Ever normal again 'down there' after childbirth?

[mojoawol]

30 weeks pg with 2nd (1st was ELCS breech) but have been told I have to do VBAC this time round. Am terrified, not only of the labour/birth, but also, and selfishly, about how/whether it will affect permanently down there
Mainly I am talking about sex/sensitivity/feeling and to a certain extent, how it looks - can you tell me your experiences please.

Hi
Am replying as this is a subject close to my heart..
I think it is totally individual tbh. You may sneeze out the baby and barely notice, you may have some stitches.

My story, is that I had vaginal birth 2 yrs ago. Baby was large, approx 11lbs (might or might not be relevant)

Baby was very low for ages before birth and during labour and consequently my pelvic floor was somewhat stretched. After childbirth, that area was car crash, 2nd degree tear and was swollen up like ballon but it soon recovered - took 4 wks at least for stiches to heal properly. Honest but true.

After that things were ok and sensation wise, its exactly the same, if not better as it was very tight before and now its better. Only thing is sometimes the scar from the tear can be irritated during a GOF. Didnt try intercourse until about 5-6mths though as I was scared, but had no need to be.

I look at it now (not regularly I'd like to add!) , looks the same as before really- from what I tell anyway- but it took time to get back to normal.

My pelvic floor is another discussion!!

So, all I'd say, is dont look down as you are fixing on your first maternity pad and panic! Id probably suggest not looking at all for a while :)

All the best. x

DS is seven weeks today and my lady area is fine. He was 8lb 3oz and I had a second degree tear and a nasty labial graze. DP and I had (careful) sex after four weeks and although a bit sore it was rather nice frankly.

I did feel weird for the first couple of weeks and sex feels a bit different but DP says he's not noticed much difference at all. I'd second the don't look at first and think it's all over, I scared myself but it's fine!

Why have you been told that you "have to" have a VBAC? I don't know much about the ins and outs of VBAC vs ELCS in terms of how you can ask for one and what the RCOG and NICE guidelines have to say on the subject (there are threads on here that go into this in lots of detail). But it strikes me that if you are really unhappy about VBAC and you are being refused ELCS, then you could ask to be referred to another consultant who may be more sympathetic.

I have had 2 vag births, 1st with episiotomy AND a tear 2nd degree, the 2nd with just tear. Both times I was very careful to keep stitches very clean, did loads of pelvic floors to aid healing.

Despite looking like a 'train wreck' (DH's cheery commentary from the business end during stitching) everthing has healed up OK, fine in fact.

You may well be one of the lucky ones and skip through with no tears or stitches. My bf had VBAC and had an easier time than either of my two deliveries.

Good luck, think positive xxx

Thanks for all the positive messages! Helps to ease my pre-birth stresses!

TBH, not too bothered how it looks, more just that I'll be able to (eventually) have lovely feelings down there again!

Ok first birth had a 2nd degree tear which was stitched. All fine, had sex again after 8 weeks, sensation and look all as before

DC2 born 4.5 months ago, shallow 2nd degree tear which they didn't stitch. Apparently it's healed 'beautifully' and it doesn't hurt, all sensations normal. However, it doesn't look like it used to there is a noticible 'dip' wear it was. I think it looks horrible.