3rd / 4th degree tear recovery time

[X19gbs]

I was wondering if there was anyone else on here who has had the same misfortune as me and suffered a 3rd / 4th degree tear during birth?

I had my first baby, a beautiful little boy, 4 months ago now and my labour was very quick - (around an hour active labour, just made it to hospital!) which some may say was a good thing but because of how fast it was it meant I was left with a 3rd degree tear, sounded like it was verging on a 4th degree.

I was advised to take lactulose for a couple of weeks after delivery and given some basic info about recovery.

Given that I was told to take lactulose for a couple of weeks I assumed this meant that healing time would be ok. Of course I expected more than 2 weeks and was aware that it would take a few months of exercise, physio etc but with the info I was given I was under the impression the bad pain certainly wouldn't be for months.

Fast forward 4 months and I am in agony when going to toilet (no.2!) to the point of almost passing out and feeling sick. I am still taking lactulose and have not stopped since leaving because I could feel my body wasn't ready.

I had my gynae physio appointment and she said it's not normal to be in that much pain so long after so I booked an appointment with a gynae consultant.

But they said it's normal to be in pain, take some more laxatives and come back in 2 months. So 6 months post partum.

My question is, has anyone else had this long a recovery time?
Does the consultant saying it's normal (bear in mind I was in tears whilst she examined me cos of the pain) sound right?

I know everyone is different with different healing times but at this point I am terrified of ever having a baby in the future and having to go through this again!

Anyone with any experience or advise round this would be so appreciated! I am going out of my mind and don't know where to go from here!

Thanks in advance.

Note - I have a good pain tolerance all in all and feel I'd rather go through labour twice than have to do this level of pain, everyday for 6 months!!

I'm not sure what's normal, but I'm 3 months after birth with a 3b tear. I don't experience any pain now, the main thing I struggle with is muscle strength, so pushing the end of a harder stool (sorry tmi 🙈). When you've looked, does it look like it's healed? I had loads of swelling at first, but not now.
Could you go back to that physio and see what she thinks about what the consultant said. Or see your GP?

Hi @X19gbs I’m so sorry this has happened to you. I am a pelvic health physio so feel that I can comment on your situation. If you were my patient I would be pushing for answers on this as there could be other reasons for the pain (anal fissure for example). If you did have a 4th degree tear it needs proper management and checking of the integrity of your sphincter because it sounds like it may have been damaged during birth. You may find a colorectal consultant more useful than gynae at this stage. If you have the resources to pay privately that would speed things up for you. Good luck and DM me if you have any questions.

I had a 3c and number twos were not fun for several months, but not to the point of agony. Sex was very uncomfortable for the best part of a year though, so I think the worst of my damage must have been in the vagina rather than at the back. Definitely don't let them fob you off with 'this is normal'. Normal is irrelevant if you're in such pain. They need to fix it!

Not it's not normal and I think you should seek a second opinion.

I had a 3C tear 6 years ago and also think the level of pain you are experiencing at this point is not normal and you should seek a second opinion.

I was sore and uncomfortable for 6 months and it didn’t feel right down there for about a year. I also had the muscle strength & sex issues described by pp above but the level of pain you are describing sounds very extreme and not something you should just be expected to live with for at least another couple of months.

If it was me I would want to be checked for anal fissures as the pain you are describing sounds a lot like these.

Hi, I had a 3b tear 4 years ago, so not quite as bad. I had an excellent surgeon fix me after birth, and I was really diligent with my pelvic floor exercises. I cried so much about it all, recovery felt awful, BUT, by my 12 week gynaecologist check everything was fine, I had no pain or discomfort at all. I’m only saying this so you know a good recovery is possible and you should definitely be pushing for better care. They shouldn’t be fobbing you off by saying this is normal. Wishing you all the best x

I had a 4th degree tear and didn't experience anywhere near the level of pain you're describing, after the initial few weeks.