3rd Degree Tear How Long To Heal

If you have suffered a 3rd degree tear while giving birth, this is a question that will be at the forefront of your mind. In particular you will want to know when the pain will stop, when the stitches will dissolve, and when you might return to 'normal'.

"Before we contacted you we had no real idea that we had grounds for a medical negligence claim but after speaking to you it became clear that Wendy was indeed treated poorly. Chris Bird took the time to explain what was happening and kept us to speed. Our deepest gratitude to you all and Chris in particular."

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If you have suffered a birth tear and would like advice about a possible medical negligence claim, please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

Claims Involving Birth Tears That Glynns Solicitors Have Settled

How long does it take to heal after a 3rd degree tear?

The first thing to say is that everyone is different and it is impossible to say exactly how long a 3rd degree tear will take to heal.

If you keep the area clean and do pelvic floor exercises every day, it is likely that you will heal faster than someone who does not. But on the other hand there are varying degrees of 3rd degree tear, and if yours was a 3c tear then it could take you longer than someone with a 3a tear.

Generally speaking, the stitches will dissolve within two to four weeks. During this time the pain should start to subside and the healing process should be underway. There will still be pain, particularly an aching/dragging sensation around the perineum. However, the area should not be as sore as it was.

It can then take two to six months for this aching sensation to subside. Usually the pain will be worse when sitting or standing for long periods of time. It can be relieved by lying down.

After six months there is a good chance that you will be fully recovered. The perineum may not look the same as it once did. There may even be a knot under the skin where some of the stitches did not dissolve, or where the scar tissue has hardened.

Nevertheless, the recovery process is not the same for each and every person. Some women will say they felt completely normal within two weeks, while for some it can take up to a year before they feel like a recovery has been made.

Does a 3rd degree tear always heal?

As long as a 3rd degree tear is diagnosed and repaired by an experienced surgeon shortly after the birth, it is very likely that you will make a good recovery. You may not feel exactly the same as you did before the birth, but there will not be any pain and you will have normal function.

Problems only really arise if a 3rd degree tear is not diagnosed or repaired adequately. When this happens, the tissue will not heal back together properly and a hole will remain in the sphincter/perineal muscles. This can cause ongoing pain and incontinence.

It is negligent to miss a 3rd degree tear and to perform a poor repair. If you do not recover from a 3rd degree tear because doctors failed to diagnose the injury, or the repair was of a poor standard, you could be entitled to pursue a compensation claim.

For more information, please get in touch with us at Glynns Solicitors.

Please call us on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Free Online Enquiry.

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