Cut and restitched after birth

Has anyone gone through this?

At my 6 week check up with the OB he mentioned that my episiotomy cut and natural tears had healed a bit too tightly. He said if I had problems with DTD to come back and see him. But he said the best thing was to DTD to stretch things.

Anyway DTD is HOPELESS. It's hard enough finding the time and also being in the right mood. So we've only tried twice and it HURT. Couldn't go through with it. Not sure if it's in my head or it really is that bad.

I've now decided that I should probably see my OB again to get fixed. I'm scared. :help:

Fee - maybe you could try some perinial massage before you get too worried. Alot of people who have had stitches have some troubles before things get right again. Your dr is right, DTD is the best thing. I actually got my period pretty soon after the birth, and tampons from about the second or third cycle madfe all the difference.

Here's hoping that massage will get you somewhere. Going through all that again sounds liek the pits :(

I tore naturally with DD#1 & it healed no probs, but with DD#2 I had an Epi& it took alot longer to heal & for the area to become less pianful/sensetive (was it my mind I do not know!?) But I think after about the 6mth mark it started getting much better & since then has been no issue at all, now expecting #3... I hope I dont tear or need to be cut at all!

I agree try to massage it to realx & stretch the area!!!

I guess I can try stretching it with massage. Half the problem is that I just can't be bothered - like what you said Tulip.

And ATM I feel like we literally cannot DTD. We've only tried twice in 4 months but "it" won't fit!!! Sorry for TMI. Maybe I should try harder? DH even said a finger seemed tight.

:crying:

I should probably just see my OB but I'm scared it's going to hurt getting fixed up.

Oh Fee,

you poor thing. I really feel for you. Your relationship with DH takes a back seat after a baby anyway without having to worry about this. I suppose I am lucky, Ive had an epsiiotomy and a 2nd degree tear but healed fine both times. Im not sure but I suspect your ob would give you a local anaesthetic first, cut and re stitch. If this is the case then the anaesthetic will hurt but you wont feel the cutting or stitching and it will take a little while to heal, like your episiotomy. My mother is a midwife and she has told me that when there are uneven edges they sometimes cut them straight before they stitch, maybe this is why yours healed too tight. Good Luck.

Fee - this is the reason I have been putting off DTD as well - I am dead scared it will tear again - (irrational perhaps but still a real fear in my head), ok well that and the fact I'm super tired, can't be bothered, never seem to feel like it.

It sounds scary going back to the OB - the stitches hurt enough the first time around, it would be hard to go through that again - not being able to sit and having to wee with my forehead practically touching the floor!!

What about if you had a nice relaxing bath and tried a bit of perinial massage in there? It really will make a difference.
I know what you mean about not bothering. I'm supposed to have done the massage to prepare for this birth, and so far I've done it once!!! Oops ;)

I'm so so so sorry Fee. I can't offer you any advice but I'm thinking of you. I'm sorry if I've made you feel awkward.

All you can do I guess is try the massage everyone has suggested and if that doesn't help go back to your OB. I know it may not be the nicest thing to get it redone but it may be worth it in the end but don't rush into anything until you are ready for it.

Sorry I can't be much more help.

Another thing you could try Fee is the Epi-no to stretch it out at your own pace and as gentle as you like.

Fee - I had the same problem , we tried once after birth and it was so painful we didnt try again until about a week or so ago. There was about 3 months inbetween DTD.. and it actually didnt hurt at all the 2nd time.
Maybe you just need some more time to heal ??
Then again , the 2nd time i was much more relaxed about it - my state of mind might have helped too - the more you stress about it , the more tense your muscles are.
I understand you though , Im scared to try the 3rd time incase the 2nd time was a fluke.

These are the things no one tells you will happen when you get pregnant !
Good luck with everything !!

I think I am healed 100% … it's just too tight.

I never had many issues after the birth with my stitches etc. It never hurt to pee or walk around or anything. I thought I was going great guns until my OB mentioned it was "tight"!!!

I might try a bit of massage … gosh I'm so lazy I don't really think I can be bothered. But I suppose I have to do something. But yeah, I think I might go and see my OB very soon.

Thanks for all your advice.

UPDATE

I've been putting off seeing my OB. Tried to DTD a few other times but it was impossible. So I've finally made an appointment to see my OB in February (earliest I could get in). Also, I've left it so late now that I need to get a referral! So I have to see the GP now too.

Gosh this is all just awful.

At least I've taken the next step now...

Oooh good luck Fee! {{{{huggles}}}} Sorry that you've got to go through this, but hopefully it can be fixed asap and once it's healed you can go back to totally enjoying DTD! :)

Goodluck, i hope you can get it fixed and back to DTD real soon.

I never came back to update on this. I saw the GP. She said I do have an unusual ridge of scar tissue but everywhere else looks fine. She said I have age on my side and good healthy elastic skin. Anyway I've got some estrogen cream and also a referral to my OB and a female gyno she recommended. I will see both. The GP said she doesn't think I should need intervention to get through this (such as surgery). She had a feel around and thought it should be okay.

So I'm using the cream at the moment and will DTD in a few weeks to see if we have any luck!

I hope the cream works for you then!!!

Hey Fee, hows the cream going?? do you have to do any 'special excersises' as well?? we still havent tried to DTD yet but still using the cream and trying to stretch it myself, joy!!! let us know how you go..

I haven't tried any exercises. Am just using the cream. Will use it for 2-3 weeks and then DTD.

At first even when I tried to insert the applicator thingo it hurt and I thought I couldn't do it! But then I remembered that the GP had managed a finger or two (sorry if TMI). I just had to breath through it and it was totally fine. But I can tell there is some sore tissue just at the entrance. I just need to get past that!

FEE, we has some success last night (sorry if TMI) but we managed to get on the dance floor IYKWIM lol!! we didnt DTD still too sore but were a step closer!! if i were you go buy a big tube of KY and try and stretch it as well as using the cream

I've got KY. I guess I should try and stretch it. I just can't really be bothered!!! Gosh it's been nearly 7 months now... that's SAD!!! My poor DH!!!

beleive me FEE i struggled for motivation as well!!(it feels more like a chore) but the hard work is starting to pay off (i hope) it still hurts but were making progress, i feel it will still be some time before i feel things will be back to semi normal!!

I'm glad you've had some success AJP. I'll keep you updated. I've been using the cream for over 2 weeks now so I should give DTD a go soon.

AJP - I've DTD!!! 7 months & 2 days since the last time. Wowzers!!! LOL

It hurt but I got through the pain. I think the cream must have helped. Now I'll have to keep at it and hopefully the pain will go away soon.

whoo hooo Fee!!!!! thats great, we havent tried again yet but things are deffinatly better now, just have to keep at it!!

Hmmm might have to try put that cream once we are in the mood. Our DD is 5 months and we tried once and it was way too painful, even with foreplay i was still very dry. I am terrified of trying again which won't help things cause i will be so tense. I'm just glad Df has low libido so he is not fussed at all!
Good on you Fee at least now I see some hope.

Shell - I hope all goes well for you. I think the cream must have helped... unless it was partly in my head??? It's definitely mental too. I was probably so scared of the pain I was tensing up without meaning too, making things worse.

PS. Use LOTS of KY jelly!

i've been wondering as well FEE how your going!!!!!
things are still a little slow for us, but getting there. had internal a few weeks ago and things are much better, still using ovastin cream and doing my excersises!!!

TAN i know what you mean as well!!! lack of motvation and the thought of it hurting