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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Not stitched up after delivery?

10 replies

Mamtothree · 06/04/2014 18:41

I'm new here so please be gentle lol

I'm so embarrassed about this and, in all honesty, I can't believe I'm typing this and I'm cringing with every word!

Ok...here goes...

I've read some threads on here about ladies being stitched up wrong but I dont think I was stitched at all when I should have been :(

I've had three normal full-term pregnancies with normal deliveries. one 9lbs, second 8lb 15ozs and third 9lbs 3ozs. First one I had an epidural so I had no pain whatsoever. I two stitches (didnt feel it when they did them) and everything was fine after healing up.

Second baby, normal labour with no epidural. I remember when the baby's head crowned, I distinctly remember a stinging sensation. At the time I thought it was just the stretching and I didn't know any different as I hadnt felt it the first time. No stitches.

Third baby, induced, no epidural. Normal delivery, slight stinging when baby came out. No stitches. That was 5 years ago.

Looking back, I must have torn on the second but they didnt stitch me up :( . Not sure if I tore or anything on the third but they didnt stitch me then either. I've looked at myself in the mirror down below and I can actually see where I tore and its healed up but it didnt knit itself back together (if you know what I mean) it just healed up open :( . I dont quite know how to describe it but it goes quite far back...not that far from my bum hole (cringe cringe cringe).

My husband says its fine and he loves me the way I am but its just very loose down there. On top of that I do get stress incontinence as well - I dont know if its related?

I've suffered in silence until now but its starting to get me down :(. I've made an appointment with my GP but I just wondered if anyone else had experienced something similar where they werent stitched at all?

TIA

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EdithWeston · 06/04/2014 18:50

I very much doubt that a tear of the size you mention could have been missed.

But I hope you GP will set your mind at rest, or refer you if there are issues that can be treated.

Original poster

Mamtothree · 06/04/2014 18:55

Edith, on my second where I think I tore, my midwife actually fell asleep in the chair while I was in labour. Contractions were about 3 minutes apart and I wasn't pushing or anything but still.

OP posts:

PurpleWithaMysteryBun · 06/04/2014 19:36

Get the GP to have a look :) I declined stitches for my first and didn't need any for dc2 but do have some scars from that delivery.

Looseness and stress incontinence can be helped with pelvic floor exercises,(and can be issues separate to tearing) I would talk to your GP about this as he may be able to refer you to a women's health physio

Original poster

Mamtothree · 06/04/2014 19:52

Thanks Purple...I do do pelvic floor but it doesnt seem to help :(

OP posts:

ilovepowerhoop · 06/04/2014 19:56

I tore with my first and was stitched (a lot!). I tore again with my second but as it wasnt bleeding it was left to heal itself with no stitches - I imagine it was scar tissue that was torn that time. I found sex comfier after the second birth as I think the stitching/scar tissue from the first birth was quite tight as it was uncomfortable for many months afterwards

MolotovCocktail · 06/04/2014 20:13

There is something called a Fenton's Procedure (I think it's called that). Someone I know gave birth several years ago and requested to not have an episiotomy. She tore, and the tear went up towards her clitoris. She was not stitched up, got an infection and the tissues healed "wonky" (her words).

Four months or so post-birth, shehad the Fenton thing to re-cut and repair the failed healing from the birth.

I don't know if this is something that is required for you - maybe worth discussing with your GP?

PurpleWithaMysteryBun · 06/04/2014 20:20

Maybe write a list and make sure you mention all these things to your GP. Then you have the ball rolling to hopefully help :)

HandragsNGladbags · 06/04/2014 20:25

I had a fairly deep 2nd degree tear with DD1 and they ummed and ahhed whether to repair or not.

They did in the end as it wouldn't stop bleeding.

Original poster

Mamtothree · 07/04/2014 15:16

Handragsngladbags...thats the thing, I dont remember anyone actually checking me after DC2. Obviously I was bleeding as we all do but I dont know if it was from tearing or just the normal loss.
My midwife on DC2 said I couldnt have an epidural as there was no time. 5 hours later I was still having contractions so there was plenty of time.
Same midwife fell asleep in the delivery suite. Same midwife actually delivered my daughter and I'm absolutely certain that neither she or anyone else checked my bits.
I've lost a few stone in the last few months and I dont know if thats making a difference? i really dont know

OP posts:

HandragsNGladbags · 07/04/2014 16:00

If you had damage from the second birth you would hope they would have picked it up with dc3 but that's not a given of course.

Had the bleeding stopped then the midwife wouldn't have even mentioned anything I don't think, however she was awake thorough the labour as you would hope!!

Def see the doctor, it shouldn't be something you are still worrying about after so long.

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