To be in a complete panic about my episiotomy?

[strawberryandaflake]

I had my boys three weeks ago and was given an episiotomy that I didn't consent to. That's not so much the issue rather than it's given me a massive panic. I am nowhere near healed and have 2 holes down there now as well as lots of sharp pulling pains. I keep crying about it and searching how to get it fixed privately, it's becoming an obsession.

I had a bad experience with some facial stitches before that meant my lip was stitched to my gum by 'accident' and now I am in a stress that the NHS has messed up my chacha without permission.

I suppose I just need someone to calm me down!

I think you misunderstand me brokenvag. I don't think anyone would stay in for 3 weeks?? My point was whilst OP was in hospital they should have been checked. They should also have been checked at any home visits especially before being discharged. If OP has concerns, then her GP should definitely check them. There is absolutely no sense in waiting until the 6 week appointment.

Where are these guidelines, please sword? I wasn't checked until 18 months after DC's birth, and only then did it happen because I begged. (I was told it was fine when it patently wasn't.)

I will link to some when I get to work tomorrow (am in Australia), but you could always Google NICE guidelines, green top standards etc.
If you weren't checked for EIGHTEEN months, you've been seriously let down.

I was dismissed at 18 months. Am 5 years PP and the scar still splits with even the most basic of bilateral examinations.

OP, do you have the contact details of the antenatal day unit of the hospital you delivered at? The unit I work in is the 'port of call' and we see patients for up to 6 weeks post-delivery if there are problems. You need to be seen by a gynaecologist if you're concerned about wound breakdown, you may also need a change in the antibiotics you were discharged with. But you definitely need to be examined to have a look.

Hopefully you're seeing a specialist. Sounds like there's possibly more than just a problem with the initial repair if after 5 years there's still an issue. Did you ever have any problems with other wound healing prior to this. You have my absolute sympathy, must be horrible for you.

I had an episotomy, I insisted my midwife check the stitches every visit and had a swab done at one point when I was worried they were infected. So please do go back to another GP and insist they look at them. It did take longer than 6 weeks to heal, more like 3 months and I had 'gaps' for a while too which was scary but they did close up. 3 weeks is still early days. What helped me was keeping topped up with pain killers and swilling the stitches with warm water with few drops tea tree oil.

At six weeks I thought mine would never heal and would need corrective surgery. The GP said to leave it for 6 months before he'd refer back. At 6m it was a teeny bit tight feeling, but almost nothing to worry about.

Now (DS2 is 9) there's nothing. I had a massive episiotomy and tear (large distressed baby who needed to come out ASAP).

I forgot to say last night that there is a lovely Dr at my hospital who only deals with birth trama like this ( ie fixing things) so the hospital should help if it's a larger hospital

I'm really sorry Broken you had to endure this. Stitches can be checked within the first few weeks ( I say can not should - no idea on nice guidelines). I have had four high risk births. I wasn't discharged from midwife care for six / eight weeks with one birth ( baby related and me). Midwife offered to check my stitches every time she came ( not daily and it was weekly after the first two weeks).

Also been on post natal and overheard a lady being checked over as not stitched at birth over a week later.

Maybe it's because I have had so many kids I have heard and seen more things or my hospital is abnormally good?

Also I'm pretty sure both mum and baby should be checked at 6 weeks? Book a double appt ( I'm sure that's in the nice guidelines? Unless cutbacks have kicked in?)

It does take time to heal but there's no way you should have to tolerate or just put up. It takes a look and maybe swob to check infection. Longer for seeing if looks right for re sticthing.

Broken I had the same cursory 6 week check. I asked the GP to check my stitches as it felt a bit "wrong" still and she reacted as though I'd suggested cunnilingus.

I did then heal up without further problems though fortunately.

I had five episiotomies (5 DCs). All healed quickly and without complications. My DCs were all born in the US where episiotomies are pretty much routine, and I was sent home from the hospital with perinatal ice packs to use in the week after delivery, and instructions to return to the hospital if all did not seem to be ok.

I was given a perinatal irrigation bottle to use for toilet hygiene -- instructed to squirt warm water all over my perineal area after using the loo and to avoid wiping as much as possible except with flushable wipes (i.e. no dragging with tp).

I was also told no baths except sitz baths if necessary in the first week or two until after my 6 week checkup (which was a full on vaginal exam).

What I am saying is --
-episiotomies are routine in some parts of the world and the thought of them does not cause distress;
-and also, with the right supplies and assuming care has been taken to stitch you up properly (and this would be true in the case of a natural tear too) you should heal properly;
-but you should insist on being checked if you think your stitches are popping or if you suspect an infection, if there is any pain, certainly if you see any oozing or get a smell or have a fever.

Broken, you should see if you can be surgically repaired.

Hi op. I'm sorry you are going through this. I had one of these horrible things done to me 4 months ago and it does cause IMO alot of psychological distress.. Something drs seem unaware of.
The stitches fell out of the outside of mine. I did convince a gp to have a look.
She described the area as a bit ' mucky'
I believe she was being kind when she said it as it looked more like a fanny freak show!
I was thinking about buying some surgical glue and sticking it back together myself!
Anyway two weeks of abs later and it started to heal.
I kept my legs together for about 3 weeks.. Barely did anything..ate alot of protein and took zinc supplements.
The good news in my case is it healed with barely a scar and isn't painful.
You must do as many pf exercises as you can to get the muscle to heal well and function like it should.
Hth and congrats