https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 03:59:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief/page/2#post-2214875 Mon, 22 Jun 2015 08:17:58 +0000 rachiecakes 2214875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Champagne: "And the hard part was no one understood and expected me to be fine."<br /> YES<br /> 3 years later and I still have nerve damage that runs to my feet from my episiotomy and can't do certain exercises. No one understands. </p> <p>@Ash: definitely take it easy and allow yourself to heal :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214815 Mon, 22 Jun 2015 05:50:43 +0000 IcebergMom 2214815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ice..... So much ice.... And time. Hope it dulls a bit for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214693 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 19:12:30 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2214693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: So glad it seems to be getting better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214630 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 15:54:06 +0000 Ash 2214630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't done a darn thing today except sit on the couch and nurse and take a nap and I feel so much better. Apparently I should be taking it easy ;)</p> <p>I talked to my ob NP friend to get her opinion and she advised me to put myself on bed rest and it definitely has helped. Thanks everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214443 Sun, 21 Jun 2015 01:09:43 +0000 HLK208 2214443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aloe vera ice pads for the first week! So sorry you're in pain! But congrats, mama!!!</p> <p>Oh and I took Percocet the first few days and then Vicodin for about a week with my first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214434 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 23:46:25 +0000 PawPrints 2214434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only had first degree tears and one 2nd degree so not sure that counts as bad, but, in addition to everything above, I would strongly recommend taking it easy. I practically didn't leave the bed for two or three weeks. DH did everything for me and for LO during that time. I avoided stairs especially. I definitely noticed that on days when I had to be moving around more, I had more pain (doctor appointments etc). I also had a period of time when the bleeding and pain were getting worse instead of better. Particularly around the two week mark. It was never anywhere near the kind of pain that comes from an infection though so I tried not to worry. Turned out everything was fine. Maybe take s look and make sure it doesn't look infected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214396 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 21:16:52 +0000 Rockies11 2214396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: have you had a look at the stitches? Whenever my pain was really bad I would have a look at them, and I could tell that they weren't infected - they were healthy and pink. It always made me feel better. If they look red at all, I would go in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214390 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 21:07:48 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2214390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: I'm so sorry you're going through this. It doesn't really sound that normal to me..but I only had 2nd degree so I'm not sure what is normal for 3rd. I'd definitely just call in and see if maybe they can phone in some stronger meds, or maybe they will want to see you. Hope you are feeling some relief soon. &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214387 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 21:05:03 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2214387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: shit man. That sucks. I had a horrible tear and had a thread with lots of tips. Let me find it</p> <p>Pain was pretty unbearable for me. And the hard part was no one understood and expected me to be fine. So sorry you're going through this.</p> <p>Edit: here's the thread <a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/third-degree-tear#post-1608634" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/third-degree-tear#post-1608634</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214354 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 19:34:54 +0000 Anagram 2214354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: I would say it's not normal for the pain to be getting worse, so I would definitely go see a doctor ASAP. I had a 2nd degree tear and was up walking around day of, ever only needed some tylenol for a day or two, and only ever needed dermoplast and the peri bottle and my healing was linear--each day I felt better than the last.</p> <p>My sister had a bad tear with her first and hers was worsening---she waited way too long (like 2 weeks) until she spiked a really high fever--sure enough, her stitches had all gotten infected. Better to go sooner rather than later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214345 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 19:14:28 +0000 Ash 2214345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rockies11: exactly! My dr told me after the delivery that if we have another, it WILL be a cs... which I'm all for. </p> <p>@78h2o: I'm going to call on Monday if things haven't improved. Just wish I knew what was normal. Thanks for all of your help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214327 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 17:57:01 +0000 Rockies11 2214327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: yeah, I feel the same way re: vbac! I was under the misapprehension that because it was the "natural" way to birth, somehow the recovery would be less debilitating. But it has been much worse, and I injured my tailbone as well, which is not recovering at all. Based on the injuries from this birth, I am eligible for a CS for my next birth, lol. So I am chalking this birth up to a failed experiment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214326 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 17:56:06 +0000 78h2o 2214326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: it was pretty bad for me, but not unbearable. (I just cried a lot). Mine wasn't 3rd degree though... I had multiple 2nd degree tears and a mediolateral episiotomy. I called my OB though because I felt like I was getting worse, not better. They told me that was the right thing to do, as that (feeling worse) really should not happen. I think if you are really suffering it's worth having them check things. I felt better once they found the hematoma and I knew what was going on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214316 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 17:22:40 +0000 Ash 2214316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rockies11: afterwards, I asked myself what I was thinking wanting to vbac!</p> <p>So, I'm really thinking how I'm feeling isn't normal. Was the pain unbearable? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214193 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 10:18:47 +0000 Rockies11 2214193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: I had a CS with my first too, and I didn't take any pain meds after I got out of the hospital, but the tearing/episiotomy kicked my ass. I took around the clock pain meds for 6 weeks pretty much. The vaginal birth was much more painful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214178 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 09:32:52 +0000 ScarletBegonia 2214178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Fill a condom with water &amp; freeze it - I found the greatest relief with that as I could really place it exactly where I needed numbing. I'd wrap it in a soft towel to start and when it melted a bit (so it was like an ice tube surrounded by cold water surrounded by condom) I would have it directly contacting my skin until it was room temp. Before I was discharged I made my husband make 20 of them at home so they'd be ready to go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214160 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 08:38:39 +0000 Cole 2214160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We found those "peas" style ice packs at CVS and they were about the size of a pad, I wrapped them clean flannel and used those for awhile, they were easy to clean (I threw them out afterwards though!) and soft. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214120 Sat, 20 Jun 2015 06:45:36 +0000 avivoca 2214120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ice packs, sitz baths, dermaplast spray, and witch hazel pads helped a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214029 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 21:02:02 +0000 mrsjyw 2214029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Aandmklover: my hospital used nb dipes as ice packs too </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214028 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 21:00:56 +0000 mrsjyw 2214028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also had an episiotomy, same as above I rotated Motrin and Tylenol, dermaplast, ice packs, boppy. I hated the donut from the hospital too. I also took a hot bath every night and I really think it's what aided in healing and pain relief! Good luck!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214022 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 20:53:57 +0000 matador84 2214022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So sorry! I had an episiotomy too (natural birth!!!) and ended up with a vacuum assist for my first child. I was in a lot of pain 6-8 weeks out. After that it got better. </p> <p>Dermaplast, squeezing hydrocortisone and lining tucks on a gigantic pad helped. I had to take ibuprofen the pain was so bad, my dr rx'ed heavy duty painkillers I couldn't bring myself to take them. </p> <p>One of the best things my nurses forced me to do was take frequent baths in the hospital. They wouldn't discharge me until I took 4-5. Seriously so impossible with a newborn, but I managed to continue when I was discharged and I think that helped also. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214020 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 20:51:26 +0000 78h2o 2214020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: Yeah, I hear ya on "spreading things" - that's how I felt about the sitz bath they gave me that you were supposed to set on the toilet and sit on. The inflatable donut only helped if I got it just right... and "just right" didn't mean sitting directly on it as you'd imagine... it was more straddling one side of it and having one butt cheek on it, the other on the chair... it's hard to explain!</p> <p>I literally cried every single time I sat down for several days. My pain also got worse after I got home from the hospital. It got so bad I called for a f/u appointment with my OB. I felt silly, but when I went in, they found the hematoma. Basically it was a 2" x 2" blood filled lump along one side of my episiotomy stitches. It put a ton of pressure on them and made me feel like they were going to burst. The hematoma has shrunk a ton, but it's still there now (I'm 3 weeks postpartum today). However, it's really not bothering me too much at this point. It's truly amazing how much better I feel now compared to where I was 1.5-2 weeks ago. Hang in there! It will get better!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214019 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 20:50:40 +0000 MrsKoala 2214019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>earth mama angel baby bottom spray, ice diapers and a donut. I had the same as you, episiotomy + 3rd degree tear. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214013 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 20:38:39 +0000 Ash 2214013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Aandmklover: really?! Anything else I do? Just put them over my pad? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214009 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 20:35:23 +0000 Ash 2214009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: nope, we're home :(</p> <p>@Mrs. Oatmeal: yes, worse! Yesterday was better and today is seriously unbearable pain. I only took motrin with my cs so I think I'm pretty tough but this has brought me to tears today. </p> <p>@catomd00: that's what I give my patients at work! Sweet sweet relief. Gotta come up with a way to make my big chunky ice work! </p> <p>@78h2o: that's how I feel. I'm using them but not feeling like they're doing anything. I got a donut from the hospital but I feel like it "spread things" which makes it worse. Thank you by the way! Also just took some Tylenol to see if it helps! </p> <p>@Corduroy: i tried it once in the hospital and it didn't touch the pain so I didn't take any more. :(</p> <p>Really grateful for all of this advice! And knowing I'm not alone in this painful recovery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2214008 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 20:34:01 +0000 Aandmklover 2214008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My hospital used newborn diapers. Get them wet, freeze em' and sit. Glorious relief. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2213995 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 20:15:14 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2213995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ash: Is your pain getting worse? I only say this because I had a bad tear, and by day 5 pp the pain was so unbearable I couldn't stand it. Turns out all of my stitches (35+) had gotten infected, and I needed antibiotics. Keep an eye on it if you're worried. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2213981 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 19:56:35 +0000 YouGotMe 2213981@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Coral: this 100%</p> <p>The breastfeeding pillow was not used for breastfeeding until at least 6 weeks PP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2213976 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 19:45:16 +0000 Mrs. Coral 2213976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have a Boppy, sit on it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-tear-how-did-you-get-relief#post-2213959 Fri, 19 Jun 2015 19:21:53 +0000 sapphire 2213959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In addition to all of the above, I used A&amp;D ointment along my suture line to reduce friction. </p>