This is SUCH an embarrassing problem BUT..

[banana87]

After giving birth 22 months ago, things are STILL not the same, erm, down there.

I feel and look ALOT bigger, as if they did not stitch me up as well as they should have. Sex is NOT the same, I rarely feel much from it much less orgasm. I was talking to a friend today and she said I should see my GP.

Thing is, it is SO embarrassing, I wouldn't even know where to start (its taken much thought to even construct this thread)....

Do any of you have any experiences? Is this normal? Is there anything I can do?

Off to hide under a rock...

Have you tried pelvic floor exercises?

See the GP, they can refer you to a gynaecologist or physiotherapist.

If you're too embarrassed to SAY it to the GP, print off your OP and hand it over. I know it's embarrassing but they DO deal with this sort of thing (and worse!) all the time.

I had to talk to a doctor about something that I found really difficult recently. I was so worried about saying it that I ended up writing a letter. I started with "at my appointment with you on x date I would like to discuss xxx". I ended it with "I hope you understand why I have put this in writing in advance".

I then emailed it to the doctor about a week before my appointment.

It was so helpful because as soon as I went in he said "thank you for your letter" and started discussing my options etc, without me ever having to have the difficult conversation.

So I would definitely recommend doing that if you would find it easier than talking about it.

Otherwise, you could ask to see a female doctor if you might feel more comfortable with that? Or a midwife. I know it's really embarrassing when its happening to you but they will honestly have heard it so many times before that they won't even blink.

Good luck.

You said you spoke to a friend, can you take her with you for support and to help retain the information you're given?
When you make your appointment, ask for a female GP, if they ask why say it's a gynaecological issue.
While it's not normal (i.e. you shouldn't be like this and it can be sorted) it is common. There are hundeds of threads about this.
Good luck.

Thanks so much for your replies. It is so nice to know I am not alone. It is something that I dont think kegels can fix which worries me a bit, but I know I can be re-stitched which is a comfort (if there can be one!).

If I am considering having another in the not so distant future, do you think I am better off speaking to my mw about it then? So it can be sorted when I give birth again?

Hello!
I started a similar thread last night in the general health topic.
I am worried it might somehow inhibit my chances of conceiving. Am off to the drs on Tues!
yikes!

One thing I can assure you is that it doesnt. I have been pregnant (first try) since this, although sadly ended in a m/c, totally unrelated to this problem.

So sorry banana.

so sorry about your miscarriage, hugs from me too.

i recently had a gynae appointment for episiotomy problems, very different to yours. but anyway, i wrote everything down and i can't underestimate how much this helped.