it for weeks (I was on oramorph and felt spaced out) plus the shock of everything just knocked me for six. And for my son to have a sibling. But I’m so scared about getting pregnant again and if it will cause me issues in the long run. It’s such a tough decision.

oh no that’s really annoying about your pilates class. I did a few sessions and really liked it. It’s just hard finding the time with work and I don’t have anyone to have my son especially when my husbands working away x

I had a third degree year too. Menopause was absolutely unrelated in every way. Definitely overthinking

This is so good to know! I’ve been told by colorectal and gyne about menopause and it’s just filled me with anxiety.

3b tear with first baby here too 👋 I can wholeheartedly recommend an ELCS for a second baby. Far simpler recovery and all over a better experience for both me and baby!

You've reminded me that I haven't done my pelvic floor exercises for a looooong time 😬

I had a 2nd degree tear with my first and then a 3b tear with forceps like yourself. The recovery wasn’t nice i was in so much pain and felt like my insides were falling out when walking. I’ll also never forget the embarrassment of farting uncontrollably on the ward!! I had my third 11 months later via elective c section and it was an absolute breeze in comparison. I do leak occasionally when sneezing etc but I’ll admit I neglected the pelvic floor exercises. I was not given any information about the complications during menopause etc so I will now look into this, thank you.

My problems never went away completely but I don’t want to worry too much about the future.

That’s so reassuring as nothing is coming out of my vagina again 🙃

Definitely think it would help with bonding if it’s not rushed and traumatic

Oh gosh bless you. You don’t hear of it happening as much to people that have already had a baby before.

Did you ever have the delightful but ultrasound?

I had a third degree tear having DD (who was a massive baby 😂) 20 years ago.
Had DS ( nearly 17) vaginally with no problems,

I’m nearly 51 so I must be well into peri now! No real issues down below. It’s scary at the time, but I think you’ll heal up and be fine. 💐

Although if your doctors advise a C-section in future, go for it.

Ouch bless you! That’s really good it didn’t happen twice though.

very happy for you that things are still fine on that front. Thank you, very scary when doctors are telling you these things. I know they probably have to worst case scenario but it’s absolutely petrified me getting older. I’ve literally just turned 33 and all I do is worry about the next 20 years +

Definitely so glad you can choose an elective c section

I’m really sorry to hear that. Did you find physio helpful at all?

I had a 3b tear, took ages to recover. I then had two more natural births and I’m active, my pelvic floor is nothing like what it was, but I run, do Pilates and gym. I wear support shorts to run or I would leak except for really short gentle runs, but in general life it’s fine. I’m hoping to find the time to work on it more but I don’t have a lot of time.

Can I be cheeky and ask how old you are? You sound mega fit that’s amazing. wish I had the time and energy.

I’m 42, baby 1 was 10 years ago and baby 3 (and final) is 3 :) I’m pretty happy with the fitness for a full time working mum with 3 kids who have pretty packed sports etc schedules of their own. But my life is pretty manic, I try and make what I do count- I run 10km on the weekend, do a body pump class one evening a week. I hope to be fitter when there’s more time.

I had a 3c tear 4 years ago and was never really told of any long term consequences or side effects. I had another baby a year ago and they kept pushing for me to have a c-section, however I did a lot of research and chose to have a natural birth. I had an unmedicated home birth with a second degree tear that was sutured up at home.
so far no long term issues. C section might be the best choice for some but it does also come with risk factors and side effects.

In absolute awe of you to be honest! you sound like superwoman! I’d liked to go to the gym/ Pilates but I have no childcare and don’t want to be paying an extra day for nursery (my son goes 3 days a week while I’m at work) maybe when he’s in school 🤣

Oh wow what an amazing outcome! I can’t begin to imagine how that must of felt. Such a beautiful experience I bet.

oh yeah definitely! don’t get me wrong I’m scared about needing a c section but even more scared about a repeat tear (colorectal told me they wouldn’t be able to fix me as good a second time) and since I had one or two accidents when I couldn’t get to the bathroom quickly postpartum it’s not something I ever want to go through again.

I probably won’t even have another child as the fear of it wrecking my body further just puts me off. (Prolapse/incontince)

It’s really sad to read this OP. It just shows women aren’t really told or prepared enough for what our body goes through! I hope you are ok, I know I have been very lucky with my recovery

Definitely! I wasn’t aware at all. Really naive when I was pregnant just thought you could tear a little I didn’t know about the degree but assumed would be well after stitches if you had them. Also never did it cross my mind that it could affect your bowels. My mums had 3 children and had no clue until it happened to me.