Anyone have 4th degree tear experience?

courtls22 · February 2014

I had my little guy on Wednesday afternoon and tore very badly. The doctor thought my birth canal wasn't large enough but he squeezed his way through anyhow and since I was doing so well with pushing, they didn't think there would be trouble. He had to use the vacuum to get him out and something happened with baby's elbow that shouldn't have. I didn't completely understand what the doctor was describing. I am still at the hospital as they recommended I stay an extra night from the "norm" due to my condition. I slept the longest stretch in a few days last night and missed a pain medicine time slot and am really paying for it. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else has had this severe of a tear and how things healed for you. I plan to ask the doctor when he checks on me today, but am kind of nervous for his response thanks to Mr. Google.

Bonus picture of my little guy who was SO worth it!

MamaAllison · February 2014

Not personally but a close friend of mine did - how much honesty are you looking for?

JordyInIndy · February 2014

None here but I just want to give you giant squishy (((hugs))) and all the ice packs to sit on.

courtls22 · February 2014

MamaAllison said:

Not personally but a close friend of mine did - how much honesty are you looking for?

If you don't mind sharing, I would like to hear about it. I'm not expecting things to be easy.

courtls22 · February 2014

JordyInIndy said:

None here but I just want to give you giant squishy (((hugs))) and all the ice packs to sit on.

IThanks! Ice packs were so nice but they've already taken them away. They said cold is only helpful for this in the first 24 hours and then it starts to slow healing or something. I don't remember, I just know I was disappointed when they were gone!

sandraanddrew · February 2014

I had 4th degree with DS but fortunately only 2nd degree with DD.

With DS I tore naturally in both directions internally and externally. Also, my OB had tried to control the tearing with an episotomy. All in all I had 37 stitches. Not going to lie or sugar coat it. Recovery hurt like a bitch. Sitting without pain took a couple of weeks and even then it was uncomfortable for another few weeks,

I really recommend staying on top of the meds at least for the first couple of weeks, Even if it means setting an alarm to remind yourself to take them. It will make a huge difference. Also, know your limits and accept help when its offered. This is not a typical recovery from delivery, so please don't treat it like one. Hope that info helps, let me know if you have any more questions for me.

courtls22 · February 2014

sandraanddrew said:

I had 4th degree with DS but fortunately only 2nd degree with DD.
With DS I tore naturally in both directions internally and externally. Also, my OB had tried to control the tearing with an episotomy. All in all I had 37 stitches. Not going to lie or sugar coat it. Recovery hurt like a bitch. Sitting without pain took a couple of weeks and even then it was uncomfortable for another few weeks,

I really recommend staying on top of the meds at least for the first couple of weeks, Even if it means setting an alarm to remind yourself to take them. It will make a huge difference. Also, know your limits and accept help when its offered. This is not a typical recovery from delivery, so please don't treat it like one. Hope that info helps, let me know if you have any more questions for me.

Thank you so much! I was planning on setting an alarm for meds when I got home because the one time I went over here at the hospital, I felt like I couldn't even move.

karich · February 2014

I had a complete episiotomy and 4th degree tears with #1. DD was posterior and the Dr used forceps.

It was really painful, as you know. I ended up having visiting nurses come to check my incision (thought they were there to see the baby!).

My advice is ice....a lot of it. DH used to open a newborn diaper and full it with ice and I used it as a pad. And pain meds.....try not to miss a dose again.

All in all, I healed pretty well. It did take a long time though. barely tore with DD2. The only place I did is where I had been cut previously. We'll see how #3 goes

Good luck!

MamaAllison · February 2014

courtls22 said:

MamaAllison said:

Not personally but a close friend of mine did - how much honesty are you looking for?

If you don't mind sharing, I would like to hear about it. I'm not expecting things to be easy.

Ok, hopefully this will not happen to you but it maybe good to know what to be on the lookout for. With her tear she had a lot of issues healing- every time she pooped she would tear a little again and bleed. At six weeks she had to go back in for surgery to fix the problem, but the good news is that the surgery helped almost immediately. Hugs and I hope you heal quickly. With my vaginal delivery I know that Dermaplast spray was a lifesaver!!

sprashley · February 2014

No experience but ouch!! so sad to hear you tore so badly. Hope you recover fast.

[Deleted User] · February 2014

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courtls22 · February 2014

WildFlower26 said:

My doctor didn't give me a degree, but LO came out with her hand at her mouth, so basically the elbow problem. (For a visual, put your hand up by your mouth and then lift your elbow up). I have the classic tear, as well as one in the front of my labia, both internally and externally. I am 13 days out and they both still hurt a lot. My doc recommended hot baths, which I have been taking a lot of. At this point I feel like the pads at really irritating the tears, so whenever I can, I am trying to air out the situation. Honestly, I am a little panicked about it because the front tear will likely impact my sexual functionality. My doctor said he would do his best, but it would never look the same. I don't really care how it looks but I do carw that it works! Major bummer. I have no real advice because I am still navigating this one as well. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

I can sympatize (sp?) with you about pain and the worries about the future. Mine is similar to yours but also goes up into my anus as well.

courtls22 · February 2014

Just wanted to say thanks to all that replied with kind words and/or experiences.

happylady07 · February 2014

Lurking from Aug14 to see all the birth stories, I love 'em!

I don't know the degree tear I had with my first (I know it wasn't a 4 though), but I tore beyond the episiotomy, and recovery was hell. I was a fan of the ice diaper as PP mentioned (soaked in witch hazel was helpful too!) my hubby would set up a warm sitz bath for me to soak in every evening and that was extremely soothing as well. Stay on top of your pain meds, I didn't and regret not taking the stronger stuff that was offered to me, I didn't realize my tear was worse than average at the time and warranted it.

My body ended up overhealing and had a lot of extra tissue (similar to proud flesh I'm told), and had to have that chemically burned off twice. I wasn't cleared until well after 12 weeks and sex was painful/uncomfortable for many months. It was a good year until I felt "normal" down there and couldn't feel my scar during sex.

I wish you the best of luck, and don't even start to worry about what may happen with future deliveries, (for some reason this was a big worry for me during my recovery, i remember crying hysterically about not being able to give DS a sibling ever, talk about crazy new mom hormones!) I have several friends that ended up with no tearing after fourth degree tears with their first. Hang in there, allow people to take care of you and take the time you need to heal.

Sweets11 · February 2014

I had a 4th degree tear with my first. It took a few weeks to heal, but when it did I couldn't even tell.

I breastfed, so it was sore for a little bit longer due to hormones, but that eventually went away.

courtls22 · February 2014

happylady07 said:

Lurking from Aug14 to see all the birth stories, I love 'em! I don't know the degree tear I had with my first (I know it wasn't a 4 though), but I tore beyond the episiotomy, and recovery was hell. I was a fan of the ice diaper as PP mentioned (soaked in witch hazel was helpful too!) my hubby would set up a warm sitz bath for me to soak in every evening and that was extremely soothing as well. Stay on top of your pain meds, I didn't and regret not taking the stronger stuff that was offered to me, I didn't realize my tear was worse than average at the time and warranted it. My body ended up overhealing and had a lot of extra tissue (similar to proud flesh I'm told), and had to have that chemically burned off twice. I wasn't cleared until well after 12 weeks and sex was painful/uncomfortable for many months. It was a good year until I felt "normal" down there and couldn't feel my scar during sex. I wish you the best of luck, and don't even start to worry about what may happen with future deliveries, (for some reason this was a big worry for me during my recovery, i remember crying hysterically about not being able to give DS a sibling ever, talk about crazy new mom hormones!) I have several friends that ended up with no tearing after fourth degree tears with their first. Hang in there, allow people to take care of you and take the time you need to heal.

Thanks for sharing your experience and I have of course already worried about future children. I truly appreciate the advice!

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