Stitched up wrong- anyone else?

[FrankiesMonster]

Not sure if this is right place to post but will give it a go...

Gave birth to DD 4wks ago and had episiotomy for forceps delivery and also suffered 2nd degree tear.

The swelling started to go down a couple of weeks ago and everything seemed OK down there apart from some of the stitches seemed quite lose and I could see into the wound- midwife assured me this was normal as they don't stitch too tightly around entrance to vagina as otherwise it could be too tight and painful once healed- it made sense so didn't question further.

Things seem pretty much "back to normal" in terms of swelling now but have now noticed that my inner lip seems to have been stitched to my outer lip and is now quite sore when moving around/bending down.

Also, where the stitches were loose, the skin does not seem to have knitted together at all (and he stitches have now fallen out) so the openings to the vagina is now massive (I obviously expected things to be different post child-birth but not as bad as this!)

I've been signed off by my midwife so cannot speak to her anymore and have got my 6wk check up booked with my doctor in a couple of weeks...I tried ringing my doctor to see if this was normal but was told by the receptionist that as it wasn't an emergency I couldn't have an earlier appointment and to wait a couple of weeks.

I don't really want to go through another 2wks of healing if they need to "correct" what has been done...has anyone else experienced this? Would you recommend insisting on an earlier appointment or just waiting to see what happens?

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

Don't wait. Insist on an earlier appt, over-emphasise how much pain you're in, suggest that you're concerned that you might have an infection as things aren't healing properly.

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

And have a read of this - it's a bit OTT in terms of what you've said is going on with you, but shows how unwilling most women are to come forward and say "hang on, this isn't right, please fix it"

www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a59626/birth-injuries-postpartum-pain-untreated/

[TeamFinn]

I had/have the second problem. My stitches got infected and opened after a few days. They don't rest itch so it had to heal naturally and I have a gape. I saw a gynaecologist after a few months who said they could fix it but not at that time if I planned to have more children which I did. So it may be that even if you're seen, nothing will be done straight away. Could ring your GP for an on the day appointment due to possible infection? Sorry you're having these problems, I can really sympathise

[TodaysAGoodDay]

Personally I would insist on being seen a lot sooner. My SIL was stitched up wrong, she now has an extra flap She was offered corrective surgery but said no as that was 6 months after the birth, but if it was me I would get it sorted now.

[MillieDalt]

I had to have corrective surgery afterwards in a situation similar to yours and I wish I'd been back sooner, insist on an appointment asap OP

[Number4OnTheWay]

You don't need to wait for you 6 week check to see the gp and you can go back to the midwife. You are under me care for 31 days from birth, so you might just be within this time period.
Go and see someone asap if you feel things aren't right. Please don't suffer in silence