Episiotomy scar issues

**rosycheeks** · 06-05-2012 13:48

I recently took some antibiotics prescribed by my GP as my 6 month old stitches didn't feel right and the GP said they could have an infection. The pain stopped after the antibiotics but the GP prescribed some Estregen cream to soften up the scar, However when I read the contraindications I saw that it's not advised if breastfeeding, so I didn't use it.

Well it's been a month and that pain I had before is back so I'll go back to he GP tomorrow. However I don't want to get stuck in a cycle of taking antibiotics if this is going to keep happenning. I was just wobdering if anyone else has experienced this, and what the treatment was. The GP did aso mention potential surgery if I keep having issues but I'm really not keen on that idea either.

Also has anyone used that crream while breastfeeding?

**Kimberleygal1** · 06-05-2012 19:07

I had 2 episiotomies and never had any problems, no scarring at all either. I had physio for 2 weeks after both times which really helped with the pain and healing. My ob explained that the healing depends on your blood flow to the area.

I suggest looking at having physio on the area for a start. Perhaps talk to your dr about the cream re breast feeding.

Hope it gets better for you.

**Nemmi** · 06-05-2012 19:11

Ds is 23 months old, I received a 2nd degree episiotomy during his delivery and still get pain.

It also gets very stiff and scratchy.

I use perineum massage and a few other things to help with the ache and stiffness

It hurts worse on my Af.

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**zoesmama** · 06-05-2012 19:15

It took 12 months for mine to feel completely okay, the gp had a look several times during that time and said it looked fine but it didnt feel fully healed to me. I still had some discomfort with dtd until dd weaned at 2 years. Hope yours improves really soon xo

**Nemmi** · 06-05-2012 19:17

Originally Posted by zoesmama

It took 12 months for mine to feel completely okay, the gp had a look several times during that time and said it looked fine but it didnt feel fully healed to me. I still had some discomfort with dtd until dd weaned at 2 years. Hope yours improves really soon xo

I never even thought that Ds still nursing might affect it?
Thats very interesting to know ta.

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**Kimberleygal1** · 07-05-2012 20:02

Goodness im so surprised there are so many wimen that have issues afterwards. I didn't even bother going back for my 6 week check after the second one because I know it had completely healed.

**Rose&Aurelia** · 07-05-2012 20:40

paw paw ointment worked for me

**CitrusRain** · 07-05-2012 20:40

I had the same. I was very active after the birth (walking 2km twice per day from 4 days after the birth) and it healed very fast but there was a stingy feeling on and off for about 6 months and dtd was intolerably painful. Strangely enough it got better when I weaned ds. I wonder if its a hormonal thing then? I did perennial massage which really helped but there is still a ridge there (13 months after birth) and it throbs sometimes after dtd and when I run long distances. Going to see my OB physician Thursday so I might mention it to her.

**Babymay** · 07-05-2012 21:44

Rosycheeks this sounds a lot like my first birth. I had a big episiotomy which was sore and bleeding well after my six week check. Dr prescribed antibiotics, bleeding stopped but as soon as I stopped taking them it started again. Was quite painful but I didn't realise it wasn't normal - just thought I was wimpy!

Eventually saw an OB/gynae who looked and said that some of the inner layers were kind of poking up through the outer layer scar (had not been stitched up too well). The upshot was I had laser surgery to repair the scar tissue, basically zapped it off. Was day surgery and I had zero pain as soon as I was out.

Perhaps get a specialist appointment, rather than GP. They might shed some light on your situation. And if it's lasering off what is referred to as 'proud flesh' (raised up or bumpy scarring) you've hopefully got nothing to worry about. Good luck! X

**rosycheeks** · 09-05-2012 09:32

Thanks for the replies. I am also surprised that so many others have had issues.

I saw tge Dr yesterday and she said the breastfeeding warning on the cream relates to milk supply, but that if I just use it for a few weeks it shouldn't affect my supply much, especially as it is applied topically. So I am going to give that a go.

I hope I don't have to go down the surgery route. Babymay, did you get the surgery after you had finished having kids? If you had any more babies after, did the surgery affect you at all?

I will look into physio too, so thanks for that suggestion.