Women who recieved episiotomy. Please help.

[Gemmm]

Hi ladies, I'd appreciate those of you who can share your experiences with me relating to episiotomy's. I apologize as I feel this is somewhat graphic, and embarrassing (But, I feel it needs to be addressed) .
I had my son 14 days ago.  (My first child) I had an Episiotomy (I can't share with you how extensive the incision was (2nd 3rd or 4th degree etc) because I was not told. Now I feel general discomfort which I suppose is to be expected. I feel as though I can't control the muscles (In the general Pelvic region, which creates even more problems having a bowl movement etc).. I also feel as though air gets caught in that region a lot easier.
After the birth of my son I've been having trouble having a bowl movement due to constipation which I believe is worsened by Iron that I was instructed to take daily. I started taking Stool softener , And the occasionally Milk of Magnesia (As instructed by a nurse, and pharmacist). During the first few days it didn't seem to help much. Yesterday I started experiencing awful diarrhea (Consistency of water!). I also had thick mucus like discharge with a beige color. Concerned about an infection dh and I headed to the Emergency room at the hospital where I had my son. The Er doctor took two cultures, and told me to follow up with my OBGYN seeing as how he did the episiotomy etc (He also said the lack of control while having a bowl movement might be caused if I had a 4th degree episiotomy) but to also discuss that with my doctor. They prescribed me Pain medication and a copious amount of Anti Biotics which include Diflucan , Omnicef , and Flagyl  to be taken over the course of ten days although my cultures haven't come back yet.
I have a follow up tomorrow with my Ob.

Basically I'm curious after reading so many negative things about episiotomy's whether any of you ladies had similar experiences ,and then had a normal healing process.How common is a weakened pelvic floor after delivery, and what are the chances of a successful recovery?  I'm more than somewhat concerned. I would also appreciate any information on when I might be able to begin breast-feeding again. I feel the pain medication I'm on might affect my little one as well as the anti-biotics.

Any advice would be more than appreciated.

[daisymomlove]

I had one of those too.  It was my first time haveing one and I had just as many questions as you do.  I had discharge like you as well.  I thought that I was infected as well because of the amount of time of disscomfort.  I just tried to keep looking down there with a big merrior to make sure nothing looked out of the ordinary.  The constipation is normal.  Just be sure to keep takeing the stool softners and I think they say a fiber diet?  You'll have to read on what kind of diet I'm not 100% sure.  I was the same way.  I was more like scared to death to have a bowel movement because I thought that I'd ripp or hurt really bad.  It took about three or four days for me to do so.   If it's really uncomforatable you can use a sitz it's like a little tub of watter that your behind sits in and it causes a little more comfort.  This may sound gross but I used the spray bottle to spray back there to have a little wettness back there to make it a little eaiser and it actually worked.  As for the discharge, I thought that my incision was infected too.  But adventually the discharge went away.  I took a shower every day and sometimes twice a day to ease up the pain alittle.  I just recently started to feel way better about 2-3 weeks ago.  And I had my daughter May17th.  So it takes time.  Just remember to not to stand or sit too long.  Stay on a diet, take the ibprophen, and stool softners.  Also do not put when you feel that you have a bm.  You can cause yourself to get hemmroids if you push too hard or sit too long.  Just give it time and be patient.  Believe me I know that it's very uncomfortable, but soon you will feel tons better.  Keep us posted and take your spare time to just relax

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I have had both the episiotomy and torn naturally.  When you tear, you still need stitches and both are painful in my opinion.  I trust my doctor completely, so I feel that if he performs this, it is because he thinks it is necessary.  I have never heard of anything like this being "procedure".  This is up to the doctor and not the hospital.  The doctor is the one making decisions while you are delivering and not the hospital.  Since I have torn naturally, there are times that he (my doc) did not give me one (episiotomy) but I still needed stitches due to tearing.  I think the most important thing is to trust your doctor and have faith in that person.  I have faith that my doctor cares about me and will only do things he deems necessary for my own good and for the baby's own good.  BUT, it is important that an episiotomy is performed correctly too.  If not, I can see there being serious consequences.

[KM604]

My doctor just told me that he had to do an episiotomy.  It was kind of a rushed situation also.  First of all, my doctor didn't even think I could deliver on my own due to the size of my daughter, the size of my body and the fact that she was sitting really high.  Anyways, after 2 hours of straight pushing, she was ready to come out.  As she was ready to come, the doctor was next door delivering another baby.  So by the time he came into my room she was out within 2 minutes.  He told me that he was going to have to cut me - so I guess I could have told him no but at that point I just wanted my daughter out so I really didn't think about it.  However, we discussed before hand the difference between getting cut and tearing naturally.  He said that he won't automatically cut me, but then again he was also 99% sure I would have a c-section.  He did a very good job sewing me up though and from what I've seen there is barely a scar down there.

[Gemmm]

Hi, My doctor preformed my Episiotomy without asking permission. I feel that several doctors do that often , and their reason is it being absolutely necessary (Whether this is true in all cases I cannot say.)
During my visit to the ER I asked the er doctor if it was common for doctors to preform episiotomies without the mothers consent ,and he said something along the lines of  "Well, We preform the Episiotomy if we feel it's necessary, and if the mother has received an epidural we don't bring it to her attention as to save her from anxiety."

And I believe you can make it clear in a birth plan that you do not want an Episiotomy. There is lot of debate over tearing naturally and receiving an Episiotomy. I my self did not do enough research prior to my delivery, but now I feel that tearing naturally might be somewhat better (I also feel it depends on the woman, as our recoveries differ). Also several things can help you not tear at all!

[caellie]

I had an episiotomy with Cael. I would just like to ask; is it alright for the doctors to perform an episiotomy without asking permision from the patient? I read in a Lamaze book that women have the right to object if an episiotomy isn't really needed.
My doctor said the hospital always performs an episiotomy on 1st time moms, that it was protocol or something. Dont we get a say in these kinds stuff?
I hated having stitches. I rarely got up from bed after we left the hospital because i was afraid that moving around might cause them to break. It also gave me the feeling that my vaginal area might never go back to the way it was before. It just didn't feel natural to me.
I was on antibiotics and pain relievers for 2 weeks, but my doctor said it was okay to breastfeed. I guess it depends on the type of meds you're taking.

[Gemmm]

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[Michele, Katy, TX]

I had an episiotomy w/ my first, but not w/ any others.  I have torn though, and needed stitches.  I would call your doc and tell them all of this.  They should be able to tell you if it is safe to breasfeed on the pain meds/anti-biotics you are one.  I have breastfed on anti-biotics and taking Hydrocodone (sp) w/ previous pregnancies and it was fine for my baby.  But never hurts to ask when it is a different doc doing the prescribing.

I healed okay on that part.  I actually had a lot of problems w/ my rectum after my first pregnancy from pushing for so long.  It was terrible and excruciating!!

Gosh, I sure hope you feel better soon.  Childbirth is/can be so very painful.  Please keep us posted!!!!

[KM604]

I had an episiotomy also. I don't know the extent to my cut either, but the one thing that  I noticed I had was a lot of numbness.  However, I really don't know if that is from giving birth or the episiotomy.  As far as bowel movements went, I did have to take stool softners for a bit because of hemroids.  Now it's 4 1/2 months later and I still battle with internal hemroids on and off - all of which I have never had until giving birth. IHopefully you can get some answers at your appointment.

[Gemmm]

Hi ladies, thank you for your responses they are very much appreciated. I hope this isn't too serious. I'll keep you updated.

[spade22]

I had a 2nd episiotomy with Jazmine.  I wasnt in too much pain and took 800 mg tylenol for about a week (helped more with general swelling).  I had a weakened pelvic floor after delivery and it took several months to return to normal.  I didnt have a problem controlling bowl movements but had problems with urination (couldnt stop the flow) - this was the worst in about the first month after delivery.

When you see your doctor tomorrow ask about whether the medications you are on are compatible w/ nursing.  Several antibiotics are fine while nursing as are some pain relievers.  

[JoyRenee]

My SIL had the worst episiotomy ever. It was so deep and it caused her pain for a couple of years. When she had her 2nd child she had a new doctor and because she had had an episiotomy before, they had to cut her again. This time the doctor was more gentle and helped sew it up better so it wasn't painful anymore. It still gives her discomfort at times.

[Gerry774]

I had an episiotomy with all three of my children, and I have to be honest with you, I never had any symptoms you are having.  All I remember is that is was very painful like the first week, and the pain subsided little by little.  I used the pads called tucs with and antibiotic ointment on top of that every time a went to the bathroom.  I made sure I cleaned my area very well with a squizzy bottle with water.  I did'nt have any pelvic problems or infections.  I  would take like 2-4 collace stool softners a day to help with my stool and I found it helped me alot.  As far as what you are going through it doesn't seem like it is coming from your incision, maybe there could be something else wrong.  I hope you find out whats going on.  If you have any other questions please let me know.