DD was a straightforward vaginal birth. No perineal tearing but a big graze to my labia. I'm 32 weeks pregnant with dc2 and I'm dreading it happening again. I had thought I was prepared last time, jug of warm water to pour over myself at the loo etc but it was so 'open' that the water touching it was agony. I remember nearly passing out when I went for a shower and the water touching it and DP running through to see what the scream was. Is there anything I can do this time round? Can I ask them to stitch it closed? I can't remember how long it took to heal, I must have blanked it out after a while. I have witch hazel which I bought to try and soothe vulval variscosities but it gave me terrible thrush so I'm reluctant to use it down there again!