Does this sound right re episiotomy recovery?

[rickandmorts]

So upset after GP appt this morning. I'm 4 weeks post partum today and have been really struggling with episiotomy wound. It got infected and the stitches came apart a week after it was done. Antibiotics have cleared the infection up but it still hurts to wee, sit down, I can't walk longer than 5 mins without it hurting. The gp today said it's no longer infected but there is a 'gaping hole' where I was cut and there is nothing that can be done as scar tissue is starting to granulate so it can't be sewn up again. I just need to wait for the hole to fill with scar tissue which could take weeks or months. She said I could get referred to gynae after 6 months if it was still bothering me.

I'm devastated. I have 6 horses to look after and thought I'd have bounced back a week after birth. DP gone back to work today so can't help out like he was doing. I can't wait months and be in this amount of pain for that long. Any words of wisdom or advice?

I had an episiotomy and while it didn't get infected it WAS a massive problem for me for several months, but my issue was that the scar tissue that you're missing was too plentiful in my case. It was sorted by surgery some months down the line, but I'm not sure what options there could be in the absence of scar tissue.

I had an episiotomy, it was hideous. I later had an elective caesarian and that was much easier to recover from!

But you will recover, things will get better, keep pushing for a referral if you feel that it's not improving. Sending an unmumsnetty hug, I know how miserable it is.

I've had two. Both infected and stitches broken down (aparently this is common) and left to heal on its own. I'm really sorry but yes, it will.be a matter of time for it to heal. Suddenly you'll realise that sitting isn't as painful and you can move easier. My second is now 13 weeks and I'd say from 9 weeks things have dramatically improved.
If they don't feel like they are or you really are struggling push for a referral. I say this kindly though, you might need to adjust your expectations if you thought you'd be bouncing back after a week. Birth is hard. The recovery takes time. An unmumsnetty hug xx

Mine took about 8 weeks to heal properly. Until then walking a few hundred yards was my limit. I didn't 'bounce' anywhere for a while.

I hope you feel better soon. Push for a referral if it doesn't heal. It's miserable.

All I can say is take it easy. I went back to looking after 3 horses living out in winter (fun!!) too soon after what my gp called a "wicked episiotomy" and did a lot of damage as my pelvic floor wasn't healed properly. It's not worth it!

Take it as easy as you can.
First baby I was in hospital a week due to preclampsia but went from hospital to farm to bring horse in the day I was let out.
Second baby eptiosomy put paid to those plans as I had failed vontousse and baby was delivered on third attempt with forceps (grateful in a way as next step was a section so would have had two lots of healing to do)
Full recovery for me took over a year although after three weeks I could walk to local shop just about.
Request a gynaecologist referral as soon as you can. At least then you know you have further help available. Mine was a star and gave all options and advice, pushed for all tests I needed for nerve and muscle damage as well as providing advice on healing/future options.
I hope you feel better very soon.
Like a PP said one day you'll realise you can sit down comfortably, go to the toilet easily and so on, however don't rush things, get as much help as you can and take it easy so as not to do further damage

This happened to me.
Took longer than i expected to feel back to normal- talking about 8 months. Now 2.5 years later wouldnt of known it had happened. Scar now not even an issue- at the time like you said gaping hole. You WILL heal just it will take longer than if the stitches had held. DM if you have questions or want a chat. Remember it well - rotten time x

My first episiotomy took a long time to heal but it did eventually get better. Try not to expect to be bouncing back. A nasty episiotomy can be so horrid to deal with and no-one really talks about it. On the plus side, I also needed one second time round and it was a much easier recovery (Midwife thought the nerves might have been a bit damaged) and it didn’t hurt at all really whereas with my first I couldn’t sit down without wincing for weeks.

I had one in Nov 21, the recovery pain was worse than childbirth for me, started feeling better at 4 months. Epsom salt baths, peri bottle and air to the area helped tremendously. I wasnt given any advice either and genuinely thought i was going to feel like that forever but it does get better just takes time x