Painful Episiotomy Scar

[Scarpetta]

Can someone help me?
My son is now nearly 6 mths old and I am still uncomfortable. Sex is completely impossible, even with local anesthetic doctor gave me.

After seeing Gyn, I've been told that in four weeks I will need to be re-cut and re-stitched. I'm quite nervous about it as 1st time I couldn't walk for 2 weeks and was still in as much pain after 4 weeks.

I also broke a couple of stitches, after falling over, so that didn't help much.

Has anyone had this prodedure before, or does anyone know of anyone having it done?
If so, is it as bad second time round?

[Chinchilla]

Poor you. I can't help, but would suggest that you do need to sort it out. 6 months after ds was born, I was definitely back to normal on the episiotomy scar front, so it does sound like something is wrong.

I would have though that once the work has been done you will feel much more comfortable. Let us know how it goes, and good luck.

[SofiaAmes]

Scarpetta, are you bfing? I found that after my ds was born sex was impossible even after a c-section until I cut way back on the bfing (at 11 mo.) and my hormones went back to normal and I started have natural lubrication again.

[Scarpetta]

Not bfing. Tried to but could only manage for 1 week as bab too hungry and got a blood clot in boob. sorry to be graphic!

The head of Gyn has promised to do op himself, so it will be done right this time, so it should be ok. Fingers crossed....

[gosh2]

Scarpetta it took up to and over a year for my episiotomy scar to stop hurting, sex was virtually impossible. I couldnt wear jeans, as the stitching was thick, and therefore uncomfortable to me.

I was told perhaps they stitched mine too tightly, Ooooooooh! But at least you will be comfortable again soon.

[lou33]

I had an episiotomy and 3rd degree tear with dd1 and tbh sex was painful until I gave birth to dd2. I went to the doctor but they weren't keen to do anything about it, but luckily it was resolved after giving birth again.

[LIZS]

After episiotomy with ds I had an irritatingly uncomfortable scar but fortunately not as painful as yours sounds Scarpetta. I too found that tight fitting jeans and underwear could cause soreness. It was stitched by a Junior Dr and my friend who had the same one attending,had a similar experience and suffered more afterwards.

When dd was born my OBGyn had hoped to avoid it but felt that the scar would tear itself so performed a much smaller episiotomy. It was only with the speed of recovery from this one that I realised how badly done the previous one had been. The second healed much faster and with far less scarring and discomfort. Ultimately I think he did me a favour.

Hopefully the Consultant will take more time and trouble to get it right for you. I think part of the problem is that the doctors present at time of delivery are often not responsible for the aftercare too, and perhaps are not aware of potential problems. They may also feel under time pressures from the department and conscious of being in the way at a time when the new parents would rather be enjoying their newborn.

I also wonder how many women just accept that this is a side effect of childbirth and do not raise it with a doctor - I didn't after ds was born.

LizS

[Scarpetta]

Lizs, thanks, you've made me feel a bit better.
I'm sure that 10 people being in the room when suturing was done, could have made the doc rush a bit.

Other people I know, didn't seem to suffer as much as I did with the healing process and I just thought that I must have the lowest pain threshold in the world!

I'm sure that this one can't be as bad.

Thanks for all your input everyone, much appreciated!

[PamT]

I think a lot of women don't want to go through the indignity of being prodded and poked again once they've got the birth over with. I had a bad episiotomy scar and sex was none existent for a long time afterwards but gradually sorted itself out. I was really reluctant to get things re-done because, like you say, if its sore the first time around, do you really want to put yourself through it all again? During delivery you don't care who is watching and what they are doing, you just want the baby out, then suddenly you go all shy again when it comes to post natal examinations and in later years smear tests etc. I hope it all works out for you and is less painful this time, get some Arnica beforehand to help with the bruising.

[sb34]

Message withdrawn

[megg]

How awful for you. I had an episotomy and it was far worse than the actual giving birth. I had a friend you went in to be re-stitched and the good news is that she feels great now and completely back to normal. She would recommend it every time. By the way there isn't any bad news in case you were waiting for it! Good luck and just think how much more normal you'll feel. I must admit of all the advice I was given when I gave birth I wish someone had told me not to look down there it was really scary lol.

[Scarpetta]

Thanks Megg, thank goodness! Just the news I wanted.
You're right though no-one tells you about the pain afterwards and it was a big shock.

[Scarpetta]

Hi all,
Had the op done and no where near as bad as the first time. I could walk okay the next day!! Last time I was walking like an arthritic 90 year old for 6 weeks.

Yes it was still quite sore and I couldn't pick up my son for a week or so because it pulled too much but apart from that it wasn't too bad.

It has been 3.5 wks now and I am only getting minor discomfort and occasional sharp pain. Won't know for a while if op was successful, will have to be paitent again....

Did find another woman who was stiched by same doctor and she too could barely walk for 6 weeks..uummm maybe it was a coincidence.

My surgeon told me after the op that the scar tissue was all the way up inside me so that the entire birth canal had been cut and it seemed like a nerve had got trapped somewhere. I had all scar tissue removed and all considering, I can't belive how much better it was. The nurses were excellent too.

Before I recommend anyone getting this done, I think I'll wait and see if it works.........

[LIZS]

hi Scarpetta

Good news, am really pleased things seem to be improving for you. Take it gently,

LizS

[Chinchilla]

I'm glad that you feel better. Are you taking any Arnica tablets for the bruising? I found them really helpful after my episiotomy. Hope you feel 100% soon.

[mouli]

has anyone had to have a bit of skin snipped in the vag.opening because it formed there after an episiotomy? my gp wants to do it, i also had terrible pain and she thought i might need to be restitched, but fortunately that's gone now. so its just this little flap of skin...

[Scarpetta]

Hi again
Chincilla - I did take arnica straight after and after ds born I think it has helped me too. Didn't seem to have too much bruising at all!

Getting better still. I can now wear my jeans again.Yippeee... although i get sore towards end of day.

Mouli - Sorry I don't know anyone who has had that done. If it's causing you probs I'm sure it will be worth having it done.

[milch]

mouli - yes, my gyne called it a skin tag and said it was better to leave it if it didn't bother me. eventually it was removed when stitching me up after the next baby as the doc said that leaving it would weaken the scar.