Perineal pain, esp during sex (after second degree tear with DC1)

[Zara8]

Is anyone who had a tear with their previous child/ren or episiotomy having perineal pain as pregnancy progresses? I am getting this, especially during sex. Not searing pain, just "ouchy". Had quite a bad second degree tear with DS (who is 18 months old), but it healed well and I had no pain during sex from about 8 months post-partum.

I will ask at my next antenatal appointment (which is about 6 weeks away, as I'm only 15 weeks), but just wondering in the meantime if I should be worried.... it's going to get much worse as the pressure increases, isn't it??

Midwife had asked me to flag it after I told her about my tear, they have a perineal consultant I can see (unsure if this is a doc, midwife or physio).

Concerned about even more damage being done this time!!

Hi Zara, I'm also pregnant with DC2 and also have pain similar to what you're describing. I had an episiotomy with DC1 and the pain seems to be in that area. Mine isn't due to/after sex, as I can't say I've had much of that lately! It's more when I squat down to pick something up, I feel lots of pressure there and it's quite painful.

I've been doing some reading today and have found that sometimes perineal pain can be a symptom of SPD/PGP. I've had a sore pelvis for a few weeks now so this would certainly fit for me. Could this be the case for you too?

Sympathies moonshine!! Haven't had a sore pelvis at all so far, this is the first symptom, but it is gradually becoming more noticeable. Could well be SPD? I didn't have it last time so I guess I'll need to see how it develops...

All my symptoms are completely different this time.... For some reason I expected pregnancy to be very similar!

I'm a bit worried about the scar. Loads of people (and my midwife) says you don't necessarily tear with the second child as errrrr all the damage was done on the way out with the first however there is a large ridge of scar tissue running along my perineum, don't know how well that's going to stretch if I tore similarly again with the same recovery (which was very good) I wouldn't be too upset - but I'm not keen on anything worse happening due to pregnancy pressure and then pushing!

Ah the glamour of pregnancy...

I'm the same Zara, I'm really worried about how my next birth is going to go. It took what felt like forever to recover last time! I'm terrified of my scar splitting open, but then I know that I could have no damage at all this time!

I had a large episiotomy first time, healed well and have me no problems at all afterwards but DS was a big baby and tore across the scar on his way out. The tear didn't heal as well as the cut :( so second babies, particularly big uns, can still do damage. I'd speak to them ASAP in case there's a risk to you with a vaginal delivery. Nobody wants to have to have surgery for a third degree tear!