its been 11 months but physically I don't seem any better "down there"

[mariekitt24]

I hope I'm posting this in the right place. Sorry if it's TMI! Anyway, it's been 11 months since I had my first baby. He was nearly 10 pounds and I had a 3rd degree tear. I'm still traumatized from the whole thing (cytotec induced by midwife turned into hospital transfer) , but my question is about the physical condition of my vagina. Ever since, it seems to be a lot more exposed, like a book that was closed and is now opened up. It's harder to wipe down there and get myself clean, sex doesn't feel half as good, and the main thing that I'm confused by is that my cervix is either really low, or I've just opened up that much from the bottom, because I'm not even deep enough to fit a light tampon in anymore comfortably! I could see where would be normal at first, but it's been 11 months! Shouldn't I be getting back to normal by now? I do breastfeed in case that makes a difference.
Will I ever be able to use tampons again, or be able to have sex without getting cervix bruised in the process?
I saw a nurse (the doctor was out) a few months after the birth and she said everything was looking normal. Any thoughts?

I started getting my period 2 or 3 months after the delivery.

[Juvysen]

I wonder if you maybe have a bit of pelvic prolapse?

[GreenMamma]

I had the same problems after my first son and I was diagnosed with vulvar vesibulitis. Maybe that is something to look into for yourself?

[gen24]

It seems to me like you have organ prolapse. When you were pushing your baby out during delivery, it pushed your cervix down into the vagina. You should see a doctor about this. They can prescribe a pessary to keep it up which I think would help you a lot. Also, I have a physical therapist friend who specializes in that sort of problem so it is another route you can choose.

[seashells]

Hmm. It sounds like the low cervix is your primary problem? I looked at your post because I had a tear, they didn't tell me if 2nd or 3rd degree but it was a LOT of stiches. And it took a full year before sex felt all better. Not to say that anecdote would have any bearing on someone else's experience but it does show that 11 months PP is not necessarily the end of the story.

But that's a tear and a low cervix is a little different. I am not that knowledgeable but my first idea is: are you fertile again? If not, you may want to hang in there a little longer until you're fertile. If you are fertile again, is sex more comfortable during your fertile times, just before ovulation? Or is it equally as uncomfortable? During fertile times your cervix will be high and soft.

That's all I've got, hopefully that will help you pinpoint the issue better.

ETA: Sounds like organ prolapse is the thing to look into. Sorry, I was typing my reply to a new thread so I didn't see any replies! I guess I'm slow....