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So.... I tore...
WestslopeCutty
Posts: 30 Member
I'm 4 days post partum, and recovering from a third-degree tear with the bonus tear up front as well. My labor and delivery were super fast for a first time mom. I walked into the hospital at 3:30 at 9cm and had my daughter in my arms by 5pm. And that was with me resisting pushing until the doctor could get there. I had no idea I was so far along because I kept expecting "real" contractions, not just those horrible menstral cramps.
Do you ladies have any tips beyond the hospital's warm water and witch hazel pads? Do I just have to wait it out, or can I be a little more proactive?
Do you ladies have any tips beyond the hospital's warm water and witch hazel pads? Do I just have to wait it out, or can I be a little more proactive?
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First of all, congrats on your adorable baby! I don't have any good advice for you really considering I'm also a first time mom (I also had a super fast labor - the staff was comically impressed), but I had to have a lot of sutures due to some tearing. I ended up using all the stuff they gave me from the hospital - squirt bottle, witch hazel, ice packs tucked into my fancy hospital underwear, ibuprofen, stool softener (which helped a lot because my bowel movements were basically excruciating for a couple months), and I walked away with a plastic sitz bath thing that really helped me. They did say you can of course fill up your tub a little with warm water and sit in it and don't need the plastic sitz bath for your toilet, but it was very convenient. I saved my disposable ice packs for when I was really hurting, and also went so far as to buy a butt doughnut to sit on to ease some pressure on myself. Good luck!
Edit because I personally just had to wait it out. I'm about 3.5 months postpartum and only just started feeling "normal" again maybe a month ago or less.0 -
Pain relief, stool softener and keeping clean was all I did, and the whole thing really did not bother me at all. In case you are planning more, mine was 10 years ago and I have had two more 10 1/2 pound babies since (2nd degree tear with one and just the one stitch with the next) but I have had no complications.0
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I had third degree tearing with my first. Along with everything mentioned above, the hospital sent me home with some dermaplast spray (kind of a numbing agent). They should carry it at drugstores. I was lucky that I healed well, but be on the lookout for incontinence, especially after six weeks (embarrassing as it can be, speak up - there are physical therapy exercises that can help). Do your kegals - that will help. The first is usually the worst - with my three subsequent children I had first degree tearing or less! Hope you feel better soon!1
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Thanks ladies!0
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I've had 3 children and luckily have never torn with any of them. I also had fast labours. I arrived at hospital at 2pm with my first and he was born at 3:34pm. I only pushed for 5 minutes with my 2nd! My third was a little longer, and back to back.
One of my friends who tore said she sat in a rubber ring, like you'd use for swimming. Another who had a c-sec said she used something called badedas in the bath.0 -
I had my first baby at the end of 2015. Long labor, 3 hours of pushing, 3rd degree tearing. I agree with all of the previous suggestions. I ran out of the ice packs quickly so I made my own. Newborn or premie disposable diapers are awesome for that! Cut off the wings, get them slightly wet then freeze a big stack. Also just try to be careful walking/sitting/moving and be extra gentle with yourself, you just had a baby!
Hope you heal well!0 -
Love those ice pack! How creative!0
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