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Original poster

help! - dodgy episiotomy stitches and vaginal cyst

50 replies

feelingicky · 17/02/2006 13:12

hi - just wondering if anyone is around who has had either of these. I'm waiting for the dr to phone me back and need to know what questions to ask...

went to drs couple of weeks ago to ask her to look at everything 'down there' as it felt tight and uncomfortable, she tok one look and said I'd been sewn up overlapping and that i also had a vaginal cyst. She is referring me to a gynaecologist. I was pretty shocked so didn't ask any questions, have only just gpot around to organising a phone conversation with her today and want to make sure i don't forget anything important. Any advice, experiences etc very gratefully received, i am more worried about the cyst, just fed up about the stiches and prospect of no proper sex life for another 6 months....

OP posts:
poppiesinaline · 17/02/2006 14:05

Not really but am bumping for you. I did have a bit of 'dodgy' stitching after DS1 and got some granulation tissue which got treated with a nitrate stick if I remember rightly, but no cyst or anything.

Anyway.

BUMP

Original poster
feelingicky · 17/02/2006 14:24

Thanks poppies, hope yours turned out ok in the end, what is granulation tissue?

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nailpolish · 17/02/2006 14:28

dont know if its quite the same but i had a huge number of stitches with dd1, had the most enormous haematoma, bruising everywhere, i had several appts with the physio who used a small ultrasound machine to reduce the swelling and haematoma. it was fabulous. (she used gel straight out of the fridge - very soothing!) and the stitches seemed to disappear quite quickly. i have no problems anymore

hth

janinlondon · 17/02/2006 14:59

Feelingicky you should know that you are in no way alone in this. I have had a vaginal cyst (result of underdose of pethidine during egg retrieval during IVF) which was removed under a GA with only four or five dissolving stitches. It was not horrendous, and as long as you take the medication the pain is completely manageable. Sitting down was a bit of a problem for a few days, but that was all. Full recovery (in every way) in about three weeks. Vaginal cysts do sometimes self resolve, but if not, surgery is not so horrifying. The stories I could tell you about mis-sewing incidents after birth would make your hair (and everything else) curl! But don't panic. It is all fixable.

Original poster
feelingicky · 17/02/2006 15:41

Thanks - really reassuring to hear your experiences. Janinlondon, interesting to hear cause of your cyst, i did some research on the web and it said that you could get cysts from trauma (incl childbirth - v apt!)but also mentioned that they might test for types of cancer. Am guessing that the dr assumed mine was caused by giving brith but obviously once the big C word ios mentioned your brain goes into overdrive...

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janinlondon · 17/02/2006 15:54

I would think your case was a pretty clear one of trauma. Wouldn't even consider the other - its so completely unlikely. And they would have seen the cyst during the episiotomy if it had been there then. Honestly, don't worry! It will all be well. A bit of day surgery and you'll be fine.

Original poster
feelingicky · 17/02/2006 15:58

Thanks, its good to get a sane opinion rather than my paranoid one . Dr hasn't called so will probably have to try to speak to her again next week.

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janinlondon · 17/02/2006 16:00

Glad my disastrous egg retrieval could result in at least SOMETHING helpful for someone!!

poppiesinaline · 17/02/2006 16:54

thanks feelingicky. yes all turned out fine granulation tissue is when the wound kind of heals in a bulge but remains very inflamed and raw. i think thats the best way to describe it. some medics will prob be able to give you a far better explanation!!!! Hope your prob is dealt with quickly.

fisil · 17/02/2006 16:58

Hi feelingicky. I've had cysts galore - 3 of which needed surgery to get rid of them. With the first I asked what caused it and they said bad luck. With the second I asked again and they said, "urm, very bad luck?" Basically I've always been led to believe that they were just one of those things that happen. Although they were painful at the time and the surgery wasn't great, once they're gone they're gone.

KateF · 17/02/2006 17:06

I have also had both cysts and granulation tissue following some pretty horrendous trauma during dd1s birth. I ended up having a surgical procedure to reopen the scar and repair it again. Since then the cyst has recurred but causes no problems so has been left. Have managed to deliver two more babies with only a couple of stitches each time. Hope you get sorted out soon .

Original poster
feelingicky · 19/02/2006 18:24

thanks everyone, going to try and get hold of the dr again tomorrow to ask more questions and find out when i'm likely to get an appt with the gynaecologist - but feeling much calmer after all your posts

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pooka · 19/02/2006 19:54

I tore during labour and was stitched up too tight. Was immediately picked up by the GP at postnatal check. Had episiotomy and restitch on NHS when dd was 7 months. Yes- meant no sex (but was knackered anyway ). All fine afterwards and now have ds (tore again but stitches fine this time round.
The out-patient bit was rather unpleasant, but the outcome was so positive that it was worth it. Had local anaesthetic (ouch) as was breast feeding and so couldn't have GA. Was really worried about labour second time round, but while I could feel tear (only gas and air compared to epidural and pehtidine with dd), was fine.
Hope you get a quick referral and that all is well

busybaby · 19/02/2006 21:44

Really glad to have found this thread - been having painful sex since baby born (now 19 weeks old) - feels very tight down there too. Is it common for tears to be stitched up badly then? I only had a small tear and am now wishing they hadn't bthered to stitch it at all. Must go to the dr's - been putting it off as too frightened about what they'll do.

Original poster
feelingicky · 20/02/2006 08:51

hi busybaby, your experience sounds v similar to mine, my ds is now 25 weeks and i have only managed (quite painful) sex a handful of times. It was really getting me down and I thought that was just what you should expect after having a baby so I was actually quite relieved that there was something wrong rather than having to just get used to it. I'd recommend going to see the dr to get the ball rolling straight away as its been about 3 weeks and I haven't had any news about an appt with gynaecologist yet.

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busybaby · 20/02/2006 11:38

Thanks feelingicky - it's actually my first time writing on Mumsnet so glad to get a response so quickly.
Did your GP check your stitches were healing OK at your 6 week check? Mine didn't even ask if I'd had any stitches - I was quite surprised, but at that time hadn't had the opportunity to discover the problem and didn't want to offer a look, if you know what I mean!
I thought the same as you - by the time we first tried sex baby was nearly 10 weeks old, so assumed that it was a new scar thing and that it would get better with time and practice! I keep trying to convince myself that it is getting easier, but truthfully it isn't.
Will make appointment with GP now ...

shimmy21 · 20/02/2006 11:55

I've had both too. In fact my cyst was discovered as they were deciding how to sew up a botched episiotomy. I spent a pleasnt 3 hours with my legs open after ds2 was born while a series of increasingly senior docs came to gawp. (All this while being encouraged to bf at the other end and having my photo taken by dh!)

To cut a long story short they eventually decided to sew me up without removing the cyst. I could feel a prominent lump there for at least 3 or more years and it did worry me a bit (but not as much as an undiagnosed lump would have done). Eventually it did disappear all on its own and I'm basically back to as normal as you ever can be after childbirth!

busybaby · 20/02/2006 11:59

That sounds hideous! It's funny how my dignity didn't really cross my mind when I was having daughter or when midwife stitched me up afterwards, but now it really bothers me to have people poking about.

Original poster
feelingicky · 20/02/2006 16:42

Ah, the joys of childbirth! Glad to hear all turne out ok for you shimmy. Busybaby - again, similar experience at GP. At my 6 week check the dr reluctantly asked if i wanted her to check my stiches, i said yes and she had the minimum of glances and said they were healing fine. Pretty mad now that another gp took one look and realised i had a problem. Hope your appt goes well,let me know if you get any good info.

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busybaby · 28/02/2006 20:57

Had appointment with GP today - referring me onto gynae consultant. She didn't say much other than they may need to re-fashion the scar. So, just wait for the appointment to come through.
Feelingicky - have you heard anything yet?

thirtysomething · 28/02/2006 21:16

Wow I can't believe that so many ohter people have had this experience - haven't had a cyst as far as I know but was recently informed during a smear that my episitotomy was botched and I still have signs of forceps trauma - this is nearly 6 years after last baby! My GP didn't even examine me at the 6 week check, said it wasn't necessary. The nurse who did the smear said I could either be "realigned" surgically or just live with it. Don't even get me started on the sex issue! Your posts have given me the motivation I need to pursue this matter now. Thanks and good luck to everyone dealing with this!

pooka · 28/02/2006 22:16

My GP asked to check my stitches after dd was born and then more recently after ds was born. She's lovely - I think she's fab.
I'm with you on the poking around thing - hardly noticed the stitching and the lack of dignity when dd was born, but then I had a lovely baby in my arms. To be honest, the restitch was pretty awful. In an op- theatre, with lots of nurses and the gynaecologist. felt really clinical. I chose not to have a GA as as breast feeding, but the local anaesthetic was not very effective and was rather uncomfortable. Felt that the gynae was rather unsympathetic. My tolerance for people poking around was much diminished (to the extent that I really hate going to the dentist too now). (I am a bit of a tearful wuss though).
BUT.... the end result was exactly as it should be. Healed fine, could have sex again, and conceived ds. So worth it all in the end.

busybaby · 28/02/2006 22:30

If I have to have re-stitch I think I'd rather be out cold but am scared because I've never had an anaesthetic before, which makes me think - be brave woman and have a local. But, when the m/w did the stitches in the first place the local didn't work so I know how it feels and that puts me off!

Original poster
feelingicky · 01/03/2006 13:44

hi all - can't believe how common this seems to be, have since found out that a family friend had to have her stiches redone (twice!). Her advice was that if it doesn't feel right to you then persist because after her first op they tried to her her that was the best it could be but she pushed for the second and everything is back to normal now. Thanks for the positive outcome stories, feeling much less freaked out about the whole thing now although i think thats because i'm still quite a way off the op!
I've now got my appt to see the gynae consultant, end of April which I guess is not too bad considering but I've got an appt with my gp this friday to ask lots of questions and to find out if i can maybe see the consultant privately to speed things up and get on the op waiting list sooner. Good luck with your appts busybaby and pooka.

OP posts:
Original poster
feelingicky · 01/03/2006 13:44

hi all - can't believe how common this seems to be, have since found out that a family friend had to have her stiches redone (twice!). Her advice was that if it doesn't feel right to you then persist because after her first op they tried to her her that was the best it could be but she pushed for the second and everything is back to normal now. Thanks for the positive outcome stories, feeling much less freaked out about the whole thing now although i think thats because i'm still quite a way off the op!
I've now got my appt to see the gynae consultant, end of April which I guess is not too bad considering but I've got an appt with my gp this friday to ask lots of questions and to find out if i can maybe see the consultant privately to speed things up and get on the op waiting list sooner. Good luck with your appts busybaby and pooka.

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