How long did your episiotomy take to heal

[impatienttobemummy]

I'm 3 weeks pp, had an infection in thr wound at day 5 so the skin layer of stitches fell out without the wound healing so now they have said that it needs to heal itself by 'secondary intention'
It's still one and seriously getting me Down. The dr finished by saying 'don't worry if it isn't healed in 3 months or there is a hole we can take you back to theatre and do it again' great thanks glad I know that I won't worry then!
Please help me to put this in perspective

Ps my DS is 2.2

While it was healing I was reasonably mobile with a lot of breast feeding sitting. I'm hoping this time (with a 20 month old) I won't have to have another episiotomy xx

Thanks Elllimam, they keep saying 'rest' amd I think what is rest! Lay in bed etc... Gotta be mobile now as DH is back at work

She'll be 17 months when baby no 2 arrives. Definitely going to start asking questions soon, due in 3 months.

Sex is possible, tbh, was quite relieved! It seems to have just affected my actual working parts lol, but dtd was fine! (although did need a lot of alcohol!!!!)

Went to the GP today it was good news she said the vaginal wall has healed it's the outside superficial skin level that's gaping the internal area is healed so that pleased me a lot it's now a case of growing some skin!

Got to be careful not to get yet another infection to break down the area again.

She also said I can't tear it open now or make it worse so bring mobile is fine just don't exercise. Feeling more positive today. Still dreading the thought of DTD tho! Purple ill be sure to have a bottle of wine before I even consider it!!

As if I could exercise like this?!

sorry to hear about your epi trouble. sounds awful. I had an epi.
some friends of mine had infections and stitches breakdowns and they had laser treatment at the local NHS hospital and were seen by the women's health Physios. have you been offered either?

No Principalitygirl I haven't, did they have laser to breakdown the scar tissue? I am seeing the GP again next week I could ask for a referral, what did they do for them? Thanks for the info

I'm not sure of the details but will try to find out for you. Yes I think it's to deal with the scar tissue, clear any remaining infection and promote healing. It's actually the women's health physios who do the laser. I'd ask to be referred to then regardless of whether it's for laser or just so they can help you generally rehabilitate that whole area. Good luck. Keep us posted?

Thanks so much that would be very useful info, I certainly will do

I'm no longer bleeding and have very little discharge from the wound now do you think it would be better to not wear sanitary pads and just change my cotton knickers a few times a day? Or did you wear pads until totally healed?

I wore pads til totally healed - the thick maternity ones - for comfort more than anything.
For extra relief and soothing put some distilled witch hazel (from any pharmacy) onto your pads. It's cooling and helps with healing. Hospital Physio told me to do it. You can also pop the pads with the WH on in the fridge to chill a bit before you wear them. Sounds weird but is fantastic!

Thanks ill have a look for that anything that helps healing is for me!

Definitely try it. I found it amazing!

Mine was infected and stitches broken down, left to heal naturally but hasn't (I'm now 6 weeks pp). I have a small op in 2 weeks to cut and restitch the bit which hasn't healed shut as granulated tissue has formed in the gap so it won't heal.

I had an appt at 6 weeks to check the healing at my hospital. Do you have this? If you're worried about how it's healing, definitely see a doctor.

I know how you feel with it getting you down. I am so fed up with mine. I hope yours heals well.

Thanks for sharing Artyone. I'm seeing thr GP but was going to hosp every week prior and they have said I can go anytime so I was thinking if go week after next which would be 6 weeks. Good idea. From what I can see with a mirror (limited!!) I fear i will be having the same issue it's the part right at thr bottom end of the vaginal entrance (tmi!!) is gaping and looks like it will never heal but 2 weeks is a long time in wound healing! ( the last 4 feel like a year!)

Good luck Artyone do keep in touch how ur getting on its good to know we're not alone. I don't know anyone who had this happen xx

Hi I had what I thought was a massive hoke- obsessively looked at it and poked around- it got infected- I was constantly on the phone to the post natal wars and my midwife- everyone said fpur months to heal- at four months it was 90% healed but part pf it looked over healed- like a big lump blocking the opening. At six months I look raggedy but completely healed- dtd still seems ambitious though as I feel very tight. Kitchen roll to pat dry and remove any seepage. You will heal I promise.

I have my op tomorrow and will post with how it goes. Pretty scared to be honest .

Impatienttobemummy how has your healing gone? Any better?

Hi Artyone how was your op?
I had a visit to the drs 3 days ago and am pleased to say that I have a thin layer of skin! So it's closed finally. I feels sore but I feel more confident in moving around etc. she said dont attempt DTD for at least a month (I'm thinking at least 3!) it looks raggerty but won't know if there's a problem for a while as I'm too scared to even touch it yet.

I really had no idea how psychologically affected I'd be by all this. It will take a long time to get over.

Let me know how you get on Artyone

Hello, pleased to say that the op went well and my skin is now joined together! Looks ok but there are stitches and it still feels a bit fragile so I won't be attempting to DTD for a few weeks yet, so I don't know how everything is doing on the inside.

Impatienttobemummy glad that you are starting to heal, it does seem to take time for some of us.

Purple baubles I've had a similar experience but my Physio got me to scans as she found out I had an undiagnosed 3rd degree tear which was why Physio was not working for faecal incontinence. I am 20 weeks with DC2 and told consultant full story - backed up by a letter from a colo rectal consultant ( went privately with all my results as I needed to know what would happen with 2nd pregnancy when time came) and they have no problem booking me for an ELCS.
Can you get any help with DC1? I am planning on leaving my 2.6 DS in full time childminder for at least 6 weeks and my mum will come stay for a couple of weeks at the start. We live abroad so she can't just pop over.

To answer OP episiotomy took 6-8 weeks to heal. I looked with a mirror and really upset myself and regretted it. . Just trust it will heal. My best friend helped me at the time - she had been thru the same - we are designed to tear and heal up again.