Episiotomy

[watermelonsugar99]

Hi, just wanting a bit of advice.
I had my baby on Tuesday (6 days ago) after an hour of pushing in labour I was rushed to surgery for forceps and an episiotomy. I was discharged the day after with iron tablets as I lost quite a lot of blood.

I know it's early days but I'm still struggling so much with the pain, I take paracetamol and ibuprofen regularly and try to keep the area as clean as I can. I still can't walk properly without pain nor can I sit down, even if I try sitting on my side. I asked the midwife to check my stitches and she said they seem okay but she can't see them inside so she doesn't know how they're healing there. I'm really struggling as my partner is back at work next week & I don't think I'm going to be able to cope on my own, since getting out of hospital I've been crying constantly and feeling guilty. I can't even get up during the night to get baby as it takes me about 10 minutes to try get out of bed. Did anyone else have a similar experience? How was everyone's recovery with an episiotomy as I've heard so many horror stories which is not helping my anxiety!!

Any tips for a faster recovery? Using a peri bottle every time I go to the toilet and spritz for bits on my pad every time it gets changed

Hello!

I recently (7 weeks) had an episiotomy and 3rd degree tear. My episiotomy broke down around week 2 so there is still a hole there trying to close up but still trying to recover. It feels really weird to sit down. How long did recovery take for you?

@girlmumoftwo

Hello!

I recently (7 weeks) had an episiotomy and 3rd degree tear. My episiotomy broke down around week 2 so there is still a hole there trying to close up but still trying to recover. It feels really weird to sit down. How long did recovery take for you?

Hi! How are you today? It took me about 4 months maybe more to feel 100% back to normal and be able to do everything I was able to do before childbirth :) remember that everyone is different though and you may well recover quicker! Make sure you rest as much as possible. Do you have any help?

Hi @watermelonsugar99

I’m almost 9 weeks now and still in discomfort and pain. Can’t really sit down properly and walking is more like a fast waddle. Thank you! I hope I feel somewhat normal soon.

I do have help thankfully. :) my mum comes over during the days and leaves when hubby comes home.

Hi @girlmumoftwo sorry to tag you, IA m going through the same , has your episiotomy healed ? I am also 9 weeks pp, it hasn’t healed yet and in lot of discomfort :(

@DarlingBabyMom Hello! I am so sorry to hear you are going through the same :( Hang in there! It does get better with time.

It has closed over thank goodness. It is a scar. It took about 3 months to close over. However I’m still not a 100 percent. I can walk and sit now. But when I walk or stand I have like a discomfort in that region hard to explain. It feels like I have something stuck between my cheeks but not sure if that is related to my 3rd degree tear. Overall though feel much much better compared to 9 weeks.

Good to hear it closed ... Arrghhh .. sorry you are still in discomfort... hope we all mammas heal healthy and fine sooner

@DarlingBabyMom Hopefully we all do!

Take care of yourself! Just take it one day at a time. It will healed up :)

Any advice ?
I am having (over or hyper) granulation tissue , which is causing me and discomfort I think. Having a check with GP tomorrow. Let me see how it goes. Do they treat it with silver nitrate if still in healing stage or do I need to wait till wound closed :( not sure ... let me put my trust on GP.

@DarlingBabyMom

I have the same!! Mine was outside of my vagina on the perineum near my anus. My private surgeon wanted to wait and see if it would heal up on its own and I think mine has. I have my check up with her on the 21st. I seriously remember how painful it was but it gets better I promise! My GP and obs did mention silver nitrate and opted to do it for me on the spot but I’m waiting on advice from the surgeon I trust her more (she is apparently best pelvic reconstruction surgeon in my area). She just said keep doing salt baths, dry pat area clean.

@girlmumoftwo thank you. Just was it before healing or after healing? M still not healed and have it and read that it will hinder healing :( mine is exactly on the episiotomy (on the healed part I guess) bottom of vagina ( sorry tmi) and it’s lookinr big for me :( Also any side effects with silver nitrate ? Did you surgeon give any reason to why to wait ? Sorry if I am asking for too much.

@DarlingBabyMom

Not at all ask away! I was searching frantically for answers for so long!

First my episiotomy part closed over and then the granulation tissue started getting smaller and smaller. It just took a while. Mine was pretty big too. I think ours is in the same position mine is so I totally understand when you mean that it’s painful and uncomfortable. It’s in such a place that all movements make it move if that makes sense? I had a look the other day (well tried too) and it seems to have gone completely. The pin is gone but the discomfort is there sometimes again not sure if this is because of my 3rd degree tear.

The hospital I gave birth in wanted to cut it off and burn it but I wanted a second opinion so went to the private surgeon. She said because it’s such a delicate area it’s best to wait as long as possible to see if the body just does as much healing as it’s own. Sometimes they can heal up on its own without intervention. I’m also breastfeeding which slows healing due to lack of oestrogen (period hasn’t returned). So she said time is my best friend as hard as it is and surely enough each day went by I just felt better and better.

I can let you know what she says after the 21st? If you have Instagram add me my user is photosbysuy

Also I’ve been taking zinc and collagen religiously since too. Not sure if that has helped speed things up regarding skin health.

I know it’s probably hard to feel now but it will get better. Most people on this forum said it can takes months to feel normal. I wish you good health x

@girlmumoftwo thank you. Completely understand. Let me see what GP says tomorrow, will ask her if it would be better to take second opinion if it needs to be cut or treated with silver nitrate. Incase if mine is unhealthy tissue then will go ahead and cut it off or if it’s healthy and helping healing then will give it time. Sure will connect on Instagram.

@DarlingBabyMom

Good luck!! Get them to swab it for infection too so rule that out.

I’m just terrified of anything surgical related which is why I was praying it would go away on it’s own.

Fingers crossed for the both of us 🤞

Just wanted to update it’s Healed finally

@DarlingBabyMom Yay!!