Post birth recovery:

[Newmummy]

Hi,

DS is now 4.5 months, and was born following a difficult forceps delivery, involving episiotemy and internal lacerations, which required a lot of stitching. I was in quite a bit of discomfort afterwards, which everyone put down to healing. However, my GP eventually referred me to a gynaecologist when things persisted way past my 6 week check, and I was seen at the hospital today. I was told that I have granulations inside from where the stitching was, and that the best course of action was to go to theatre (day surgery), have a GA and the area cauterized (sp?). I will then be given tube things to stretch the area internally to allow it to get back to normal.

I wondered if anyone else had come across this - what the procedure was like, what was the recovery like, and how did you manage with a baby. If anyone went on to have other babies, it would be good to know too if their subsequent births were as difficult. I loved being pregnant, but confess now to being a little concerned about the post-natal period if I was to do it again.

Many thanks.

[JeniN]

Hi - sorry I can't be any help, but will be watching with interest because my GP said something about having something cauterized on my stitches - am about the same length post birth as you. Good luck anyway, and (as a non-expert)I would have thought that as long as your body has plenty of time to recover between births, you shouldn't necessarily have the same problems next time. Take care,

[Pook]

Hi newmummy. Fraid I have noe experience of the op - but like you am dreading intervention as don't want to leave dd (breast fed - hates bottle) or have GA. I posted a while ago "Wretched stitches..." as I'm waiting for an appointment with a gynaecologist - dd now 6 months and still no appointment. My stitches are too tight and still sore and I sometimes wonder what impact this would have on a second labour. But I'm sure we'll get there in the end. THanks for posting re: what procedure has been suggested for you. I'm still terrified. Incidentally - had an intervention-free labour but tore like crazy as a result of dd's desire to come out with a bang

[Bugsy2]

Hi newmummy, not entirely sure what granulations are but I had hideous forceps delivery with my first, was stiched too tight and very, very sore for months afterwards. After 5 months, I went to my GP who said I had alot of lumpy scar tissue inside me from where I was stiched up and suggested that I do my best to massage the lumpy bits to try and encourage better healing and break down the tissue.
After 7 months pain had subsided sufficiently to have sex and 2.5 yrs later I had a very speedy, straightforward delivery with no interventions. Ripped all the way along previous episiotomy scar but was stiched up by a fantastic midwife and after intial discomfort wore off, I had no pain at all!!!
Hope that is encouraging.

[ShyGirl]

Newmummy, I had granulations and also unhealed tissue where I tore and eventually had day surgery to remove the 'bad' stuff and restitch me. I had had cauterisations several times in the months before the surgery, and they were done without anaesthetic because the Dr said that the pain of the needle would be more than the pain of the cauterisation, and she was right. It's on the borderline of bearable. The cauterisation didn't work, so I ended up with surgery. It was unpleasant - but worthwhile! More discomfort afterwards than after the original stitching, because, not having just stretched for a baby, your nerves are wide-awake. I also had to use the tubes (and even though I was quite alone when I used them, I felt really embarrased, which is why I've changed my name to answer you). Things were never the same again down there, but much much better then before the surgery. When I had my second baby I tore along the scar, but not as much, and it healed beautifully. Since then I haven't had any problems.

I hope this reassures you!