Sex after Childbirth

[Jammee]

I had a forceps delivery 7 months ago had had a large episiotomy and an internal tear. My stitches were agony and got infected; it took weeks for the infection to clear up.

When DD was about 20 weeks DH and I tried sex for the first time. I know this is TMI but it was agony and he couldn't go all the way in. I thought it would get better the more we did it but it hasn't. DD is 7mo and sex is still very painful. So much so that we have only tried a handful of times since she was born.

Is this normal? I'm still BFing and have heard that when you stop BFing hormone levels change and that can make sex more comfortable. Is this true or am I going to end up like the people I've seen on Embarrassing Bodies who have to be cut open again and have scar tissue removed?

Please give me good news. If things don't improve it will seriously damage my marriage! DH is kind about it but I know he's frustrated as hell!

Go and see your GP, it's not unusual for this to happen and there are remedies that don't involve surgical intervention.

Definitely go back to the doctors - this is quite common and you may need to be re stitched but there are other things that can help. Please don't carry on suffering in silence.

Yes you need to see your GP. I tore badly and breast fed, but our sex life resumed after about six weeks. It wasn't quite at the level it was before but that was down to tiredness really.

OP I had a forceps delivery which resulted in internal injuries, but didn't have the same problems as you are describing. I think you should go to your GP too.

Oh, sorry, yes I was BFing too.

Good luck OP, I hope it gets sorted out.

I had a forceps delivery and a 3b tear. I did not have much trouble afterwards, and by the time DD was seven MO our sex life was definitely back to normal.

Please go back to your GP and make sure you get referred back to the consultant who looked after you after having your DD. The GP should refer you straight back if you are still having difficulties

I had a normal delivery last October and no tearing, no stitches- everything completely intact. Yet with that it took until dd was 9 months for sex to be completely painless. Be patient and be gentle. Your body has to heal and it will.