Pain after forceps/ extended episitomy

[JUSTwondering81]

Hi,

I gave birth 7 weeks ago, and after looooong labour had extended eipsiotomy( not sure what the extended bit means ) and forceps delivery.
It took about a week for me to feel the brusing caused by the forceps and it still gurts a lot now. I feel very brusied behind my clitoris area still and feel pressure there on and off.

I think my stitches have healed ok apart from one on the outside which i keep feeling as though i am catching on my underwear even though the stitch has long since dissolved,

I guess i want to hear fromthose of you who have had instrumental deliveries to see if what i am feeling is 'normal' and when i might see an improvement.

Am terrified of having sex in case it hurts and also i think because of the number of vaginal exams i had during labour i feel a bit traumatised (sounds silly i know, but that's how i feel)
I have my post natal appoinment this week and was hoping the Dr would take a look but as luck would have it my period returned today

Sorry for long post - have namechanged btw

Apologies for the typos i have sausage fingers a small keyboard

I have no idea what 'normal' is in these circumstance (I had what I hope is an abnormal time, it was really horrible), but I can tell you that 'extended' means it tore beyond the bit that was cut. Also your Dr can still have a look even if you have your period, you might not like the idea, but it is probably worth doing or making another appointment to do so. And there is nothing silly about feeling traumatised - have you thought of doing a birth afterthoughs session to understand what went on?

I didn't have forceps but lots of tearing and stitches - still got some pain and discomfort for months afterwards. Sex was still painful until 6 months after giving birth, so I'd say take it easy, and if it doesn't feel right wait a few more weeks!

Oh, and do get your GP to take a look, just for peace of mind.

Just I know what you mean about the feeling of being bruised behind the clitoral area - I felt the same after forceps/episiotomy/3rd degree tear. It did wear off eventually.

It's not silly to be scared of sex post-birth, and it's not silly to feel traumatised. Having several people putting their fingers inside you, followed by forceps and all the delight that entails IS traumatising (generally) - it took me several months to try to come to terms with DD's birth 10 months ago and even now I still have moments where I struggle to 'accept' it.

Get the GP to have a look - getting them to check when there is menstrual blood there is no different to them looking and you still having lochia present.

I will say though, that sex was surprisingly ok. The thought was far worse than the deed.

hi i had a very similar delivery to yours, loooong labour 3 hours of pushing forceps, epiostomy, tear etc, i was in a lot of pain for weeks afterwards. Also my DD is now 20 months and im expecting no2 and im also still traumatised from birth and all the differents peoples hands up me, DD was facing the wrong way so they were trying to turn her round, i still hate the thought of any doctors coming near me in that area, trust me your not alone in feeling like this

Thanks all for taking the time to reply.

So i think i've realjsed that 7 weeks is still early days in terms of instrumental deliveries.

I broke down when speaking to dp the other day about why I didn't feel ready for sex - luckily has been so supportive and is encouraging me to talk about it.

Glad to see some of you have dared brave getting pg again.

Think i will see how comfortable i feel with GP as see as never seen this one before, or i will rebook another appointment.

Thanks again

:)

As long as you DO make another appointment, don't leave it if you feel something isn't right.

i dont think i attempted sex for about 12 weeks afta luckily i think DP was also traumatised and took him a while to want to have sex to