Tears that don’t heal - TMI warning
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Topic: Tears that don’t heal - TMI warning
Posted By: Mazzy
Subject: Tears that don’t heal - TMI warning
Date Posted: 27 May 2008 at 9:27pm
I had a 2nd degree tear from DD2's birth (also had one with DD1 but no problems there). It was stitched but about four days afterwards I felt something give  and when the midwife checked I had lost the stitch at the top of the tear and it had pulled apart at the start of the gap. Apparently some women lose the stitches earlier than intended because they are more acidic and the stitches don't last.
Because the tear had already started to heal, she couldn't stitch it again as it wouldn't heal together. The rest of the tear is still stitched together and should be fine, but she's not sure the top part will heal together. If it doesn't build up some tissue on its own I have to be referred to a gynae and they will have to redo the tear and stitch it again, using an epidural or other pain relief (more than what I had for the birth!).
Has anyone had a tear that had problems healing? How did it affect you and how did it turn out? I'm still really tender down there and am not supposed to be going for walks or sitting cross legged - basically have to be very careful about how I move. It's such a pain, literally and figuratively! ------------- Mum to two gorgeous girls! |
Replies:
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 27 May 2008 at 9:36pm
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Ouch! Is all I have to say.
I didn't lose any stitches, but I still couldn't walk around properly for about 3 weeks so that part of it is normal. Let's just hope it grows some tissue on its own. |
Posted By: Mazzy
Date Posted: 27 May 2008 at 9:41pm
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That's good to know about it being normal not being able to walk properly for quite a while - I'd forgotten how long it took with DD1's birth because I had other issues that eclipsed the tear (if it's not one thing it's another with me and birth!).
And yeah - OUCH was my reaction too! ------------- Mum to two gorgeous girls! |
Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 27 May 2008 at 9:45pm
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I had a tear as well but had no problems with it as Mum gave me a wound heal cream made by a lady we know. One of the main ingredients in it is hypericum oil which is good for wound healing and tissue regeneration. Maybe you could get some from the chemist and try that. ------------- Lindsey 
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 27 May 2008 at 9:55pm
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Mazzy my friend (blondie) has some wicked tears and actually needed to go under a general to get the all done properly. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 28 May 2008 at 7:33am
| I had an episiotomy so similar but not really. It was really quite sore for like 4 weeks. I sat on a cushion with a hole in it and was very careful about how I did everything. It doesn't effect me much now. It get tender on the worst day of AF but that's the worst I have with it now. |
Posted By: Mama2two
Date Posted: 28 May 2008 at 8:32am
I lost some stiches as well after a week or so and ended up with a small gaping wound between stitches. Apart from being tender for a couple of weeks it did heal up by itself.  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 28 May 2008 at 8:40am
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I had stitches and found sitting on the breastfeeding pillow was a dream! Because its almost round and the hole in the middle was fab! ------------- ~ Mummy to a beautiful girl ~ |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 28 May 2008 at 1:15pm
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I also had a WHOLE heap of stitches (but they did stay put). I can really recommend taking zinc and vit c. It helped me heaps and meant that I was walking fine aftre about a week and had no probs sitting. My MW was amazed. have recommened it to heaps of people also and they believe that it helped. -------------  
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 28 May 2008 at 1:23pm
| I second the zinc and vit C, Peanut recommended this to me to heal the wounds from my breast reduction and it worked a treat! |
Posted By: DJ
Date Posted: 28 May 2008 at 1:41pm
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Ouch this brings back memories. I also had what they called a "keyhole" in my tear/ stitches for a few weeks.
My MW said initially that I might need to get restiched, but it healed up on its own at about 6wks. She told me to keep my legs together, which I did - I had been sitting cross legged to breastfeed. I went for heaps of walks. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: pekemoemum
Date Posted: 28 May 2008 at 10:41pm
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oh huge huge hugs to you!!! brings back a FLOOD of memories. I didn't tear, but was 'cut' (they did it sideways, so ummmmm from you know where, out towards my leg, rather than backwards.. if you get what I mean??? apparently if was quite a 'large' cut (well so my mum said! hahah).. I was in alot of pain, and after a week was sent back into the delivery suite to be 'checked over' by one of the 'boss' ladies. Unfortunately the stitching wasn't 'tight enough' and I got an infection, but was put on antibiotics and salt water bathing / blow dryer drying! I didn't want ANYTHING else going on down there, and after discussing with her decided to just leave it be. I was in pain for weeks.. but not the intense pain like the first couple of weeks.. just the nagging/healing pain. After 9weeks I felt comfortable enough to have a 'check up'. Things have been 'fine' since then. I do have some scar tissue, dunno what it all 'looks' like and don't care! I still get pain there (e.g. if sitting on the side of the bath when running it for the kids etc) but totally handleable.. apparently it' sjust the scar tissue isn't 'stretchy as normal skin.
With no:2 son I had a small tear, and got 1 stitch... then afterwards they said.. ummm maybe we should've done two!! as I had a 'gaping' part too, however it all ended up healing aswell (alot faster than the first time!!!) anyway, I did really stress both times and found myself almost obsessing about it.. (sounds weird)... but it all did get better! all the best! ------------- Gina, Reef 15/6/03, Tyde 12/2/07 http://www.pekemoe.co.nz - Peke Moe - Unique NZ Made Baby Sleeping bags for babies who get out of swaddle/wrap |
Posted By: Tiff
Date Posted: 29 May 2008 at 8:32am
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I had an episiotomy, and the top stich pulled apart, however I was told not to worry (esp as it wasn't one of the internal stiches), unless it got worse. But like you I had to be careful how I sat, though walking was fine because everything was 'kept together' (prehaps if you walked with really large strides it would be different?). I started taking arnica tablets right after the birth I think this helped. But it did stay 'uncomfy' for awhile, even at around 5-7 weeks things still felt a bit 'different' and they looked it a bit too - sorry TMI.
But things have been fine and DH and I have had no probs with 'special cuddles'  Apart from a gnereal tenderness etc and a bit of pain (on the other side to the episiotomy - weird).
------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: AN E
Date Posted: 29 May 2008 at 9:13pm
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Ouch I feel your pain Mazzy!
I had three stitches after DD, and about a week after she was born I sneezed - and yep pulled out a stitch.  Like others I really didn't want to know what was going on down there! The MW kept looking at it, and wasn't that happy. I finally went to my docs and was referred to a gyno. My doc put me on a course of ABs to clear up a possible infection before I went.
Anyway gyno was really good, and to be honest I think that the stitch had healed - but the problem was I had been stitched to tight at the entrance. At the first and only consult he got me in the chair (yep stirrups, and then the whole thing tilted). He gave me a local and then (I think) a little snip and a stretch. All been as good as new after that  .
If things aren't feeling right in a wee while, take a trip to your docs! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Mazzy
Date Posted: 29 May 2008 at 9:43pm
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Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. It's good to hear that complications with tears/cuts etc. happen to others and that, by the sounds of it, many of them resolve themselves. I've been alternating between denial that anything is wrong and worrying that it's going to get infected/more painful/need major alterations. Like most things, only time will tell. The infection worry is my main one at the moment - I've been going through lots of pads, changing them all the time! Hopefully things will sort themselves out...but I took another look today and really can't see how it will heal itself, it was an internal stitch that came out and I'm pretty sure it'll need help. Off to buy Vitamin C and Zinc tomorrow! ------------- Mum to two gorgeous girls! |
Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 30 May 2008 at 12:32pm
 Ouchies. Make sure you keep it clean, etc. Sometimes a cool or warm pack will help, and I was prescribed voltaren to help keep the pain down a bit. Don't worry, you are not alone! Sorry to say but I was still in pain at 2 months after birth (not trying to scare you or anything just being honest) and sometimes I still feel the scar tissue hurting. My Dr said she is going to check it out at 4 months (next week) because if they don't heal up properly there ARE things they can do, to help fix it. But generally they won't try anything for quite a while, in case it does heal up on it's own eventually.
Another thing you could try is taking Arnica tablets, I think that helped me a bit. ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: bookwyrm
Date Posted: 30 May 2008 at 6:25pm
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I was always paranoid about mine, it feels like a weird heal. Sometimes when I sit in a certain position I feel a pang of pain from my tear.
Good luck Mazzy. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Mazzy
Date Posted: 30 May 2008 at 7:10pm
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Just another question - TMI again - I've been EXTREMELY achy all over 'down there' this evening, to the point where I have to either sit down or lie down to ease the pressure. It feels like excessive blood flow, and when I stand up I feel like something is going go fall out.
Can anyone tell me what the heck this is? Is it an indicator of infection or a good sign of healing? I'm so obsessive about this at the moment - sorry guys, you're the only ones I know that I can ask these things of! I will be checking with my midwife at the next appointment on Tuesday but don't want to bother her in the meantime unless it's really bad. ------------- Mum to two gorgeous girls! |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 30 May 2008 at 7:20pm
| Are you taking painkillers? I found that mine would spike in its "weird feelings" and painkillers fixed it. |
Posted By: Mazzy
Date Posted: 30 May 2008 at 7:28pm
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I just took some panadol, but it doesn't seem to have done much. Reluctant to take anything else with breast feeding. Best remedy at the moment seems to be lying down, hopefully it goes away after a sleep because I can't tolerate this for much longer. ------------- Mum to two gorgeous girls! |
Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 30 May 2008 at 7:32pm
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I was allowed to take voltaren while I was breastfeeding... but maybe that was because I really needed it? Not sure. But I had heaps of trouble with sitting and standing until about 3 weeks, then it started to improve a bit more and I went off the voltaren and panadol. ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: Mazzy
Date Posted: 30 May 2008 at 7:34pm
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Hmmmm. I might ask my midwife about it on Tuesday. It's driving me nuts that it's still so difficult to stand up or sit, makes breast feeding a bit of a trial and I'm getting frustrated at not being able to start doing more around the house - this won't work when DH goes back to work next week. ------------- Mum to two gorgeous girls! |
Posted By: Tiff
Date Posted: 30 May 2008 at 9:09pm
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I often felt like I had a tampon in that was working its way out - sorry TMI, esp when standing but at times when sitting too. I've also heard bths with Epson Salts (I think thats right) is really good too, apparently helps ease things, good with keeping clean and can help with pain too. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Mazzy
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 9:34am
That is exactly the feeling I've been getting too. Man the things I forgot happen after the birth - I just assumed it would all bounce back in a matter of days! ------------- Mum to two gorgeous girls! |
Tiff wrote:Posted By: LittleRed
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 9:49am
| Hi Mazzy, I second the salt bath thing that helped me heal. i couldn't walk or pee properly for about 6 weeks after my cut. My daughters 5 months ish now and im starting to think i've got a prob with my stitches as sex is excrutiating so off to the dr for me. |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 10:11am
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I shoudlnt have read this lol
------------- |
Posted By: Tiff
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 11:28am
Wouldn't that be nice!!!! No this feeling stayed with me for weeks possibly 5 or 6 I think (funny how quickly you forget) - sorry  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 31 May 2008 at 11:57am
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Oh yeah, I had salt baths a lot too! When it gets too unbearable just put about half a cup of salt into a hot bath and soak your "downstairs" for a while. The Dr told me to do this. Of course it is a lot easier if your other half will take over some duties for a little while so you get time to do it, and if you want a decent soak you have to time it straight after a feed, lol. It keeps the wounds sanitised as well so it's good for healing, and once the stitches ARE healed it's still good for softening up all that tight scar tissue.
ETA: If peeing is a problem, make sure you drink Ural, it helps! ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: Mazzy
Date Posted: 23 June 2008 at 2:04pm
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Ow freakin' OW! I just had to share my pain on this one. The tear was still not 100% so I was off to the specialist today.
Good news: It's actually healing ok and I don't need surgery Bad news: She decided she needed to put silver nitrate on it to burn away some of the granulation as that was what was causing me discomfort. Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but when someone mentions BURNING part of my bajinga, I am less than impressed. I made her get a nurse so I could hold someones hand while she did it! But she said it should all be ok eventually and won't cause any problems.
Just had to update and share my pain cos I'm at home now and there's no-one to sympathise with me! And it's not really a story I'd tell someone face to face anyway
Little Red, how did you get on at your doctor's? ------------- Mum to two gorgeous girls! |
Posted By: DJ
Date Posted: 23 June 2008 at 2:54pm
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ouch mazzy!!!! Hope you get some sympathy IRL soon!!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 23 June 2008 at 4:33pm
Ouchies Mazzy Sort of wishing that I didn't read that now, my Dr is posting a specialist referral out to me for my "broken front bum" as LittleRed puts it  and I'm a little nervous! I had to have a smear at the Dr's while I was there and she said I'm all inflamed and stuff and it's not normal down there. And the speculum just about killed me lol. The Dr had to give me painkillers after she did the smear!
I'm pretty nervous about seeing the specialist, there is something a little frightening about someone poking around at the most sensitive part of your body while you are in a lot of pain I wish I could take DH along but I wouldn't want to put him through that either (as if childbirth wasn't offputting enough)
BIG HUGS Mazzy! ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 23 June 2008 at 5:26pm
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Ouch I am cringing at what you had done ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |