Healed from a third or fourth degree tear and/or anal fissures after childbirth?

girlia · July 2011

I had a third degree tear with the birth of my first child just over seven months ago. The sewing job was messed up and led to significant scar tissue on my pelvic floor, a painful bulging bump on my rectum, and anal fissures. The scar tissue hurts every time my husband and I try to have sex (only 6 times since the baby) and the fissures keep bursting open after sex and after bowel movements, even when the sex is gentle or the stool stool is soft. I have followed all the directions of my doctors (sitz baths, diet changes, water, kegels, exercise, rest, not straining, etc.). I even had a colonoscopy and afterwards I was told the fissures would probably be chronic and that the scar tissue is severe, though one believes I can have more children successfully. My husband is very supportive and patient and I know it's only been seven months, but I'm starting to lose hope that I will heal.

I don't want to be mean, but I don't want to hear a bunch of horror stories--I've gotten enough of that from people trying to comfort me. Also, I'm not looking to sue anyone (I don't have the time, resources, or energy right now), I'm just looking for encouragement. What I want to hear about is anyone who has had something similar happen AND IS NOW HEALED. Specifically:

1. Are you able to have non-painful sex and bowel movements?
2. Have you had any more children vaginally or by c-section?
3. Was your doctor able to repair the scar tissue and/or perineal area?
4. Did your anal fissure(s) heal (or did your rectal bulge go away)?
5. How long did your healing take?
6. How did you deal with it mentally?
7. Did anything make it easier for you or your partner?

Any relevant and optimistic advice would be much appreciated, especially from those in the OB/GYN field. Thank you.

azcobride · July 2011

Hi! First of all, I am so sorry that you are dealing with this. Although my situation wasn't the same as yours, I did experience similar issues after the birth of my son. I had 2nd degree tears and had a combination of anal fissures and hemmorhoids that didn't heal until he was nearly 2 years old. I saw 4 different GI doctors and had a sigmoidoscopy and no one was able to tell me what was wrong. They just said, "this is how your body is after having a baby" and left it at that. I tried changing my diet, took stool softeners like crazy, tried various prescription products, and nothing helped. While sex itself wasn't painful, I was often in so much pain in my rectal area and perineum that I wanted nothing to do with sex. I finally looked around online at various herbal products because at that point I figured, what do I have to lose? Nothing else was working. I came across a natural oil that I ordered and much to my amazement, it worked! It took about 2 months of diligently applying the oil exactly as it told me to but my fissures/hemis went away completely and have stayed away. I feel like a cheesy advertisement saying all this but it really worked well for me. I am now pregnant and plan to stock up on the stuff prior to delivering this baby- I don't ever want to live with that pain again. Here is a link to the product that I used: https://www.amoils.com/

I know my situation wasn't the exact same as yours, but perhaps this product could help or you may be able to find another one like it. Good luck and I hope you heal soon! It is so tough to be in chronic pain and especially in such a sensitive area.

ArcticFox · July 2011

I had a 4th degree tear with my first baby. I'd say it was a year before it felt a lot better. I've heard other people say they had 4th degree tears and that it healed fast. Well, that certainly was not me. It was horrible.

I decided to have a c-section with my 2nd baby. For the 9 months i was preg, I battled over what I should do. Should I wait to go into labor, and see if I was laboring too much? Should I get an u/s estimate of the baby's size and see if they'd think I'd tear again? Chance it?

Having a c-section was a piece of cake compared to the misery I went through with my first baby. I didn't even realize how awful it was with my first and the tear, until I had the c-section and I was walking around days after the birth.

I haven't had 'complications" from the tear, at least none that the Dr noted concern over. I feel like I've been kicked there every time I get my period. Things feel a little lumpy. When I was preg with baby #2, I felt very achy down there.

But after having my 2nd baby, I think the whole region down there was still healing, and by having the c-section, it allowed it to keep healing. I couldn't chance another tear.. I mean I could be incontinent or have other major issues for the rest of my life.

Another thing I think about is, I didn't really bond as well with baby #1 because of the tear. I am not exaggerating that the pain clouded everything. Getting through every day was a long drawn out ordeal. I remember how bad it hurt to sit with the baby and give her a bottle. I am so sad about that.. but then I know without a doubt in my heart that I did the right thing with the c-section. I am confident that I enabled things to heal better, and that I had a much better experience with my 2nd baby. And not just with my 2nd baby, but because I was watching TWO kids at once while recovering.

I'm so sorry you're going through all this. I tore because the Dr used forceps, when I should have had a c-section. It stinks to have gone through all that, but hopefully it is just a matter of time before you heal. Again, by a year I was feeling much more healed.

kimsy · August 2011

I'm sorry that you are going through this. I didn't have fissures, but I had a fourth degree tear and some consequent issues with nerve and muscle damage. It does get better.

1. I can now have non-painful sex and bowel movements, but I have to take a lot of fiber every day (usually 2-4 Fiber Con, and I occasionally use Miralax). The sex part took a while--maybe close to a year?

2. I am having a scheduled c-section for this baby. My doctor recommended it based on the damage I incurred to the area. For about a year, I thought I would never want to have kids again based on my first delivery.

3. I didn't have any problems with the stitching per se, although I am told the scar tissue in the area is extensive. I had to see a colorectal surgeon, who said a sphincteroplasty may or may not help, but I was able to avoid that by doing PT.

4. n/a

5. I'd say it's ongoing. I had pain for months after delivery, and I finally took my doctor's suggestion and saw a physical therapist specializing in women's health. It took a lot of nerve to go, but I'm so glad I did. It was relatively non-invasive and I have a lot of exercises that help if I am consistent. If you haven't already, I'd maybe ask your OB if this is an option. My insurance covered mine, and I saw enough improvement in 6 sessions to stop going and do my exercises on my own. My PT is available by email for any questions or setbacks I have.

6. I'd say the mental aftermath has been the toughest. I felt a bit angry about how my delivery progressed (my OB was out of town, and the doctor that delivered made some questionable choices, IMO). For a while, I felt ugly and damaged and seriously depressed and ashamed--like no one could understand how I feel. I am lucky to have an incredibly supportive husband. I still have times when I am down about it, but my PT has helped, and I've seen a therapist over it.

7. I'd just say to be honest about how you are feeling and what's going on with your body. It took me weeks to admit there was a problem, and I was already super depressed by then. There are days when I have some problems from my tear (PM me if you want specifics), and it puts me in a bad mood, but I try to stay positive and let him know that I'm having a bad day. I finally just told him what I thought I needed to do to get better, and what I needed from him to make it happen, and he's been unbelievably helpful. Issues like these are ones that need attention, for your personal health and for the emotional health of your family.

Feel free to PM me if you have questions (just let me know in this thread that you PM'ed me--I've been on Bump hiatus and I get lazy about checking PMs). But don't give up hope that you'll heal--you will!

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