Episiotomy Healing

ahhh thank you! Yesss I am laying down a couple times a day to air it out 😆😂 glad to hear I’m doing all the right things - so sorry you went through it too! Hopefully I’m through the worst of it 🤞

I struggled with mine, I had 2 lots of antibiotics before it started healing properly and I am now nearly 8weeks pp and still have pains when I sit for too long x

yes I’ve already had two courses! I’m hoping I don’t get any more infections now. Rubbish ti hear you’re still having pains - do you still need to take any painkillers for it?

Mine took a good 3/4 months to fully heal to the point I had no pain/discomfort. The first 6 weeks were definitely the worst, I found sitting with one leg underneath me worked well for reducing the pain while sitting (have to switch legs regularly to stop it going dead!) Make sure your using a peri bottle or pouring water and patting dry (I had a stash of flannels for patting dry rather than toilet paper as toilet paper sometimes get stuck) rather than wiping as I found this irritated it more. Even now 10 months later if I were to apply pressure to the scar it hurts.

no I don’t take any, I was prescribed this cream to use as shower gel because still can’t have bubble baths and I love a bubble bath😂

wow that’s so long but thank you for the honesty! I’m hoping the time goes quickly (having a baby I’m sure it will!) yes I’m having to sit on one side which is so inconvenient for eating 😂 I’m shocked ti hear you still get pain with pressure 😩 is that due to scar tissue do you know? I hope that goes for you

I’m almost 2 years from mine and still have pain.😵‍💫

My episiotomy healed quite quickly. However, my sister’s experience is similar to yours. She kept getting pain and infections and it took her a long time. She had a c section for the second pregnancy and found the recover for that quicker than her episiotomy

Honestly I’m 8 months pp and still don’t feel ‘normal’ after mine. No pain as such but struggling with tampons and sex still 🙃

Mine healed pretty quickly but I would just agree with the peri bottle and a flannel to pat dry. After a shower you can use a little hand held fan to kinda dry the area don’t bring it too close and on the lowest setting to just help the area get some air and be dry before putting on a pad and closing it up. At night I just laid pads on a towel and laid down on top of it without any panties as well and I think that also.

Im 16months PP, every now and then get discomfort too. But generally no pain. I like you, had infection and had two lots of antibiotics. Was healed but that pain and discomfort was horrible. The mental pain was worse, I felt I was butchered.
The worse part was that noone talks about it. I was feeling lonely too, but this community helps to raise awareness and women should start talking about it. Im glad they do. Wish you a speedy recovery ♥️ this too, shall pass. You are not alone in this ♥️

Mine wasn’t great - I remember being a few weeks in, my stitches has come open and it was a big open wound and so painful and uncomfortable. 3 weeks in and I had no idea how it was ever going to heal, but they said it would, and said when it starts to heal it would happen quickly. Was given antibiotics as a precaution and they didn’t re-stitch it because the muscle was still together. Amazingly by 6 weeks it was fully healed and even by 5 weeks it felt so much better!! They really were right about when it starts healing, it’ll happen quickly.

Not sure if it’ll be the same for you but hope that’s encouraging. x

I’m also 5 weeks pp (tomorrow) after having forceps and episiotomy.
I’ve been to triage once as the stitches opened. They swabbed me for infection and never heard anything back so presume it was negative for infection. But they refused to restitch me up… so I was left open! 🤯 strange!

I also have quick Epsom salt baths. Careful showers and I don’t know what else I can do. But I still am very sore.
When I’m trying to do a number 2… my vagina area hurts?! It’s not fully healed yet at all but it is getting better. I do wonder if it will ever feel “normal” down there though.

Due my 6 week GP appointment soon and I plan to ask them to examine me to reassure me! X

I had the forceps too! I’m literally 5 weeks today so prettttty much labour twins 😆

My stitches didn’t open however when I was talking to a consultant on my last visit up, he explained how some women “fall open” and when that happens they tend to leave it (I don’t know the reason why) he said healing takes a bit longer that way but they prefer to do that. I’m apparently very swollen and tense and if he saw a pocket of infection he would cut me so I would also “fall open”… 🤷‍♀️ I had a swab and they called me saying they found e-coil but that it’s on our skin anyway so likely became contaminated. I had another swab this week and also heard nothing.

My whole vagina hurts constantly too and my bum hole (I think that’s due to the piles!) it’s so glamorous.

Definitely ask for an examination! I must have had half the city examine me by now but I’ve been so anxious about it and they’ve never denied to do it xxx

oh wow! Yeah I’ve heard others say they just get left if they’ve opened up! So strange as we’re then open to infection?!

But it is getting better. Just strange pressure/pain feeling when going to the toilet!

My swelling has gone down so much but it’s still sore.

My poor mum receives a x rated pic every morning bless her, I just feel comforted to know someone is just checking it looks to be healing right 🤣😅

Piles is so painful, they go then a big poo and there back again! 🤦🏽‍♀️ I’m using Anusol though that has helped a lot. Drink lots of water too. It does help xx

yeah I don’t understand the logic in any of it, which makes believing them a little harder! 🙈

I guess because the body didn’t tear naturally it’s a more complicated healing process

Hahaha my husband works in A&E so I’m always getting him to look at it too 😂🙈 poor bloke

Yes they do they’re a nightmare! I haven’t used anything on them one midwife told me not to but I didn’t get the reason why - more things ti find out! X

4months pp and still not healed properly! I persisted with the doctor and got a referral back to the hospital for cauterisation although I’m still on the waiting list! I raised it at 6week check, had x2 courses of antibiotics and got the referral when I was 10weeks pp! If you’re still experiencing pain and infections in a few weeks then keep going back to the GP!

You are not alone!!!!! However I am 18 months pp and no pain so there IS hope ❤️

did the gap fully close?

yes completely, and by 6 weeks! Absolutely normal now