[ruthlet]

Thanks for all your replies - it's good to have other experiences to measure mine against. I can't believe I've been so patient and waited 17 days before complaining!

We're just back from the hospital where I had the stitches taken out. They did it with no pain relief, and it was excruciating but I can already tell that I will feel much, much better soon.

The good news is that the doctor also agreed that everything looks like it has 'gone back to normal' and has healed well. Apparently it should be 100% fine in 48 hours.

Hopefully tonight can be my last night of pain killers

[mi-mi]

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear that something was done! Good luck with the rest of your recovery

[ruthlet]

I thought I'd pop back and update this thread 8 months on just in case it comes up in any other new mother's search on tearing.

In the end, the doctor at the hospital missed a few stitches and I ended up going back to my GP about 2 days later as I was still very uncomfortable and was still bleeding red blood. My GP removed the last few. I felt better immediately and my bleeding 100% stopped that afternoon.

I later found out that dissolvable stitches should have started to break down substantially after 11 days - so, if yours haven't don't be shy to have them checked. Mine had started to grow over Don't be as patient as I was!!

Despite my fears that I was going to be damaged 'down there' forever, DH and I DTD just before my 6 week checkup (I remember being mortified when my GP started the DTD conversation with 'I guess after such big tears you haven't tried to....' Queue a very embarrassed couple, LOL).

Everything is fine now, and I only get a few dull aches on days I'm very tired or have spent a long time standing up.

Anyway, no real point to my post other than to update, urge others to get things checked out if they're hurting, and encourage others that things generally work out in the end.

[Mianta]

You poor thing, I couldn't imagine anything more uncomfortable for a new mum to have to put up with. Thanks for posting your update as it will help new mums keep an eye on their health "down there". FWIW, I always tell women to present to their GP with ongoing or increasing pain from their stitches. You really shouldn't be experiencing anything too intense, even past the first week postnatal.