Sharp pains in vagina 6 MONTHS AFTER birth. Normal?

[Haleana]

Hi,

I had a complicated delivery with my DS just over 6 months ago. It involved an induction, foetal sampling, a node being put on his head, third degree episiotomy and ventouse. Not to mention a pretty large haemorrhage. I expected sex to be painful for at least a few months but even now it is just as bad. However, I'm not convinced this is a 'normal' kind of pain after childbirth as it feels like broken glass up there...

I'm begin to get really frustrated and upset with this now as we want to have more children at some stage soon. But how on earth would I manage to give birth if I can't even have sex successfully?

I have seen my doctor countless times about this and all they keep doing is giving me very painful examinations and scratching their heads. I asked to be referred to a gynaecologist but my doctor wants to 'figure it out herself'. Ridiculous.

Could the ventouse have caused nerve damage?? My DS was dragged out very quickly as he was suffering in the birth canal.

Beside myself here.

I don't really have any advice but your doctor sounds like an idiot! I would post this in childbirth, you'll probably get more replies there, there are lots of midwives on there who have probably encountered this kind of thing before. I hope you manage to get it sorted soon xx

Are there any other GPs in this practice, if so I would see one of these people and insist that you are referred to a gynae asap.
If they are this unhelpful I'd change GP practice as well.

Would not let this current doc try and "figure it out herself". That's mad and delays any treatment you need. Also any gynae worth their salt would not be at all impressed by this GPs actions.

it might be worth being seen by a gynacologist to talk about your psychological relationship with the pain. That may sound odd but it sounds like the delivery was v traumatic and you have been expecting pain, which in itself can cause pain... I experienced unbelievable pain down there for months (not related to childbirth but trauma related) which I was convinced was physiological nerve damage, but turned out to be something else entirely - called vulvodynia - womenshealth.about.com/cs/vulvodynia/a/vulvodyniaqapt1.htm

info link above might at least give you another route to check out? Looks symptomless other than reported pain, but is very real! You can 'learn' to relax if you pain is caused by anxiety and spasms in the lady bits when you have sex/are touched etc. If it's not this then the exercises may help anyway to manage the pain in the meantime? HTH - if not, you have my sympathy! It's a very stressful thing to experience unexplained pain downstairs and anxiety about it really doesn't help, cos you feel so isolated. I hope you feel better soon