Anyone have a 3rd/4th degree tear? TMI

SeaStar430

Where are you in your healing process?  I had my baby 10 days ago and had a 4th degree tear that required 30+ stitches.  At first I seemed to be getting worse, and it was because my stitches were coming out and the wound was opening.  I'm doing so much better now, feeling much better, but I have been "leaking" back there.  No solids, just liquid, but I'm concerned.  I have a doctors appointment on Thursday and I've done google searches but can't find anything anywhere that this is part of the healing process.  Everything I've read implies I'll need another surgery that likely will be unsuccessful.  I'm really nervous and worried about it.

Also, do you plan to have another vaginal birth if you have more kids?  Or will you opt for a C section?  I wanted to avoid the C section at all costs, but now I can't even imagine having to deal with another tear like this, and I've read that permanent incontinence can be an issue if you try to do another vaginal birth.

 

realisticdreams

SeaStar430:

Where are you in your healing process?  I had my baby 10 days ago and had a 4th degree tear that required 30+ stitches.  At first I seemed to be getting worse, and it was because my stitches were coming out and the wound was opening.  I'm doing so much better now, feeling much better, but I have been "leaking" back there.  No solids, just liquid, but I'm concerned.  I have a doctors appointment on Thursday and I've done google searches but can't find anything anywhere that this is part of the healing process.  Everything I've read implies I'll need another surgery that likely will be unsuccessful.  I'm really nervous and worried about it.

Also, do you plan to have another vaginal birth if you have more kids?  Or will you opt for a C section?  I wanted to avoid the C section at all costs, but now I can't even imagine having to deal with another tear like this, and I've read that permanent incontinence can be an issue if you try to do another vaginal birth.

 

I had an episiotomy and the MW said it didn't rate like tears.  I had over 40 stitches and around day 4-5 I was hurting ALOT worse.  I had tore open but the office didn't call me back until day 8 (weekend, etc)..and I went in and was put on two antibiotics because it was looking infected. 

I'm actually feeling ALOT better now. So much better that I wanted to have sex with Dh last night lol.  Granted alcohol was involved in that thought process, but still.

I shaved everything in the shower yesterday and it didn't hurt.  It still looks a little off but I can whipe comfortably and sit down, etc

Im not sure I would opt for a c-section though..it would just depend.  I didn't have any pain meds during delivery.

jennylove1084

I had a 3rd degree tear but didn't have any problems going #2 except that it hurt REALLY bad at first.  It even still bleeds most of the time when I do.  I was still hurting really bad at my 6 week appt, the Dr said it looked like I 'overhealed' so she cauterized the area with silver nitrate and it was better in 2 days.  As far as a C section goes, I don't think you'd be the 1st to go this route after having a 4th degree tear.

BlueMoonMagic

i had a 4th degree tear, but i haven't had any leaking problems, except that I do have to run to the bathroom to make it in time, lol. If we do have another LO, I plan on getting a C-section, which my doctor also recommended for next time, because of the tearing and because of how quickly Lilia came. A lady I know at work had 4 boys, and her first was a 4th degree tear. I can't believe she had 4 kids, lol.

burning_television

Wow, I think I had it real easy compared to the rest of you.

My DS came fast; one moment he wasn't fully engaged, 45 minutes later, he was out. He gave me a 3rd degree tear, that split into mini-tears. I lost over 2 litres of blood, and had to have my stitches redone twice in the hospital. After 3 days of iron pills and transfusions, they finally sent me home with my peri bottle and maxi pads.

It hurt to just sit on the toilet, never mind poop.

Thankfully it never got infected, I took as many Advil as I could safely, and I tried not to sit straight up on un-cushioned chairs. I stopped bleeding before 2 weeks, but I am still leaking a teeny bit (read: minor incontinence, but it's getting better). DH and I just got back in the sack last week, 7 weeks PP.

When we do have another baby, of course I plan on another vaginal birth. At my 6 week appt, my OB said I was healing well, and never mentioned anything about a c-section; besides, I would love to avoid one at all costs. Let's see when we get there.

ArcticFox

I had a 4th degree tear with my first baby, and it was really bad.  It took quite a while to feel normal, and I remember I was still pretty sore at my 6 week pp appt.  But, then I have met peopel with 4th degree tears who said it wasn't bad at all.  So I think it depends on how you tore etc.

I just had an elective c-section with my 2nd baby and I have to say it was wayy better.  It was a really tough decision, I could have delivered without a tear at all, or I could have torn worse.. no way to know.  I will say I feel like the c-section has been a piece of cake compared to MY 4th degree tear.  I didn't want to be juggling 2 kids with another bad tear, or risk having incontinence etc. kind of issues.