Perineal tears and perineal massage?

I had a second degree tear and it was probably sore for like 1-2 weeks from memory, but I do feel like she stitched me up a bit too tight after 🥲

I had a second degree tear (following a forceps delivery and episiotomy), my stitches came out within 2 weeks but thanks to the pain killers, I was only uncomfortable at most, never in pain

I had an episiotomy (attempted use of vac & forceps - he came out sunny side up) with my first, small tear and grazes with my second and only a small tear (like one stitch) with my third. Healing was fine, stitches come out in their own time. Things that I found really helped me, especially with my first was: donut cushion, peribottle, reusable perineal ice packs, Panadol/ibuprofen and spritz for bitz * also you can ask them (if they don’t offer) to put a warm wash cloth over your perineum as your pushing

Can you put it in your plan to opt for an episiotomy if it came to that? At least that would be a strategic snip rather than a tear of x degrees.

I was so set on having a section and then when the dr gave me a choice of which one I chose an induction because it’s sooner and safer in a lot of ways, and now I have no idea what I’ve got myself in for everyone giving me their opinions of “you should have gone for a section” it’s so frustrating and after trying the perineal massage I don’t know if I’m capable of a baby coming out of such a small hole 😂 I think I’ll definitely opt for a episiotomy if needed be, did yous have a epidural or just other pain methods?x

@Stephanie my first induction I had gas/air & a pethidene injection, my 3rd baby which was an elective induction I had gas/air (this was also my best labour experience tbh)

With my first (7lb 9oz) I had a tiny tear that needed like two stitches and I felt like she did it too tight, sex hurt the whole two years after, but with my second who was 8 lbs 14 oz I didn’t tear at all! I was out of action too so not like I did anything to help it lmao. Strange but it’s possible you’ll be just fine

With my first who was nearly 9lb, I did do perineal massage but still needed an episiotomy. I had no complications with it but I found it so uncomfortable to recover from. Definitely painful for a good few weeks. My second was only 7lb, I didn’t do any perineal massage but did get a 2nd degree tear. I found the tear healed amazingly, it wasn’t ever painful. I forgot I even had stitches. I would say screw the massage I don’t think it does much 😂 I don’t know anyone who hasn’t torn or had a cut so it’s just part of the recovery. Not pleasant but nothing to be scared about x

With my first I had a 2nd degree and was sore for about a week with my second Im 2 days postpartum now and already feeling not nearly as sore and I barely have a first degree tear

I had a 3rd degree tear and had to have a medio-lateral episiotomy. I found after 3 weeks I was able to sit pretty much pain free and walk around again as per normal. I used expert midwife sprits for bits to help soothe the area, bought a donut cushion off of amazon to sit in which really helped take the pressure off of the area when sitting and the inner ring of the cushion you can put an ice pack to help and hospital prescribed me dihydrocodeine x

I think its better talking about ir with ur doctor…I didnt know about this with my first and my dr decided to cut me and its was the best decision everrrr!! Definitely with my second I will talk with my same dr about cutting me lol

When I had my first, I had a second degree tear. However, I knew something was wrong after a few weeks and it was still very painful to go to the bathroom. My mom pretty much tried to gaslight me into believing that I was overreacting or exaggerating the amount of pain I was in. I decided to follow my intuition and schedule an appointment with my OBGYN. It turns out that my tear didn’t heal properly and I developed painful scar tissue. My OBGYN had to burn my scar tissue with liquid nitrate and it healed without issue after that.

I had three tears. One was first degree, second-degree , and one was just a skin tear. They give you localised pain relief, so I didn't feel the pain that much, but it was the itching that was hell. The stitches fell off in two weeks. But if I sit funny, I can feel the scar.

it took about 3 weeks to heal from my tear, i think i had about 4 stitches. we tried the perineal massage but it was too uncomfortable. but i know that i tore because i was trying to rush through pushing and didn’t wait for a contraction to push. if you stay as calm as possible during the pushing stage, wait for your contractions to push or let your body push on its own (FER) your chances should be better to not tear. you’re totally capable of pushing out your baby, tearing sucks but it’s the body’s natural response. i would never want an episiotomy

Your body will surprise you and adapt. My mum always said to me that if they give you the choice to tear or be cut always let them cut you as it heals better. (I unfortunately had to have an emergency c section) But trust your body and midwives/drs. They will help. X

I had a 4th degree tear with my daughter in 2023 , am now 37 weeks with my 2nd n gone for a c section this time around in 2 weeks because I don’t want to tear again , it’s different for everyone but I now have problems with my bowels as mine went to my back passage the tear , i didn’t have sex for 10months as it would hurt every time i try too it’s not as bad now tho and it did take me couple months to heal from it

@Beth did they say why you had a 4th degree tear? Was she the wrong way round? I heard back to back can cause a big tear?x

@Stephanie so I went in to hospital 2cm dilated but my waters broke so they put the pessary in me n I needed the toilet so I went the toilet n I was pushing on there thinking I need a poo but I was actually pushing my little girl out the pessary litterally came out soon as she was coming I went from 2cm t 10 withing a few seconds so she came flying out of me too quickly n I tore I didn’t feel ntn tho i had to get stitches soon as she was out I was home by 10pm that night she was born at 7:39am x

Same! I heard that water birth reduce tears🤞 But you could also add warm compresses as an alternative to your birth plan😊 Also worth reading about episiotomies as there are different opinions whether they make it worse/better

@Jade💃🏻 cuts can make a tear worse, also tears heal better. They will cut if it is necessary though. If you need forceps delivery or baby needs out quick.

@Cheryl interesting take my mum always said the opposite after she ass cut. The studies back that too. If you think s a tear as like mesh it's easier for the skin to join but a cut is straighter and harder to heal.

@Alisha i think it depends on the degree of tear right? I was lucky, baby was coming out hard and fast and they could tell I was going to tear, so snipped me. Healing took 3 weeks. I don’t even know where the scar is. The healing sucked though. Sounds like everyone’s healing journey is very individualistic.

@Alisha I’m sure the way they stitch you up has changed massively from when my mum had children to be fair. I’m sure techniques are much more advanced to enable optimum healing either way. X