2nd degree tear?

[Trampoline]

Calling all midwives - what exactly is classed as a 2nd degree tear - and how does this differ to a 3rd degree?

Also - how long should it take before you can no longer 'feel' or be aware of the wound/scar, both in terms of day to day bending/stretching etc, but also during sex?

Thanks in advance!

Ok, from what I can remember from my midwifery training 8 years ago (gave up after 2 years)...

1st degree tear - small tear into skin/wall of vagina/perineum
2nd degree tear - above plus tear into muscle of vagina/perineum
3rd degree tear - above plus tear through muscle/sphincter into anus
4th degree tear - above plus tear continues through other side of anal sphincter.

Hope that's right, I'm sure someone will correct me if not

I had a 2nd degree tear 3 1/2 weeks ago... was sore for about 2 weeks.

Thanks! I wasn't aware there was such a thing as a 4th degree tear - OUCH!

LifeOf - Congrats on your recent birth, and keep using the tea tree oil in the bath - I found this helped hugely

jeez my 2nd degree tear hurt for 1 year. twas accompanied by about ten grazes tho.

i had a 2nd degree tear with DD and it still hurts every so often now DD is 4 on friday!

mine was 8cm long vertically and got infected too so that may be a factor. the nurse who did my smear said i have an oddly healed scar

i was told lavender oil is excellent for healing wounds so it may help but i wasnt a fan of the smell to be honest tea tree is one i didnt think of at the time...maybe i should keep it in mind for this little'un