Post Natal Vagina

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As the title says really... I’m just so unhappy with the aftermath but I don’t know what if anything to do about it.

I had a forceps delivery with episiotomy, the cut goes from inside out but it looks like the doctor who stitched me back up wasn’t actually looking at my vagina whilst stitching it up! It’s horrendous and very uncomfortable.

I don’t know whether I should just feel grateful my son if here and healthy. Or I can also feel like I should have a comfortable vagina even though I needed assistance to get him into the world.

To give some perspective it’s been just over 3 weeks so healed now and I can see/feel what it’s going to look like forever. There are parts that used to be inside that are now outside so it constantly feels like something is falling out.. it’s not it’s just something that used to be inside is now touching labia/knickers. Argh.

Am I being unreasonable with this? Should I just be grateful? Who do I talk to if not? Can anything even be done?

I had similar for first child... forceps and episiotomy and also a 3rd degree tear...

3 weeks is super early. I didn't even look at mine until after 3 months!! Even though it's healed it's still not back to how it's going to be forever. It's so so soon after birth and also presumably still bleeding and possibly breastfeeding.

But you should definitely get a referral to a woman's health physio. I had my DC1 in London and had automatic referral after birth due to tear, but where I am now where I had my DC2 you can self refer. Or GPs refer easily if you ask them ( just my experience, I don't know if true everywhere, I asked when pregnant and was super easy). This time because of covid I haven't been able to see the physio but have been having phone appointments which have still been helpful.

It looking weird still is definitely fine at 3 weeks, it is not all settled back yet. But the uncomfortable feeling like something is falling out isn't okay. Don't do anything that makes it feel worse ( I did way too much walking v early after DC1 and it made it worse. After DC2 I rested much more and it's gone back to normal much more quickly).

Yes lots can be done - physio really helped me and also I did hab-it exercises later on www.hab-it.com/

You are absolutely not being unreasonable. I felt so miserable for ages after DC1 because of my vagina!!! Glad to say that this no longer true! So see a woman's health physio and there is lots that can be done!

I agree with the first response. It’s very soon and hopefully things will improve. Sadly the risks of forceps/episiotomy are very much downplayed so it may be you will have some lasting changes or even damage, but seeing a pelvic floor physio will help with this. Lots do something called a “mummy MOT” which checks for post natal health, and this could be worthwhile. In the meantime, do your pelvic floors and take it easy.

Congratulations on your baby and sorry that you’re having these issues

Yanbu.
Your GP who can then refer you to gynae.
You could also contact women's physio health to ask them further advice.
Your health isn't any less important than your child's.
I'm sorry this happened.

I'm the same however my DS is 5 and I have have had another baby. My stitches came undone after I got a cold in the hospital. So mine is completely apart and looks awful. I saw a GP about it. There are things that can be done but I was told to wait until I had completely finished having children. I'm not in everyday discomfort but it can make sex a little awkward. If you are in daily pain your should speak to your GP.

Hi OP, congratulations on your baby! As others have said, it’s very early days yet. I’m 7 months on from my episiotomy (and my stitches came undone!) and it probably took me about 8-10 weeks until things felt better, and month after month things have continued to improve. I know it seems like a long time but it will get better. Keep doing your pelvic floor exercises and try and rest as much as you can (I know not easy with a little one!). If things don’t improve in a few weeks, I would speak to a women’s health physio.