4th degree tears ....sphincter torn right though

[kittenbaby]

hi girls
ive had my baby !
saskia asher was born tue 27th at 1250 noon
water birth
weighing 8lb 5 ! at 38 weeks !!
i managed on just gas and air
the birth went really well

the problems started aftr the birth
had 4th degree tears
i didnt even know there was such a thing
torn right though my spinghter muscle !!
i did so well at the birth even delivered the placenta without drugs naturally and bf feed while waiting

i thought it had all gone so well then to find out i had serious damage
and then i had to have a spinal tap and operation
for these major repairs
i was crying my eyes out
i was so scared

dos anyone have any advice or tips at all?
i dont know anyone that has experienced this

thanks xxx

Congrats on your DD what pretty names, the tears sound awful tho, good luck KB.

Sorry, no advice, but loads of sympathy. poor you xxx

Oh no, that sounds awful, hope you are feeling better soon, I've never heard of it either

Congrats on your daughter though

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1365&threadid=301583#6061265

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=1365&threadid=297940#5980882

Congratulations on the birth of your dd

Links above are to a couple of old threads on 4th degree tears that might help you while waiting for someone else to come along.

Also [http://www.sheilakitzinger.com/BirthCrisis.htm birth crisis site]]

and

birth trauma association

BOth good sites on traumatic births.

HTH

www.sheilakitzinger.com/BirthCrisis.htm
Trying again.

Congratulations and sympathies!

Someone else on Mumsnet has had a 4th degree tear... Willow2 maybe? Try searching the archives for info.

congratulations KB

Sounds like you had a wonderful birth, but then it got quite scary for you. You did really well!

A friend of mine in RL had 4th degree tear 7 years ago. It did heal ok, but took a while. She went on to have 2 more kids.

Sorry can't be more help than that. xx

I can really sympathise with you; My dd was born weighing just 5lb 8oz, 11 days late yet I ended up with a 3rd degree tear and had a spinal block and repairs in theatre too. I was so annoyed because I too had managed on gas and air despite the fact dd came out with her hand over her head a bit like superman, and the cord tightly around her neck!

I was so high on gas and air whole mw was stitching me up initially that I didn't really take in the seriousness of the situation, it was only when she went to find a doctor to check out the damage that i realised. I was desperate not to have a spinal block, what with the whole needle in spine business, but was told there was really no alternative. So I spent an hour in theatre away from my newborn, though I had had time to breastfeed her and have a lovely cuddle.

I was given a ton of drugs to take home and to be honest never had any pain or discomfort, I was prescribed laxatives for a week to prevent straining and told to pee in the shower - a strangely liberating experience!

i was terrifed about what it would look like down there, but doctor did a fantastic job and the scar is barely there. Now I'm pregnant with number 2 I am concerned about a repeat, but my mw is keeping a close eye on me and I've had lots of great aftercare. $ months after dd was born I had an ultrasound scan during which - and sorry if tmi - the doctor placed a camera up my bottom! I've also seen a gynaecologist who says there should be no problems with a vaginal delivery because I've had no incontinence.

I guess it's partly up to the skill of the doctor who repaired you in the first place, but the aftercare is so important, make sure you get it.

Sorry, gone on a bit - it's my war story!! And congratulations on the birth of your daughter xx

hi everyone just wanted to say thanks for all your support and help
your advice is priceless
and for taking your time to reply to mexx
im doing ok im still in quite a bit of pain
i even had a night terror th other night when i had a flashback and thought i was in labour it was a scarey experience
never had night terrors or flash backsver in my life
i will look into birth trama support
thank you for the info
i really hope i heal soon just want to get on with njoying my precious little baby
love ktten xxxxx