Tearing, stitches and other delights

[Sherlock]

Post edited by author

 

[daftscotslass]

I don't know the exact timeframe for them dissolving but from about 2 weeks ago (so about 2 and a half weeks after birth) I was barely noticing my stitches and I had a second degree tear the same as you. I was told the first time the midwife checked that they were "a bit puckered" ( ) but on subsequent checks there were no problems. They did seem a little bit raised/swollen at first but within the last week or so this has been barely noticable.

I, like you, made the mistake of looking in the mirror at first (the day I got home, 3 days after her birth) but had a look last week and things don't look much different to what it did before (not that I made a habit of sitting in front of a mirror with legs akimbo you understand ).

The other two issues I can't help you with but have one of these

 

[Tillytots]

i cant really answer your questions hun but hugs for the tear...I also have a second degree tear they wouldnt tell me how many stitches they put in LOL so I know its alot and it took an hour and half Im in agony. I think they disolve on their own. I also had a peek, it doesnt look too bad but the torn off labia is another story I think its now infected, Im off to docs tommorrow for them to have a look.

I wish I didnt have much feeling down there I managed one pooh on day 2 which was fine but didnt go again until yesterday and it was awful It hurts so much down there now even weeing is hard. The pressure pain is immense. I have posted in here asking about healing etc.

http://www.pregnancyforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=76195

I know its going to be a long while before down there feels normal again. Im just trying to make myself as comfy as poss in the meantime

xx

 

[Suzie and Faith]

I can't answer any of those things but wanted to offer you these

 

[trixipaws]

i had 2nd degree perinneal tear (waste of time that bloody massage oil then! ) i needed only 2 stitches. i was pleasantly suprised actually when i looked down there, it looked sore and bruised at first but now its even prettier than before! (i had a little bit of inner lip on one side that stuck out it seems to have disappeared- so now i hav a porno fanny! )

anyway they dissolved within a week.

i never had piles was lucky i guess

the bladder control was never too bad tbh its what i expected really just a few drips sometimes escaped

what upset me tho last week was the discovery that 11 months on im still not back in shape down there totally! i was running thru town as was late for work after lunch one day, i was feeling pretty smug coz i wasnt out of breath and altho i havent exercised for bout 3 years i used to be very fit as i did thai boxing, and i was thinking "oh, i mustve retained a decent level of fitness, im not out of breath!" then suddenly a squirt of wee came out! stopped me right in my tracks i was utterly MORTIFIED

my boyf insists im tight like virgin but really what kind of dumbass would admit if his girlf felt a bit loose after childbirth? any man in his right mind who actually wanted another shag EVER would say she was tight lol

 

[Tillytots]

my boyf insists im tight like virgin but really what kind of dumbass would admit if his girlf felt a bit loose after childbirth? any man in his right mind who actually wanted another sh*g EVER would say she was tight lol

LOL - I made my OH look earlier at the damage and I said to him a bit later, it seems to be significantly wider down there at the moment and he said....Yeah I thought that and pulled this face

 

[Bagpuss17]

I'm trying to remember how long it took for my stitches to dissolve, I think it's only a few days. You;re so brave for looking down there

I took arnica tablets and used lavender oil in the bath that really helped with my recovery "down there" following the birth.

I had a really slow recovery due to a lot of blood loss but with each day that passes you should notice some improvement with regards to regaining the feeling etc.. You must still be very swollen.

In a weeks time, you'll feel a whole lot better I'm sure. If not sooner. I found sitting on a rubber ring helped to take the pressure off when sitting down.

 

[Gene]

I also had internal and external stitches. My midwife told me that external stitches start to dissolve at 5 days but the internal ones are considerably longer. I went for a postnatal check up with my obstetrician on Friday who told me that internal stitches can be in situ for upto 90 days!

I also had the 'no feeling' for pelvic floor exercises. I was determined to do them but had very little sensation. I think the feeling fully returned once all the swelling had gone down at about 10 days.

Gene
xxx

 

[sarafet]

sherry just wanted to give you these

also - i've heard about some kind of pelvic floor toning machine, maybe you could mention to your midwife? i think you basically sit it inside you and it tones the muscles quicker for you, it might help with the bladder weakness just a thought

 

[DebbieM]

Oh girls, I know it doesn't feel like it right now but it will start to feel better. I felt awful down there the first few days. It was stinging and swollen and generally horrible. After about 10-14 days though, it started to feel a LOT better.

I think my stitches took around 3ish weeks to dissolve completely. You may find that you get a few coming out when you go to the loo. Don't be alarmed! It is normal! It just means they're ready to come out.

As for the piles... sorry, not sure about that one. I'm just having to deal with a fissure which is bloody sore and is taking weeks to heal and I can't really have anything for it

Weeing.... Sherry, as I told you the other night, I was peeing myself all the time after having Luke because I had a really bad cough too. As soon as the cough went, it got better, I still get the odd tiny dribble now but do those PFE's and it will get better. I still don't feel a hell of a lot down there apart from a fair amount of pressure when I go for a wee (yet another embarrassing thread on here about that LOL - No dignity in childbirth, eh?)

It will get better though! Lavender oil baths and arnica will help!

 

[DebbieM]

Oh, and I have seen these in Boots...

http://www.boots.com/shop/product_detai ... id=1048045
http://www.boots.com/shop/product_detai ... id=1013396

 

[Magic Monkey]

My stitches started to dissolve at around 3 wks I think - I could see them on the toilet roll!

Pain wise - i healed really slowly and am still a bit sore now (sorry) but I also had an infection inside and have healed with a bit of an overlap, which is what is sore . I can still feel the cut as a slight ridge.

I had piles from the pushing (which was pointless as I couldn't get her out anyway!) I never felt them, to begin with everything else hurt too much and when that stopped I think they must have gone on their own. The midwife did suggest using anusol, but you have to be really careful that you don't get it on the tear, so I never bothered.

 

[loz]

2 - 3 weeks for me, i had piles also and that got better quite quickly - eat lot of veggies so you dont have to strain!!!! It does get a lot better after about 3 weeks, but is miserable at the time. Jut take pain killers and rest up.

 

[muppetmummy]

haven't any advice as ive never been stitched down there. i hope it heals soon, sounds really painful

 

[paradysso]

just wanted to give these im allergic to the thread used so werent allowed stitches, my body has done its own thing.

i got piles too but didnt go to dr like midna said i didnt fancy dr poking about up there so just brought some anusol

 

[sparky]

sorry to hear that your suffering..

My MW told me to get witchazel in my labour bag, she said that you can soak a pad with it and its soothing as well as having anticeptic properties, she also advised tea tree oil in the bath..

got both, just hope i dont have to use them

 

[debecca]

Aw Sherlock

I had a 2nd degree tear too and my stitches were completely healed and dissolved 10 days after the birth - but I was pretty good with my pelvic floor exercises from Day 1! You are braver than me as I haven't looked at or touched my perineum since the stitching!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got piles AFTER the birth too from forcing out such a big baby - the first couple of poos were fine but after a week I was definitely feeling the piles so don't worry it will come back (or do worry cos it hurt and itched, but they've all but gone now...)

Hope you feel better soon

 

[mrs_tommo22]

I've a 2nd degree internal and external tear with about 20 stitches all up. All very neat and cleanly stitched and healing well I am told. I did peek using a mirror a couple of days ago and instantly regretted it It was like looking at an alien planet down there. Felt it also. And like having a football between my legs it was so swollen

Anyways, how long till stitches are taken out or dissolve? Its the one thing I forgot to ask my MW about (I was a bit distracted when she was putting them in ) She was here today but again, forgot to ask and have opted to wait till Monday before seeing her again.

Also, I've piles now Not a sign of them during pregnancy but the big push to pop out a 10lb'er did for me Atm I've very little sensation in that area and have had my bowels open a few times, but still can't really *feel* much. Anyone else experience this? How long till it all came back and you went 'OWWWWW' at the piles?

And last one... bladder control loss after birth. It was bad initially for me. MW said it was due to large baby and to practice my pelvic floor lots. Only thing is, again, I've more or less a total loss of sensation down there and really cannot feel *anything*. I was wetting myself the first few days and its slowly getting better in that I have more control now, so can make it to the loo, but I still have a numb feeling. Anyone else had this and again, how long till it came back for you? I hate not being on control of my bladder. Its already driven me to tears on a couple of occasions

Aww Sherlock - the joys of babies! Im sorry to hear you having a hard time and feeling under the weather, having had a 2nd degree tear with a lot of stitches too - I really feel for you in a couple of weeks with lots of salt and lavender baths im sure the pain will ease lots and youl be well on the way to being healed. But you must take it easy - no long walks or sex until then!!! just feed the biff and take it easy.

Personally my pelvic floor was bad for ages as stephen had a big head! and it took a good 4 months before all the leaks etc all stopped and sex started to feeling normalish again - to this day i cant wear tampons - so i hope you can eventually!

Lots ladies suffer with the piles cos of the pressure you get on your bum when squidging babies out - I have found the Germaloids a god send and they cool down the area quickly too - get eating that weetabix Sherlock it will ease the pressure when you do a number two on them as they can bleed and it can be exceedingly painful.

Wow thats a eassy for me today! Feel better soon sherlock - and cuddles for biff

 

[Babylicious]

i had a 2nd deg tear and it healed within a week

 

[Sherlock]

Thanks ladies I've really struggled with it this week, of all the things to find hard to cope with its me bits!

Its been a week now and swelling had gone down a fair bit, no sign of any stiches coming out as yet. Piles still there also I still can't sit on the sofa (too low and painful to sit on) and therefore can only feed Galen while sitting with feet up on the bed. A bit frustrating but its at least comfy to a degree.

I've still very little actual sensation down there. I feel pain/sore from the stitches/swelling, but other than that, not much at all. I can sort of control my bladder now, in that I can actually stand up and not wet myself, but have to wee every hour regardless or else if I don't I end up wetting myself just sitting/laying there. Or as soon as I move And its a least not a full wee anymore, well occasionally it is

I find it the most humiliating thing about it all tbh. I wet myself taking the dog out yesterday. Totally, right through my knicks and trousers I came home and sobbed. I did my pelvic floor during pregnancy, and am still trying to do it now but I can't feel the bloody thing still

Ah well, things can only get better eh