the big question... Do you bits ever feel the same again?

[ratfly]

I am 39 weeks gone, and delivery is imminent. Labour itself doesn't worry me too much, but the actual pushing it out bit does!

The thing I wonder about is that if I tear or am cut, will my bits ever feel the same again? Will sex still be good afterwards? Can you feel where you were cut / torn even after you have officially recovered?

I had a second degree tear. For the first few weeks it was very sore. Now sometimes it does still feel a bit tender, during sex etc. However, I'd like to think I was put back together pretty much how I was. Everything is still where it should be at least!

I had a smallish tear and 4 big babies 9not all at once!!) and everything still works just fine - actually I'd say it works even better
Good luck ratfly, will be looking out for your birth announcement

that 9should have been a ( !!

Very bad at first....then for some reason, vastly improved sex life (ie amount of orgasms ). Have absolutely no idea why!!! Does anyone else?!!

I had exactly the same worries before the birth and I was suprised how things returned to normal really quickly. I had a second degree tear, which healed well, we had sex 4 weeks after the birth but it was still very sore, so 6/8 weeks would probably have been better.I have a 9 month old and my sex life is pretty much as it was before although sleep deprivation can play its toll sometimes!
Good luck, try not to worry.
xxx
p.s. first time after birth feels a bit like being a virgin again and first big O was the best I ever had!

wow. Your replies are much more positive than I expected! It seems that childbirth chould be recommended to improve sex life in some cases!

I had a small(3 stitch) tear when dd born 11 months ago.
I can feel where they were, but not in a painful way.
I went to post natal exercise class which concentrated on pelvic floor exercises. Never had a problem with things not feeling as they should

I had 'labial grazes' (?) the MW offered me a stitch but I declined

I never thought things would get back to normal but...they did even after having a coil fitted. Took about 4-6 monthsd but if anything it's better.

Just remember your pelvic floor exercises and you'll be fine

And best of luck with the birth and LO to be

I had a 2nd degree tear, my bits still look & feel exactly the same (2.9 years on now, but even from a couple of weeks afterwards).

I refused to look at my tear or stitches, I just got the MW to check them a couple of times and only dared to look after a couple of weeks, when everything looked normal again!

My pelvic floor is shot, though!

I ended up with a section so it may not be the same for me but I exercised my pelvic floor muscles so much, I'm actually too toned now!

But husband isn't complaining

I can feel a lump where the scar tissue is and it hurts during sex at the moment, but a couple of months ago was fine. I assume it will go again.

I've had caesareans so can't comment much (although I hate being touched on the bit round my scar that is still numb!).

But I would think that sleep deprivation is a far more serious threat to your sex life than what happens to your bits. My youngest is 2 and it still seems such a waste to be in bed and not to go to sleep ...

2nd degree tear - a messy rather than deep one & have been left a bit on the tatty side but for some reason sex has been even better since, really intense orgasms. Goodness knows how & why but I'm not complaining !

2nd degree tear for me but didn't get repaired until 36hrs post delivery which didn't exactly help with healing

Bits look and feel different but aiming to squeeze another baby out in about 9 weeks time so will see what they are like after that

Just remember to do your pelvic floor exercises