I gave birth to my son in August 2020. During labour I was in a lot of pain and could not get up of the bed or even kneel on the bed as I was getting really bad pains in my stomach and back. No one could explain why I was getting the stomach pains. I can only assume my son was spine to spine as I was not told.
I pushed for 2hrs and 44 minutes in total. I needed an episiotomy in the end. The midwives did listen to me as I did not want the forceps unless it was a last resort. My son was born with the cord round his neck twice. However he did not have any complications as a result of this, and the midwives were very empathetic. My main issue comes with the aftercare. I was not given advice on how to care for my episiotomy or where it was etc. It ended up tearing. I was sent back to the hospital by the midwife who visited the house.
I was prescribed antibiotics and told to continue breastfeeding-the antibiotics were so strong and did not agree with my baby’s stomach. He was in so much pain. I am not sure if they helped to contribute to his reflux which he developed. I was advised that my stitches had tore but would heal on their own - in my mind this meant it would heal shut. It wasn’t until I was at the doctors weeks later regarding a polyp discovered during pregnancy that the doctor explained what had happened.
I have been left with an episiotomy which has healed open. I have cried a lot and feel mutilated. I have been seen by a few doctors and a private consultant all who tell me it looks okay. However I still have granulation from the stitches so it is very clear to see where it should be closed from. I feel extremely down, the pain from the episiotomy tearing had a massive impact on my ability as a mother and on my mental health.
I had to go to physio where it was found I was over tightening my pelvic floor to lift up off the split stitches. I am waiting to be seen again this time by an nhs gynaecologist. I want to be restitched. I would have done anything to get my son delivered safely but there were improvements to be made and I don’t feel the nhs should leave me with an open episiotomy cut even if the skin has healed over and with continuing pain down the back of my leg.
"Giving birth and after care"
About: Royal Jubilee Maternity services / Maternity care Royal Jubilee Maternity services Maternity care BT12 6BA
Posted by Jayne F (as ),
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