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Childbirth

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

Anyone had reconstructive surgery following a bad tear?

8 replies

Tinasan · 02/05/2007 18:40

Forgive me if this is long. My DD is now 6 months old and since she's been born, we've never been able to achieve intercourse. I had an episiotomy and 2nd degree 'starburst' tear after the delivery, and had to have loads of stitches in theatre as apparently it was a bit of a mess. I had no pain during the healing process, but the crap GP I had at the time didn't bother to examine my stitches at the 8 week check. I assumed everything was ok until a few weeks later when our first attempt at intercourse proved impossible - I had a feeling that I had been stitched too tightly after the birth. Anyway, I changed GP and a lovely female doctor examined me today. She said that I have been stitched back too tightly, and that there is also lots of scar tissue over the entrance to my vagina, so intercourse will be impossible until I have reconstructive surgery. She sent an urgent referral today and hopefully I should have an appointment within a few weeks. She also said that normally there is a 6 month waiting list but because I'm an 'urgent' case, I should have the surgery in about 6 weeks.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I feel quite upset at the thought of having to go through the healing process all over again. Is is worth complaining about my original GP? I also feel annoyed because if he'd checked me properly at 8 weeks, chances are that this would all have been sorted already.

Thanks for any advice.

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bristols · 02/05/2007 19:53

Tinasan, sorry you are having to go through all this. I don't have any personal experience like yours but I wanted to say that you should complain about the GP. Send a letter to the practice manager at the surgery and also the local PCT (primary care trust). This will ensure that the complaint is taken seriously and is properly looked into.

You have every right to feel annoyed. If I were you I would feel absolutely livid. Physically examining the mother should be a standard part of the six week check.

I hope things get sorted for you soon.

ChasingSquirrels · 02/05/2007 23:03

my friend had it, after the surgery she was uncomfortable for about a week (but nothing like post childbirth) but said it was just SO SO much better after that. She is now heavily pg with no 3 so it must have worked

Tinasan · 03/05/2007 10:38

Thanks. I think I will write a complaint but glad to hear that the recovery is not as bad as childbirth! Hopefully I won't have to stay in overnight, I'm really worried that the baby will be terrified when she wakes up at night and I'm not there. She loves her daddy but he can't bf!!

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ChasingSquirrels · 03/05/2007 16:38

my friend definately didn't stay in over night, she had her surgery when her dd was about 10mo and bf till 2yo.

insywinsyspider · 03/05/2007 22:42

just wanted to add i had episiotomy and they found it difficult to stitch me, ds is now 11 mo and they were considering some surgery as stitches didn't take and i'm now more 'open' than i was before but now pg with dc2 so will wait and see - obviously hasn't been as bad as you but wanted to say GP looked at mine at 6 wk check as i was really really uncomfortable and he 'wasn't sure' so i contacted my mw who said GP's know naf all about the perinum so think there needs to be a review of whole process as i felt like i did the right thing by asking for a 'viewing' which was a waste of time.... i'd complain if i was you - no way should you be in that much discomfort

really hope surgery goes well x

bristols · 04/05/2007 17:38

If you do have to stay in and you're still bf then you may be able to have the baby stay in hosp with you

LuceWheel · 04/05/2007 18:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tinasan · 06/05/2007 20:53

Thanks LuceWheel that's very reassuring indeed. And good luck with the next baby insywinsyspider....

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