Episiotomy Scar STILL Hurting, 13 Months On...

[Quootiepie]

Been meaning to ask about this, my scar is still hurting and it's been 13 months now. It was very bad the first few weeks, was on strong painkillers for it, ring cushion for months and it finally settled down, but I notice time to time it flares up. I can either feel it stinging, or what I touch it it hurts too. Sometimes if I move a certain way it aches aswell, like it's still newly done. Is that normal? GP checked it out at about 3 months and said it was fine so it must look ok... but still hurts!

[flightattendant]

I would not have thought this was normal...hopefully someone will be along who knows stuff, but mine was pretty fine after a few weeks, I can't feel anything when I touch it now, so I would think something ought to be done so you aren't in pain.
Hope you can get GP to listen, do keep trying, no one should have to put up with that kind of pain/trouble.
xx

[Quootiepie]

it isn't painful all the time as such, it just hurts still time to time. It feels a pretty big scar.

[SuGaRCoAteDPoiSOn]

16 years on and i still get the very occasional twinge.. I think of it as a battlescar now. n a few years time I'll be able to say.. ooh, me downbelow is hurting.. we're gonna get rain, like those old war vetarans do with their battlescars

[PrettyCandles]

I don't think it's how it should be - I don't say it's not normal, because I ythink whart you describe does happen. Some people notice this discomfort is hormonal, as it always happens ar a certain tinme in their cycle.

If you're likely to have another baby in the future then there may be no point in doing anything about this, as vagibalbirth would probably rearrange things. My stitches (tear) didn't heal properly and I had to have them redone at 8m, but, like you, still had pain and discomfort for a long time aferwards - until I had my next child 18m later. I didn't knotice any connection to homrones. But when I had my seco d child the birth and tearing must have rearranged my bits because when I healed it was all fine again. No pain.

[figroll]

I have to agree sugarcoated poson - my episiotomy still aches sometimes - 15 years on!! Particularly if I crouch down for any length of time. Crap isn't it - I think I had a student sew me up - I wish I had had my wits about me and said no to her, but I was a bit overwhelmed by having had my first baby.

I believed all those baby books that said I would be totally back to normal after 6 weeks - more fool me.

[ladywithbabies]

Hi, have just joined as wanted to ask about this myself so will tag along if thats ok with you? I am 7weeks post delivery with my 2nd bambino. First time around had episiotimy and lots of stitches, awful initially but soon all better. This time speedy delivery left me with 2nd degree tear which required less stitching but is still giving me hassle particularly when I am squatting or kneeling (quite often with a 2yr old!) Gp initially sypmathetic as I had trouble healing but now all healed and Gp says all looks good and made me feel like I was expecting too much. I dont care what it looks like its what it feels like that bothers me, I cant imagine anyone should be expected to walk around feeling permamantly aware of one side of their "bits" so this seems wrong to me AIBU?? Gp has offered to refer me to consultant in 2 weeks if I'm still not happy but feel like she will be rolling her eyes if she sees me again!

[PrettyCandles]

Don't worry about any eye-rolling, lwb, they're your bits and you're entitled to feel comfortable in them! From my experience with my two 2nd degree tears, if it heals well you should feel virtually back to normal by 6w, and though it might take a furuther few weeks to feel completely normal it shouldn't be bothering you or feeling 'wrong'.

BTW - welcome to Mumsnet and congrats on your new baby.

[ladywithbabies]

Quootiepie, had a suprise visit from one of the midwives who attended my homebirth today, (she was round the corner visiting a lady with twins and thought she'd pop in afterwards...how lovely is that?) I mentioned my "downstairs" issues to her and she said it didnt sound right at all and to def get a referral, even though its only 7 weeks she doesnt think it should be like that. So my advice to you would be to do the same, nothing to loose and alot to gain if its still giving you gyp 13months on! Good luck with it xXx

[ladywithbabies]

Thanks prettycandles, my first time ever on a chat thingy...I suspect it could be addictive!Xx

[ladywithbabies]

Me again! Saw my own GP (Eeek! a man) instead of the lady dr I was seeing over this. Low and behold he doesnt think everything is ok and has referred me to the gyne surgeon for a consult. Letter sent Tues and I was pleased to get a call from the apps desk at hosp today, not so thrilled to be offered first app to discuss probs and have a look-see on 20th JULY. I am well aware there are people out thre with much bigger issues but must confess to having a woe is me moment and crying for a bit. DS is now 8weeks and DD is 2yrs, so alot of my time is spent in the ouchy squat or kneeling positions...this is starting to make me feel really sh1t! Apart from the daily annoyance and discomfort, DH and I have a nice place booked for his sisters wedding at end of June not to mention our own wedding anniversary on 19th July, and we havent dared attempt anything in the boudoir with things how they are at present.

Started the week feeling quite good as my GP was so much more on the ball than the she-Dr and had asked loads of questions about what i am feeling etc. and DS's delivery...he was born in a single almighty contraction while the 2 midwives tried to fix the faulty cylinder of gas and air for me! It was down to DH to literally point out that he was out and bobbing around in the pool, as I was rendered temporarily speachless (for the first time in my life!) Anyway after this chat etc. GP said he thought the problem is with the muscle layer of the now healed tear. Not great news obviously but at least I felt like I understood why I am struggling, and as such justified in my persistance. Now am just feeling torn (no punn intended) between not wanting to wallow in it but at the same time finding it impossible to ignore it and am fed up. DH is lovely and great domestically and with the kids but a complete emotional retard (hey, cant have it all right?) so any support/advice much appreciated. Be great if anyone has had physio or surgery for likewise issues and could tell me how it went for them too. Thanks!xXx

[jenwa]

I had 3rd degree tear, (part cut part tear) 19 months ago. Not uncomforable now although last few periods I have noticed the first day I am really aching/throbbing down there like after having DD and it is not too comfortable when I run (not that I ever do!)

I think you should get it checked as it should not be normal, like ladiewithbabies has done.
I hope that next time round I dont tear, that will be my biggest concern as scared of if I dont heal as well as I have this time.
Hope all goes well.