Read on Twitter
HOW can so many women be misdiagnosed at childbirth? How can a 4th degree tear be diagnosed and repaired as a 2nd degree tear? I hear this same story over and over in our support group. Something needs to change! Thread 1/10 @acog @ACOGAction
“I had my beautiful baby boy on September 1st. Water broke at 4:20am. We made it to my hospital at 5:40am and he was born all natural at 6:48am. I tore. They stitched me up for a 2nd degree tear. Totally fine. I expected it to happen (so i wouldn't be shocked when it did). 2/10
I went home the next night. After i settled in and started to enjoy all the things about having a great newborn, I noticed some issues which I thought could be normal being a first time mom. When i passed gas, it rolled up and out of my vagina. 3/10
I kept thinking to myself, this can't be right. I started having oddly colored discharge and remained in pain and bleeding. Fast forward two weeks and I tried to make an appointment at my Dr office. They refused to let me speak to the doctor. 4/10
The office kept transferring me to the on call nurse who refused to let me make an appointment. I called for 3 or 4 days straight trying to make an appointment out of fear that something was wrong. 5/10
I was ignored, then hung up on twice. I even had a friend who goes to the same office. When she mentioned my name, they hung up on her. Finally, after getting super rude, they made the appointment another week and a half out. 6/10
Behold! I had a 4th degree tear. By this time, I had healed up(improperly) and felt better when i was told they were going to have to cut me all over again and repair EVERYTHING. 7/10
I had my surgery for that on October 20th. I would assume that I would be feeling better at this point right? I can barely move. I cant sit down for longer than 30 minutes. Its so embarrassing. 8/10
I’m walking funny. My anus hurts like hell. Going to the bathroom is a chore (i take stool softeners). Some days i dont eat just so I dont have to deal with the extra pain. This is exhausting and frustrating.” 9/10
She later explains “I was told it could've happened at home or it was missed and that it happens often.” Lies! Women don’t give themselves a 4th degree tear at home. Stop telling women your mistake is their fault. You have no idea the affect that has psychologically! 10/10
If this “happens often” at a hospital, there needs to be an investigation. 4th degree tears should not be happening often, and MISSED 4th degree tears should be even more rare!
