Third degree tear and episiotomy scar (TW picture)

[Mumofonexo]

Hi Everyone I’m 15 months pp from a forceps delivery I had a third degree tear plus episiotomy. The episiotomy causes me no issues but the tear is still tender and the scar tissue pulls. I’ve seen a gynaecologist about this and they’ve said they could remove some of the scar tissue but this could also create more scar tissue.
I’ve included a picture as I want people’s opinions on how I’ve been repaired would you be happy leaving things as they are? I personally think my downstairs looks a complete mess now.

You might introduce more scar tissue with a revision. Give it time.

Honestly I think that looks pretty good, I wouldn’t risk creating any more scar tissue by attempting any kind of revision.

You don't look a mess at all. I would potentially try massage for the scar to break down some of the scar tissue before heading to surgery.

Can understand your thoughts about getting it "fixed" if it pulls and is painful though.

How long do you think I should give it?

@Mrsttcno1 @TouchOfSilverShampoo

thank you both for being kind! It’s just made me feel really self conscious especially if me and my husband split up.

Ive also been massaging it as i find if it gets dry it pulls more.

You don’t look terrible at all but i know how upsetting this can be. I had similar and it took a long time to fully settle and heal, like years i’d say. If its not causing you physical bother then i’d give it more time.

Thank you 🩷 I know it might sound silly as no one really looks at my vagina but it’s still upset me with how it looks.

I really hope it does get better.

I had a fourth degree tear. I understand how you feel.

I wouldn't have more surgery. I would try scar tissue massage to try and break down some scar tissue.

It honestly looks like it's healed really well.

I know you're self conscious but truthfully I don't know anyone who 'inspects' that area?? You're baring the scars for delivering your child into the world. You and your body did an amazing thing!

Ouch I’m sorry to hear about your tear too.

i think i might carry on with the massage and see if it looks better at 2 years pp.

Id got it in my head that the scar looks really dreadful as I’ve never seen anyone else’s to compare and I think we are always self critical.

Thank you! I get really anxious sometimes and think what if me and my husband split up I’d never find another partner as my downstairs looks like it does. I know that sounds silly!

Has yours improved with more time?

Men really do not care at all if thats what youre self cautious about! Leave it be

Id got it in my head that the scar looks really dreadful as I’ve never seen anyone else’s to compare.

As someone who was "lucky" enough to have had two CS and one "easy" natural I came here to see what a scar like that looks like. My first reaction was "how brave to post a picture" but my overwhelming thought was "is that it?". So no, it doesn't like dreadful at all. If it hurts then focus on dealing with that (massage with special scar cream?) but visually it looks fine, trust me - a man wouldn't even notice it 😉

I feel self conscious for myself too, I try and keep a healthy weight and keep myself presentable so it just gets me down if you know what I mean x

Awh thank you! I’ve never seen anyone else’s to compare. I’ve tried to google but nothing comes up. As this is anonymous I don’t really mind sharing it might help someone else out too. Also once you’ve had a baby all dignity goes out the window anyway 🤣

i think I might get some scar cream to see if it helps I can use it for massage anyway.

🩷

It looks a hell of s lot better than mine! (Episiotomy that had burst stitches and took 4 months to heal)

I was offered revision surgery too, but by the time I got called up the pain was a lot better so I changed my mind, maybe I should have done it 🤷‍♀️ it does pull a little - but it's really a hell of a lot worse than yours (sort of a gap in the labia)

That was 8 years ago, I don't think about it much, it's not like anyone else sees except my husband and the nurse who does the smears!

First baby a junior doctor stitched me up. Was painful up until I had second baby. When I got pregnant the second time, another midwife said while I was in labour that it wasn't good. She restitched me after the birth. Absolutely no issues after that.

I had significant stitching after my first. I separated from my husband (20 years ago) and had lots of much appreciated sex after that. Literally no complaints. Bear in mind that men have been caught trying to shag a gap in a pavement. They're so grateful to get near an actual vagina that any modifications we have pale into insignificance. Chin up.

Oh I’m sorry to hear that 😢
my stitches came undone on both the tear and episiotomy my husband said it looked like raw steak instead 🥴 I wasn’t brave enough to check myself.

i honestly didn’t realise so many people had issues with scars after birth as it’s not talked about.

Can I ask did you have anymore children?

Omg that made me laugh thank you! 🩷

I had two further children, very minimal tears (no stitching).

@Mumofonexo mines really doesn't bother me now. My eldest is 5 who I had the nasty test with. I see it as a battle wound. Haha. I brought him into this world safely and bare those scars. I'm proud of my birthing scars in a weird way but I wouldn't whip them out haha.

My second was a ELCS due to complications with first. Scar healed nicely but is bigger. It's still a little numb but again. Battle wound.

My body grew two gorgeous (albeit mental at times!) humans and birthed them into this world. I'm bloody proud of it including my scars!

Thank you for this. That’s a really positive way to look at it!

Two more! 2nd was meant to me ELCS due to how horrific it was with 1 (I had a haemorrhage as well as complications with the episiotomy) but he had other ideas and it all happened too fast (that's a whole other story 😂) I had a bit of a graze and a couple of stitches, 0 complications after the 3rd

I did have several months of physio to help with the scar tissue,

I did the school run the day after my third 😂 who whizzed out without so much as a scratch

My first response was "is that it?" too! Give it a year and it'll settle down even more I expect. Use some silicone scar gel on it daily, that really helps.