If You Tore During Birth... (TMI)

pixieprincss

Do things look different after healing? I have a third degree that is healing without incident, but I noticed that the way the stitches are done I now have a little outie flap of skin.  I have zero trust for the the doctor that delivered and stitched me, so I want to make sure she didn't botch the job. At the hospital no other doctors ever checked out the stitches.

belizeitornot

To be honest... I have no idea. I had a 2nd degree tear and I didn't look for at least 10 days because things were so darn swollen I was scared what the heck I would see. I've tried investigating a couple times since then since I'm not 100% sure *where* I tore (and my OB didn't say) but I can't really tell much beyond the perineal area right below my vag still seems slightly swollen.

No other OB from my practice looked at the stitches when they visited post delivery (like the nurses said they would) and I do find it a bit odd that they do stitches and then just say "see ya in 6 weeks!". If you're concerned, you can probably call your OBs office and ask if it's worth coming in for an exam sooner than your PP visit.

kcl22

I tore in two places (LO came out very quickly and with a lot of force if that makes sense) one second degree, one 'off the charts' in the ob's words.  For the first few weeks I was afraid to look.  Then I looked and was afraid to look again.  It really didn't look the same.  I'm relieved to say just this week things are looking ALOT better and more back to normal. 

Don't be afraid to go to your OB/GYN and ask them to look; better safe than sorry

erind0213

I had a 2nd degree tear, and was not happy with the Dr. who stitched me. After birth the Dr. had taught the Resident how to stitch with my tear. They had to numb me more because it took so stinking long.

I will say I went to the my regular OB this past Monday, just over 4 weeks postpartum  and I was healed up perfectly according to the OB. So I guess they did a good job, despite the extra pain, and length of time it took to stitch me.

I was overly cautious though, and used the sitz bath regularly,  squirted warm water down there when I used the toilet, and also used the flush-able wipes, as I thought dry toliet paper would stick to it, or get stuck in it.

Goodluck and hang in there. 

~Flossie~

I didn't tear, but I had an episiotomy (I don't know if that makes a difference to your question, but I thought I'd put in my input), and quite a few stitches. I don't have a scar that I can feel or see. Everything looks exactly the same down there.

ceciliasdiamond

I tore in the front and the doctor told me right there that it would never be the same.  I checked it out a couple weeks later and I have a flap on my labia.  

 At the six week checkup, she took one look and said "oh that can be improved surgically".  Um, I just healed and you wanna slice and stitch again? no thanks.  I'll wait until I'm done having kids and then worry about it.  For now, I just look at it as some extra space next time....  

ZoeyMarie

I don't know if it looks different or not. DH said that he couldn't tell a difference when we were cleared for intercourse. And, at 6 weeks, Doc said everything was healed properly...

Carilyn

Since you're only 10 days out, I would definitely give it some more time.  I was still pretty swollen and things looked odd down there for the first couple weeks.  After about 2 weeks, things were looking back to normal.  I would ask your doc about it at your 2wk check (if you have one and are still concerned at that point).

Water_Wedding

You don't need to worry yet. I was also bawling because I thought the resident botches it. It looked very much different to me. It was until the second week that I saw a difference in the swelling at least as much that I didn't become hysterical. It took several more for the swelling to go down enough that it looked like it should be a part of me.