problems with third degree tear

[leanne89]

i gave birth 5 weeks ago and suffered with a third degree tear and had to be stitched. i was quite sore and tender at first but feeling fairly ok after a couple of weeks.....but for the last 2 weeks or so every time i have a bowel motion (pass stool) it hurts very badly and have a lot of blood on the loo paper afterwards. is this a sign my stitches have burst and have tore myself again going to the loo? has anybody experienced anything like this? im so embarrassed to ask my local GP !

 

[Mrsstuart01]

It could be internal piles or that your stools are so hard they graze you as they're coming out. Eat lots of bran flakes and fruit and drink masses of orange juice and water, maybe also try a laxative. If that doesn't help then see your gp but remember they won't be phased by it at all and they hear worse every day! Xx

 

[tinkerbell86]

I had exactly this!!!i would pop to drs or boots and get some lactulose it's a laxative buys only softens stools and helped greatly!!!! Fresh orange juice is good along with fruit to keep things soft!! It did take a while to fully heal but be patient and should be ok!

 

[leanne89]

thanks a mil for your help, i was given lactulose leaving hospital to take for 7 days after i came home but stopped taking it the 5th or 6th day because it made my stomach very sick...i might ask a pharmacist or my GP and see if they can give me anything else....was so scared but feel a bit relieved knowing its not that bad and someone else had it too...thanks so much! xx

 

[jennyfur]

I also had a 3rd degree tear (3a) and I agree on the lactulose- I got more from Boots when what I had from the hospital ran out but the guy who sold it to me did say there were other options if I wanted to try anything different. Also had a bit of blood which turned out to hemarroids (it's all glamour isn't it??!) but the lactulose really helped with that so ask for a stool softener and I'm sure it'll help.

The other thing is to not tense up, try to go as soon as you feel you need to because if you leave it because you're nervous it can make it even worse when you do finally go. Also, try supporting your stitches with some wadded up loo roll or something as it means there's less pressure on the stitches which can make you feel more confident when pushing iykwim!

I'm now 11 weeks on and the wound is all healed and there is no pain or bleeding now, it does get better I promise!