Episiotomy still painful...

Hi ladies

Sorry for the TMI...
I'm now more than 4 months post baby after having forceps delivery with episiotomy

I know it's still a relatively 'fresh' scar but it still causes quite a bit of pain. Especially by the end of the day it will especially become achey at the site a just generally uncomfortable. Its all healed up and Im pretty sure it's not infected because there's no puss or anything but it feels so tender to touch and a bit swollen. *TMI* feeling along the scar the skin is hard and firm. I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this sort of thing? I would have expected that everything 'down there' would be pretty much back to normal 4+ months along? Also DP and I have only managed to DTD once since DD was born and it was VERY sensitive and sore the next few days after. I've spoken to my GP about my concerns but she just said "I have to give it time"... I'm not quite sure about this because I've got friends who've had baby's with episiotomys around the same time and they are completely 'back to normal'. Should I ask to see a gyno or just give it more time? Are there things I can try/do to make the scar stop hurting so much?

Thanks in advance, Sarah

I had a tear rather than an Epi, but could not even try DTD 6m later due to the soreness after DD1, I went back to my Ob who referred me to a Womens Health Physio who did Ultrasound therapy on the area... I felt the difference in a couple of weeks and had no pain by the end of the treatments. I would recommend looking in to it, Made a huge difference to me.

Mine probably took about 6mths to feel normal again but that was more tenderness during DTD, not local tenderness. It sounds like you might have something else going on. Might be worth getting a second opinion.

you could try massaging the area with almond oil etc . to try to soften/loosen the scar tissue.

It's worth checking out, for peace of mind and reassurance. You need to consult with a gyno and ask about Ultrasound Therapy and massage etc, but most importantly they need to know your concerns. My MCHN nurse was very pro-active in restoring a womans sexual and emotional health after birth, she had some great resources and therapies, particularly useful since my first birth left me with birth trauma and fear. I'd have to search for the resource packages she left since I packed them away when we moved.

Counselling might be helpful too, otherwise this 'sort of thing' can affect the way you see yourself, which in turn can affect recovery, ITMS.

FWIW, my scar felt like a hard thick crayon after my second birth 8 months ago, now it just feels like a soft wonky matchstick scar. I still get some issues with it from sex though. It was the mental hurdle I found hardest to tackle.

I would second Ambersky's suggestion that you see a Women's Health physio. They can assess the scar tissue and determine whether or not it is normal or not for this stage. (I am a physio who has worked in Women's Health, and it doesn't sound normal or acceptable to me - if time was going to be a solution, you'd expect to be a lot better than you are at 4 months.) She may teach you techniques to help to normalise the tissues (massage, stretches, strengthening exercises, techniques to influence blood supply, etc), and therapeutic US may well be useful as well.

You shouldn't need a referral to get in to one, unless you go through the public system. Find one through the APA website (Australian Physiotherapy Association) or the yellow pages, but just make sure they are specialised in Women's Health when you book.

Thanks so much for all your advice, very much appreciated

Thinking back i think the Ob refered me so it didn't cost me anything, it was in a clinic attached to the hospy.. i cant remember how many treatments i had but i was in there regularly for a while and i guess it would have added up had i been paying.

i had similar issues... not so much with the sensitive scarring but DTD was still painful many many many months on. i went to numerous GPs who all said.. 'give it time' one even said it was all in my head. well i ended up leaving it and just perservering until it became a big problem. got a referal to a gyno at the public hospital and ended up having surgery to fix the problem. this all happend 2 1/2 years after my daughter was born!!!! so i would say start looking for help/options/advice now rather than later. :-)