Repairing episiotomy breakdowns

[wombat]

I'm 4w pp and I got a 3rd degree cut due to shoulder dystocia and forceps use. (Baby was only 6lb 8oz, can you believe that!)

Now episiotomy has broken down near anus end. I've heard it's hard to restitch it at this point and cauterising it with silver nitrate is the way to go. The exposed flesh are is between the size of a nickel and quarter. It really hurts though. The 'hole' seems to be increasing too, probably due to bowel movements, so I really want it fixed. And it's getting infected...

Anyone have experience with repairs of this nature? I'm a bit worried if it's cauterised, I'll have scar tissue and it's gonna hurt all the time and won't stretch like it's supposed to in that area (TMI but when I have bowel movement).

I gotta see my CNM in a few days but I'd like to know how other's repairs have worked.

[MamaTaraX]

I don't have any personal experience. The OB I had with my first pregnancy was really big on repairing that kind of stuff. She tore and had the tear repaired. A few weeks later she noticed a hole, like you describe. She ignored it a little while and went on about her merry way until she realized it was probably worse than she thought. Remember,t his woman is a trained OB. She went to her OB and it had to be repaired. I don't remember which kind of repairshe had but she's really big on making sure that women don't go through what she went through. Whatever she had done, she said it took care of it and she'd recommend all women make sure they don't have any hidden holes like that. That's what brought me in, I thought I had a hole, and I didn't tear or anything. But she was very quick to make sure I did not (I didn't) and to tell me her story.

GOod luck to you. I hope you can get a good repair, whatever kind. I'd definatly want to get that fixed soon!

Namaste, Tara
mama to Doodle (7), Butterfly (2), and Rythm (due at home 1/06)

[KiwiZ]

Hi that happened to me. I had a 2nd degree tear and it healed funny, there was a "crater" that wasn't filling in. I didn't want to do anything, but worried that it could get bigger and get infected. I was extremely anxious so much that I got some terrible headaches cuz I just wanted my perineum healed and done with already!

I went to see my OB/GYN and told her how anxious I was and she was so sweet and reassuring. She numbed me with something (sorry I'm not more specific here) and I believe used that silver nitrate stuff you mentioned to remove the scar tissue. It didn't hurt anywhere near what I thought it would, so I wanted to share that to reassure you. It also healed beautifully and I am so glad I got it repaired. If you think it would help, take a friend with you to hold your hand and give you the emotional support you need

And come here for emotional support to, so we can hold your hand HTH and keep us posted