Friend with 3rd degree tear post childbirth...advice!

[OzJo]

A good friend has just given birth, and has had to have extensive stitching/surgery for the 3rd degree tear she got....I have had 2 C sections so am no damn use on the advice front...I seem to remember there is some cream that is really good for bruising in that area....but any helpful hints from those who have had a similar experience would be much appreciated, my mate is seriously freaking out.

salt baths
calendula and arnic cream

If she has problems with continence, she should get a specialised physio referral. Continence problems post a 3rd degree tear are pretty common ....

to ease the uncomfortableness I recomend one of those gel things that you put in the fridge and then put on the area - it soothes it. Forgot what they are called - made of the same stuff as eye masks and breast soothers.

You can't put arnica cream on broken skin.

Teatree oil in the bath is good

I didn't have any problems after my 3rd degree tear bTW.

The biggest thing to watch for is infection - so the suggestion of a few drops of Tea Tree oil in the bath is a very good one - also, tell her to let the area dry or air for a bit each day, delay putting maternity pads or underwear on for a bit -

I had a bad tear and an infection. Nothing much worked, then a very old HV came round and suggested I put honey on the wound. Amazingly, it worked! Haven't been able to eat it since though. I can't remember the exact details, but I think it was just bog standard honey on a gauze pad.

Yeah 5 drops of tea tree oil in regular baths works wonders, as does a few drops in a jug of water to pour on sore area as she does a wee to stop burning sensation. Keepthe area as dry as possible.

Get her some arnica tablets (homeopathic remedy - in click-pack things in Boots). Poor thing - much sympathy. Don't sit on a ring cushion for too long, if at all - makes it far worse, IME.

My MW recommended a few drops of lavander oil in the bath after a painfull tear with DD, don't know if this is still the case or not. No pain at all following third degree tear with DS so can't really help.

lavendar
salt
and just warm water with jug
also air the area and keep it dry if possible(iykwim)

I found weeing was easiest in the shower. Bit of a pain but definately helped. Wear floaty skirt around the house to try and keep up the airflow. The arnica tablets are brilliant as the cream can't be use on open wounds. HTH.