Pain 7 weeks after forceps and extended episiotomy

[JUSTwondering81]

Have also pksted on childbirth but no replies so hoping someone here can help

Hi,

I gave birth 7 weeks ago, and after looooong labour had extended eipsiotomy( not sure what the extended bit means ) and forceps delivery.
It took about a week for me to feel the brusing caused by the forceps and it still gurts a lot now. I feel very brusied behind my clitoris area still and feel pressure there on and off.

I think my stitches have healed ok apart from one on the outside which i keep feeling as though i am catching on my underwear even though the stitch has long since dissolved,

I guess i want to hear fromthose of you who have had instrumental deliveries to see if what i am feeling is 'normal' and when i might see an improvement.

Am terrified of having sex in case it hurts and also i think because of the number of vaginal exams i had during labour i feel a bit traumatised (sounds silly i know, but that's how i feel)
I have my post natal appoinment this week and was hoping the Dr would take a look but as luck would have it my period returned today

Sorry for long post - have namechanged btw

I had a long labour which culminated in a forceps delivery. I remember feeling terribly bruised for months afterwards, particularly when walking briskly or running. I think it took about 4 months before I could bear the thought of sex and 6 months before the bruising went away.

On the plus side my second and third labours were very easy, with a much shorter recovery time.

Another forceps and episiotomy over here.

Bad luck with the return of the period! your GP will still be able to examine you at your check-up even though you have it. It's hard to say what's 'normal', some women heal faster than others. I had an infection in my stitches and it wasn't until about 2 months after the birth that I felt anything like normal.

Have you had a look down there yet?

It's been along time for me, DS1 is 8 now but from what I recall I did have pain for and discomfort for many months afterward.

I often got a dragging ache in my vagina. Don't anymore but I have had alot of prolapse problems.

Do your pelvic floor exercise!! Very Important!

Give it time with sex, don't force yourself if you really don't feel like it. Forceps delivery is very invasive IMO and I recall feeling like I'd been hit by a truck for the first few weeks.

Like LornMowa, my second delivery was very quick despite DS2 being 10lb 7oz. Just to reiterate again though, do your pelvic floor exercises daily. I now have a rectocele and some stress incontinence, having already had one prolapse op.

I really didn't do my exercises as I should have though! Please don't think I am suggestin this will happen to you, I'm not at all!