Post-Natal vaginal surgery - SCARED!

[Ab31]

Looking for stories of encouragement (preferably no nightmare experiences!). 6 months on from a fast birth resulting in a bad tear, I have to go into hospital for an op as the tear hasn't healed "at all well". They have to burn off granulation tissue and re-cut and stitch the wound. They're giving me a spinal rather than a GA as I'm breast-feeding but I'm terrified!
Has anyone else had anything similar???

Eek! No personal experience but dh step-mum had a similar thing (but talking 16 years ago here). She said things were so much better after the op. Good luck!

My SIL has recently had a had an op to sort her out down below and it went fine and that was internal and external scarring and bodge ups. Her original epi came undone with 2nd baby I think and she never felt quite right. But she's all sorted now and she said she feels much better with the results.

I had to have my episiotomy scar "undone" and re-repaired following an emergency ventouse delivery with dd1. It never healed properly and I had granulation tissue and a cyst form in the scar. I had it done when dd1 was 5 months old (under GA) and it was so much better afterwards. Went on to have two more dds and only a couple of stitches each time so glad it was sorted out. I was terrified though - mainly that I wouldn't wake up and dd1 would be left without me

I had a spinal anaethesia and it was GREAT!

For knee surgery.

Thanks everyone. Good to know I'm not alone....but still terrified!! Part of it is worry about the LO as she refuses the bottle point blank. Am leaving her and DH with EBM, a cup and loads of mashed carrot! Anyway that and having my bits sliced up (by a very sexy doctor BTW)!!!

ab31 - good luck with this.

Yes, 10 days ago!! Had GA. Was home by lunchtime. Uncomfortable rather than painful. Dd 2.4 so have really put off having it done. It will be fine. My biggest fear was not waking up, but all was well - just waiting to see if it has done trick...

I had recut and restitch done, it was

ok (am trying to remember rule about being encouraging )

and well worth doing IMO. I also had a spinal which I was not prepared for - I think if you go in knowing what to expect it may be easier. I would practise some relaxation / meditation techniques if you can, as it is kind of an odd experience

You can't have a private room at all and take your baby in with you? I would be moaning about "exclusively breastfed baby" and "needs to be with me" etc etc. I was lucky and was able to take ds in, and fed him straight before and after the op.

I would also discuss post-op pain relief before you have it done.

Best of luck and try not to worry unduly (easier said than done). I am a serious coward and if I can have it done I reckon anyone can

Eeek, frannyandzooey I'm reading a "it was truly horrible" between the lines! Was it worth it though? I'm beginning to think I can live without sex ever again... Oh well in 48 hours it'll all be over!

Don't worry AB! I had a spinal for a 3rd deg tear repair and you will not feel a single thing. I was not prepared for the spinal at all as it was straight after I had dd, I had been dead against an epidural for the birth partly because I couldn't bear the thought of the needle in my spine (one of my biggest fears). When they did it it was absolutely fine, the procedure was even less uncomfortable than having blood taken for example! Afterwards, your lower half will be numb and I'm sure you will be given some good pain relief for later. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

LOL sorry my cowardice had to shine through there. My problem does not sound as serious as yours is and I was definitely glad that I had it done, so I would imagine it is absolutely the right thing for you to be doing. This time next week you will be looking back on it all

So....am home. DD survived and so did I! It was pretty diconcerting and I'm very sore now but at least it's done! How long does the soreness last... anyone? Paracetamol just doesn't cut it does it?!

Well done! Hope you heal up soon.

Have you tried those gel packs that you pop in the freezer znd plsce in your knickers?

Sorry, spelling crap, must put light on!

hope you feel better soon - happy your dd was fine as well

Well done! I bet you are glad thats over. Can you take anything a bit stronger? I had co-codamol after similar. I would ask the pharmacist what you can take whilst you are bf.

Wouls Arnica help? Might be worth asking a pharmacist, or someone on here "in the know" might come along in a bit?

That should read would....

Oh well done, and I found the healing was better than after my botched episiotomy myself

one thing I found helpful was pouring a jug of water over the whole area while you do a wee, so that the urine is diluted and doesn't sting so much. Drying with a hairdrier after bathing helps healing and is less likely to breed infection than leaving things damp. I also found pressing a tissue with some tea tree oil onto the stitches numbed it a little before or after going to the loo. Make sure you don't get constipated , lots of fruit, veg and water - lactulose is ok to take while bf if you have any troubles with constipation. HTH

Thanks everyone, what lovely support. Will try all of the below...good idea about the gel packs and the tea tree oil. Am already taking Arnica but will slow waddle to the chemist to ask if there's anything else. The hospital were totally crap about pain relief (I was in the recovery room for 5 hours as there were no beds and when they finally agreed to send me home the drugs they tried to give me were not allowed with breast feeding and they had no paracetamol!).
The b/fing cushion is coming in very useful for sitting on.... who knew......