3rd Degree Tear - Any experiences?

BabyNo.1 · Jan 16th, 2010, 13:34 PM

Hi everyone,

Not sure if this is the right place for this question but here goes.

I gave birth last week

and unfortunately suffered a retained placenta and a 3rd degree tear

(level C, I think if this means anything?).

Amazingly I haven't had much pain but have generally just felt numb down there since. I've been managing to go to the loo (both kinds) but don't really have any sensation as to when I need to go. Just making myself go regularly and luckily no accidents as yet.

Just wondering if anyone has also suffered a bad tear like this and what their recovery was like. How long before feeling returned? long term effects etc? Im obviously terrified that there will be long term implications so any reassurance would be hugely appreciated.

Many thanks
xx

Babydance · Jan 16th, 2010, 14:55 PM

hey hun sorry to hear you tore. I had a 3rd degree tear and an episiotomy. I found i was numb for about 5 days then i started to feel tight and sore. Unfortunatley i got an infection and was on antibiotics. Salt baths are a MUST! i used tea tree like the midwife suggested and i still got an infection so then i started using both in the bath.
Remember everyone heals differently so you could be fine next week, i had a problem with the stitches in my bum (all dignity is lost after birth lol!!) I could still feel the stitches and at 16 weeks the stitches nought came away and i felt a bit better.
I would say i felt back to "normal" as in i could go out walking, pushing the pram etc around 9 or 10 weeks. But i did have an ache that i couldnt shift if i walked to much before that.
I think level C is the worst, almost a 4th degree and thats what i had too. Ouchies. Did you have to go to theatre too?
Hope youre ok and congrats on the wee one hun!!

xx

zoe0504 · Jan 16th, 2010, 16:50 PM

HI, i had 3rd degree and had to have a spinal to get stitched up. I found i was ok in regards to walking but sitting down had to be cushioned for a while!! Weeing wasn't too bad but no 2's were painful and i bled too. Stupidly for me i missed my 6week check and haven't gone back but all seems to be fine now. I had internal muscle damage so intercourse has been painful but again seems to be easing up now. There wasn't much pain in general but make sure you don't sit down too hard!!!!!! Take it as easy as you can really and have loads of baths, they do the world of good!!!
Hope you heal soon!!
x x x

BabyNo.1 · Jan 17th, 2010, 06:57 AM

Thanks for the replies. Its good to hear that other people have gone through the same and came out the other side. I had a spinal too and was in surgery for a while - not quite the birth I planned. Im starting to feel a bit more human now though so hopefully will get better everyday.

Just hoping I get some more sensation on when to go to the loo as a bit scary at the moment.

xx

Jan 16th, 2010, 13:34 PM	#1
BabyNo.1 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 384	3rd Degree Tear - Any experiences? Hi everyone, Not sure if this is the right place for this question but here goes. I gave birth last week and unfortunately suffered a retained placenta and a 3rd degree tear (level C, I think if this means anything?). Amazingly I haven't had much pain but have generally just felt numb down there since. I've been managing to go to the loo (both kinds) but don't really have any sensation as to when I need to go. Just making myself go regularly and luckily no accidents as yet. Just wondering if anyone has also suffered a bad tear like this and what their recovery was like. How long before feeling returned? long term effects etc? Im obviously terrified that there will be long term implications so any reassurance would be hugely appreciated. Many thanks xx

Status: Offline

Jan 16th, 2010, 14:55 PM	#2
Babydance Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Uk Posts: 3,952	hey hun sorry to hear you tore. I had a 3rd degree tear and an episiotomy. I found i was numb for about 5 days then i started to feel tight and sore. Unfortunatley i got an infection and was on antibiotics. Salt baths are a MUST! i used tea tree like the midwife suggested and i still got an infection so then i started using both in the bath. Remember everyone heals differently so you could be fine next week, i had a problem with the stitches in my bum (all dignity is lost after birth lol!!) I could still feel the stitches and at 16 weeks the stitches nought came away and i felt a bit better. I would say i felt back to "normal" as in i could go out walking, pushing the pram etc around 9 or 10 weeks. But i did have an ache that i couldnt shift if i walked to much before that. I think level C is the worst, almost a 4th degree and thats what i had too. Ouchies. Did you have to go to theatre too? Hope youre ok and congrats on the wee one hun!! xx

Status: Offline

Jan 16th, 2010, 16:50 PM	#3
zoe0504 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 230	HI, i had 3rd degree and had to have a spinal to get stitched up. I found i was ok in regards to walking but sitting down had to be cushioned for a while!! Weeing wasn't too bad but no 2's were painful and i bled too. Stupidly for me i missed my 6week check and haven't gone back but all seems to be fine now. I had internal muscle damage so intercourse has been painful but again seems to be easing up now. There wasn't much pain in general but make sure you don't sit down too hard!!!!!! Take it as easy as you can really and have loads of baths, they do the world of good!!! Hope you heal soon!! x x x

Status: Offline

Jan 17th, 2010, 06:57 AM	#4
BabyNo.1 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 384	Thanks for the replies. Its good to hear that other people have gone through the same and came out the other side. I had a spinal too and was in surgery for a while - not quite the birth I planned. Im starting to feel a bit more human now though so hopefully will get better everyday. Just hoping I get some more sensation on when to go to the loo as a bit scary at the moment. xx

Status: Offline

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