Oh god... I looked "down there" 5 weeks PP

[tb4122]

So yesterday, for some reason, I decided I would have a look "down there" at 5 weeks post partum. Everything feels fairly normal so I think I half expected it to look quite normal and, well, it doesn't. I also didn't think I'd be bothered whether it did or didn't, but it turns out I am.

Baby was born vaginally and fairly straightforwardly really. His head circumference was on the 97th centile so I think I was fairly lucky to get away with only a small second degree tear which had a few stitches (the midwife said it was about the size of a 20p and that, had it been a homebirth, they might not have stitched it at all).

I know it's all been stretched down there but it just looks so big still (sorry, TMI). I can feel the scar where I was stitched so I don't think the repair has broken down at all, leading to a bigger opening. I'm doing my pelvic floor exercises (I've got the Squeezy app) but is there still room for improvement? Have I made an error by having a look too soon? Have I made an error by having a look at all?! I really didn't think I'd be bothered and I'm quite surprised by how upset I feel, even though I know it's early days.

Five weeks is no time at all for things to go back to normal. Don't look again for a few months

I haven't looked and it's been 3 years 😬

I'm 10 years pp and it's all ok now. 😁
It's a massive adjustment ask this giving birth malarkey isn't it. I'm impressed you have your squeezey app and send enthusiastic encouragement to keep up the good work. 👍

Way too soon, OP! Don’t worry about this at all. Congratulations on your baby

I should say, I had a third degree tear. Had to be repaired in theatre. Everything is totally normal again now.

Thanks for the reassurance. I shall endeavour to go back to blissful ignorance for a while...!

I’ve had 2 kids and sadly no it never went back to ‘normal’ for me

Give it a year. X

I guess I'm not expecting a return to totally normal, pre-birth status... just hoping for a bit nearer to it than I am now. I'm obviously expecting too much too soon, I was mainly a bit curious about how my tear wound was looking but obviously couldn't avoid seeing the rest of it!

I had an episiotomy and the stitch was 2cm I think. I felt the scar for about a year, but I didn’t check on purpose, just sometimes when washing.

now 4 years later, 2nd pregnancy, I looked for it and couldn’t find it. I even asked a midwife when I went for a daily assessment check for a bleed I had if she can see the scar and she couldn’t. (Was a not embarrassed but I thought it must be there, the scar was so easily felt before)

even of it wouldn’t have healed completely it wouldn’t have bothered be.

but yes it looks rough in the days, weeks after.

I also done the pelvic floor ex, started during pregnancy and continued after, and the vaginal muscle recovered completely, I’m the same as before birth. Again I would have been fine with any outcome, I don’t mind by tummy stretch marks.

I looked once - can't remember how many weeks after but I can't still picture it lol looked like it had been hit by a bus. It does heal so don't worry

I had a third degree and got stitches, it took 12 weeks but it's actually better now than it was before! 🙈