My DD was a VBAC - with ventouse and episiotomy. The scar is still very painful making sex impossible and I still have an ache in my pelvic floor. Gynae recommended ovestin which helps a little but not loads, physio recommended massage of the scar which actually seems to have made things more sore. Have others had this kind of experience - how long did it take for you to feel that the scar had healed and sex possible? Its really hard to know what is 'normal'. Amnost wish I'd had another c-section and then I wouldn't have these troubles

You poor thing! I had an emergency c-section first time and have had to have repeats ever since so I have no experience but I feel so bad hearing you are going through so much discomfort! I hope someone else reads this and can offer some good advice. Have you had a doc look at it recently?

I found it took well over 12 months to feel OK again after DS1 (tear, not episiotomy) - I think the lack of oestrogen due to BFing doesn't help, plus my MW said that there is a lot of soft tissue damage and swelling that takes a lot longer to resolve than you'd think. I was just starting to think about getting it checked out again when DS1 was about 15-16 months old, and then it suddenly got better. I think it might have been because my cycle was about to return (was still BFing and then fell pregnant straight away).

After DS2, when I had a ventouse and episiotomy delivery - everything was completely fine within a month or so. Which is why I really think it's a lot to do with soft tissue damage after the first vaginal delivery.

Lots of pelvic floor exercises helps with the ache.

Good luck, I hope it resolves for you soon, I know how depressing it is to still be carrying pain when your baby is months old!

My VBA2C ended with a ventous delivery, and 3rd degree tear ( which actually tore through my rectum and was very nearly a 4th degree). Everything started feeling okay about 6 months post partum, and we could actually start having sex again!

I'm sorry you're dealing with the pain, I know how hard that is

Like a PP, it also took me a very long time (14-15 months after DD's birth) to feel normal again.. I had 2nd degree tearing after a ventouse delivery and about 3-4 stitches. I had lots of bruising and swelling. I was also just about to seek help as I was just so over the pain, lack of 'proper' sex, etc, when things suddenly came right. It was about 2 months after my first AF so I wonder if there is a hormonal component??. I am also still BFing bub, so also wonder if the lack of oestrogen combined with soft tissue damage and swelling was a factor?? Everyone is different I guess .

OP I hope things return to normal for you sooner than they did for me, at any rate you are certainly not alone. Good luck and all the best.

Thanks everyone, all that advice is good to know. I saw a physio today who had a look and said that there was a lot of scar tissue down there and that was probably causing the problem. We are trying utrasound - has anyone had any success with this? Worse case scenario is that I have to get it re-done . The ache is pelvis floor she suspects is the early onset of a prolapse . And she has suggested lots of rest and pelvis floors. Feeling mightily p*ssed off today as it looks like the road to recovery is going to be a very long one.

After my first baby they caught a nerve when stitching me up. Was so darn painful for a long time. Finally saw a gyno who booked me in for restitching. Was such a relief after that.

Sorry for your pain, I know how bad it is. Took about 12 months for me to recover from episiotomy. Sounds like you are doing everything you can. Only advice I can offer is midwife told me to have a bath (shallow but quite hot) with water soluable Lavender oil once a day. This helped alot in the early days as it apparently softens the area and helps with the stiches (which you don't have now but may help with scar tissue). Good luck with everything, is just a matter of time unfortunately but at least 3 months down the track you are getting there x

Another one who wasn't anyway ready for sex at the three month mark post-episiotomy.... With DD everything was back to normal at the 12 month mark and with DS its getting there at 8 months.

I had an episiotomy when bub was born. I ended up getting something called vaginal spasms, it actually felt so painful like I was going through childbirth again. I ended up doing stretches of the muscles in the shower for a couple of months in the area of the episiotomy. And it phew has gone away. No spams any more. Good luck OP.

I had an episiotomy with a forceps delivery with DS last year (3rd degree tear) and there's no doubt about the shear agony for weeks and for some women, months afterwards.

By some miracle I was fine after about 2 months-sadly some women suffer for so much longer.

Hang in there. You will get your body back. Don't forget, you've done a great thing!!!

I had a ventouse plus episiotomy too.
At least 6 months until sex was possible. Still pretty uncomfortable 12 months later.
It's now been 2 years and it has just gradually improved over time.
TBH I don't think it will ever be the same but it has improved a lot