4th degree tears ....sphincter torn right though

[kittenbaby]

hi girls
ive had my baby !
saskia asher was born tue 27th at 1250 noon
water birth
weighing 8lb 5 ! at 38 weeks !!
i managed on just gas and air
the birth went really well


the problems started aftr the birth
had 4th degree tears
i didnt even know there was such a thing
torn right though my spinghter muscle !!
i did so well at the birth even delivered the placenta without drugs naturally and bf feed while waiting

i thought it had all gone so well then to find out i had serious damage
and then i had to have a spinal tap and operation
for these major repairs
i was crying my eyes out
i was so scared

dos anyone have any advice or tips at all?
i dont know anyone that has experienced this

thanks xxx

[MollyCoddle]

I know you'll get some proper advice on here soon, but in the meantime wanted to say congrats on the birth of Saskia! And sorry you've got to deal with this tear. I know there are other folk out there with helpful tips on coping.

[SurferRosa]

POOR YOU! Oh...and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

I'm so sorry you have had such a bad time. There are a lot of people on MN who have had similar probs so don't worry, we'll get you through.

Well done for having such a great birth, it sounds amazing, beautiful names too xx

[kittenbaby]

oh thanks girls
bless u
u r so kind
i really hope someone out there can help me
think im still in shock xxxxx
thanks

[SurferRosa]

I don't know where everyone is this arvo!

Out enjoying the rain no doubt

[mears]

kittenbaby - congratulations on the birth of Saskia

It sounds as though your 4th degree tear was identified and repaired properly in theatre under spinal anaesthetic. It should heal OK. I presume you were given antibiotics and laxatives to make sure you don't strain passing a bowel movement.

The sphincter should repair and not cause problems. You should make sure that you do your pelvic floor exercised to improve the muscle tone after birth.

You should be given a n appointment to go back to see a consultant in about 3 months to check everything is OK. You need to let them know if you have any problems having a bowel movement at all.

How are things at the moment. Are you managing to go to the toilet OK?

[Carmenere]

Oh you poor thing, but Congratulations on your lovely daughter.

[LadyK]

I know just what you are feeling! Same happened to me, and although you are probably terrified I can reassure you that it will heal! You will NOT be split from stem to stern forever!

Definitely make sure that you take the nasty tasting stuff and any other medication they have given you. If you have any worries at all that things are not functioning as they should, let someone know as soon as you can.

As long as they fixed things properly, you probably won't even notice much of a difference once things have healed. Do make sure that you do any additional exercises they have suggested and/or follow through on any physiotherapy you've been offered.

And remember, the fear of going to the toilet will probably be worse than the actual event. Just make sure you don't get constipated! Sorry, didn't mean to go overboard...

But most importantly, congratulations on the safe arrival of Saskia!!!

[muppetgirl]

Hi my friends sister tore from front to back (not sure if this is the same as you?)

She had regular physio and even after the birth of no2 she needed to do physio agin.

She had a c-section with no2 as she was unable to give birth naturally BUT this may not apply to you, just nice to hear others experiences.

Congrats on the birth you wonderful woman you!

[kittenbaby]

hi thanks for the support
its really appricated
mears
i have been given antibiotics and lactulose and the hospital said they will contact me to make an appointment for a review with a gyne in 6 weeks
oh god im scared to death of even going for a check up
i hope i dont have to be examined

i had a toilet accident yesterday [basically pooed my pants] on the way to the toilet, i think the problem was i just couldnt get to the toilet on time
im struggling with getting up and sitting down and i was lying down on the bed and though oh i need the loo and went just before i got there but it took me a while to get up
also i wondered if it was the effect of the lactulose making me need to go all of a sudden

mum keeps telling to have salt baths but her advice is 30-40 old
is this ment to help with the stiching ?
thanks you so much for helping me
it means so much
bless you xxxxx

[muppetgirl]

i was told to bath with a couple of drops of essential oil -lavender? and only have a shallow bath to help with healing.
My m/w in hospital even gave me a nice plastic jug in which to pour the solution over my bits.
PLease check what essential oil to use though...

Isn't arnica a good natural remedy for bringing out/healing bruising?

ds now enjoys plaing with the jug in the bath!

[kittenbaby]

also forgot to add this pooing my pants thing did only happn once

[kittenbaby]

lady k is so good to hear from someone thats been there
xxx thank you for your help xx
was you on shock when this happened to you too?

[LadyK]

I wouldn't worry too much yet about a lack of control. Even if you hadn't had that degree of tearing, you still might be finding it a bit hard to keep things under control. Childbirth beats the hell out of your pelvic floor muscles, which is why you really must do your exercises! nag, nag, nag, nag...

And the lactulose doesn't help matters!

Definitely give the essential oils a try. Lavender is a good one, and so is chamomile, but that one is harder to find and more expensive. Lavender is cheap and easy and effective! Make sure to mix it with water, never direct- try putting a few drops in a mixing bowl of water and placing some paper towels in. Wring them out a bit so they are not sopping wet and fold them to make a compress or a pad and apply to the "affected area". This did wonders for me, and is easier than trying to get in and out of the bath!

[LadyK]

Was I ever in shock! And every bit as scared as you must be feeling right now, which is why I want you to know that it really will be okay!

And about the vile tasting lactulose, even if you are worried that may not be helping the control issue, it is really important that you keep taking it so that things can keep moving as comfortably as possible. You also need to make sure you are getting enough fluids and eating the right kinds of foods. Especially because some of the painkillers they may have given you can make you constipated too.

Just when you thought the indignities of childbirth couldn't get any worse!

[mears]

kittenbaby - salt water baths are a bit old fashioned - plain water is fine. The lavender drops sound a good idea.

There is no reason why everything should not heal. make sure you eat well and drink plenty. Good that you can be reassured by LadyK.

[4jen]

Kittenbaby

Congrats on your baby. I would echo all LadyK has said. It is a good thing that the tear has been identified and repaired early on. The lactulose is probably making accidents more likely but you don't want any pressure on the sphincter muscle whilst it is healing. With regards to keeping the area clean I was told just to use the showerhead no soap, no salt. Hopefully with you having this repair done so soon after birth you will be able to heal and get on with life normally very soon.

[MelissaM]

Congratulations kittenbaby. Sorry to hear about the tear. Hope you are starting to feel a bit more comfortable and glad you are receiving lots of good advice.

[twoplusone]

kittenbaby- congratulations on the birth of Saskia

Sorry to hear about your tear though..

Wishing you a quick recovery hun.

Take care of yourself.
xx

[gegs73]

Conngratulations on the birth of baby Saskia. Glad you have had lots of good advice on here I had tearing and stiches with ds1 though only 2nd degree and like others have said essential oils in the bath were a gift from god. I found 4/5 drops of tea tree oil was brilliant. Hope you are all better soon.

[Miaou]

Congratulations kittenbaby! Glad the birth went well, so sorry to hear about the tear though . Enjoy that lovely baby smell

[dizzymummy]

Hi Kittenbaby, congrats on baby Saskia. Poor you I know what it feels like - I had a pretty bad tear too and found tea tree drops in a bath helped. Also found a rubber ring invaluable - used it for about 8 weeks

Hopefully you will feel better soon but try not to do too much too soon. I got v. frustrated but made things worse by trying to get back to normal too quickly.

You will heal but be prepared for the fact that it may take a while.

Best of luck xxx

[firststar]

Message withdrawn

[duchesse]

Hi Kittenbaby, congratulations on the birth of your baby.

I just wanted to say how shocked I am that you ended up with such a massive tear. The midwives should have been keeping a better eye on you during the second stage.

However long this takes to heal (may very well be several months, but do not tolerate beyond 6-9 months), please make sure that the medical profession takes this very serious tear seriously. If you are bothered by anything, take it to your doctor or midwife, and keep pestering them until you start to feel normal down there again. Particularly if you develop painful scar tissue, or fail to regain continence. That is not something to have to put up with long-term.

Hope you heal quickly, having said all this.

[kittenbaby]

hi evryone just wanted to say thanks for all your support and help
your advice is priceless
im doing ok im still in quite a bit of pain
but that toilet accident was just a one off thank goodness
i really hop i heal soon just want to get on with njoying my precious little baby
love ktten xxxxx