Bits of my bits missing??

[BrokenFanjo]

Since having DD2 (15 weeks ago) I've been a bit sore and am not healing properly. I mean everything has mended but it still hurts to touch. When I walk I can feel something rubbing (not on my knickers, just me against me somehow) and sex is pretty much out of the question.

I looked in the mirror last night and it appears I have a bit missing . Sorry if TMI but I need to know if this is normal... I have a scar from episiotomy with DD1 and I tore right next to that with DD2 so it looks (as DH put it) like I've been fish-hooked! But (this is the odd bit) while the inner flap joins up at the back on one side, the other side seems to stop short and I have an extension of hole. If you're not puking at the image by now, can you tell me if this is normal after having 2 babies or do I need (again, DH's words) recuntstructive surgery?

P.S. Sorry for the name change but I am

LOL at "recuntstructive" surgery! Not LOL at problem though.

Does sound as if you need to see a doc.

Aftore with DS1 and had stitches Its never been the same.

I have what me and DP call a bobbly bit. lol. where i was sewn back up but theres a little bobble of bits hanging down.

I think most women wo have torn dont look the same after, but if it affecting you or its painful then you should go to your GP

xx

I'm not sure I entirely understand. You mean, your labia minora (the inner lips) are asymetrical, and one side doesn't reach all the way to the back of your vagina?

It doesn't sound like something you'd want surgery on, to be honest - that just means more pain and discomfort there. I don't think missing part of the labia minora would cause discomfort.

I never had a normal delivery, so don't know what recovery time should be - 15 weeks seems like a long time. The lack of proper healing worries me more than the asymmetrical fanjo, tbh - it's not like anyone other than DH see it, is it ...

I would see someone about it. x and also lol at 'recuntstructive'!

Oh dear - this doesn't sound good. Have you seen a gp or midwife about it? If things have healed a bit funny you may need surgery (am lol-ing at recuntstructive surgery btw - sorry). Best thing is to get medical advice ASAP, especially if you're in pain. I've had 4 dcs & this hasn't happened to me. Hope you get it sorted.

PMSL at recuntstructive surgery
Sorry

Ahem

I had an episiotomy with DS1 and I am sure that the pain/discomfort lasted a matter of days rather than weeks. If it still causing discomfort I would definitely see someone.

Yes NQC, that's exactly it, a perfect description!

I saw my GP about 4 weeks ago and he said it still looked inflamed and to give it time, he didn't mention anything about the missing bits though. I will go back this week, I just wondered if it's normal and I'm over-reacting.

Hmmm, I don't know about fixes for inflamed - if walking etc is making it sore, I assume you're at least making sure it gets some (ahem) rest? And air?

I don't think the missing bits are worth worrying much about - what can surgery do? Move bits about? That's just going to make things more sore, and risk nerve damage, infection etc etc.

really doesn't sound normal, sounds maybe when they put stiches in they didn't bring it together correctly, or you could of had a bit of an infection at some point. go to your GP for advice, try not to worry as it will get sorted out, but must be horrid for you in meantime xx

did you have ventouse or forceps? That can cause internal bruising which makes it sore for months (5 years in my case!) Otherwise, it may just be that it's not getting enough chance to heal as you're always going to be getting up, sitting down, walking, so it will take a bit longer. There may be things like arnica gel or tablets which may speed up the healing process. You could book in to see a practice nurse and ask her to take a look and advise you?

I had ventouse the first time, but not with DD2. I didn't have stitches for the tear, maybe I should have?

gosh yes, it sounds like you should have - go back to the docs

hi, sounds like then that they misjudged how deep tear was and you should of had stiches. go to GP and they will get it sorted for you x

they must of thought it would come together its self!

A few days after DD2 I looked in the mirror (big mistake!) and thought the tear looked like it was very open, best description would be like a snapped sausage, I could see the 2 exposed sides and thought then that it should have been stitched, but I got the visiting MW to look and she said it looked like it was healing nicely so I didn't worry again.

did you look at it before you gave birth to dd2 (for comparison purposes)? just that it's often not symmetrical anyway iyswim

the rubbing doesn't sound right either - I would mention that to the GP as well as what it looks like

I did and although it was a bit wonky after DD1 it didn't have anything missing!

doesnt sound good

I remember when I was being stitched up after ds1 and one midwife said to the other 'where shall I put this flap?', 'oh just tuck it in there' the other replied

sounds like you need surgery to me tbh. Def go to the doctor

I would not take advice from MNers about this because they are all too scared to look at their fanjos in a mirror because they don't want to face the fact that they look like the meat counter at Morrison's

Looks aren't important but if you are in pain then get referred to a Gynae who will be able to advise you - sometimes these things take a long time to heal though

Good luck!

Morning Paper! Mine is the meat counter at Harrods thank you very much!

I wouldn't freak out too much - after my episiostomy my stitches came un-done and I asked about being re-stitched and was told it is very very rare as the skin is too traumatised and can sometimes just kind of fall apart.. so the result is that I have a kind of flap and things definatively don't look the same as before. But who cares? it all still works as well as before . It is also meant to be better NOT to stitch natural tears these days as well, heals much better without stitches generally. I would think if you have been checked by midwife and had your postnatal check then it is probably more of an esthetic thing. But of course if it is worrying you or causing you pain it is always worth seeing a GP.

lol at meat counter - after my first baby dh described it as road kill. so i made him take photos with the digital camera so I could have a good look - bit disturbed when I came across those photos recently on the 'puter...

I've been to the doctor again this morning and he's referring me to the hosp

In the meantime he's given me some Amitriptyline which apparently will supress the nerves which are causing the pain. He mentioned some other stuff too, capsi-something which is normally used on damaged nerves but he said it's made from the hot stuff from chillies so this may not be the best place to use it!

Failing those he said surgery may be an option but to avoid it if I can.

Has anyone else had experience using Amitriptyline?

I was sticthed up the day AFTER I had ds as the midwives faffed around trying to decide whether or not I needed it
Anyway, my bits were definitely re-shaped IYKWIM and they also did quite a bit of internal stitching too. Nevertheless, it did heal up ok. I do think it sounds like it may need additional 'refinement' so the referral to the hospital is really appropriate. You need to be pain free, irrespective of how it looks down below! I watch too many Discovery Home and Health shows and they've had a few programmes based on Vaginal cosmetic surgery in the US. They appear to do alot of labial refinement with a laser now which speeds up the healing process and seemed very tidy in terms of their results!!

Best of luck.