4th degree tear

[Torntinydancer]

I had my baby 14 weeks ago, and had a really traumatic birth. I ended up with a 4th degree tear and was in theatre for 4 hours getting sewn back together. I was checked out at my 8 week appt and told everything was healing well but I dont feel normal. I've got special moisturiser which I apply to the scar daily but I can feel the scar tissue which feels hard. Is this normal? I tried doing the deed with my partner this week, but it was so painful and I bled afterwards so now worrying that I've done some damage. Its left me feeling really down, and worry that I'll never be normal again 😭. Has anyone else been in this situation? Does it get any better? Xx

Hi OP,

for you. This sounds horrible. 14 weeks isn't a long time though after such a traumatic birth. So hopefully things will get better over time. It might well still be worth going to the doctor's just to have someone look at it and make sure all is ok, though.

We wanted to bump this for you, anyway. Hopefully someone will be along soon who's been there before and has advice.

I had a 3b tear rather than a grade 4. What follow up have you been offered? I was automatically referred to women's health physio and for a scan and strength test with the urogynaecology dept at around 20 weeks.

I was told 6-9 months for full healing, but I do have some nerve damage and the sensation around my anus will always be"different", although functionality I'm fine thankfully, so I feel I can live with it. The pain and bleeding at 14 weeks pp needs following up imo, please visit your GP and push for a referral if you don't have any further appts.

I should add though I've certainly not found it plain sailing, getting used to how my body has changed is a work in progress and I also had a nightmare birth which takes some coming to terms with in itself. I'm 6m pp and only just starting to think about sex again, although it's more psychological than physical for me. Fortunately my dp is lovely.

I would definitely push for follow up and to spend time with women's physio. I suffered a 3b tear 1st time and a 3a tear last week. Both times within a week I had been referred for appointments with the women's physio service.
I would expect the possibility of bleeding after sex as this was something that my surgeon advised for a 3rd degree tear but push for the medical support and guidance that you deserve.

Thank you a for your advice 😊. I did see a physio a couple of times but she discharged me as my pelvic floor muscle has recovered well so at least that's one less thing for me to worry about. I did not get any other follow up but think I'll go back to my gp to be checked. I haven't had any further bleeding so feeling a bit more positive again. I've also got the option at my hospital to arrange a meeting to discuss the birth and what actually happened which I think I will be a big help. Thank you for all your replies, it's so nice to know I'm not alone with this xx

Hi OP I’m 3years post 4th degree tear (3.5hours being put back together, tore up into bowel, PPH etc etc) and just wanted to reassure you that particularly if your pelvic floor is fine everything will be ok. I would honestly say it took a 9-12 months for me not to get pain intermittently particularly into my bowel if I’d been really active or needed to have my bowels open. Sex was terrifying to start with and sore but only the first couple of times and got better quickly. I was followed up by colorectal surgery at 3months post birth and had an internal scan which wasn’t pleasant but confirmed that everything was healing fine and I didn’t need any further surgery. I understood to be routine after 4th degree so you might want to check this with your GP. Ultimately give it time, you’ve had a major injury (I was recently told by a doctor ‘oh 4th degree tear and PPH, you were lucky people die from that’ 🙄) and healing is slow but it will happen and you’ll be fine.

3b tear here as well.

I was automatically referred to see a consultant who specialised in birth injuries, which was great. Like @Bees1 I remember having an ultrasound to check the healing of the sphincter muscles etc. I don’t suppose something like this has been mentioned to you? You’ve had such a severe injury and really deserve some ongoing follow up care.

As for sex, I couldn’t contemplate it for about seven months. You’re still in the early stages of healing and I wouldn’t recommend you try again, especially if it caused bleeding and pain.