What Happens After A 3rd Degree Tear?
In this article we explain what will happen after you suffer a 3rd degree tear, helping you understand what to expect after sustaining a perineal tear.
What happens if I have a 3rd degree tear?
If you have a 3rd degree tear while giving birth, it will be diagnosed during a routine examination after the birth. This will be performed by either a midwife or a doctor, and will involve a digital rectal examination where a finger is inserted into your rectum.
Once diagnosed, you will be sent to theatre for a repair. The tear will be sutured together by a surgeon. Afterwards you will be sent back to the ward and given antibiotics and stool softeners. You may also need some pain relief.
Normally you will be allowed to go home once you have passed a stool. A medical practitioner may want to check the healing of the tear before you leave. Before returning home, a clinician should tell you how to do pelvic floor exercises and explain the importance of doing them regularly. You should also be advised on how to keep the wound clean and how to promote healing.
Around six weeks after the birth you should have a check-up, during which your scar should be assessed to check it is healing well. In the days after the birth you will be visited by a community midwife (or similar). If you are experiencing any problems you can ask the midwife to check the tear, or you can visit your GP.
If you are healing well at your six-week check-up and you are not experiencing problematic symptoms, you will not need any further medical attention.
If you are reporting issues such as urinary incontinence, faecal incontinence or severe pain, you may be referred for physiotherapy. You may also be referred for further investigations to see if there is an underlying cause for your symptoms. Depending upon the problem this could be a gynaecologist, urologist or colorectal surgeon.
Will I recover from a 3rd degree tear?
Around 60 to 80 per cent of women are symptom free a year after having a 3rd degree tear. Therefore it can take some time to recover, but the majority do. A poor outcome is predominantly associated with a delay in diagnosis and treatment. This is because the tissues are much easier to repair immediately after the birth. A delay of just one day can make the repair more difficult.
What if this happens to me?
If your 3rd degree tear is not diagnosed and adequately repaired after you give birth, you could be the victim of negligent medical care. Contact a solicitor to find out if you can sue those at fault.
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