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Childbirth

How long did your episiotomy tale to heal?

12 replies

RedPony · 21/07/2014 14:30

Just that really! I had one 12 days ago and it can still be quite uncomfortable to sit down at times especially in the evenings. They explained it all when they were stitching me up but I was a bit overwhelmed and had just given birth so it went in one ear and out the other.

OP posts:

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CulturalBear · 21/07/2014 15:21

Congrats on your newborn :)

Can't remember exactly but the initial ouch eased off after about 6 weeks (although I ended up with an infection in week 3 which slowed things down) but for a long time after, the scar would hurt whenever I spent too long on my feet and sex... well. Not nice.

A year on, it's fine, more or less. It aches for about a week before/during AF and if I do loads and loads, it aches then too. But sex has been ok since about 10 months (but then we didn't try an awful lot between 6 and 10 months).

Hopefully they gave you some good advice about looking after it - it's worth getting someone to check for infection if you're worrying, it's not exactly very obvious...

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RedPony · 21/07/2014 17:59

Thanks :) they showed DP how to check it and what to look for so he checks it every now and then when I get out of the bath. Most of the day it's fine but can be a bit sore when I sit down on certain chairs and things. I'm not taking regular painkillers like I was but still having to take the odd one now and then

OP posts:

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Shahsham · 21/07/2014 18:09

My first one still hurt after a few weeks. At 2 or 3 weeks the stitches were taken out and that really hurt. (The nurse said it was really badly stitched)

After a couple of months Id forgotten all about it.

Second one was done by a genius - I swear they were slightly uncomfortable for 3 days (and I had to be careful how I moved) then no pain at. dS2 is 11 weeks now but I havent yet checked to see what it looks like. He did say he was going to repair the 'damage' (huge scar) done by the first.

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ch1134 · 21/07/2014 20:28

Months. At 4 months I requested the gp check it and she said I had granulation and it would take a further 9-12 months. Now at 6 months and it only hurts after peeing. Hope you have more luck!

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Cavort · 21/07/2014 20:33

I had an episiotomy and forceps delivery and it hurt like hell for the first few weeks. I was so full of Ibuprofen I probably rattled while walking. At 6 weeks postpartum we resumed marital relations and it did not hurt at all. Anyone who checked it after the birth always commented on what a good job they had made of the stitching.

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badfurday · 21/07/2014 21:33

Bear- interesting what you say about it aching before af. I'm only 15 weeks after giving birth and notice my bits kind if throb a few days before I'm due on. Thought I was imagining it! I haven't attempted sex yet, am
Terrified!

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CulturalBear · 21/07/2014 22:11

badfurday wine and lube... and avoid direct pressure on the scar. So um you might need to get creative with the ole karma sutra IYKWIM.

It gets better though. Actually cried for a good reason the other week

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CulturalBear · 21/07/2014 22:13

BTW I think your DP deserves a trophy OP - shown what to look for and checks it after letting you have a bath! Can I get one of those menfolk please :)

(FWIW I wasn't given any follow-up advice apart from some essential oil to put on maternity pads. I actually assumed baths wouldn't be allowed - so I didn't have one for months!)

Sounds like you're on the right track RedPony enjoy those snuggles and that DP of yours :)

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badfurday · 21/07/2014 22:15

Haha, wine and lube it is then! I'm hoping it will be totally pre-baby awesomeness......

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Passmethecrisps · 21/07/2014 22:16

I think mine took about a month to six weeks to heal but longer to feel 'right'.

I used to keep a bottle of witch hazel in the fridge and pour it into maternity towels which I changed every few hours. It was cool and blissful and aided healing.

Congratulations and good luck.

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Flexibilityiskey · 21/07/2014 22:20

Bloody hell, some of these are making me wince! I must have been really lucky. I can't remember how long mine took to heal, but I know I went back to horse riding 3 weeks in, and it felt OK. I think we did sex about 6 weeks in, and it was fine, although I was terrified before.

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RedPony · 22/07/2014 07:44

flexi you were riding again after 3 weeks?! I can't wait to get back in the saddle but I don't think it will be next week aha. Bear DP is very good like that, although he's not going out the way letting me have a bath As all Ds does is sleep in this heat so it means he can play the Xbox for a bit whilst watching Ds
passmethecrisps thanks for the tip about the witch hazel I might give that a try! Do you think aloe Vera gel would have the same effect?