Things changed after vaginal birth?

[penstamon]

DS's birth was great- no drugs, quick labor, healthy baby, quick healing from a small first degree tear. Sex is even better than before the baby so I guess I shouldn't complain but my tear did not heal quite right. I have this strange little flap of skin at the opening that really bothers me. I know this is stupid and vain as it doesn't cause any health issues and DH doesn't care, but it does really bother me. Did anyone have anything like this that could be taken care of later- as in the next birth or after they were done having kids?

[2sweetboysmom]

I was alright after babe 1, but babe 2 did some strange rearanging of my bits, babe 3 gave me a prolapsed rectum (due to his precipitous, all in one crazy involuntary contraction delivery)
I am vain enough that I have been planing on 'fixing' things when I al all done having kiddos.

[homemademom]

I had a tear with my first and healed with a little flap like you describe, but when I had my 2nd with no tear, somehow that little flap was gone. I'm not sure what stretched out or what changed or if there was a small but not noticeable tear, but everything re-healed great, even better than the first time.

I'm sure you could get it taken care of at any time, though, if it's bothering you.

[MammaB21]

With my first birth I tore to the side and my midwife stitched me up but left a little on the end to heal on its own. I wish that I would have known better at the time to tell her to either stitch it all the way or not at all. It didn't heal the way I think she assumed it would and since it was a little uneven there was a small flap left. It bugged me for a while but I noticed that over time things somehow got better. (Or maybe I just got used to it as normal for me now). With this birth I've talked to my midwife (homebirth this time) about it and we've decided to asses any possible tears at the time but that she will either stitch fully or not stitch at all.

Honestly, I can totally understand feeling like something is 'wrong' or different and wanting things back the way they were. But in reality, having children makes our bodies change. Everywhere. I'm sure what seems bad to you, is really something barely noticeable. I'd recommend waiting a while before you get your heart set on 'fixing' anything. It might continue to heal/change and/or you might grow to be not as bothered by it. In the grand scheme of things a little flap is really no big deal.

[kittywitty]

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Edited by kittywitty - 6/18/11 at 1:34pm

[Defenestrator]

Skin tag removal is easy and might even be in the scope of practice for a midwife, but you can expect 4-8 weeks of healing time unless it is very small. Removing it leaves a raw spot and it has to heal over.

[lilylumos]

OH man I thought I was the only one!! Same story here, only a very long labor (30 hours). Two small stitches and a fews weeks later I noticed that flap too. I tried to ignore it, it kinda freaked me out.

I am used to it now, doesn't bother me. Certainly doesn't bother my husband in the least. Glad to know I am not the only one though!