My post childbirth bum is getting me down

[AlexaStop]

Hi, I had 2 babies a year apart, both delivered with mid cavity forceps and episiotomy with tears on my anus (both deliveries). I also suffered piles and a fissure which have remained and I have been on stool softeners since my youngest was born 7 months ago. If I miss a dose I bleed when I go to the toilet.

I had a look and wish I hadn't. 2 very large skin tags on my bum among scar tissue and I must still have an internal pile as it's still sore inside. Really affects my sexual confidence too.

Just wondering what my options are, if I should go to GP but are they likely to do much? I know there are some specialists I could pay private for but it would be 2k for private surgery etc. Just feeling a bit down about it.

Give yourself a bit more time OP before you start thinking about cosmetic surgery. Things might improve, 7 months is not that long ago (it took me about 1 year before I felt my body had finally healed and even though I have a scar, it definitely looks better now after 18 months then it did in the beginning). What helped me too was that the consultant who delivered my baby had a look at it a few months ago and said it is normal and its not ugly (I have a scar that I absolutely hated). This helped me to accept it. Best of luck xx

Hi OP. Sorry to hear you're suffering with this. I'm sorry I can't advise, but wanted to say, please do persist and seek the medical help you need and keep looking if you get fobbed off. I don't know if you're in the UK but I feel women who have post-birth issues like this get a raw deal here, basically put up with it. I strongly believe we should not accept this attitude (the kind promoted in Tena advertising, normalizing post-baby incontinence, e.g). Good luck getting help with this.

@LaBellina thank you. I just don't see how it's going to ever look better because the skin tags are so large they will probably never go back into my body. I might wait until a year has passed and think about it then.

A few years of not going on holiday at least means I can save up for a new bum! The joys.

@Keyperfect thanks, yes I'm in the UK. The GP had a quick look when fitting my coil and sympathised but just prescribed some suppositories. It just doesn't feel enough to warrant a full GP appointment right now especially when it could be such a long time until anyone has a look.

I think I have heard that anal skin tags can be removed surgically, some people also get them from having hemorrhoids I think. If I were in your shoes, I would see my GP about it first (or maybe contact your midwife, she might know where to go for solutions).

Thanks I have made an appointment with my GP but it's not until March and is a phone appointment.. not sure how useful that will be but hopefully gets the ball rolling.