3rd degree tear??

[swan1]

Hi Ladies

My best friend had a baby boy this morning, 8lbs 11oz, unfortunately when she was pushing him out she tore really badly and had to be given an epidural afterwards in order to be stitched up.

Now, not even having a single stitch when i had Charlie and having being telling her for weeks it would be nothing to worry about, i feel quite guilty!!, am just wondering if anyone has any advice for her, oh and for me as to what not to say!!! I will be around to help when her hubby goes back to work but in meantime is there anything i can get her that may help with the pain she will no doubt be in once the epidural wears off.

thanks

Alison

 

[Eblinx]

i also had a 3rd degree tear - i found that baths with a few drops of lavender oil in really helped, i was really nervous it would hurt but once i got in i didnt want to get out again! also the boots maternity pads were really nice and soft on the stitches - i had real trouble sitting down for a while.
I didnt take any pain killers after as i found i only really hurt as i was sitting down - the rest of the time it was more like a throbbing pain!
hope thats of some help!

 

[Redshoes]

I had an episiotimy and can only say from my experience but lavendar oil and salt in a bath every night helped, as well as taking Arnica and drinking lots of water, to make sure there's no strong P Congratulations to your friend, hope her and the LO are home and well soon

 

[Lola's Mummy]

I had 2nd degree damage, I would recomend she drinks lots of water so it doesn't sting as much when she needs to wee and also thick soft maternity pads

 

[trixipaws]

i think urchin might be able to help. i only had a small tear i cant help really sorry!

 

[Fluffy Bunny]

I had a third degree tear and an episiotomy

It was more uncomfortable than painful. I stopped taking painkillers after the 4th day. Tell your friend not to overdo it, it definately became more painful if I did too much walking, the end of the day was always the worst.

As the ladies above have said with baths to keep it clean, no perfumed soap or bubbles etc. If she is finding it painful to poo (or worried as I was) I was given a top tip to hold a sanitary towel over the stiches while you poo (sorry, tmi!) it stops the worry you are going to burst the stiches.

Hope shes ok.

 

[Sammystar]

arnica, lavender, and tell her to stay off her feet as much as possible......

 

[Flame]

I had a third degree tear and episiotomy and it hurt for weeks and weeks, I had lots of painkillers and antibiotics incase of infection but most of the time it didnt help to much.

Have plenty of warm baths, drink plenty of water (unlike me who doesnt drink anything hardly all day ) Otherwise it will make it more painful to go to the toilet. Also i was told to buy a rubber ring cause they are supposed to be quite comfortable because they go around where the stitches are. Make sure she doesnt sit on one side like the side where the stitches arnt, as i did that and ended up with really bad back and shooting pains.

Mine still isnt right now to be honest.

 

[swan1]

Thanks for your replies ladies, I went to see her in hospital today and to be honest she isnt feeling very great. They were about to give her local to cut her to help him out when she had an almighty contraction and out he came. The tear was pretty bad and she was in theatre for a long time after being stitched.

She has been told she will need physio???? cant think what that could be unless its just exercises and has to go back in 6 weeks to be re examined. I feel so sorry for her, i took her arnica tablets and tea tree oil for when she has a bath and will tell her about drinking lots of water.

On the up side the baby is gorgeous and healthy so she is thankful for that. I had been feeling broody lately but am now sitting with my legs crossed and think i will stick at one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Alisonx

 

[Flame]

She has been told she will need physio???? cant think what that could be unless its just exercises and has to go back in 6 weeks to be re examined. I feel so sorry for her, i took her arnica tablets and tea tree oil for when she has a bath and will tell her about drinking lots of water.
Alisonx

Its not physio as such, You see a physio and they check that everything is healing ok and tell you what kind of pelvic exercises you can do to help etc (which reminds me i need to call mine)

 

[Redshoes]

It's great to hear LO is doing well swan1 and I'm sure your visit really, really helped cheer her up too
I think any help to get her back to pre-birth is great, rather than worry, know it means they'll be keeping an eye on her and her recovery I do hope her and LO are home soon, recovery can greatly speed up once at home

 

[enn]

i didnt have no pain so i dunno whats wrong with me tbh. i had to have that also but it didnt hurt. tear felt like a burning pain. only thing that hurt was when i was in bed i had a what ever its called to go toilet. when i moved thats the only thing that hurt really. annoying not being able to feel your legs move cause u feel paralised and helpless. no offense to anyone who is or knows or anyone who is.just i know ho it feels now and my heart goes out to u guys like christopher reeve is hes still with us.

 

[Lou]

I would definately get your friend a rubber ring. Mine was a god send! I used to have a wee in the shower aswell with warm water running down below and then I would blow dry myself dry with my hair dryer. Was a pain every time I went to the loo but it really stopped alot of discomfort.

ooooo makes my eyes water!!!!

Lou