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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Fixing an episiotomy scar - breastfeeding and recovery?

18 replies

chandellina · 29/01/2009 21:07

Hi - I am due to have my painful episiotomy scar fixed with surgery on Monday but am concerned about what to expect as far as recovery.

I am also still breastfeeding 6 month old DS but it sounds like I will be able to feed him even after having a general anaesthetic.

Can anyone share their experience of this procedure ("modified Fentons procedure")? I did search on previous threads but got a bit scared when I read that some people couldn't walk for two weeks. My DH is only taking the day of the surgery off and then I am on my on to take care of DS.

Anyone in my life who could help is not available - I was only offered the date for surgery today as there had been a cancellation. I could postpone but have waited this long and would rather get it over with if at all possible.

OP posts:

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PuzzleRocks · 29/01/2009 22:04

Bumping for you. Best of luck.

beckmo · 31/01/2009 05:23

Bump

lulururu · 31/01/2009 05:27

hi there, i had it done when my DTS were 10weeks old and the pain i had up until the surgery with a botched episiotomy was awful but was all gone as SOON as i woke up from the surgery fix up job. i expected it to be sore again like after birth but it just felt tender and as if i didn't want to do any squats (understandably). i doubt very much you will have any probs. i was able to breastfeed as soon as i woke up as they gave me a different type of anaesthetic that wouldn't affect breastmilk.

lulururu · 31/01/2009 05:28

i was scared too but it was SOOOO good not to feel that awful pain and get on with my life. good luck for it.

Lotster · 31/01/2009 20:33

Hey there, first of all it's great that you are getting this surgery, so many people don't know about it and suffer on

I'm not sure about the modified Fenton's and maybe the recovery is easier, but I have had Fenton's procedure, and was advised not to lift anything heavier than a kettle of water for 6 weeks.

My son was 11 months and a chunky boy when I had it done, so maybe heavier than your LO; I needed quite a bit of help from my husband and an emergency nursery placement.

From experience I would say that if you don't have much support around, then definately call the docs to discuss how much lifting you can do, as they just don't bear this in mind to tell you until afterwards - I know your procedure is monday, but you can get a member of the team paged over the weekend if you persist with the hospital reception desk I have found!

Best of luck, hopefully your husband can take a little more time off or someone can pop round. Worst comes to worst he can make sure you have everything you need for the day at hand. It's really best not to overdo it and give yourself the chance to heal well.

pooka · 31/01/2009 20:38

DD was7 months when I had similar - was basically a cut and then stitch because of ballsed up tear repair.

I had local anaesthetic because the consultant said couldn't breastfeed. Which I have since found out is crap

So if I had been nicely under for the procedure, the whole thing would have been fine. The recovery was quick, much quicker than the original injury, helped by the fact that no lochia getting in the way and only very localised soreness. Healed beautifully and quickly.

My mother came and took dd off for the day on the day after the procedure. But actually that was more because I was a sobbing wreck because the actual procedure had been pretty grim under LA. But after that, had 2 days on own before the weekend and dh could step in. Not that was really necessary.

I had baths with lavender oil diluted in milk. And dried myself with a hairdryer afterwards, but only for a couple of days. Also took arnica. Otherwise all fine.

pooka · 31/01/2009 20:40

I found this about the fenton's procedure online

? You may have a quick bath/ shower after 24 hours, thereafter daily.
? You may experience some mild to moderate pain. This can be relieved by taking
painkillers. If on discharge you are given 3-5 days supply of painkillers, these may be
taken as prescribed; otherwise paracetamol or similar pain relieving medication is
appropriate.
? You may experience some bleeding after your operation. To reduce the risk of infection,
please use sanitary towels or panty liners - not tampons until your next period. These
should be changed regularly.
? Do not have sexual intercourse for 2 weeks to allow healing to take place.
? It is quite normal for the operation site to feel sensitive and bruising to be present.

Lotster · 31/01/2009 20:53

Where did you find that Pooka?!
I'm quite at the 2 week sex rule, I still had stitches very much in evidence that soon after adn was told to wait quite a bit longer than that...

Perhaps the modified is a lot more straightforward than the classic Fenton's. Which would be good

Either way Chandellina, don't fret too much. Keep on top of your painkillers, and follow advice given.

You'll be pleased you had it.

pooka · 31/01/2009 21:01

was a form from WS hospital trust

Lotster · 31/01/2009 21:16

Crikey!

thanks

pooka · 31/01/2009 21:17

TBH I can't remember what I was told afterwards. Mostly to treat myself a bit like I'd just had dd - take it easy generally, no tampons and no sex until completely healed.

Lotster · 04/02/2009 12:52

Let us know how you are Chandellina when you're up to it. Hope things went well.

Original poster

chandellina · 04/02/2009 13:07

Thanks so much everyone for these replies! I'll have to wait to report back on how it went, because my surgery got bumped until next Monday. (which is good, really, because now I've arranged for my MIL to come help.)

OP posts:

Lotster · 04/02/2009 13:16

That is fantastic. Didn't want to tell you how nervous I was for you on the no-help front!!!

Not that I'm saying you'll be in agony or anything, especially if you keep on top of the anti-inflammatories, but just because there's quite a lot of lying around to be done in the first couple of days! It is good to shift about and keep the blood flow up of course, but would be a shame to let the area scar again from straining.

Best of luck and update us again.

Original poster

chandellina · 04/02/2009 20:44

thanks Lotster - i am scared of the surgery, but lying around and being looked after sounds fabulous at this point!

OP posts:

Maria2007 · 08/02/2009 16:26

GOOD LUCK for tomorrow chandellina

Original poster

chandellina · 10/02/2009 14:41

hi! just wanted to report back that everything went fine with the surgery and I seem to be quickly on the mend. I had the surgery around 4:30 yesterday and was feeding DS by 7:30. The anesthetist said that would be absolutely fine, though I know some people decide to wait longer.

I don't seem to be having any problems with lifting DS either (he only weighs 7 kilos) but am taking it easy generally. (MIL is here to take care of DS and let me rest and sleep.)

Just a bit of slight discomfort sitting but overall I feel good and am very hopeful that I will be back to normal in a few weeks and can resume marital relations!

OP posts:

Lotster · 17/02/2009 11:43

Great news Chandellina! Please be careful on the lifting, you might cause more scar tissue than necessary, and don't forget to massage it soon as you can, I'm sure they told you this.

Best of luck!

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