I delivered my second child 9 months ago, and I feel like the healing process has been very different than with my first.
With my first I had an epidural and an episiotomy. Right after the birth for the first few weeks, stiches were painful; but by about 6 months - everything had pretty much snapped back to normal.
With my second I went all natural and had some minor tearing. Recovery after the birth was much better - but now at 9 months things still have not snapped back. I tore upwards and now my 'hood' is not the same shape and causes me itching (where I had minor tearing). As well everything is droopy still - with my first everything was more full and back to normal by now.
Is there anything I can do?
Hi A., so sorry for your discomfort.
For the itching during the first two weeks, I used Magnesium pads. Ask your dr or pharmacist if that may be effective for you now. it was a lifesaver.
HTH. Jilly
addendum: magnesium pads are like sanitary napkins with magnesium in them or something. You store them in the freezer and put them in your underwear for a few hours.
Some of it might still heal back up, I had a lot of stitches with my 1st and I could still feel a large bumpy scar for over a year. Kegels can help tighten things up, but not really towards the front like you described. You could also talk to your doctor about ways to repair the damage. Some doctors can do an outpatient procedure to help get things back to the way they were pre-baby. If your OB/GYN can't do this, they should be able to refer you to someone who can.
I'm sorry you tore up:( If doctors would just stop being so stubborn about what is convenient for THEM and let moms birth on their hands-and-knees or squatting, almost no one would tear up! It makes me so angry:(
Part of the problem is just that it's your second and it's harder to recover after each one. Elasticity gets weaker like a rubber band that gets stretched out over time. I also wonder if the doctor didn't do a great job with the stitching? Now sure on that one.
I'm really not sure there's much you can do short of plastic surgery at some point:( But make an appointment with your doctor and see what s/he says.
I tore with all three of my kids and needed stitches. After all of the stitches and everything, nothing looks the same as it did before "down there". It probably will never look like it did before but I found that doing Kegel exercises and using Tucks pads helped heal. The tucks have witch hazel in them and that helps with the healing. Things will eventually feel normal again.
