Tear healing time?

TofuMama7

I had my baby on Tuesday Feb. 15th and while I was really happy with the natural birth I was able to have, my son was 8 lbs 10 oz and didn't exactly slip out... so my question is for mamas who have torn before, about how long did you take to heal? 

chloe081

Depends on the degree of tearing.  I had 3rd degree so it took way longer (2years) than my first where I had an episiotomy.  For smaller tears usually by 6 weeks you should be feeling better but intercourse may still be painful.

marleysmom

Agree with pp that it totally depends on the degree. I had an episiotomy with my first that turned into a 3rd degree tear, and "healing" is a relative term. I'd say I was back to the point where I could relatively comfortably get back to all normal, ahem, "activities" in about 3 months, but as far as feeling back to normal, it was more like a year. To be honest, the tear/tissue never healed completely normally - I guess just because of the way it was repaired, but I don't really have any problems with it at this point (first delivery was 2 years ago). I am, however, terrified of how things will turn out this time around. Good luck!

momranda

wow, what if they didnt tell you the degree of the tear? my dr didnt say anything, just stitched me up.

TofuMama7

momranda:

wow, what if they didnt tell you the degree of the tear? my dr didnt say anything, just stitched me up.

This is me too, my doctor didn't tell me the degree... hm. Well hopefully I can at least walk normal soon.

chloe081

I would hope your doctor would have told you if you had 3rd/4th degree tear because there are typically more problems associated with these types i.e. bowel incontinence, flatus, etc.   You can always check with them, they should have it on your delivery report from the hospital. HTH.

Pamela05

Second degree tear and at about 3.5 weeks my stitches were gone. It's still tender and bleeds a tiny bit every so often. My dr thinks he will clear me for sex at 6-7 weeks ( had an appt at 4 weeks and he said healing was good)

Etta07

Wow so this kind of scares me I tore and it felt like they were stitching forever and I still can't sit down while holding DS.  I am only 10 days PP but was definitely hoping to be back to normal sooner than 6 weeks.  My dr also didn't tell me my degree of tear but I did go to the er a couple nights ago and found out I had an infection, I have been on antibiotics since and can definitely say I have noticed a difference in my pain level and my ability to do stuff for myself.