9 month after episiotomy sore after exercise

[Rockinghorse2019]

Hi is this normal or a prolapse or something else not sure about going to GP or if I need physio or I’m just expecting to much!
My pelvic floor seems weak and uncomfortable after forceps last September. Initially feeling like everything was falling out. Went to see GP in January about it as scare still sore- Checked and everything looked fine had smear.
Now somedays it still feels uncomfortable especially when exercising like it’s moving around. I did high impact aerobics (body attack) on Saturday and now the scar hurts.

It’s totally normal to feel “different” after a vaginal birth. However I would say push for a pelvic health physio referral.
The pelvic floor weakness, occasional pain, possible heaviness are all reasons to get it checked out.
Hassle the GP or find a private physio. There are good links on the squeezy app website for physios all over the country.
Good luck

Any advice from anyone still feels sore husband says I’m worrying because I’m thinking about it all the time. The area feels sore and uncomfortable 😣

Suffer from health anxiety so really struggling at the minute xx

I would definitely get checked out by a woman's health physio and avoid doing high impact exercise in the meantime. If your pelvic floor or core muscles are weak you could be setting yourself up for more problems if you don't sort it. Most likely it can be fixed with some simple exercises. My physio told me there is so much that is common not normal after pregnancy and birth such as leaking wee and women are encouraged to put up with it but we shouldn't.
Apparently lots of physios offer a 'mummy mot' and this would be really worth looking into.

I have a prolapse, it wasn't initially there after birth but has gotten worse from carrying a heavy baby - now toddler - and doing HIIT.

You need to look up what the provision is at your local hospital physio clinic - some will let you self-refer, others require a GP referral. If it's a long waiting list go private to a women's health physio. Stop the high intensity exercise. Read up about pelvic floor exercises and do them (try Michelle kenway on YouTube). Make sure you aren't straining on the loo. Try and rest lying down with your bum up on a cushion for 30 minutes a couple of times a day.

My women's health physio says that prolapse can feel a lot worse if you focus on it.

Thank u for your replies. I’m not leaking wee or anything like that just feels uncomfortable and scar feels sore and like things are moving / like there is something stuck there (if that makes sense). I keep worrying it’s something bad and really don’t want to go to gyne again I’ve just gone though 6 ivf cycles !
I do love my exercise though and have been walking around 4 miles a day and 1 yoga class and 3 Zumba style classes.

@Rockinghorse2019 prolapse is really common and for some women it's totally resolvable, do try not to worry too much about it but if you do some reading about pelvic floor exercises and prolapse you can find information about how to exercise without aggravating the symptoms.

It would be a women's health physio you would see rather than a gynaecologist, or that's what's usual in the UK. Only you can decide if you would prefer to see someone or not. For me, I would rather know what was going on.

You can still exercise! You just also need to rest, and avoid anything that involves jumping or running or landing heavily on your feet until you know what is going on. It's entirely possible you can gradually return to higher impact activities once you are managing any prolapse symptoms.

You can get these special shorts/trousers for exercise that support the pelvic floor, they aren't cheap but my physio recommended them: evbsport.com

It's really normal to feel worried and stressed about it. I spent a long time feeling quite sorry for myself. But now, although I am still optimistic it will improve with physio I also know it might not get back to normal and there are options (e.g. pessaries, having a c-section next time!) that can make a big difference.

Thanks for all your messages and advice- really helpful. do you think it is more likely to be pelvic floor issues than something gyne?
Did a dance class yesterday and felt uncomfortable down there. My mum has a prolapse.