Anyone had surgery to repair damage from childbirth?

[NameChanger11]

I've just come back from a really awful gynae appointment and I'm feeling really down about it.

I've got 2 DCs, fairly straightfowards births but both times resulted in 2nd degree tears. I've got a skin tag in the entrance of my vagina, presumably the stitches weren't done quite right. It makes intercourse uncomfortable and also the thought of having it there sticking out like a freaky mutant puts me off having sex much anyway. My GP (who was lovely) referred me to a gynae.

I'm also getting counselling for post-traumatic stress because of the way DC2's birth was handled.

So the first thing the gynae did was offer a smear because I'm not up to date. She was quite rough and it hurt a lot, I begged her to stop but she wasn't very sympathetic. When the brush came out I saw it was covered in blood, is that normal? I've had smears before which have been fine, no pain and no blood.

Then when we talked about surgery all she did was say about how it can go wrong, make things worse permanently and how risky it was.

I came out in tears, I don't know what I want now. My DP has been really supportive but I've hardly let him come near me for the last 2 years. I really don't want to have surgery if it's going to make things worse. I've lost all faith in the NHS and tbh I'm ready to just shut up shop and never have sex ever again.

Has anyone had surgery? How did it go? I'm thinking about going private now, DP might be able to get insurance through his work.

Thanks for reading, sorry it was so long.

Sounds like you have had a terrible time. You definitely need a different consultant. A friend had this kind of problem (ish) and once she had a good and sympathetic consultant things were dealt with properly and she is now fine. Ask for a second opinion.

Thank you I've decided to go back and see the nice GP and see what my other options are.

I had a Fenton's procedure when ds was 8 months old (re-cut and stitch under general anaesthetic, plus removal of scar tissue). I had a 2nd degree tear after the birth and although it healed up fine (was stitched of course), I think the stitches were done too tight, as whenever DH and I attempted to have sex it was just so painful and we couldn't. I think you need to see a different consultant as mine was lovely and really reassuring. He didn't say there was a risk of anything getting worse, but he did say that in some rare cases there is no improvement. Given that we couldn't get physical at all though I figured it was worth a shot. The op itself was a day case, over quickly, and I was in a lot of pain for the first 24 hours or so (they were nervous about giving me anything stronger than paracetamol as I was breastfeeding, but I now know that that's bollocks and I would have been fine to take codeine - so definitely ask for harder stuff if you do go for it). After that it felt fine and it healed quickly, and happily it was a complete success and I've had no problems since. So it was definitely worth it for me (this was all on the NHS too). I think you need to be referred to a nicer surgeon!

Have a look for the raggedy bits thread or the one about rectoceles, plenty of women there who've had all sorts of birth injuries.

I had a perinearraphy (sp?) 5 months after the birth of my daughter when it transpired my third degree tear wound hadn't healed correctly. Like you, I was very traumatised not only by the birth but the damage I had been left with.

The surgery wasn't too bad actually, I kept my painkillers topped up and already knew wound care from the initial tear. Do investigate treatment.

Yes to needing good painkillers for first 24 hours, burning pain!

My gynae is very sympathetic to the problems that birth injuries cause to self esteem, sex life and mental health. Sounds like your consultant isn't the right one for you.

NameChanger11

I am sorry for the way you were treated today.

It makes me so angry that all Gyns seem to think about is have a bleeping smear test!! It is an OPTIONAL cancer screening and it has no place in a consultation regarding any problems you might have after the birth of your child. It takes up valuable consultation time and and puts you in a vulnerable position, when you should be discussing solutions for your health problems.

I would suggest that you complain in the strongest terms to your GP and to your local Health Authority about this awful doctor, and get an appointment for a second opinion as suggested above.

There are other options available for your situation. Try not to give up looking for help just because this awful person has upset you.

I have just posted about this also (perineal refashion). I have been offered surgery to remove scar tissue & skin tag also. I know exactly how you feel.

Although you do need to see a different consultant, i was told that about 50% of people who have this surgery have improvement. I was not told of any permanent damage or bad side effects other than the few weeks of recovery. I will have a follow up appointment next week to discuss details of surgery and confirm date of operation (late Jan/early Feb at the moment).

Speak to your lovely gp, explain you were not happy with how the consultant treated you and you would like to see someone else.

Also, ddo check out the Raggedy bits thread, theres one mum who has just had this done a few weeks ago & has shared her story.

I have just posted about this also (perineal refashion). I have been offered surgery to remove scar tissue & skin tag also. I know exactly how you feel.

Although you do need to see a different consultant, i was told that about 50% of people who have this surgery have improvement. I was not told of any permanent damage or bad side effects other than the few weeks of recovery. I will have a follow up appointment next week to discuss details of surgery and confirm date of operation (late Jan/early Feb at the moment).

Speak to your lovely gp, explain you were not happy with how the consultant treated you and you would like to see someone else.

Also, ddo check out the Raggedy bits thread, theres one mum who has just had this done a few weeks ago & has shared her story.

Thanks all for your posts, sorry it's taken me a while to reply. I went back to the nice GP this morning and she's going to refer me to a private gynae. Hopefully they will be a bit more sympathetic and spend more time explaining the possible outcomes.

I've also had a read of the ragged bits thread and found it very helpful, so thank you for letting me know about it.