Have you ever had a Episiotomy or have knowledge about it?? Quick questions!

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I had one 7 months ago when I gave birth and sex is still uncomfortable. I also think they sewed too much skin!! Did this happen to you? Wont this make a pap smear even more uncomfortable when they use that instrument?? I have an appt. with my Gyno in 3 weeks but just want to get a few answers while I wait.

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Specializes in interested in NICU!!.

sorry but i can't help you there, i didn't have one :D

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

I've had two episiotomies and one natural tear. It took way longer than 7months for me to feel completely healed from each. I'd say about 18months to 2 years. I've always thought pap exams were uncomfortable regardless. As for sex, use lubricant and try different positions. As long as you haven't any s/s of infection, I don't think there is much you can do.

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Specializes in Surgery, Tele, OB, Peds,ED-True Float RN.

Don't let the doc tell you that this is not a real problem. It is! Many women have excess scar tissue after an episiotomy. Often it is inside the lady parts and not visible just by looking at the lady parts and perineum on the outside. It can make the area sensitive and tight. So much so that it's difficult to even insert a finger. Injectable steroids can be used to decrease the scaring and some experts say having sex (slow and easy) tends to help stretch the area after the steroids and sometimes an anesthetic has been injected. In the rare instance a revision of the episiotomy scar is done.

You should keep a diary of sorts. Note where the pain is and describe the pain. Is it worsened with certain sexual positions? Is it better when using condoms or lubricant? Is there any swelling or drainage? Does it hurt with sitting? Is the rectum or rectal sphincter involved? Does it hurt when you have a BM? And anything else you can think of, bring it with you to your MD visit.

Hope this helps...

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Great! Thanks for your advice :-))

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I've had two episiotomies and one natural tear. It took way longer than 7months for me to feel completely healed from each. I'd say about 18months to 2 years. I've always thought pap exams were uncomfortable regardless. As for sex, use lubricant and try different positions. As long as you haven't any s/s of infection, I don't think there is much you can do.

Thanks ;-))

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I had one, too and I actually tore from it. :crying2: it was not a pretty site at all and it did make things uncomfortable for a while and just plain...different for awhile after that. I think it was about a year or so before things felt "normal" again, but every once in a great while, it will still bother me during the act. Hopefully not TMI (Too Much Info) for anyone :D

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Didn't have one but tore. It sounds like a definite problem though so I hope you get checked out. My issues post-partum came from a dislocated pelvis (ouch!) and severe abdominal muscle tears. I still look like I'm 4 to 5 months pregnant and my son is a year old. I can see and hear things in my abdomen that I never even imagined was possible. I've done PT, chiropractic care and now I've been recommended for surgery.

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Specializes in ER.

I had one and I definitely agree that it was a good 12-18 months before I felt like me again! I would get these sharp shooting pains and felt, uhhhh, dry in the sex dept! Good luck girl!

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Some doctors go for an extra stitch or two to restore "youthfull" function down there (without advising the patient or getting consent). the problem is there are many spouses that arent "youthfull" down there and it can cause sexual problems. based on others comments i would say give it a little more time and see how it goes. my wife (epesiotomy) and ex-wife (tear) were both in full form and without discomfort by 9 months or so.

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Specializes in Rural Health.

I just had a first degree tear with DD, but it took several months b4 I felt normal again.

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There's research to support that less is more. Whenever I can, I only suture minimally, just to create an internal "bandage" to allow the healing to take place naturally. I have seen enough skin tags and puckering to believe the research and not to over do it.

So yes, it is possible to oversew, and as one poster said - don't let them tell you it's in your head. Be prepared to get a second opinion if you have to. Do you know what degree laceration it was?

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