Riiiiiiiip! (perineal tearing)

[sgmom]

I'm seeing my midwife in a few days, but I thought I'd ask here as well.

I have a third degree tear (it will be three weeks tomorrow) which is healing nicely, except for a little bit right at the base (above the pooper). It's basically a tringular shaped open wound, and is still bleeding. The stitches are sort of hanging down, almost as if they're being pushed out. It doesn't really hurt, but there is some pinching and minor discomfort.

Has anyone experienced this, or have any suggestions on what I can do to speed up the healing? I've been taking arnica, and I think it's really been helping, except for this stubborn little area that's refusing to fuse together...

[CookAMH]

I am just venturing a very uneducated guess, but maybe a stitch or two is in order? I bet your m/w will be able to take care of it if it's necessary. esp since it's bleeding...there is so much going on down there that might keep opening it up.

I hope you get a remedy soon!

[sgmom]

I'm pretty sure that's what going to happen, but I was wrong about when I see my midwife next. I thought it was this week, but I forgot that she's on vacation this week, and I won't be seeing her until the middle of next week.

I assume it would be fine if I waited? It's not bleeding badly... just a dot of fresh red blood when I pat dry after peeing. I'd say about the size of a small cheerio...

[ShwarmaQueen]

I'd go for a stitch to heal faster- can you see another HCP sooner?

I had quite a bit of tearing (I got a little too ambitious during pushing) and had stiches, though they weren't 100% necessary. I healed quickly and was feeling pretty much back to 'normal' at 6-8 weeks.

There is also an awwwwwwwwwwwesome herbal bath I soaked in a few times per week in those first couple months. It's called "Soothing After Birth Herbal Bath" from here http://inhishands.com/html/orderherbs.html

GL!

[sgmom]

Unless I go to the walk in clinic (there's only one in my city, and it's always busy), it would be quicker to wait for my midwife.

ShwarmaQueen: I did the same thing. When I heard my midwife tell me to slow down and give gentle pushes, I think I said "Gentle my @ss!!", and scared the entire mat ward with one massive push (WOW, did I ever scream during that one).

But it worked! One push and a third degree tear later (that I didn't feel, btw), he was born.

[nikirj]

Not that I want to discourage you from going in if you feel like that's what you should do, but I really doubt anyone is going to add any stitches at this point. The window for that closed about three weeks ago (really, it's only in the 6 hours or so after birth that you want to do a repair if it's going to heal right).

Healing after a tear happens from the inside out, so if it's just the skin level that is looking open, I'd continue to be gentle with it and let it heal on its own. There's a relatively new school of thought that says that even with the bigger tears we shouldn't be repairing at the skin level, because it heals the same either way.

I can't see what you're talking about and by all means, have someone who can see it in person take a look if you are concerned.

[Climbergirl]

Can you call your midwife and see if you can see one of her backups?

[liberal_chick]

I had to have a tear repaired at 9 weeks PP and it sucked, so I vote to have it fixed ASAP if it needs to be fixed. In my case, I had a 2nd degree tear that we left unstitched (which is super common and usually heals just fine), but I healed totally open.

[sgmom]

It seems to be healing (slowly), although I did remove the stitch. The pinching sensation IMMEDIATELY went away, so maybe that was preventing it from healing (every time I moved the wrong way, the stitch would pull)?

Oh well... she's coming in 6 days and it's SUCH a tiny little opening (and it seems to have stopped bleeding as well), so I've decided to wait it out until she gets here. Thanks, all.

[BabyMae09]

Just a note on tears in general: to avoid them, do perinal massage before going into labor. I know that doesn't help this time, but maybe it bears saying anyway

My DP did it for me, about 3-4 times per week for just a minute or so, in the shower, and I had not one tiny rip We only did this for the last 4-5 weeks before the birth.

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by BabyMae09

Just a note on tears in general: to avoid them, do perinal massage before going into labor. I know that doesn't help this time, but maybe it bears saying anyway

My DP did it for me, about 3-4 times per week for just a minute or so, in the shower, and I had not one tiny rip We only did this for the last 4-5 weeks before the birth.

I have seen that recommended a lot, but I have also read a couple sources saying it can make you more likely to tear.