Labial Tears...TMI!

[Guppy051708]

How common are they? And what is the chance of it retearing and/or tearing in another labia location?

With DS1 I only had a vaginal graze and one super minor 1st degree laceration. It hurt to pee (i had a periuretheral graze also) but that was about it. I had a water birth. Sure it stings when the head comes out, but otherwise i wasn't bothered by it. He was face up, so i know that contributed. I birthed him in the water and in various positions. Ultimatly squating. But other than peeing, never had an issue didn't really notice much besides the typical ring of fire with him.

With DS2, I got a right labial split but no vaginal or perinal tears. So i didn't end up retearing along the laceration lines with DS1. But i ended up with a split on my labia. The weird thing is, once again i had a water birth and i birthed him basically squatting. I did have minor shoulder dyscotia, but it was super mild and hardly a problem at all, it didnt require anything crazy to fix, just the MW moving his shoulder out of the way of the pubic bone. No big deal. I remember the ring of fire, but it didn't feel much different than DS1 birth. Peeing afterwards didn't burn at all, like it did after DS1. (probably bc i didn't have that laceration below where the urine comes out the second time around). Anyways, the MWs were going to stitch it but then decided it wasn't necessary and would heal on it on. They were right, it healed right up. And actually was less painful than healing from DS1 tears as the urine didn't burn that particular part.

Im just wondering bc i thought labial tears were uncommon? I guess im a little concerned, if it should retear what if goes into the cliturous area? Or what if it happens on the left side and that causes bigger issues? Sorry to be all TMI but vagina is WAY different, i knew it would be but its super different near the labia/clitorial area. I wasn't expecting that bc usually you hear ppl talking about the perinum and vaginal area, not above the vagina.

What are ways to reduce this besides massages, oils, water birth, and hot compresses? I did all of those things with both of my birth. Im not worried about minor tears or lacerations, but im kind of concerned if i get another labial tear. Not bc it hurt so much-it didn't feel much different than with my first-but mostly bc that is right near the pleasure spot but also, as it stands now the inner vaginal areas are basically exposed on that side bc of the way the split healed. Like its constantly rubbing (compared to if the lips are normal and everything is protected). It rubs and can get bothersome. Its not usually a problem but sometimes it is and im worried if the other side does this then it will turn into a real issue. I fully expected and continue to expect that "down there" is going to change from giving birth vaginally, but i wasn't expecting it to expose my vagina like that, to a point of rubbing onto my underwear and such.

Here is the type of tear i am referring to. It is a picture of a vag, so ill spoil it, but its just a drawing, dont worry:

Spoiler

 

[d_b]

I had one that's similar except closer to the clitoris. So it doesn't really seem like the labia is split as much as it is like it no longer connects to the clitoris part.. If that makes sense! I have no problems with it. They stitched it but the stitches just fell out right away so they didn't do anything. It doesnt cause me issues of rubbing like yours, probably bc the split is so high up. I got a perineum tear at the same time.

I assume if my tear gets worse in my next delivery they'll stitch it up and i'll tell them to do a better job this time! lol. and i'll be sure to keep my legs together for a while. If the rubbing bothers you or you happen to tear again and it gets worse, maybe you could ask your doctor about reconstructive surgery?

Anyway I have no answers to your question but would like to hear if anyone else does!

 

[Mrs Cupcake]

i dont know if labial tears are common or not or if they are more likely to occur again.

with my first baby i had a labial tear high up, they called it a graze but it was stitched and looked more like a tear. i have a small scar now. i remember when the baby was crowning it really stung right in the clitarol area. i didnt have any other grazes/tears.

it took a while to heal and really hurt for a couple of weeks especially lifting my legs in and out of the car or standing for too long.

im really hoping this time not to have anything! no idea if there is anything i can do to help.

 

[Caroline:-)]

Hi, I had some unpleasant tearing with ds. Urethral, labial & internal... I've been a bit concerned about this recurring & asked a couple of midwives and neither were sure... They suggested I ask the consultant midwife when I saw her and she basically said that unless it was 3rd degree tearing (mine was 2nd) there wasn't really thought to be any major risk of tearing again in the same place. However, she said research suggested that tearing around clitoris & urethra were more likely to occur if the woman birthed on hands and knees/leaning forward, etc. so suggested that if I were concerned I could maybe try and avoid such positions.

 

[BubsMom17]

Hi, I there! Mine tear looked EXACTLY like the pic. They did stitch mine, I had three stitches. It was very annoying and irritating because the stitches kept getting snagged on my sanitary napkins and would pull and tug. And mine did hurt when I peed... but I think everything just hurt anyway all the time!
Anywho, that was over three years ago now, and for a while I know I lost elasticity in the area because things didn't quite "stretch" as they should during BD etc. It finally feels fine. I know what you mean by the rubbing and discomfort, though. I know it's not as serious as a pernieal tear or anything, but it hurt and was uncomfortable for a while, and we really couldn't have sex for like 4 months because it felt like razors on my labia. I am hoping it will not cause a problem or re-tear next time! The doc said there is no sign of scar tissue so it healed well.

I think I tore because my son came out facing to the left instead of facing down... he was a pain even way back then!

 

[Jessica0907]

I had a tear like the one pictured with my first child. I don't know the number of stitches as I had a lot of tearing and that was just one location. I also had stitches inside my vagina. 'twas awful. It was the thing I feared the most with another child but I only had one stitch after my second delivery and I'm not even sure where they put it. I had mild irritation when peeing but actually dtd with dh when I was 12 days pp. so it wasnt bad at all. My first delivery had me crying when peeing and out of commission in the bedroom for nearly 10 weeks. Hopefully baby #3 slides right out for both of us. Haha

 

[BubsMom17]

I also had stitches inside my vagina. 'twas awful.

Oh good lord.... That sounds awful.

 

[a.c.d.e]

I had an inner labial tear, 3rd degree, I don't think they are very common, but my DD came out with her hand balled up at her face, that's the only reason I tore. I think I had 10-15 stitches and I had to pee in the shower for a month because it stung if I peed in the toilet lol.

 

[television]

I has small tear, but not as bad as the picture with ds. They didnt stitch said it would heal better naturally which it has. But you can see where the tear was now so kind of wished id been stitched. With dd had not tearing,not even a graze, couldnt even tell id had a baby really.