Tore naturally, 4mo PP still in pain

[spookymamma]

I was referred to this forum through an online friend. Hoping for some insight,support.. something.. Im not even sure.

So 4 months ago I had my son. I intended to have a natural hospital birth but there ended up being fetal stress issues and high blood pressure after 2 days of labor and I was given an epi and was ready to push an hour later. They took the epi off and I was told to push hard and fast with every contraction because the baby needed to come out.  I tore naturally instead of being cut. I guess it was pretty bad, the nurses all seemed pretty affected when they saw it lol. But the man who delivered (not my OB, it was the on call) never told me how bad or anything. I do know that I tore my perineum and my labia with some internal tearing I believe and I received stitches.

I had pain and my regular OB told me it was normal. I had to see her a lot due to issues with retained placenta and stuff. (I feel like the guy who delivered my baby was really sloppy! just wanted to get in an out) I kept telling her that I thought something was rong. Eventually she listened and literally just poked around with a q-tip asking me where it hurt. Pretty much anything inside hurts, especially at the bottom of the opening nearest my perineum. Any pulling, tugging, stretching or inserting hurts. This includes if my panties ride, and sex is not even something I can attempt regardless of how much lube we use. I asked her what we should do about it and she flat out said to me, "I dont know, let me think about." then she left the room and came back with some lidocain cream and that was it. My insurance ended shortly after that and I have no idea what to do.

The cream does nothing, Im still in pain and I still cant have sex. Its making me really depressed. My husband is very supportive and understanding but its really affecting me physically and mentally. Just want to have my vagina back! :( anyone else have an issue like this?

[prone_to_wander]

Can you get in to see another dr? If not, I'd go back and demand that she takes your concern seriously.

[zapzipzee]

I didn't have the extensive tearing you did, but mine was all at the front.  It was at least six months before sex was bearable.  It's been over two years, and it's just not the same, not painful anymore, but not like it used to be.  We got a nice small vibrator and use it on my clitoris, and that helped tremendously!  Distracts from the "in and out," which becomes uncomfy very quickly.

Good luck, so sorry you're going through this!

[FloridaBorn]

I had 3 second-degree tears which took 45 minutes to be sewn up. It took 6 months to be able to stand sex and a year for the perineum area to not sting during penetration. Two years post-partum things look pretty "normal" down there.

In my opinion, you have been malpracticed on at the hospital.

[rnra]

Consider finding a physical therapist that specializes in women's health.  They can be a bit harder to locate--but they are a fabulous resource for issues like those you have mentioned.