Stitches - TMI warning

[MZmama]

OK - I dont know if I am posting this in the right area... but i have a quessie...

When i had my daughter i had qyuite a few stitches, they said I tore all the way down, but only on the inside, not on the outside.

At the time, I didnt want to know how many stitches etc, but I think it took them bout 30mins to an hour to stitch me... will the hospital provide me with the details if I was to ring and ask.. does anyone know if mine would be classed as second degree, or third maybe??

I dont know why I want to know, I'm just curious know that 8 months have passed!

Also, is it likely i will tear more easily for future births?

Thanks for everyone who read/post!

[Laksa]

mine was classed as 3rd degree but only took about 10 minutes?? i don't know how many stitches but i remember my obs saying "mother nature hasn't been kind, kiddo"!!! i was too busy staring at my son to give a stuff tho

[mumma bear]

Not sure if they will release the details, can't help there.

I had a 2nd degree tear with DD and did not tear at all with DS. I think part of the reason that i tore was that she was vac ex as she was OP and needed to be turned because she couldn't get out. With DS the OB did not even make it. The midwives did a great job and no stitches, yippee!! Hopefully it will go the same for #3.

Also the only other difference was i had an epidural with DD but had nothing with DS. I think your body does it better all by itself even though there is the pain factor.

[MZmama]

I was delirious, and like you staring at my daughter.. so maybe it did take 10 mins, although i swear it was longer!

What I do remember is a few doctors didnt want to do it, so they went and got a lady i had during my pre-natal visits, and she did say she was putting heaps of extra ones in to make sure it healed perfectly as she had had trouble with hers before..

[MZmama]

Not sure if they will release the details, can't help there.

I had a 2nd degree tear with DD and did not tear at all with DS. I think part of the reason that i tore was that she was vac ex as she was OP and needed to be turned because she couldn't get out. With DS the OB did not even make it. The midwives did a great job and no stitches, yippee!! Hopefully it will go the same for #3.

Also the only other difference was i had an epidural with DD but had nothing with DS. I think your body does it better all by itself even though there is the pain factor.

I had no pain relief, and no complications.. they did consider giving me an epi, but i refused and told them i would prefer to tear naturally.. which in the end at least my tear wasnt on the outside!

[kymmy]

Do you get your birth details? I got a copy from my midwife and one to give my maternal health nurse.
It should say on there what tear you sustained.
I had a 2nd degree tear with my 1st and 3rd child. and a borderline 3rd degree tear with my 2 nd child.
I don't know many stitches but it took a long time. With my 1st it was agony - an hour an a half to repair.
The labour was shorter
With my boys it took about an hour each time I think.

[Tam-I-Am]

The difference between degree of tears is what tears, rather than how large they are - the definitions are as follows:

• First degree tear - tear involving the perineal or vaginal skin only

• Second degree tear - perineal skin and muscles torn, but intact anal sphincter

• Third degree perineal tear - perineal skin, muscles and anal sphincter are torn
  • a. Less than 50% of the external anal sphincter thickness is torn
  • b. More than 50% of the external anal sphincter thickness is torn, but internal anal sphincter intact
  • c. Both external and internal anal sphincters are torn, but anal mucosa intact
• Fourth degree perineal tear - perineal skin, muscles, anal sphincter and anal mucosa are torn

It sounds like your tear was either a 1st or 2nd degree tear, from what you've written (if I've understood you correctly) because the only thing that tore was the internal skin in your vagina.

You can access your medical records under the freedom of information act. Contact the Freedom of Information office at the hospital in which you gave birth and ask them what the procedures are for you to access your medical records. You may have to pay costs to either have your records photocopied and sent to you, or have a doctor sit with you if you view them at the hospital.

Alternatively, if you have an understanding GP, you might be able to have him order a copy summery of your birth and give that to you.

HTH

[MZmama]

Thanks Tam-I-Am.. i think you are right, i either had a 1st of 2nd degree.. from reading through your description i think it was a 2nd degree because of the fact i remember them testing to see if the my anal sphincter was intact.. i lost all dignity when they did that!

I might give the hospital a call and see what they say.. or maybe wait till i have my second and i am at the hospy for appointments - and see if they let me view them then.

Thanks all for your replies..

[jbie]

some people have found perineal massages to help, also perineal support or water birth or warm compresses during birthing to minimise tearing too? perhaps you could try it for your next one..