3rd Degree Tears - maybe TMI

[Crystalwings]

I sustained a 3rd degree tear with DD2 and went for my 6wk check today. I spoke to my doctor in length about functionality and some of the problems i was experiencing with constipation however he didn't examine me at all. I'm wondering if this is normal.
If you had a 3rd degree tear of more then >50% EAS what kind of support were you offered after? Did you have follow ups with gyno's or anything?
I'm going to ring him to see if i should have some kind of assessment at 3mths as he said that it often takes this long to establish if there is a problem with continence etc.

Please offer me some of your experiences with follow ups after this kind of tearing.

[ubba82]

Ive never torn with any of my labours, but i have always been examined at my 6 week check- just to make sure everything is ok. I would have thought he would want to check that you are healing nicely and there is no sign of infection.
I would go back....

[helle]

I was the same as ubber. I didn't tear but I got a sorta split thing on the outside of my labia (the nurse pressed firmly on it as soon as DS was out and it knitted itself back together so I didn't need stitches thankfully) and my dr still checked that out and I had a pap. I would definitely go back, too.

[Little Chicken]

I think it depends on the doc. My first I had a second degree tear, got asked if everything was ok but no examination. Second I had a third degree, had an appointment with the gyno but she wouldn't have examined me either if I hadn't have had a pap smear at the same time, again it was more if I felt everything was ok.

[krystals]

I'd go back if you're worried. I think some doctors can get complacent because they see this kind of thing all the time and 9/10 cases are 'all good' according to them, but you are the 1/1 case for you. If YOU are worried, tell you doctor about your concerns and push for them to check you out. I wish I had've told my doc, pushed more about my concerns. DS is 7 months and I'm still not sure I'm right down there. If everything had've been addressed earlier, I wouldn't be in this situation.

Personal q: Are your issues with constipation because it hurts so much? My GP told me that what I needed was to let DH take bubs for a bit and to sit down with a good book. Remember to put pressure in between your 'bits' and know that the pain will be brief and it'll help in the long run. Make sure you're hydrated and eating fibre rich foods. Don't rely on laxatives, but I definitely took them. Oh, and don't forget the flushable wipes xxx

Good luck, pm me if you want to chat x

[Lily Dust]

I had a 3rd verging on 4th degree tear with DD and I was not letting anyone touch me at my 6 week checkup! I was told to be checked at 6 wks, 3 mths, 6 mths and 1 year. To be honest I was just terrified cause I knew it would hurt too much in hindsight it was stupid not to be checked but I finally had a check 15 mths and a pap smear. I wouldnt be suprised if it does take longer than the 3 months to see if there are issues with incontinance, I know at 3 months I still had very shaky pelvic floor muscles and really only feel like Im almost back to 'normal'. That sort of tearing goes through a lot of layers and tissues and muscles, hun you poor chook. But if you are worried you could request examinations either from your GP or even a womans health nurse.

HTH

[CrazyLady]

Some obs won't examine unless you specifically ask them to check. mine asked if i was happy with how I feel after my stitches and left it at that. My Ob specified it was because women quite often feel like some privacy down there after going through pregnancy/labour Maybe ask to be examined?

[HotI]

A physio can help with assessment and exercises for continence issues. Look for a women's/pregnancy physio.

[Crystalwings]

Thanks for your support ladies.
I just feel like an idiot for not saying something but i guess if he felt i needed a check after what i said he would have said. The opportunity seems to pass by iykwim? We were talking about it all for ages then he moved onto bub and then he was writing the slip to leave and i failed to mention it in time. It is also tricky as he didn't actually do the repair job. From the conversation we had i now think that maybe he just thinks that it takes longer for things to settle down so it's not worth doing. He said that if everything wasn't feeling more normal by 3mths he would send me to a physio specializing in women's bits. He is the sort of doc that is very non invasive and avoids doing examinations for the sake of it. I'm not due for a pap yet either so this wasn't a reason to go there. The sensations and feelings i had about my healing were apparently normal until later on.
Krystals - I think it's somewhat psychological but mainly physical. The doctor said that i should use laxatives until i'm going twice a day and while it might not be ideal he said he would rather i use them to achieve this goal then wait til i get constipated. It does hurt and i think it's affecting my healing progress. I guess this is my main issue at the moment that needs sorting.
Thanks for giving me your opinions.
I just spoke with DH and he feels that the dr would have said if he wanted to examine me. I'll give it a couple of weeks and see how i'm going and i can always go back.

[Little Chicken]

Maybe a bit TMI here but it hurt for me as well for the first 2 - 3 months, not really hurt but uncomfortable, like a sharp grazing sensation, and yes at first, it put me off going. The doc prescribed me lactulose to help and it worked well (to well when combined with antibiotics) . My doc said if I could control that (just) the reapir was fine. lol Good luck.

[Crystalwings]

LC - i'm taking laculose as well. I works ok but gives me terrible wind. A grazing sensation is how i would describe it too. Oh the joys of childbirth!
Everything just looks and feels so different.

[LoveKnowsNoBounds]

I had a 3rd degree tear and was checked to see if all was 'ok' down there. I remember it stinged when he examined me as I hadn't been game enough to look down there. I had a pap smear then too which was difficult and painful. I healed up fine, it took a few weeks but everything is back to normal. I had incontinence but did my pelvic floor exercises at it came back in a few weeks. That was hard to deal with, lucky it wasn't for too long. My ob wasn't very helpful and suggested after my last kid I get it tightened up with a stitch. I really can't believe after how many stitches I had and how bad it was, it all went back to normal. Give yourself time and don't feel to bad and I hope all heals quickly for you. Btw it may give you peace of mind if you arrange for another check up. I wouldve thought the doc would want to check it was ok?

[Little Chicken]

LC - i'm taking laculose as well. I works ok but gives me terrible wind. A grazing sensation is how i would describe it too. Oh the joys of childbirth!
Everything just looks and feels so different.

Yeah, your perineum is never the same. It does go, I think it took 2 or 3 months or told for that sensation to really go, but truthfully I can't remember when I last felt it and DD2 is 6.5 months old now. But If you want it checked out, definately go back and get them to check it. When they checked me they did more then just looked, she made sure my sphincter tone was good as well.