Second degree tear....what's normal?

[Createcomet]

I had a baby 11 weeks ago and suffered a second degree tear and vaginal wall tearing. Had to go to theatre to be stitched up.

Everything between my legs feel like an absolute trains wreck. I've seen GP about 6 weeks ago who says it's healing fine, but it still feels uncomfortable to me and I'm worried about it. I absolutely cannot face having sex.

I think it also looks bruised and swollen still. Can anyone please advise whether it's normal to still feel like this nearly 3 months on?

Thanks 💛

I had that. I still felt tender after a year but it will heal.
Sounds to me like it is healing well. Just don't do anything you don't want to do. I never had sex for a good 18months after my son was born I couldn't face it.
When having a bowel movement try using lactulose to soften your stools so you're not straining. If worries though just speak to your consultant or gynaecologist.

My son is now 4 and I'm absolutely fine. I would guess it really depends on the person as well as to how you heal. Some heal quick some take longer

Hope this helps x

Oh wow OK, that is helpful, thank you! I feel like I am meant to be back to sex etc by now and I just don't feel ready at all. It still feels bruised and I think its still swollen which is concerning. I'm sorry you had the same, perhaps I need to just give it time 💛

Also had second degree on DD. All up inside. I think it sounds less severe than yours but I still felt uncomfortable at times up until 12 weeks and didn't attempt sex for 5/6 months. It was actually ok when we did do it xx

11 weeks is early days

I think I had sex after about 12 weeks and it wasn't comfortable

Wait another few weeks

I had this kind of tear after my first, also needing a repair in theatre. Unfortunately the wound came apart and then healed slowly without sutures, about 11 weeks to fully close. At 3 months I did still feel very swollen, heavy and weak. I wouldn't have been near ready to have sex. I think a lot of the recovery happened between 6-12 months for me.

I went on to have two further children vaginally with only first degree tears and found the recovery much much easier (less heaviness and soreness). Pelvic floor okay. Went back to enjoying sex etc much sooner than after first.

Give yourself time, rest, don't push yourself (other than to do your pelvic floor exercises!). I think you will be okay and things will hopefully only get better for you. You could try supportive maternity leggings / shorts maybe?

I had a second degree tear with my first and sex was uncomfortable to painful for around 18 months to 2 years after.

I’ve had 2 children since and one was no tears and the other was one small surface tear.

Allow yourself time to heal and recover fully, once you feel ready take things slowly, relax and use lube.