There is always the joy that comes with the news of pregnancy, the joy of a new life. After the excitement you are bound to feel, no one tells you what comes after labor and delivery. Nothing prepares you for the post-labor pains, swollen breasts, sleepless nights, a crying newborn, and on top of all that imagine dealing with a second-degree labial tear.
What Is Second-Degree Labial Tear?
While there are different degrees of labia tears, the second-degree labial tear involves the tearing of the skin and muscle around the area between the anus and the vagina known as the perineum. They go deeper than the surface and involve both the skin and muscle of the perineum. It is a common injury that women experience during childbirth. For several weeks following delivery, a second-degree labial tear will be very painful. You will experience discomfort when sitting and urinating, and they are advised not to wipe the region in the days following delivery.
During the second stage of labor (also called the pushing stage), the body tells you how and where to push. When the baby’s head hits the perineum (the area between the vagina and the anus), the urge to push increases, and the urge to open the bowel increases. Often the body pushes and pushes down unconsciously. It’s an instinctive reflex that’s almost impossible to stop, so it’s best to follow it.
The baby’s head puts a lot of pressure on the perineum, so tears will likely happen. However, childbirth is different for everyone, and some women experience severe pain, especially in the crown of the head (as the baby’s head emerges from the birth canal).
Anyway, a second-degree labial tear is normally not considered as serious as a third and fourth-degree tear, and most women will recover from it quickly.
Degrees Of Labial Tears
Like the second-degree labial tear, there are different degrees of tearing during childbirth. They are normally graded by how severe they are:
- 1st-degree labial tears: Only involve the first layer of skin between the vaginal canal and rectum, an area known as the perineum
- 2nd-degree labial tears: Goes a bit deeper than the surface and involve both the skin and muscle of the perineum
- 3rd-degree labial tears: It involves tears to the skin and muscle of the perineum and some of the muscle around the anus.
- 4th-degree labial tears: Tears to the skin and muscle of the perineum the muscle around the anus and the skin lining of the anal canal; it is usually repaired under anesthesia, may take more than a few weeks to heal, and could lead to complications.
How Are The Various Degrees Of Tears Diagnosed?
After childbirth, you will be examined by the midwife or doctor who will be checking for tears in the labia and perineum. This examination is carried out gently or a local anesthetic will be administered to aid the examination if needed. After the exam is carried out, the midwife or doctor will determine the kind of tear it is and the best way to treat it.
Signs Of A Second-Degree Labial Tear
Symptoms of a second-degree labial tear include pain and stinging sensations. It is possible to notice other signs like:
- Itching or a burning sensation
- Stinging pain during urination
- Bleeding
- Unease during sex
- Discomfort when inserting tampons
What Causes Second-Degree Labial Tear?
- The foremost cause of second-degree labial tear is childbirth and if it is your first delivery, there is every chance that you will experience a vaginal tear. The skin around the vagina is delicate and elastic meaning tears may occur when the skin and muscle are under pressure.
- Childbirth tears also called perineal lacerations happen when the baby’s head coming through the opening of the vagina is too big ( weighing more than 4kg or 81\2 lbs) and the vagina cannot stretch enough or quickly enough to accommodate the size of the baby’s head.
- Sometimes tears may be caused by a quick delivery or the use of surgical instruments like forceps during delivery.
- The position of the baby during childbirth is also a probable cause for tears. A face-up delivery is not an ordinary birth and as such will put stress on the muscle and skin surrounding the vaginal opening.
- Giving birth while you lay on your back
- Labor that lasts more than 1 hour
- When the baby’s head is delivered but one of its shoulders is stuck behind the pubic bone
What Other Factors Can Cause Second-Degree Labial Tear?
Childbirth though the most common is not the only cause of second-degree labial tears. Other factors can cause a vaginal tear.
- Friction against rough surfaces like saddlebacks
- A hard fall on any narrow or rough surface
- A careless razor that comes too close to sensitive areas or a bad waxing experience
- Too big tampons with dry ends that rub against the skin
- Sex
How Long Will It Take For A Second-Degree Labial Tear To Heal
Recovering from a second-degree labial tear will be painful for a few weeks after birth. Some women may experience pain sitting or using the toilet.
Thankfully, the recovery timeline for the second-degree labial tear is not long-term, they heal naturally. If you experience a second-degree labial tear, it will probably be fixed as soon as the baby and placenta have been delivered. After an anesthetic is administered, a doctor will begin stitching up the tear. The number of stitches is determined by how long or wide the tear is. The stitches will normally dissolve some weeks after they are sewn in. You will not need to go back to the doctor for removal.
What Are The Restrictions During Healing For Second-Degree Labial Tear?
Of course, you’ll need to follow your doctor’s guidelines on how to care for your stitches so that it heals properly. You will be given specific instructions depending on the specific tear, its location, and other issues.
Ask your doctor for clarification on when you can have sex again. Doctors usually recommend that you wait for four to six weeks after an uncomplicated delivery before having sex. You may have to wait a little longer for the second-degree labial tear to heal completely.
Also, avoid squatting with your legs spread or similar postures. Sitting cross-legged or taking two stairs at a time can strain the seams. Don’t just follow your doctor’s instructions, follow your feelings as well. In other words: the tears will heal quickly, or it may take some time to return to normal. It varies from person to person.
Should I Be Worried About A Second-Degree Labial Tear
Second-degree labial tears often heal by themselves. There is no need to worry. However, there is a need to monitor the tears to avoid a risk of infection.
What Are The Risks And Complications Of A Second-Degree Labial Tear
There is always a risk of infection if the tear is not well tended to. They can get infected if not properly looked after and lead to deeper tears. It is important to know the signs of an infection
- If the area around the wound becomes red, painful, or swollen and if you notice a foul smell or pus if it is better to seek out a doctor or midwife.
- If you experience a fever, it can also point to an infection
- Difficulty going to the toilet that is not improving weeks after delivery
- Difficulty controlling farts and leaking feces.
- Increased pain.
- Painful sex
Always take out time to monitor your tear with a small mirror or even make use of your phone camera. Any sign that the tear is infected should be treated as urgent.
How Do I Avoid Having A Second-Degree Labial Tear?
While we know the things that can increase the risk of a tear, in most cases there is little or nothing that can be done to prevent having a tear. The steps taken may reduce the risk of the tear or reduce the seriousness of the tear.
- Deliver in an upright position: there are positions one can take during childbirth that can stop or reduce tearing during childbirth. Rather than laying down flat on your back during labor, sit upright.
- Kneeling, being on all fours, or lying on your side during labor may reduce the risk of tearing.
- Make sure you are not constipated before or during birth: constipation will mean strain on your bowels, drinking lots of water and eating healthy will prevent constipation.
- Prepare to push: during labor aim for more controlled pushing. Pushing the baby out gently will give the tissue surrounding the vagina time to stretch to accommodate the baby. A rushed birth will lead to too much pressure on the skin and muscles.
- Perineum massage: the midwife in charge of child delivery can help massage the perineum to soothe and relax the tissues. You can do massages at home before labor. We recommend perineal massage in the third trimester of labor.
- Keep the perineum warm: placing a warm cloth on the perineum during labor might help.
You must eat a balanced diet that contains iron, as women who have low levels of iron in their blood often have tears that are slow to heal.
How Do I Treat And Manage A 2nd Degree Labial Tear
A 2nd degree labial tear is stitched at the hospital immediately after birth. But there are different ways one can manage it and hasten the recovery process.
- Keep the area clean by gently washing the area
- Wipe from front to back after using the toilet
- Pat the area gently instead of rubbing
- Avoid touching the area until it heals
- Do not use tampons
- No sex until the tear heals
- Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight clothes
- Do pelvic exercises as soon as you can. A doctor or midwife should be aware before you start pelvic exercises. It improves the tone and strength of the muscles.
- Eat foods high in iron and fiber to make your poop soft enough to pass through.
- Drink lots of water, it dilutes your urine to ease the sting when urination.
What Next After 2nd Degree Labial Tear?
If you experience a 2nd degree labial tear, you should be able to go home within a few hours. It is normal to experience pain and soreness in your vagina and perineum. There is usually no need for a follow-up appointment unless you notice signs that may cause you concerns.
Can I Give Birth After A 2nd Degree Labial Tear In The Future
Yes, you can!
Some women might even opt for a cesarean section because of fear. Having a tear will not affect you in any way if you become pregnant again. Tears during delivery are common, you may not always be able to prevent them from happening in future pregnancies. It’s like trying to control something natural besides, first-time pregnancy is a risk factor for tearing, so you may not be as likely to tear in subsequent pregnancies.
Talk to your midwife or doctor about your birth choices for future pregnancies when you have your follow-up appointment or early in your next pregnancy.
Becoming a mother is an enormous change in your life. It is natural to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about this new stage in your life. A lot of people talk about 2nd degree labial tear but you can’t understand it until you experience it. Some women who experience painful labial tears consider it a birth trauma. This trauma affects a lot of women’s relationships and attitudes.
Experiencing a second degree tear after delivery can be upsetting and uncomfortable. You may be fearful about getting pregnant again. One thing you should understand is that tearing during childbirth is normal.
Fortunately, unlike the third and fourth degrees where the seriousness is more, you should start to feel better within a few weeks after labor. Call your doctor if you have signs of infection or pain during sexual intercourse, exercise, or normal activities.
Remember, your healing timeline is unique because you do not use other people’s experiences to judge yours. So if you think something is wrong causing you pain or discomfort, take some time to relax and you will be fine.
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