episiotomy recovery

[liquoriceandtomatoes]

I've just had an episiotomy. It is now infected with pus (sorry tmi) and I'm in agony, can barely walk w/permanent pain. The mw knows and I've just started on antibiotics.
But I'm pretty distraught.

I feel like my nct covered c-sections a lot but I don't even remember the word episiotomy being mentioned and I'm clueless.

Will I now be permanently disfigured due to infection as the stitches in muscles have come away prematurely?I'm all lumpy down below - feel very tearful about this.

How long will the pain last? How will it affect my sex life? Should I ask to be re-stitched? I feel like I'm in much worse a way than friends who've had c-sections.

Any feedback on the recovery greatly appreciated.

stairway Are you in the UK? NHS don't necessarily do episiotomies to prevent tearing - they have to have a reason, assisted deliveries, baby in distress, big baby etc. They'll do it if you ask for it though.

I was told they were going to do it, and felt like I didn't have much choice or time to even consider it, so quickly consented before she done it. Didn't know why for 3 years when I got the strength to talk about it and asked for a debrief. My son's heart rate had dropped and they didn't tell me or even tell me when it was spotted on the monitor which I think is diabolical.

Hope I also lost a lot of weight because of the stress. It dropped off because I felt so wronged and no one would listen or help me with what I was going through. It sounds like you could be a bit traumatised from it, you feel violated? They usually do episiotomy with assisted deliveries to prevent a 3rd or 4th degree tear that could potentially leave you with incontinence.

Poor you.

It is incredibly painful. Agree take the strongest painkillers you can get. Also agree there is not the same preparation for episiotomy as there is for other procedures.

My DP and my beautician (Brazillian Waxer) both say things look the same! I have some problems with bowel movements now but don't know if that is episiotomy related, or just part of the whole birth extravaganza.

Hope it's going well. Just wanted to add my support. I had an episiotomy and a lot of pain as it 'healed'. I had granulation of the scar tissue and it still hurt after 5 months. I was very scared it would never go back to normal. Within about 8 months it was totally back to normal. I don't think anyone could tell I had one. Hope that's reassuring. 8 months felt long but in the grand scheme of things is fine.

I wasn't infected but I think it was close to it - I used dettol wound spray, after going the toilet and after a shower. I seemed to heal much faster after using it.

www.boots.com/en/Dettol-Antiseptic-Wash-100-ml_5512/