Episiotomy still hurts??

[penguintattoo]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this and sorry if its tmi!!

My daughter is six and a half months old and when she was born the doctor gave me an episiotomy, I'm not sure what level or any of that, I never thought to ask. So now sex is extremely painful I'm not sure if this is the cause though. Its almost like he just doesnt fit inside me anymore, sorry for the TMI! So anyway has anyone experienced this? Is it normal??

[billikengirl]

Hey DDC buddy. My midwife said it would be normal for it to hurt for quite a while (6 months or so) but that it should get better. Do you feel like it's staying the same or getting better, or is it getting worse?

I had a small episiotomy and my midwife did a great repair. I'm *aware* of the scar if penetration is at a certain angle, etc. but sex hasn't been at all painful since DS was 2 or 3 months old.

I've read and been told that massage with vitamin E oil can help make the scar tissue more stretchy.

[Banana731]

It can take longer than 6 months for the healing process to finish. Even if the repair was done well and it's healing "properly," everyone heals differently and your body, hormonally, is still quite different than it was prior to pregnancy. It's not uncommon to hear mamas with episiotomies say that it takes about a year. Certainly massage the massage the pp mentioned can be helpful and is worth a try, and of course good lubrication when you dtd. I wish speedy healing for you!

You might also consider checking out the Healing Birth Trauma board, you'll probably be able to hear from more women who have been through similar experiences there.

[penguintattoo]

Thanks for the massage idea I'll definitely try it. It doesnt seem like its getting better or worse, its almost like the scar tissue has a bump in it at the opening of my vagina making it difficult and painful. I should probably try to find a doctor(mine moved 7 weeks after I gave birth), and ask them to look at it.

[Quinalla]

Definitely go to the doctor, though it isn't abnormal for things to still be healing and especially if you are breastfeeding, you can be very dry which can makes things painful too.

[MJB]

My episiotomy scar hurt occasionally until I gave birth again 3 years later.

[CrazyCatLady]

The episiotomy that I didn't want and got anyway also hurt until I gave birth again 2 years later. My gyno had given me some cream (estrogen?) that was supposed to help, but it never did.

[chellebee]

If you don't feel like it's 'right' I'd say go get it checked out. The bump makes me think of either scar tissue, or granulation tissue that is overgrowing. If it's the latter, it can be removed (which usually isn't a huge deal) and you can move on with healing! It could also be because of hormones if you are breastfeeding.

[EnchantedMamma]

I believe I still had twinges up to a year or so afterwards.

And yes, I felt very 'snug' for even longer than that.

I do recall that I was told to spend plenty of time on foreplay, and to massage with olive oil or vitamin E as much as possible/desired to break up scar tissue.

I did not have an epi but had lateral tearing that required stitches. Luckily all is well now (enough to consider DC #2!) and I am back to 'normal'!

Best wishes on a speedy recovery. I would do some research on Vitamin C (and Dr. Klenner). At the very least the Vit E should help a lot!

[texaspeach]

I had a c/s and still feel like this. my midwife said it is due to the lack of estrogen caused by breastfeeding making the tissues not as elastic as usual. it feels like things don't fit anymore she offered me estrogen cream but with the caveat that it could (rarely) impact my milk supply so I haven't tried it.