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As with all health-related issues, please seek advice from a RL health professional if you're worried about anything.

Postnatal health

Episiotomy healing problems

14 replies

user1496521049 · 21/09/2017 19:02

Hi sorry if this is tmi but I wanted to share my story as I feel so alone. 6 days after a forcep birth with episiotomy my stitches had come apart and were infected. After a week of antibiotics the hospital told me it would heal naturally and they would not restitch. For the best part of 10-12 weeks I couldn't sit down and was making weekly visits to the doctors to be told every time that it would just take time. Each week I would get more and more upset as I felt why me. After about 12 weeks I got referred to the gyno who said it was healing well for what I had done and it will be a few more weeks. I am not week 19 and I am still not healed. I am better than I was as I can now sit and do most althongs but i still have some granulation tissue which stings when I per and every time I have a bowel movement I bleed slightly from my scar which the doc has said is where the tissue is thin and tight so I burst tiny blood vessels when straining (which I try not to do!) the doc is writing to the gyno again but I am still being told it will take time....surely over 4 months is long enough?? It gets me down and I feel a failure as wife as I am still no where near having sex again. I feel like I will never feel or be myself again and afraid my husband (who is very understanding) won't wait forever.

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Seashell80 · 21/09/2017 19:36

I feel your pain, I had a similar experience with forceps and episiotomy, stitches falling out and on antibiotics after a week and told that it just had to heal naturally ☹️it was 6 months before I let my husband anywhere near me! Also suffered with the bleeding after going to the loo too. My DD is 17 months old and I am still aware of my scar, especially around my period.
It will get better, for some people it just takes more time, don't put too much pressure on yourself it takes as long as it takesFlowers

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user1496521049 · 21/09/2017 20:05

Thank you for your message. It's good (in a strange way) to know that other people have had this. I just keep thinking why me? I want a second, not right now, but the thought of having sex petrifies me!!

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Seashell80 · 22/09/2017 08:59

For me the worst part of having a baby was the aftermath, unfortunately I feel that the healing process is somewhat glossed over - you will find many stories on here from women with similar experiences.

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Seashell80 · 22/09/2017 08:59

Also, it hasn't put me off another! Smile

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user1496521049 · 22/09/2017 12:33

Was there anything in particular that you found helped with the healing process. Just seems like I'm at the last stage but has got to a stand still.

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Seashell80 · 22/09/2017 13:18

Just the usual, keeps my it scrupulously clean, always tried to use moist toilet tissue so less pressure on scar. I did find that Sudocrem helped too!

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Seashell80 · 22/09/2017 13:19

*kept it

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user1496521049 · 22/09/2017 13:26

Did you have granulation tissue? Sorry if I'm asking too many questions!

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hangingkebab · 22/09/2017 13:36

Hi OP, just wanted to say that if you really feel there's something wrong, keep on at your GP.
I struggled to heal after DC1, must have been examined by five or six different HCPs who all said there was no issue. It was only when I went for a smear test and the nurse was unable to insert the speculum that anybody accepted that something was actually going on. I ended up requiring surgery, but after this healed very quickly.
I don't say any of this because I want to frighten you, just that I think new mothers are sometimes dismissed too easily when in pain.

Fingers crossed for you that you heal soon x

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Seashell80 · 22/09/2017 13:42

Luckily no granulation tissue, just awkward cut/tear and rubbish stitching!
The OP is right though, if it is not improving, keep on at your GP/HCP.

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user1496521049 · 22/09/2017 14:30

Thank you. I have another appointment next week with a doc that has seen it before. The doc last week mentioned referring me to the gyno so will see if there is any update (doubtful with the NHS!) I had a speculum in last visit as I was bleeding so she wanted to check inside. Was a bit painful to start but I guess that's because it's not be used for 4 months and new tissue. Really hoping I don't need surgery as I can't do that and look after my 4 month old son. Husband is self employed so can't really take time off

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hangingkebab · 22/09/2017 16:03

Try not to worry...The surgery I had was a day operation, went in early morning and home by early afternoon - and the recovery was far far easier than post birth! DH is self employed too, it makes things like this extra tricky I know! Hopefully you won't need it anyway and you'll be on the road to recovery soonFlowers

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user1496521049 · 22/09/2017 16:12

Thank you for your advice, it's nice to talk to someone who has gone through the same thing!

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hangingkebab · 22/09/2017 21:56

That's ok, it's kinda what MN is for! Smile

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