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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Questions regarding recovery following 2nd degree tear and episiotomy

14 replies

jaykay34 · 04/10/2014 21:10

I gave birth 11 days ago and had a ventouse delivery which required a 2nd degree tear and episiotomy. All in all I felt great after the birth...both mentally and physically - I didn't feel that the stitches were anywhere near as bad as I expected....

Until yesterday ! I have had a really bruised feeling...like something is heavy and going to fall out of my fanjo. My clit feels weird - a bit like it's being pulled back. Basically I told my midwife and she checked my stitches and said that it was just all part of healing...and it looks like a really good, clean, well put together job ! Some of my stitches have started to dissolve already.

The thing is that I am now limping around and having to be careful how I sit and stand. I've taken painkillers but the pain is still there.

Will it ever feel normal again ? The thought of sex terrifies me...although I am looking forward to having intimacy (minus a huge bump) with my partner again. How long did others take to feel normal and unbruised ?

OP posts:
lisaloulou84 · 04/10/2014 21:20

I had same delivery as you and an episiotomy, sounds pretty normal. I'd say after about 3-4 weeks it started to feel better. Walking helps to ease the tightening.

Figster · 04/10/2014 21:26

Yes agree 3-4 weeks I was driving again by 3 weeks (tried at 10 days too soon Confused) think we had sex at 8 weeks though that was pretty uncomfortable for months.

EssexMummy123 · 04/10/2014 21:29

scar tissue maybe?

Superworm · 04/10/2014 22:17

3-4 weeks here too. I also had that heavy prolapse type feeling and would say do your pelvic floors as many times as you can manage.

Original poster
jaykay34 · 05/10/2014 18:55

Thanks for replies. I've been doing my pelvic floor but think they make it feel worse if I do too many.
Hopefully i should feel more normal soon then...it's still early days I guess !

OP posts:
Rockchick1984 · 05/10/2014 22:40

Definitely normal - think about if you've got a scab on a cut somewhere else on your body, it always feels tight (and often itchy!) when it's healing, that's what is happening down there. I had same as you with my DS1 and was back to normal by 5 weeks, although everything seemed tighter so me and DH had to use lube for a few months.

Fairylea · 05/10/2014 22:44

I'm surprised by some of these replies... I had a similar birth with dd and there was absolutely no way I was ready to have sex mentally or physically for about 4 months. And even then it was very painful. It took until about 6 months to feel fully recovered - so don't push yourself. There is no pressure.

MuscatBouschet · 05/10/2014 22:47

I also couldn't contemplate sex for months after my episiotomy.

StepDoor · 05/10/2014 22:51

It took me all of 4 months to feel 'normal' again. The pain probably lasted for about 10 weeks at least. At my 6 week check up, the GP told me clearly I wasn't ready for sex as she could tell I was in pain when just being examined.

stargirl1701 · 05/10/2014 22:53

Hmmm. Mine never felt 'right' after DD1 (2nd degree tear and stitches) so I saw the GP at 3 months post birth. She referred me to a gynae surgeon. He agreed the stitches had been poorly done and he felt he could improve the situation. He explained that, for him, it would be the most minor surgery he would perform but, for the midwife, it is the most complex. I pretty much felt every bloody stitch the midwife did. I have since learned midwives are restricted in how much local they can administer whereas a consultant surgeon pretty much gets to use as much as he damn well pleases.

So, I went into hospital as a day patient and I can say I never felt a thing. Brilliant. Within 48 hours, I felt totally back to normal.

MsBug · 05/10/2014 22:54

Sounds pretty similar to mine, I was sore for about six weeks and it took about twice that before we had sex.

Congratulations on your new baby Thanks

Superworm · 06/10/2014 08:50

Sorry just to be clear it was 3-4 weeks before the stitches healed and I was no longer in pain and could walk around etc.

As for sex for months, first did it at around five months. I also felt too traumatised by the whole thing.

Buffy81 · 06/10/2014 10:01

It is perfectly normal. I think you just need to give it more time as it is still early days for you and your body as a whole needs time to recover.

I had my little one just over 6 weeks ago. I had a forcep delivery in the end, and like you, had a 2nd degree tear and a cut. I have saw one of the drs at the hospital last monday as I have had problems healing as developed an infection.

I still find it a bit tight and sometimes uncomfortable when I get up or sit down as even though I have healed and it all looks nice and pink from what they say, I have have got a bit of overgrowth which causes the tightness at the front. they say it will heal in time and if it doesn't, there are things that they can try like dilators or surgery(fingers crossed wont have to do that) if i find intercourse painful. Have yet to do that as I need to get myself mentally prepared.

squizita · 07/10/2014 18:01

I had this. I had a mw appt and she checked me - things were knitting up and stitches dissolving. Part of the healing process.

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